Flexibility is essential to good health for everyone – not just for dancers! Improved flexibility can help minimize injuries, reduce pain, improve posture and balance, boost your mood, and enhance your overall quality of life.
Read MoreThe Holidays are right around the corner! And for dancers and dance chauffeurs (ahem, that’s you, mom and dad), the weeks are filled to the brim preparing for Nutcracker and holiday concerts. It may seem impossible to squeeze shopping time in. So, here are ten tried-and-true gift ideas to take the guesswork out of your Holiday shopping and guarantee joy in your special dancer’s life. And best of all, these items are just a click away!
1. TriggerPoint GRID Foam Roller with Free Online Instructional Videos
What could be better than a personal masseuse that fits in your dance bag? Nothing, that’s what! This mini foam roller is available in a variety of colors and comes highly recommended by physical therapists and trainers to relieve muscle tightness. Treat your hardworking dancer to unlimited massages in the new year. Who knows, they may pay back the favor in the currency of a real neck massage? ($24.95 on Amazon)
2. JOBY Gorillapod Flexible Tripod
There is nothing more frustrating than wanting to capture your mid-week improvisation jam with no where to balance your camera phone. Problem solved! This travel-ready tripod provides limitless positioning possibilities with its wrappable joints and rubberized foot grips and it includes a mount adaptor for most smartphones. Give the dancer in your life the tools they need to amp up their creativity! ($18.99 on Amazon)
3. Flexistretcher
This high-quality resistance band designed by a professional ballerina is the answer to your dancer’s dreams of improved extensions and flexibility. Originally created to stretch the arabesque line, the Flexistretcher safely improves flexibility while simultaneously strengthening the muscles. With the controversy of overstretching at its peak, ensure your dancer achieves his/her goals in a healthy way! ($65.50 on Amazon)
4. Champion Sports NCAA NFHS Certified Lacrosse Ball
This is the perfect, inexpensive stocking stuffer for your hardworking dancer. I know what you’re saying...a lacrosse ball? Yes! A NFHS Certified lacrosse ball with the ideal firmness for trigger point massage. After a long day of dancing, this ball will be your dancer’s best friend! ($5.53 on Amazon)
5. Nalgene BPA Free Tritan Narrow Mouth 32 Oz Water Bottle
Look cool, stay hydrated and save the world one bottle at a time! This lightweight, BPA free plastic water bottle is practically unbreakable (well except for the one time, I ran over it with my car...don’t ask!). And if you are feeling really fancy, add a Koozie to keep your water cool and your dance bag dry. A dancer’s dream in the middle of a full-day rehearsal! ($10.58 on Amazon, add the Sleeve for and additional $10.58 on Amazon)
6. Thera-Band 5-Feet Heavy Multi Pack Exercise Band
You can’t go wrong with a classic Theraband. These inexpensive and versatile resistance bands are used by dancers of all ages to stretch and strengthen many areas of the body. Easy-to-use and small enough to slip in a pocket, these bands are perfect for preparing for pointe work and recovering from injury. ($11.14 on Amazon)
7. Lois Greenfield’s Moving Still
The dancer’s schedule can be brutal at times! This book is the perfect pick-me-up after a long week. Legendary dance photographer Lois Greenfield captures the passion and pure joy that movement provides in a single still frame. Not only will this book motivate and inspire the dancer in your life, but it will look great on a coffee table or nightstand. ($33.00 on Amazon)
8. Field Notes Pitch Black Edition, 3-Pack Dot-Grid Memo Notebooks
These tiny notebooks fit with ease in a dance bag and make the perfect dance journal. Your dancer can log their goals, track their progress and take notes while on the go at the studio, in convention or at summer workshops. Set your dancer up for success! ($9.95 on Amazon)
9. Twyla Tharp's The Creative Habit: Learn It and Use It for Life
Let’s get the creative juices flowing! In this how-to guide, American choreographer Twyla Tharp encourages readers to make creativity a habit through practical advice, personal anecdotes and engaging exercises. Send your dancer into the new year inspired and ready to master the creative life! ($9.57 on Amazon)
10. Gayanne Grossman's Dance Science: Anatomy, Movement Analysis, and Conditioning
Many of my students would best describe me as a dance nerd. If the dancer in your life geeks out on anatomy and alignment like I do, this book may be the perfect gift. Geared toward high school and college-age dancers, this book by Gayanne Grossman provides the dancer with practical ways to improve performance and reduce injuries. ($31.88 on Amazon)
