Is pre-dance stretching necessary?

[Dora-Satya Veda]

I appreciate this advice. It seems to work for me too. What do you think of doing Yoga to improve my dancing?

If you think it helps you then by all means do it. I do however think it is more that you think it helps you and therefore it does, so more a mental help than a physical help. When you dance you are in movement and the center is where it all starts from (according to the Square and Body School). Most forms of Yoga are about holding positions and not much about movement. Pilates is also about using the center but again not in movement but in a static position and often laying down or sitting. I suggest Tai Chi because that is about using the center in movement and in slow motion. If you can use the center in movement and in slow motion then you have a winning formula.

DSV

[Dora-Satya Veda]

they say now you should not do streches until you are warm anyway otherwis you can tear a muscle.

I have always learned that same thing.

Once you are warm then you can stretch and promote long lean muscles. I wouldn’t do too much stretching if I was not relaxed and warmed up. I have never had any serious physical problems and I have danced for a long time. I know that many of my colleges and my sister do the same as me and have never had any major physical problem either. I think many people work way, way too hard with their bodies to dance well and that courses physical injuries.

DSV

[Dora-Satya Veda]

Yes, you have to work up slow.  I was told to massage the muscles first then stretch. 

Totally agree...

DSV

[QPO]

 I have been doing Pilates and agree with DSV about the isolation of the core. I have yet to find Thai Chi close by for me. Pilates core work is good for strength, especially for getting out of a chair as I have found myself modifying this so as not to put pressure on the knees and then the stomach muscles become lazy...

But for stretching I am very careful for it and we do a slow steady waltz around the floor to get warmed up find that the best.

[phoenix13]

Hmm.  Yes and no to everything everybody said.     Just kidding.  For dance, as for other exercise, I do a bit of cardio warmup to warm my muscles before stretching.  I abominate trying to stretch cold, stiff muscles.  Then, once I am starting to warm up I can stretch.

I agree with whoever said that the post-dance stretch is more important to me, especially if I was dancing full out.

[QPO]

and the older you get the more important it is

[elisedance]

and the older you get the more important it is

yup - now my next predance stretch starts just after I finished dancing