DVD
The benefits of pilates to dancers is well known. This DVD is an ideal supplement to dance class or on its own as a toning regime over holidays or when injured. - Dance Australia magazine
Pilates for Young Dancers is a programme developed by professional ballet dancer and certified Pilates instructor Monique Richards. The exercises are designed to strengthen the core postural muscles a developing dancer needs to improve his/her technique. The programme is designed as a warm up for daily ballet classes, or can be used to build strength, flexibility and coordination on days when no ballet class is available.
The first section contains detailed instructions on positioning, breathing, visualizations and the focus for each exercise. The second section can be used once the student has mastered the individual exercises and is performed as a continuous series.
Pilates for Young Dancers is for aspiring young dancers who want to achieve more.
More information on Pilates for Young Dancers
Monique
After graduating from the Australian Ballet School in Melbourne she went on to dance with the Peter Scahufuss Balletten in Denmark and The Royal New Zealand Ballet. Monique sees Pilates as a tool to improve technique, develop a better line and strengthen the body in a way that enables the dancer to perform at their optimum level.
"I discovered Pilates when I was 17 but would have given anything to have been introduced to the method from a younger age. Ballet technique is difficult for a growing body but by focusing on strengthening core postural muscles the developing dancer is able to move more fluidly and begin to develop the control necessarily for a career in professional ballet or dance." Monique
Pilates for Young Dancers - Preview
Pilates for Young Dancers DVD is in PAL format
What is pilates and why is it good for dancers? (PDF - 44kb)
DVD Testimonials
The benefits of pilates to dancers is well known. This DVD is an ideal supplement to dance class or on its own as a toning regime over holidays or when injured.
Dance Australia magazine
I believe that this Pilates DVD offers the dance student an excellent tool for improving core strength, as well as a means to an effective preparation for class. It is easy to follow, and has been very carefully structured and presented....ideal for both the dance teacher and the student. I wish that I had had access to such a valuable tool during my own student years.
Lynette Denny AM, Dance Teacher, Australia
This DVD is so great. The exercises are challenging but so simple to follow. I am not even a "young dancer" any more but after doing these exercises for the past 5 weeks my body feels amazing.
Katherine, dancer
I bought Pilates for Young Dancers for my daughter 3 months ago on her teacher's recommendation. I thought this may just one more thing to sit in the cupboard and collect dust but my daughter has been doing the exercises religiously ever since. She uses them to warm up for ballet class and does them on the weekends. Even I can see the change in her body and I am not a trained dancer. Her teacher said she is shocked (and very pleased) with the improvement in her technique and posture.
Trisha M, Very happy Mum
My students love this DVD and so do I. The exercises are simple – very easy to follow but also really effective. There were quite a few sore muscles the day after I first introduced my students to the exercises – we found some muscles that they never knew they had!
Bonnie, dance teacher NSW
I had done pilates before and never really understood it. Monique's explanations are extremely clear. As a dance teacher I often teach 'cold' which has been causing problems with my back and knees. I am now using the exercises in the DVD to do a short warm up before I teach and I am finding not only is my back feeling a lot better (it now feels supported rather than painful) but I am getting so much more out of my body. Thanks and more please!
L.W, London