A Dance Mom’s Guide to Stretching & Strengthening: What I’ve Learned Through My Daughters Dance Life

Let me tell you something I wish I’d known when my daughter first started dancing – it’s not just about the pretty tutus and perfect buns (though those are important too!). As a dance mom, watching my daughter grow from an eager tiny tot to a dedicated teen dancer, I’ve learned that proper stretching and strengthening are absolute game-changers.

The Reality Check Every Dance Parent Needs I’ll never forget that wake-up call during my daughter’s first serious injury. Her physical therapist explained that while all those beautiful splits and extensions are impressive, without proper strength to support them, we’re basically asking for trouble. Trust me, a few weeks of sitting out due to a strained hamstring will teach you this lesson quick!

What’s Working for Us Before Class (Our Pre-Dance Ritual): You should see our kitchen about 30 minutes before dance class! My daughter does these dynamic stretches that basically look like a controlled warm-up:

• Leg swings while holding onto the counter (drives my husband crazy, but it works!)
• Arm circles that remind me of a windmill
• These walking lunges down our hallway
• And something she calls “bouncing seconds” that always make our dog think it’s playtime

After Class (The Cool-Down Reality): I’ve learned to pack healthy snacks because proper static stretching takes time. My daughter holds these stretches for what feels like forever (actually 30 seconds):

• Forward splits (on both sides – always both sides!)
• That butterfly stretch we all remember from grade school
• Something called “cobra pose” that looks terrifying but apparently feels amazing
• And yes, the infamous splits (though not until she’s properly warmed up)

Strength Training (Beyond the Studio) Here’s what surprised me most – dancers need strength training too! Our current routine includes:

Core Work (Because apparently everything in dance starts from the core):

• Planks (my daughter can hold them longer than I can!)
• These twisted crunch things that look impossible
• Russian twists (named after ballet origins, I assume?)
• V-ups (which look exactly like they sound)

Leg & Foot Work (Because those pointe shoes aren’t going to work themselves):

• Calf raises while brushing teeth (multitasking for the win!)
• Theraband exercises (we keep one in every room)
• Wall sits during homework breaks
• Relevés until I get dizzy just watching

Upper Body (Yes, It Matters!): Don’t be like me and ignore upper body strength until your child needs to do partner work! We now regularly do:

• Modified push-ups (full ones came later)
• Resistance band work (those bands are everywhere in our house)
• Shoulder exercises that help with port de bras

The “I Wish Someone Had Told Me Sooner” Tips:

• Always pack a water bottle (and a backup!)
• Never skip the warm-up (even if you’re running late)
• Listen when they say something hurts
• Keep healthy snacks in your dance bag
• Schedule rest days (yes, they’re actually important)

My Biggest Dance Mom Revelation You know what’s funny? After years of watching my daughter stretch and strengthen, I’ve actually started doing some of these exercises myself! Nothing like a dance mom getting schooled by her own daughter on the importance of proper body conditioning.

The Real Results I’ll never forget my daughter’s first successful turning sequence after we started taking conditioning seriously. The look on her face – that mixture of pride and surprise – made all those extra hours of preparation worth it. Now, not only does she dance better, but she’s more confident, has fewer injuries, and actually enjoys the process of taking care of her body.

To all my fellow dance moms (and dads!) out there: Trust me, proper stretching and strengthening might not be the most glamorous part of dance, but they’re absolutely essential. And hey, if you’re like me, you might even find yourself doing some theraband exercises while watching dance competition videos!

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