Guest Meliss Posted November 13, 2002 Report Share Posted November 13, 2002 I was looking for some good excercises to do and i was told that swimming is good and it also helps with turnout, specifically the Breast Stroke. Is this true? And if so, won't it make my shoulders really broad? speaking of shoulders, is there a way to strengthen my arms and back and shoulders without broadening them? thanks so much! -melissa Link to comment
Mel Johnson Posted November 13, 2002 Report Share Posted November 13, 2002 Actual swimming-swimming, as opposed to just being in the pool, floating about, has little or no benefit for turnout. You can, however, use the water and the buoyant qualities of your body to give yourself a barre underwater (well, your head sticks out!), and remove the downward drag of gravity on your muscles, which may help you engage muscles involved in rotation more completely. Allegra Kent, writing in her Dancers' Body Book and The Water Beauty Book explains how to do some things to help you. Her autobiography, Once a Dancer also includes some information on her beliefs about water practice and ballet. One thing I know for sure - entrechats are a lot more fun in the pool!;) Link to comment
citibob Posted November 13, 2002 Report Share Posted November 13, 2002 Allegra Kent's Water Beauty Book lists 66 exercises to be done in the pool with water wings on the ankles. It is a result of hours spent in the pool by a brilliant dancer with a brilliant mind. It is quite daunting, but at the same time inspirational. Only problem is, it's a very rare book. I found one at Harvard, but it's in a non-circulating collection. Link to comment
Mel Johnson Posted November 13, 2002 Report Share Posted November 13, 2002 It's a collectible, but that shouldn't stop anybody from trying to obtain a copy through the Interlibrary Loan system at your local library. If you've never used it before, you can request a book from anywhere, and usually it's obtainable free, or for a small fee to cover postage and handling only. Link to comment
Guest Meliss Posted November 13, 2002 Report Share Posted November 13, 2002 okay, it is good to know that lap swimming is not the type of excercise i should be doing. Do you know of excercises i can do to strengthen but not enlargen? thanks -melissa Link to comment
Mel Johnson Posted November 13, 2002 Report Share Posted November 13, 2002 Hint: I just gave you one earlier on this thread - do a simple barre underwater! At least adjust so that your buoyancy and weight are matched well enough to keep your foot/feet on the bottom of the pool. Otherwise, read the books - that's what they're there for!;) Link to comment
citibob Posted November 13, 2002 Report Share Posted November 13, 2002 It's fun standing en pointe barefoot in the pool! Link to comment
Guest Meliss Posted November 14, 2002 Report Share Posted November 14, 2002 THANK YOU! Link to comment
Guest Angel2Be Posted November 21, 2002 Report Share Posted November 21, 2002 I've managed to get a hold of The Water Beauty Book and it was quite neat and ballet-oriented. My only complaint is that I don't have a pool in my backyard and feel shy about doing those exercises (that involve strapping water wings to your arms and legs) in public. Silly, I know. Link to comment
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