Flexibility and core strength. Tips please?

[Madahlia]

Sorry, bit confused! I can't accomplish this kind of strength via exercises..? Obviously I'm not planning to substitute exercises for dance practice, but surely exercises will complement the dance practice?

Well it's your choice - apparently you can be overweight & paunchy and still be a fantastic tango dancer, so why trouble yourself to get down the gym? Get back on the sofa and have another, er, cheezeburger.

Oh hang on, that only applies to males. Fat and unfit lady dancers are expunged from the records, but it's fine if you're a bloke.

I thought Tete's dancing was OK in an elderly kind of way and I'm sure he makes his partners feel great and has fab technique. I also like his air of relaxed, playful confidence. But things have moved on. All I could think about when I saw that video was how all his internal organs were spilling forward, uncontained by any kind of abdominal muscle tone and causing massive strain on his lower back, in all probability.

I would also not cite him as a good example of leading from the core - I think his lead is coming more from the chest. But what do I know, you haven't seen a video of me.

I agree that there are layers of muscle in the abdomen and that some exercises will only develop superficial layers. I also agree that over-development of the superficial layers is quite unnecessary for tango. But I think focussed and aware exercise will target any aspect of the body that you wish, and therefore would help Laelia to achieve her aims.

Most people don't do enough tango to achieve good physical fitness by that means alone - just look around any milonga. I think it's better to prepare for tango by getting fit first, and this would apply even more strongly to older dancers who have lost the natural fitness of youth.

 

[Mladenac]

I noticed an iyengar class near to me .. Apparently with that system you use various props (blocks, belts etc) to achieve the necessary poses, particularly if you have flexibility issues (me!).

Anyone recommend this?

I am not expert in yoga but it seems very nice cause those props makes exercise easier.
Well it is not that expensive to try it.

At very beginning I decided to dance either tango or salsa.
Since I was more inclined to tango, I tried tango first and stayed there.

So give iyengar a try, or some pilates.
I also believe that they have free introductionary class.

 

[New in NY]

I am not a yoga expert either, but from my limited experience over several years, I would say that most any type of yoga will help improve your flexibility. The goal of Iyengar yoga as it was taught to me was to ultimately be able to hold poses in perfect alignment for several minutes (in contrast to the flowing postures of vinyasa, for example).

Core strength is the key focus of pilates and IMO you will develop a strong core more quickly with a dedicated pilates program than with yoga. Mat classes are helpful, but you need to work with an instructor on the machines to really achieve results.

If finances are an issue, yoga classes are generally much more affordable than pilates. I gave up pilates to be able to afford more dance classes.

 

[Heather2007]

You have to take into account that Pilates is not Pilates. There is a system for professional dancers, and one for housewives.

Absolutely. And don't forget the ones you can do with those torture looking machines

Try to find the time/cash. Both of these things are great, and sound to be exactly what you need. Pilates for core strengthening, and yoga for stretch (your calf/hams issues). Find a way to divide the workouts evenly rather than just one heavily.

I did, yep, and until fairly recently I was doing quite a bit of running .. which probably didn't help the tight calf and hamstring issues I've been moaning about!

In what ways do you think yoga would be better than pilates? Unfortunately I don't have the time or cash to do both!

See Angel's advice above. True that combining the two for strength as well as good posture/balance offers you a better all round. Yoga I would recommend a hands-on class as injury can be had (especially in the more power type principles (Sivanandan, Astanga)). Pilates on the other hand can be done by yourself your bedroom. Lynn Robinson has a few wonderful clear-explaining DVD.

 

[dchester]

Well it's your choice - apparently you can be overweight & paunchy and still be a fantastic tango dancer, so why trouble yourself to get down the gym? Get back on the sofa and have another, er, cheezeburger.

Oh hang on, that only applies to males. Fat and unfit lady dancers are expunged from the records, but it's fine if you're a bloke.

It's a good thing I'm a guy then.

 

[laelia]

Feeling inspired to get myself to some yoga and pilates classes now!

But yes, of course tango dancing in and of itself will help me with problem areas, not to mention becoming aware of those weaknesses.

Out of interest, how many times a week do you guys dance?

 

[Mladenac]

I didn't notice you were overweight.

At least 4hrs (school, practica) with some additional practica and milonga even more.
Sometimes I practice on my own, watch videos and experiment.

 

[bordertangoman]

Oh hang on, that only applies to males. Fat and unfit lady dancers are expunged from the records, but it's fine if you're a bloke.

I thought Tete's dancing was OK in an elderly kind of way and I'm sure he makes his partners feel great and has fab technique. I also like his air of relaxed, playful confidence. But things have moved on. All I could think about when I saw that video was how all his internal organs were spilling forward, uncontained by any kind of abdominal muscle tone and causing massive strain on his lower back, in all probability.

.

i HAD An uncle like that; he was a mean table tennis player, for about half an hour then he would retire with back strain due to a beer gut.

Well it's your choice - apparently you can be overweight & paunchy and still be a fantastic tango dancer,

need to have strong lower leg muscles like the gastronemius and upper like the quadricepus, gracilis etc.