Cross Training for Dancers | Part 6 - Progressing Ballet Technique
Earlier in our cross training series, we covered the purpose and benefits of cross training as well as exercises for strengthening turnout, core muscles, inner thighs, and improving extension and foot strength/articulation. To wrap up the series, let's discuss the benefits of finding a cross training program. For this blog post, we decided to ask founding company member and former Lead Artist Lauren Ader-Cumpston for advice.
Lauren: Cross training is becoming increasingly valuable for today's dancers. Whether or not you continue on to a professional career in dance, the high level of training and dancing that many students participate in necessitates a program that develops proper strength and coordination.
As a dance student, I was so fortunate to have teachers that emphasized the importance of participation in classes like Pilates that helped to develop my strength. As a professional dancer, I followed a strict regimen of cross training for myself - a compilation of many exercises that I had gathered together from different teachers, physical therapists, or dance medicine books throughout the years. I am confident that regular practice of training allowed me to dance without any major injuries during my career! As a teacher, I now have had the opportunity to pass this crucial part of dance training on to my students. Dancers who have developed correct core engagement and a proper understanding and use of their muscles (in particular their turnout muscles) are able to achieve movements in class with much more control and technique.
I am extremely grateful for the Progressing Ballet Technique (PBT) program, developed in Australia by former dancer and now teacher Marie Walton Mahon. I wish I had the opportunity to learn PBT earlier in my education!
Unlike other programs like Pilates (which are still wonderful and I highly recommend), PBT is developed specifically for the dance student and develops the particular coordination and strength necessary for dancers.
The first time I took PBT, I was blown away by the way my body responded to the exercises so quickly. I continue to take PBT for myself several times a week as a ballet teacher to help my body to continue to stay strong. For my students, I see PBT as an extremely valuable class. I have seen tremendous growth in my students who take PBT regularly, not just in their PBT classes, but more importantly in their dancing. They are stronger, have fewer injuries and are able to perform at their best as an artist and a dancer!
School of Ballet 5:8: Thank you, Lauren, for sharing your insight and experience with cross training as a professional dancer and ballet instructor. It's really wonderful to know that there are resources and programs like PBT that exist specifically to aid dancers in their cross training. We are grateful that our school has certified PBT instructors like you to teach our students a PBT classes every week for their cross training.