Don't Forget to Breathe
For a balllroom dancer, what’s the single most important muscle in your body? The diaphragm. It is probably the most ignored muscle as well. Breathing should be a part of every dance movement.
You have probably heard someone make the statement: He/She is so light on their feet? Whether the dancer realizes it or not, they are light on their feet largely due to good breathing.
Importance of Breathing
Why is it important to breathe correctly?
- We breathe in air, to fill up the lungs, and then exhale, allowing the body to fully stretch. Arms and legs will appear to breathe…. and they are.
- Holding your breathe or breathing erratically has an adverse effect on your posture
- Good breathing techniques create smooth motion in your movements.
- Breathing maintains strength
Effects of not Breathing
I learned early that if I’m going to dance, I must breathe. I say I learned, but that’s not entirely true. I still find myself occasionally holding my breath when performing a new or difficult movement. It may have only been for a few seconds, but the effect can be surprising. Just a few seconds can cause dramatic muscle fatigue. Breathing strengthens you.
A simple exercise can illustrate this effect. Hold your arm out to your side and hold your breathe. How long can you hold it there? Now do it again, but take deep steady breaths. How much longer can you hold your arm there before fatigue set in?
Deep Breathing Exercises
Exercising the diaphragm is important for any dancer. It doesn’t matter if you are a competitor or a weekend social dancer. Spend a few minutes each day and do some simple deep breathing exercises. Practice breathing while you dance. You will be surprised by the results.
How has breathing affected your dance?
Like
