Modern Dance Warm-up

Sep 22

During high school, I attended the Academy of Visual and Performing Arts (AVPA) and Julie Carson was my modern dance teacher. In her classes, we practiced the Release Technique, a method that focuses on full body freedom. Every class started with a warm-up and this taught me a lifelong lesson on how to keep my body happy, healthy, and young.

Warm-ups increase oxygen in our cells and help muscles and circulation for optimum function. It also prevents injury, strain, and pain from simple movements as we age.

Warm muscles are productive muscles. Stretching is for flexibility by lengthening the muscles, and Mobility provides a full range of motion in the joints. Warming up in a sauna or warm environment can further aid in flexibility and mobility.

On a neurological level, warming up relieves stress by releasing endorphins and decreasing cortisol. A buildup of stress causes many discomforts like heart disease, high blood pressure, chronic pain, digestive and mood issues, and a reduced quality of life.

I was recently accepted into the UCLA Arts & Healing Initiative certification in Social Emotional Arts (SEA) which trains in trauma-informed healing through art, theater, music, writing, and dance. From this program, I look forward to sharing the mental, emotional, and neurological benefits of dancing.

As I age, my goal is to maintain strength, flexibility, and wellness in the easiest way possible. The trick is to not let my muscles shrink and calcify. When I feel my body growing sore, I listen to the songs I heard over and over when I was 18 and my body jumps back into the motions like a muscle memory magic trick. Learn these with me so we can all grow old in a fun, friendly, and flexible fashion.

Here are the modern dance warm-ups: