Warm ups need to go beyond your typical plies, lunges, and split stretches. You should be sweating every time before you even go on stage! That indicates your body is warm and at a high enough temperature for movement.
1. Activate your core– Start off with crunches, sit ups, and planks.
2. Do a short barre– Beginning with small leg swings, plies, tendues, and battement tendu jetes. Later escalating to developpes, grand battements, and adagio.
3. Up your heart rate– Jog or cardio work in place, jump rope, or a few jumping jacks.
4. Codify your routine: Once you build a pattern and warm up repertoire use it every time before you perform. Your body will warm up quickly and safely if it is in your muscle memory. Your body will be prepared knowing you are about to put it through a strenuous performance!
Chace Dance Company 