Stay hydrated. Drink water before and after class, as well as plenty of small sips during breaks. If you’re sweating a lot in the summer heat, it’s especially important to replenish those fluids.
Warm up properly. Just because it’s hot outside doesn’t mean that your muscles are warm. It’s just as important as ever to do a proper warm-up and stretch before each class.
Cross-train. While we all know that dance is a fantastic workout, there are lots of ways to stay active and build muscle, flexibility and stamina. Walking, running, swimming and biking are all great summer activities that just about anyone can do. Just like with dance, make sure to include a proper warm-up and cool-down any time you exercise.
Try a new style. The short summer session is a great time to experiment with styles of dance that you’ve never tried before, or that you haven’t tried in a while. Learning a different style makes you more aware of how to move your body in different ways, and dancers often develop an appreciation for those who excel in styles other than their own strength. Plus, you might find something new you love! Even if you decide not to continue with that style in the fall, at least you know that you gave it a shot and you learned something new.
Make it social. Everything is better with a buddy! Go for walks with your family, swim with your neighbor and invite a friend to try a dance class with you. Any friend of yours is a friend of POD!
This article was originally published in our June 2024 newsletter.