New York City Ballet Workout?

[Guest alliecat93]

I have a lot of dancing planned for this summer. I will not have any break between when my regular classes end and when my summer intensives start. Then I will be dancing for 10 weeks strainght with at least three ballet classes a day and several private lessons each week. I also plan on taking at least one pilates class each week. I want to supplement my dancing with something at home in the evenings and I was thinking about the New York City Ballet Workout video. Do you think that it would be beneficial to do that every day or at least several times a week? If so, should I get New York City Ballet Workout I or II? Do you have to have knowledge of what they do in video I beofe moving on to II? If you know of anything to supplement my training that would be better than that, please let me know.

[Mel Johnson]

Sounds like you have a pretty full plate there. I'd skip the extra work after classes, because you need time to "decompress" each day. Save the NYCB Workout until weekends or times when you're not taking class. And by the way, the videos work best when used in conjunction with the book.

[Guest alliecat93]

I relize that I have a lot and I don't want to get burned out, but i just don't know what to do with myself when I'm not doing ballet or doing some or of conditioning to better my ballet technique. I will use the tape on the weekends and maybe only once a week on the weekdays.

 

I have the book already, but I think it would be more convienent to also have the video to follow. Do you think it would be okey to start out with the NYCb Workout II or do you think I should get the I and do that for a while before purchasing II?

 

Thanks for your help!

[Mel Johnson]

They are sequential, and grow more sophisticated as they go. II is not the one to start with. I'm only concerned about overwork and the possibility of injury resulting therefrom.

[Guest Rosefire]

Wow!! youre going to have a fantastic summer with all that dancing and working you will be doing!

But it sounds like you may get very tired and, if i were you, then id be enjoying the classes and getting what i could out of them, instead of killing myself in the evenings and weekends. An idea is to do the video regularly in the autumn when you get back to school and normal routine, to maintain the stamina and strength you gained in your summer, jam packed with dancing!

[Guest Christianna]

Sounds like you'll be getting plenty of practice already!!! But when I have a free day I usually spend 30 minutes stretching, and 30 minutes working on basics like plies, tendus, battements, rond de jambe, port de bras, and releves. Be careful about how much you practice, you don't want to over exert yourself.

 

Christianna

[AEDancer]

I've used the original NYCB workout, and it is GREAT!!!!! It focuses on certain areas, so if you are busy you can just work on certain parts. I definatly recomend it!!! - Megan

[Guest alliecat93]

Thanks for the feedback everyone! I will be very careful not to overwork myself this summer, because I don't want to take the joy out of my dancing. Hopefully I will be able to continue my intensive schedule during the fall. I plan on taking several private lessons a week, plus a regular class (with other people) everyday, and also some pilates. I'm homeschooled so I will be able to do some of this during the day.

 

I'm going to get the NYCB Workout 1 and do it whenever I feel lke I need some more conditioning. I'll be sure not to do it too often though.... ;)

[Guest ballerinababe88]

I have a short 2 week break between classes and my SI. Is NYCB workout something that will keep me in good shape for those 2 weeks?

[Mel Johnson]

Sure!

[SwanQueen]

I have done both New York City Ballet workouts (the new one is even better by the way) throughout my break and it has been so helpful!!!! I think its the next best thing to taking class because you still get all the plies and tendus and all that. Also you get abdominal work and lots of stretching. If you do it consistently, it will REALLY help you stay in shape.