yoga. does a body good.
Hey ivivva girls! We were super lucky to recently chat with pro dancer and yogi, Alex Mazerolle from girlvana.
Alex gave us a bunch of great tips about yoga for dancing divas and how you can improve your style with a few stretches.
Alex has highlighted a specific yoga pose that is perfect for each of the genres below. Now girls, it’s up to you…stretch it out and sharpen those moves! 
BALLET
In ballet, you are working your turn-out muscles which can cause your external hip rotators to get really tight. Pigeon Pose (EKA PADA RAJA KAPOTASANA) is a great way to release tight hips.
JAZZ
It is important to have open hamstrings for jazz to improve your extensions, kicks and grand jetes. Forward Folds, such as UTANASANA, are important to lengthen the backs of the legs.
HIP HOP
Hip Hop dancers are constantly using their legs to get low and grounded, and this can create tight I.T bands (the band of muscle from the top of the hip that inserts into the knee). Seated Spinal Twist, or ARDHA MATSEYENDRASANA, can help stretch the outer thigh as well as release tension in the lower back from all the hunching that hip hop requires.
TAP
Since tappers are always pounding away on a hard floor in tap shoes, the shins tend to get sore. VIPARTITA KARANI or ‘Legs Up the Wall’ pose can be very powerful in relieving shin pain or shin splints.
MODERN DANCE
Modern dance requires a tremendous amount of core strength, including the abdominals and the lower back. VIRABHADRASANA 3, or Warrior 3, is a wonderful way to tone the abs and strengthen the lower back.
Want more?
- Learn more about why yoga is amazing for dancers >
- New outfits for you to move in! >
Cool
Yay! first comment. Hai everyone! I love yoga. Do you?
this is perfect for me! thats all of the types of dances i take and i love to do yoga! thanks so much ivivva!
Thanks Ivivva! This is super cool
will try it out this year!!!
First shout out
These look like really good stretches
Love her top by the way!
this is so cool i love yoga
this lady gave out great tips
cool
Beautiful poses! We love yoga, it’s a great way to maintain a healthy body
Thanks I’ll try that !!
My parents own a yoga studio I do these same stretches and they do help a lot! I do Ballet, Tap, and Jazz
those moves are so awesome
Great poses,
I’m going to try these!
thank u soooooo much
Cool i am a fan of running and gymnastics hope this helps inprove my balance
thanx 4 the idea i will try it at my hiphop soon
I do jazz and beginner ballet and I’m looking forward to trying these excercises pre/post class!
i love ivivva
i do competitive jazz group, competitive jazz solo, stretch and strengthen and ballet
i <3 dance and ivivv a
Ivivva, please bring back the live to dance sports bras!!!!! I was about to get one in Flash, but you stopped selling them. They are my favourites, so pleeeease consider this request!:)
I am a competitive figure skater and do 7 styles of dance. I also sing in a serious choir. If I have time I’m totally open to try something like yoga!
luv doing warrior 3
I have just come back from your class and I am completely hooekd. I loved it! I found you sensitive but rigorous and with a unique blend of seriousness and humour it just had a lovely profound affect on me. Thank you J x
Can’t wait to try these out, I am almost at splits, taking yoga… And maybe ballet/jazz/tap in the fall… Yeah so maybe these can help, I’ll find some extra time tomorrow! I LOVE IVIVVA, GOING TO AN IVIVVA SHOPPING SPREE TOMORROW! YAYYYYYY!
I’m a ballet dancer yaya! Go ballet!