MIND OVER BODY

For centuries, people all over the world have been trying to understand the power of the mind and how the brain actually works. Martial Arts , Middle Eastern Dance Forms, Tai Chi, Traditional Chinese stretching and Yoga have been used by men and women for years. These very old art forms are great for both the mind and the body. They build core strength and also develop flexibility.

ACHEIVING FLEXIBILITY

THERE ARE SIX CONCEPTS TO MASTER IN ORDER TO ACHEIVE FLEXIBILITY

Do you find it difficult to achieve maximum flexibility? Look to your mind!

The biggest challenge is in your head.

1. BREATHING: Relax and do some simple breathing exercises both standing and sitting. Breath in through your nose filling your diaphragm and exhale slowly out your mouth. Use your arms overhead and release slowly. Repeat lying on your back.

2. RELAXATION: Do not tighten your muscles. Have your legs, back and arms totally relaxed.

Breath through your stretches (no point or flex of foot or muscles). Bend from the waist like folding in half and hold each stretch for 16-20 seconds. Repeat other stretches with breathing & relaxation.

3. MASSAGE: Massaging your neck, shoulders, head, hairline, feet, legs and back will help stimulate and activate certain nerves and release tension in the body that often restricts muscles from properly relaxing.

4. FACIA: Physical Therapists and Sports Therapists have long been teaching the benefits of releasing tension in the Facial areas of the body. This is the tissue/film that covers over and through all of your muscles in your body. For dancers, you want to check the facia /muscles that cover head, neck, shoulders, down your spine, hamstrings , calves and feet. If you have tension in any area, that will inhibit your flexibility.

5. NERVOUS SYSTEM: Your body's spine has hundreds of nerves coming out like a root system in a tree. These are all connected to the brain. Dancers who have trouble stretching their hamstrings often are actually experiencing lack of mobility in their nervous system.

6. PILATES/FLOOR BALLET: Taking Pilates or Floor Ballet will help the dancers relax nerves, muscles and facia to achieve strength and flexibility. These classes will introduce exercises to increase mobility, flexion and extension.