Colder months can provide many challenges for athletes
There are a handful of reasons why dance training becomes difficult during the winter months. There are potential illnesses that make their rounds, and tiredness and fatigue tend to set in during these months as well. There are a variety of factors to consider and follow through on to help ensure you are ready physically and mentally for dancing:
What to wear
Before heading out to your dance class, be sure to be dress appropriately. This means long pants, warm socks, and plenty of layers over your dance attire. Cold muscles can lead to injury so you want to make sure and stay warm. As class progresses, you can remove the additional layers so you don't over heat yourself.
Stay Healthy
This is easier said than done. Even if you take all the precautions in the world, you might still end up with a cold or the flu. This makes dance class uncomfortable and miserable, so be sure to take care of your health as best as you can, and always drink plenty of water! Also, try and eat food that will actually help "warm" you up. These meals will warm up your entire body including your muscles: oatmeal, toasts, teas, eggs, soups, rice, etc.
Before Classes
During the Winter months your muscles are tighter due to the cold. Arrive early to class to give yourself some time to do a light warmup and stretching which might be the most important aspect of preparing for dance in the Winter. With tighter and stiffer muscles, your chances of pulling or causing injury increase. You want to make sure you have the fluidity needed to perform your complex dance moves confidently.
If you keep all of these things in mind during this coming Winter, you will have a safer and healthier season!