Like all professionals, ballet dancers also rely on a variety of gear to improve, advance and perfect their art. After all, there are limits the body can't push on its own and it needs a little help. Over time, serious ballet dancers will master their techniques, moves and confidence and won't depend on their training equipment that much. But until you get to that point, you will need to invest in some must-have gear.
Master Your Pirouettes With a Turning Board
Whether you're practising at home or in the studio, a turning board is a must-have accessory. This type of board is a carefully shaped piece of plastic that you place under your foot to reduce the friction between the foot and the floor. This decreases the resistance and allows you to spin with ease on all kinds of surfaces.
This type of ballet training accessory is mostly used to practice pirouettes. The fact that you need very little force to create momentum, helps prevent injuries as you're starting to learn your pirouettes. In addition, most turning boards feature a slight curve. This teaches the dancer how to keep his/her balance better.
A turning board can also be beneficial for those dancers that have mastered the turning technique but struggle to spot. By turning on the board as you look at yourself in the mirror, you can learn how to spot fast so that your pirouettes have a better aesthetic, and you yourself don't become dizzy.
When buying turning boards, make sure you go for models that are made of quality materials. The upper part should be made of a non-slip material so that you can stay stable on the board. In addition, look for a board that is lightweight and slim, which will make it easier to carry it around to and from ballet classes.
Practice at Home with a Portable Ballet Barre
If you want to be able to practice at home, or anywhere you like for that matter, get yourself a portable ballet barre. Portable ballet barres don't need to be mounted on the walls as they come with a stand that keeps them securely upright. When choosing a barre, check whether it's the appropriate height for you or purchase a barre with an adjustable height. Also, make sure that the ends of the legs are covered in rubber or some other non-slip material to prevent them from sliding on the floor.
When practising on a portable barre, be careful not to overextend yourself. If you do, you can accidentally push the barre, fall and hurt yourself. And that's the last thing you want to happen. Getting injured means missing important classes or even a stage performance. So, always make sure you follow the safety precautions when practising so you don't injure yourself.
Stretch Safely with Resistance Bands
Stretching is essential for ballet dancers as it helps them improve their elasticity. It's also crucial for staying injury-free, which is why it's important to stretch before and after practice. Resistance bands can help ballet dancers get more from their stretches, and make them safer. By practising with this type of dance accessory, you will notice that your elasticity is increased and you have gained a broader range of motion.
When choosing a stretch band, it's crucial to check the material it's made of. You want something that will be durable and resistant as to not break mid-stretch, causing you to hurt yourself. In addition, you also want something that will feel soft and be comfortable to use as it will come in contact with your bare skin. This is essential if you have a latex allergy, as some stretch band can be made of this material.
Don't Forget to Get a Foot Stretch
When you're a ballet dancer, you need to stretch your feet just like the rest of your body. To do so, you don't need resistance bands but a special foot stretch for dancers. This helps your foot become more flexible in order to get complicated movements and positions right. Usually, foot stretches are made of very resistant wood without any screws and which is soft and comfortable to the touch. By practising with a foot stretch, it will be easier to get your feet into the correct shape.
Accessories to Help Soothe the Bittersweet Practice Pain
Your practice session isn't quite finished after you've gotten out of your ballet shoes. There's also the aftermath to deal with – pains and sores. To help your body recuperate quickly from a demanding practice session, you can use a variety of supplies. Trigger point foam rollers are great for working out the pains in your calves and back. Dancer dots provide relief for painful sores from spinning on your toes. They help cool and soothe irritation and help prevent blisters on sensitive areas.
