Introduction: Alignment Techniques
This module is the heart of what makes your barre class training unique. The inclusion of dance or ballet principles into your fitness class gives it a point of difference. You will hear time and time again how much the technique does wonder for improving posture. Our posture is our physical appearance. The alignment of the skeletal system creates the physical appearance. The engagement of the muscular system supports the skeletal system. The alignment of these two systems means that our cardiovascular, endocrine, lymphatic and every other body system can function at their optimum level. When we operate at our optimum level, life is good.
Having perfect posture and maintaining strong, lengthened muscles isn't an easy feat, and for many, it is an excruciating challenge. It requires constant awareness and training to keep the skeletal system optimum. When humans climbed out of the trees and began to stand upright on two feet, our anatomical systems had to adapt to this new alignment. Millions of years later, our body has adapted to assist our skeletal system in resisting gravity all day long. As we age, the muscles become tired and subjected to habitual habits, making it harder to work efficiently.
To have a happy, healthy and vibrant life, we need to keep moving. However, we need to keep moving with awareness. Barre classes are a perfect way to work on the body's alignment and the engagement of specific muscle groups for optimum function. After all, most of the class executed standing up, working on posture through movement.
This module will look at the three main alignment techniques we'll focus on throughout the barre training.
- Neutral Spine
- Scapula Stabilisation
- External Hip Rotation
The three main areas that we will focus on in this course serve as your primary alignments for each exercise. A firm grasp of the basic techniques is required. We will go into specific alignment techniques as necessary for each exercise in the modules to follow.
First, let's discuss habitual habits and how they affect our postural alignment.