Pilates Dance Conditioning Program
Pilates conditioning
protects dancers from injury, improves stamina, and enhances dance performance.
Pilates Sante offers a program for dancers based on Ariel's extensive professional ballet
training at the San
Francisco Ballet School, the Pacific Northwest Ballet, and the New York School of American Ballet, and her experience with modern, jazz, and salsa
dance forms.
Assessment: The first step is a thorough
evaluation to assess flexibility, strength, neuromuscular
control, and technique. The dancer will then be given an individual program
of conditioning exercises plus a supportive home exercise program.
Strengthening: Lack of core strength
greatly increases stress on the spine and extremities, increasing the risk for injury. Dancers will be educated and trained in all core muscles,
as well as hip and ankle strength to decrease stress on the lower
extremities and allow the leg and foot to absorb shock.
Neuromuscular training: Dynamic balance and postural alignment is crucial in dance technique. The dancer will be trained by performing dance-specific movements on pilates equipment and unstable surfaces.
Education: Dancers will be instructed in the safest and most effective stretching and warm up methods, and instructed on active rest, and gradual return from injury or periods inactivity.
