Yoga for Dancers: Poses that Build Strength + Focus

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Yoga for Dancers: Poses that Build Strength + Focus


Three-Legged Downward-Facing Dog

Adho Mukha Svanasana, variation
GOOD FOR stretching the hands, wrists, shoulders, and hamstrings; calming the mind.
From Downward-Facing Dog, energize your quadriceps by lifting your kneecaps. Firm your arms, gaze toward your belly-button, and lengthen your spine by reaching your tailbone toward the ceiling. On an inhale, lift a leg up, toes facing down, and spiral your upper thighs toward one another. Square your hips and press the bottom foot into the floor. Hold for 1 minute, keeping your breath fluid. Lower your leg; switch sides.

Plank Pose, variation

GOOD FOR toning the back, core, and arm muscles; improving stamina.
From Three-Legged Down Dog, exhale and round your spine as you draw your lifted knee toward your chest, positioning your shoulders over your wrists. Inhale to round your upper spine toward the ceiling, drawing your bellybutton upward. Bring your lifted thigh close to your chest. Inhale back to Three-Legged Down Dog. Do 3 reps. Lower leg; switch sides.

Side Plank Pose

Vasisthasana
GOOD FOR strengthening arm, core, inner-thigh, and back muscles; improving balance.
From Down Dog, shift onto the outside edge of your right 
foot and stack your left foot on top of the right. Swing your left hand onto your left hip, turn your torso to the left, and support the weight of your body on the outer right foot and right hand. Firm your shoulders against your back; make sure right wrist is under shoulders. Extend your left arm to the sky and gaze up. Hold for 15–30 seconds. Lower back to Down Dog; switch sides.

Side Plank Pose, variation

Vasisthasana, variation
GOOD FOR toning oblique and inner-thigh muscles; increasing coordination.
From Side Plank on the right side, shift your weight onto your left foot and bring your right leg forward so your right foot is almost in line with your hips at a 90-degree angle. Gaze up at your left hand. Hold for 15–30 seconds. Exit the pose by coming back to Down Dog. Switch sides.

Meet Our Pros

Teacher Sarita Lou is a New York City–based dance and yoga teacher and creator of the web series For the Love of Dance.
Model Lucy Wallace is the owner of Alchemy of Movement studio in Boulder, Colorado, which offers dance classes that incorporate yoga.

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