Thread: January Cross Training Progress Reports

so how is the cross training going? have you gained any improvements that carry over into your belly dance? is it changing the way you move, perform, etc?

i've been taking the yoga class once a week and the teacher gives us homework every week. sometimes its physical, sometimes its mental. so far the hardest homework was to go a whole week without having an opinion. very challenging & had to start over a lot. this weeks homework is to do yoga outside on the ground. the uneven surface is supposed to change the way we move and balance.

i did notice more "flow" and still moments in my last sword show. i think the yoga is helping me connect transitions and "tricks" more smoothly.

what about you all? how's the cross training going?

Yoga is going fine...weight training, well, I haven't started it yet. I go to the gym tomorrow though!

My travel schedule is crazy this month, so I can't say I'm seeing much from my cross training yet, but I got a lot of good stuff from the folk intensive.

Endurance has improved (from walking 2 miles every day) and my floor work has gotten a little more graceful (core strengthening with Callanetics). I can get down slower and easier, get up a easier. I found that out from dancing sword all darn day at the medieval faire.

I took a month off of exercise while I was on vacation. It wasn't intentional. I definitely wanted to work out, and got in a walk or a swim when I could, but I was used to running and lifting weights 3 times a week, and performing every weekend. I got back from vacation TODAY and immediately went to the gym. I. Am. Dead. And i perform all weekend. yikes!

I've heard from other dancers that cross training interferes with their locks and pops. anyone else experience this? I haven't....but I haven't experimented all that much. For me belly dancing isn't enough to keep me in performance shape so i have to run. Maybe - for my new years resolution- once I start taking classes again belly dancing will be enough to keep the extra weight off.