Ever gaped in awe at the super-impressive competitors on So You Think You Can Dance? Get ready to shape up like a dancer.
GL intern (and ballerina extraordinaire) Megan Parker spilled a fab ballet-inspired stretching routine to up your flexibility and make you feel amazing. Whether you’re a ballerina babe or sports chick trying to get toned, check out our five fave toning moves (no barre required!).
The Flexible Frog
Fab for stretching those hips! Lie on the floor on your belly, with your legs in an “V” shape behind you. Keeping your legs wide, bring your feet together, until the bottoms of your feet touch. Make sure to keep your hips on the floor. It’s okay if your feet don’t touch! Keep working toward it. Hold the stretch for a minute.
The Leg Blender
This move will get any girl’s legs in perfect skirt-wearing shape. Lie on your back and raise both legs in the air. Cross one leg in front of the other while keeping ‘em straight. Point your toes and start switching your legs back and forth as quickly as you can. Keep going after your tummy and legs start feeling that oh-so-good burn. This will work your legs and your abs. Repeat for two minutes.
The Heel Stretch
Stand up and hold onto a chair. Reach down and grab the arch of your foot up against your heel. Now hoist that limb up as high as you can, while you balance on the other leg. Hold for 20 seconds and repeat on the other leg.
On Point
This one needs to be done with a partner, so round up your bestie or a sib. Sit down with your legs straight out in front of you. Point your toes as much as you can. Have your partner hold onto the tops of your feet and gently press down on them to stretch your toes towards the floor. With a little practice, you’ll be able to get your toes to almost touch the ground!
Wall Splits
This stretch is great for all types of athletes. Jazz dancers, soccer players, swimmers—you name it. Sit down facing a wall, with your legs as far out to each side as possible. Now scoot, scoot, scoot closer to the wall, until your heels touch it. Keep inching your torso closer towards the wall, while your feet are stable against it. You should feel this stretch in your inner thigh and hips.
By: Megan Parker