Q&A for How to Get a Dancer's Body

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  • Question
    How do you condition your body for dancing?
    Val Cunningham
    Certified Dance & Yoga Instructor
    Val Cunningham is a Choreographer, Lead Dance Instructor, and Certified Yoga Instructor at The Dance Loft, a dance studio based in San Francisco, California. Val has over 23 years of dance instruction, performance, and choreography experience and specializes in ballroom, Latin, and swing dancing. She is also trained in house, hip-hop, jazz, ballet, and modern dance, and has studied with world renouned dancers such as Tom Slaterand Richard Lambarty. She is ISTD (Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing), ProDVIDA (Professional Dance Vision International Dance Association), and Zumba certified. She is a member of the National Dance Council of America.
    Certified Dance & Yoga Instructor
    Expert Answer
    Focus on keeping your body fit, firm, and flexible. Add cardio to your exercise routine to get your heart rate up for extensive periods of time. That will give you more stamina while you're dancing. Do Pilates or work with weights in the gym to keep your body strong and firm. That will help give you the strength that you need to be a good dancer. Yoga is a great way to help your body become more flexible, but it will also improve your breathing. In addition, yoga can help you be more grounded and poised, and it can also release any tension in your muscles.
  • Question
    What if I am skinny, but feel fat?
    Community Answer
    Depending on the severity of the problem, you may have a form of body dysmorphia, which can only be properly treated by a mental health professional. If you're just mildly embarrassed by the clothes you have to wear while dancing or you're embarrassed to show skin, that's actually pretty normal. Just spending more time in the embarrassing situations will get you used to them.
  • Question
    Can I still eat wheat bread for breakfast?
    Community Answer
    Carbs are NOT bad for you. They give your brain the glucose it needs to function, as well as your body the energy it needs. The most weight I've ever lost has been on a high carb vegan diet.
  • Question
    Which apps can I use to track my progress?
    Community Answer
    You can use Fitbit or Nike Run Club or any Nike app. I use Fitbit to track my information but I really recommend Nike + Fuel Club because it gives you sources of inspiration.
  • Question
    Is this also for teens?
    Community Answer
    Yes. You can take dance classes and/or just listen to your favorite dance music.
  • Question
    How long does it take to do this?
    Community Answer
    It depends on your own body, to begin with. It could take months or years. In order to get it faster, you need to always be doing what this article says to do.
  • Question
    Is dance suitable for any type of body size?
    Community Answer
    Yes. Anyone can do it. But, you need patience, because it may take time.
  • Question
    Can I also lose weight by dancing?
    Community Answer
    Yes, this is the basis of workout programs such as Zumba. Dancing to a fast tempo for 30 - 45 minutes 3 times per week is a great cardio workout!
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