Tips for Improving Flexibility with The Royal Ballet School

When it comes to dancing, it’s obvious that flexibility is one of the most important physical aspects of the art form. It aids in making a dancer’s movements more seamless, reduces soreness and tightness, and increases turnout, amongst many other benefits.

Whilst improving flexibility has obvious applications for dancers, it can still be applied to many other physical activities like yoga, Pilates, sports or even if you’re just aiming to increase your range of motion for your overall wellbeing.

We’ve teamed up with Wayne Kitchener, Physiotherapist at the Royal Ballet School UK, to bring you this example of an exercise to increase your split position and lengthen your adductor muscle using Exercise Sliding Discs as demonstrated by student, Emile Gooding. 

Whilst this video provides some great tips, you should always remember to be mindful of and listen to your body and not overextend yourself, particularly if you are a beginner or have an existing injury or chronic condition. If you’re at all unsure or if something feels uncomfortable, make sure you seek guidance from, or have a medical professional present before attempting these exercises. 

Video ©2023 The Royal Ballet School. Created by Pierre Tappon.