Unleash the Flamenco Beast: Get Strong!

Here is the fourth installment of the Unleash the Flamenco Beast Series. You can read parts one (practice), two (listen) and three (watch) here.

You can’t always go to the dance studio and you may not be able to disturb your neighbors with footwork on your makeshift practice floor. But you CAN work your body to become stronger and more mobile for flamenco.

My favorite workouts are the ones that complement flamenco and get you ready for crushing it in class or on stage as well as helping you prevent any injuries.

These include building your core, overall strength and flexibility, increasing your power and your ability to breathe through challenging moves.

Try an of these:

• SPRINTS or HIIT

If you’re a jogger, just throw in a couple of sprints for 20-30 seconds, then continue jogging. If you’re not a jogger, you want to do some sort of high intensity training that gets your heart rate up high rather quickly for short bursts. This could include walking hills quickly, kettle bell swings or even lifting heavy weights. I’m telling you, do this high intensity stuff and you’ll be better at powering through your escobilla.

• YOGA

Any kind of yoga will help you because you gain strength and mobility. However, you also learn to be IN THE MOMENT with yoga and to breathe through the difficult poses. This will help your concentration in class and keep you breathing through those intense moments of dancing.

• CORE WORK

Having a strong core (abs and back) is essential to dancing flamenco. If you regularly practice yoga or pilates, you already have a strong core. Other exercises you can do are planks and side plank, as well as banana and superman.

YOUR ACTION PLAN FOR TODAY:

1. WATCH this video showing various strengthening exercises for flamenco dancers.
2. DO AT LEAST TWO EXERCISES from the video TODAY!

The last installment of the Unleash the Flamenco Beast Series is the most important element of it all! It’s all about reaching into yourself and letting go. (Insert maniacal laugh.) But this is the MOST important aspect of being a flamenco dancer. So be on the look out for it!

Hasta pronto! Rina

Photo credit: “La Pescailla”

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