Yoga versus Pilates

[Misspendragon]

I find the most important thing is to find an experienced teacher - unfortunately there are way too many weekend certificate teachers out there. Right now I do group reformer Pilates because I find it the most cost effective and it builds long lean muscle, is easy on your joints and has strength training built in as well. I very much enjoy yin yoga for stretching and The Barre method is great if you are looking to build up muscle awareness and work on individual muscle groups (but I find it boring). But all of these require a lot of attention to body placement and need a teacher who is really paying attention to you. I would only consider mat Pilates if you really, really want to work on your core

Thank you for the information! I will try both Gyro and Pilates Reformer.

 

[j_alexandra]

And I think if you have that understanding of how to move, you'll still look good. Michael Chapman isn't exactly slim here, but I don't think you notice that once they start— just how good the dancing is.

HOLY SMOKE THAT WAS BEAUTIFUL and I am no fan of Latin. The incomparable Shirley indeed, playing with someone who's up to her speed. It's a master class in Rumba basics, by an utter master. Beautiful. Wow.

 

[j_alexandra]

I find the most important thing is to find an experienced teacher - unfortunately there are way too many weekend certificate teachers out there. Right now I do group reformer Pilates because I find it the most cost effective and it builds long lean muscle, is easy on your joints and has strength training built in as well. I very much enjoy yin yoga for stretching and The Barre method is great if you are looking to build up muscle awareness and work on individual muscle groups (but I find it boring). But all of these require a lot of attention to body placement and need a teacher who is really paying attention to you. I would only consider mat Pilates if you really, really want to work on your core

Not dissing Pilates for core work, but Gyro gives a strong emphasis on core as well. FWIW, you cannot be certified as a Gyrotonic teacher without extensive (and expensive) training and certification. Gyro keeps a tight rein on Gyro teachers.

 

[opendoor]

Not dissing Pilates for..

Pilates is the original, by the way. Josef Pilates began training the opera ballet in my hometown and developed his method especially for dancers. There are also different levels of specialization in Pilates. Pilates in fitness centers is not recommended, but medical and rehabilitation training is.

 

[singndance]

My favorite amateur Latin dancer, Nino Dzneladze, is chubbier than most girls dancing on her level

There is no way I would ever describe this young lady as chubby. Just not pencil thin. She’s got substance and she knows how to use it. She is pure dynamite.

 

[Misspendragon]

There is no way I would ever describe this young lady as chubby. Just not pencil thin. She’s got substance and she knows how to use it. She is pure dynamite.

Unfortunately, many people comment on her weight, but I agree with you. She is stronger than most Latin girls perhaps, but certainly not fat.

She lost recently some weight and now she looks like a gymnast . Either way, I'm a huge fan of her dancing.

 

[ProgressNotPerfection]

My favorite amateur Latin dancer, Nino Dzneladze, is chubbier than most girls dancing on her level. The way she moves is incredible (and she is very fit, despite the little extra weight).

I don’t see any extra weight on that beautiful woman. She has curves, as healthy women usually do. If that is considered “chubby,” then my own size 6/8 must be gigantic, which means women of size 10/12 and higher are…what? Obese? Give me a f*ing break. Body image toxicity, here we go again.

 

[Misspendragon]

I don’t see any extra weight on that beautiful woman. She has curves, as healthy women usually do. If that is considered “chubby,” then my own size 6/8 must be gigantic, which means women of size 10/12 and higher are…what? Obese? Give me a f*ing break. Body image toxicity, here we go again.

I think what people mean when they call her "chubby" is that she isn't super lean, compared to what most pro and high end amateur dancers usually look like. But some of it is just her muscles, plus she has a relatively wide back. And the little fat she has on certainly isn't distracting. At any rate, she is even slimmer now. She looks like a gymnast.

I'm not sure why people are obsessed with people's weight on the floor. As it happens, I prefer Nino's look in Latin rather than Yulia's (even if Yulia is an amazing dancer, of course). Also, some extremely fit people are not slender, because they are just built differently. I simply don't know any female Latin dancer right now who moves like Nino, and I suspect that wouldn't change even if she gained 40 pounds.

 

[wahoo_foxtrot]

Also the Olena Shverts Nikishkin... She has obviously more weight on her body than what you usually see in the finalist. She and her partner got Pro Rhythm 2nd Place at Ohio yesterday right after the Paramonovs. B/c of her height and weight, she styles her movement in a different way than the Paranovos which is so unique. By the way, the Nikishkins got 1st place in two out of five rhythm dances. So you don't necessarily need to be super slim...

Another example is one of the most sought-after coach Espen Salberg... Who's going to say no to dancing with him?

Maybe in one scenario I may agree with Captain Price - all else is equal, body weight may affect a couple compared to another one when they are almost indistinguishable... However, usually, all else is usually not equal...

/////

Just get back to the topic, Gyro is great. I don't have a certified teacher in my area. Unlike many of you who travel to dance with a remote pro, I travel to take Gyro lessons.

 

[Cal]

Another Alexander Technique fan here.

 

[Misspendragon]

Another Alexander Technique fan here.

I only know that Alexander technique was designed for actors and has to do with posture. How does it enhance your dancing, you think?

 

[Misspendragon]

Also the Olena Shverts Nikishkin... She has obviously more weight on her body than what you usually see in the finalist. She and her partner got Pro Rhythm 2nd Place at Ohio yesterday right after the Paramonovs. B/c of her height and weight, she styles her movement in a different way than the Paranovos which is so unique. By the way, the Nikishkins got 1st place in two out of five rhythm dances. So you don't necessarily need to be super slim...

Another example is one of the most sought-after coach Espen Salberg... Who's going to say no to dancing with him?

Maybe in one scenario I may agree with Captain Price - all else is equal, body weight may affect a couple compared to another one when they are almost indistinguishable... However, usually, all else is usually not equal...

/////

Just get back to the topic, Gyro is great. I don't have a certified teacher in my area. Unlike many of you who travel to dance with a remote pro, I travel to take Gyro lessons.

How often do take Gyro lessons and for how long? What do you like about it so much, in the context of your dancing? Thank you for your insight!

 

[Cal]

I only know that Alexander technique was designed for actors and has to do with posture. How does it enhance your dancing, you think?

The Spirals in the body.

 

[Misspendragon]

The Spirals in the body.

Spirals in the body?

 

[Alstroemeria]

Better understanding of how you move, and how your muscles work in relation to each other and each movement you make. I found it was a really helpful way of embedding good habits of moving and posture.

My balance was always pretty good, but it really helped with that as well — I understand better how different shifts in your weight etc affect your overall movement and can consciously choose them, rather than unconsciously react.