Why Dancers That Cross Train Progress Quickly

Once your child falls in love with their dance class, a parent begins to wonder how much training they should have in order to see results and feel confident in what they're learning.

It's one thing to enroll in a dance class once a week for a year or two. It provides great memories and a joyful introduction to the artform. But at that level, it is hard for the fundamentals and lifelong benefits to stick. When you enroll in 4 or more classes per week, for 3 or more years, that experience can really change a dancer's life. Additionally, studies have shown that dancers who cross train in multiple styles of dance progress quickly, have less injury, and retain the benefits throughout their lives.

Here are 5 reasons that cross training can enhance your child's dance experience, and quicken their progress.

1. It prepares the child for the physical demands of their body

Dancers today face choreographic demands that challenge the physical capabilities of the body. To meet these demands, supplementary training for dancers can be a beneficial aspect of their training to cope with these physical demands. Classes such as leaps & turns, stretch and conditioning, and pilates can help dancers meet those demands of the choreography. Strength training in these types of dance classes can be very valuable in increasing endurance for dancers, which in turn then compliments the aesthetic of the movement.

2. It Builds Strength & Flexibility

It is important for dancers to develop strength to enhance their endurance ability to perform. For example, dancers need strength to control their movements, develop their core to prepare for more powerful movements, and develop a dancer's overall stamina, which helps reduce fatigue. Classes like aerial arts, tumbling, and acrobatics are awesome compliments to a dancer's training. This provides a dancer with a unique detailed awareness of their own body, which may highlight weaker muscles or imbalances, therefore allowing them to train specific areas to avoid the onset of injury.

3. Increased Coordination

Dance training involves a large amount of memorization with consistent repetition of specific steps. These movements may allow a dancer to become more coordinated. When a dancer cross trains in another style, they are able to increase the coordination of movement by applying it differently. Speed, level, and dexterity vary by style. Training in tap improves coordination of the feet and ankles in detailed, fast, repetitive movements. Taking a ballet class provides consistent barre training that develops alignment and increased use of muscle. Taking the movement off center in a contemporary dance class challenges that coordination to the highest level.

4. Improve Performance Capabilities

Dancers often tell a story or portray a particular dance role ” building a character through physicality, facial expression, timing and other creative choices. Dancers who cross train in acting and singing classes enhance their skill set that dancers most often need to perform at their best. The advantages of honing acting and singing skills extend even beyond dancing a role as an artist. Their additional performing skills guide dancers in creating a performance that deeply resonates with the audience.

5. Increases Self Awareness and View on Art

The more exposure we have to art ” in all of its forms ” the keener awareness we can gain of what we truly believe successful art is, and who we are as artists (what interests us, moves us and inspires us, for instance). That exposure includes viewing art, not just making or performing it. Doing so can expand a dancer's creative community, which can lead to further honing of your craft.

Every dancer's path is different. Cross training in different styles is a very useful part of that journey! We are not just talking about cross-training our bodies, we want to cross train a dancer's mind and soul.

Our South Coast Conservatory motto is to create dancers that are strong, smart, and kind. And we want all of our dancers to have the "whole self" confidence to do great things. The benefits they gain through cross training at South Coast Conservatory will last a lifetime. Enroll in one of our programs and experience the diverse training your child needs.

At South Coast Conservatory we CHANGE LIVES THROUGH DANCE!

Laguna Niguel, CA