9 Stretching Must Haves!!

Dancers can stretch effectively on their own, but sometimes using tools can help to give you a better stretch or strengthen your muscles. Not all of these are for stretching, but they all help to make you a better dancer. 

9. Softball

An inexpensive way to roll out your muscles. Why buy an expensive roller when you can buy a softball. Its super easy to transport to wherever you need it. You can pretty much find a softball at any supermarket. To use, simply place the softball under your leg and use your hands to push your body off the floor. From there, simply roll yourself back and forth to get the ball to roll out muscles. Buy a softball now!

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8. Theraband

The theraband not only helps to improve your pointe, it strengthens your muscles. To use, hold the ends of the theraband in each hand. Put your foot into the band and work on slowly pointing and flexing your foot. Its easily transportable and can be used to do many other stretches.

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7. Turnboard

Turn boards are an absolute MUST for turns! They aren't extremely expensive and really help. What a turn board does is help your spot. By doing that, you can do more turns. To use, put your foot evenly on the turn board, prep, and turn away! I can definitely say that my turn board has helped me. Instead of being able to do 2 on the ground, I can now do 3! It may not seem like a lot, but in a short period of time it has helped. Using the turboard for a longer time can lead to being able to do LOTS of turns. The turn board in the picture is my suggestion if your looking to buy. It is wider so you can fit any size of foot on it comfortably. There is also more foam so that it doesn't wear down and is SO much more ideal. Watch this video to see a little bit more as well as some turns to try on yours!

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6. Foam roller

Foam rollers act just like the softball but they can be used for lots of other body parts. They are great for back pain. Though not as easily transportable, some people prefer them. You use them exactly like the softball. There are also thinner foam rollers that you can buy.

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5. Stretch ladder

The stretching ladder is such a great tool too get your oversplit. You can really tell if your overspilt is improving because once you don't feel a good enough stretch, you can move up a bar. There is a foam cover on the bar so that your ankle doesn't feel pain. You can also buy 2 bars so that you can oversplit your middle split.

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4. Super band

I have this band and I absolutely love it. There are so many stretches to do using this band. The most common is to sit in a butterfly position, place the ends around your feet, and stretch out to a straddle. The band is super resistant and is made a very thick material so it doesn't snap.

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3. Dot2Dance

The Dot2Dance is your "safe spot marley dot". You can tap on it. It creates crisp sounds. The Dot2Dance really helps to duplicate the studio floors so that when you practice, you can be practicing the right way. It comes in so many different sizes, as well as in white or black, or using customizable stickers.

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2. Foot Stretcher

IT REALLY WORKS! It is so easy to use. You can get an awesome pointe even when your just sitting watching tv. To use it you just have to put your foot in and straighten your knee as far as you can.

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1. KnkMiami

The SpringCoreBalance from knkmiami strengthens your core. By doing leg holds, such as an arabesque or posse, you really improve your balance. You can buy one here! -------->https://knkmiami.com/products/springcore-balance-adult