Built by Ballet – Men’s Health

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Hey, readers! I hope you’re having a great day! Here’s a quick post to hold you over for a little bit. Expect some great stuff soon.

A few days ago, the Ailey Blog put up this link, and I thought I’d share it with you.

From pressroom.alvinailey.org:

“Want to look like an Ailey dancer? Get a head start by learning the exercises that these world-class dancers do on the daily basis. Men’s Health Extreme Fitness and ABC News correspondent Chris Cuomo recently stopped by the Ailey studios to work out with 15-year Company veteran Glenn Allen Sims to get “long and strong” the Ailey way.

Glenn teaches Chris exercises derived from the Horton technique, a dance form created by Alvin Ailey’s mentor Lester Horton and used in some of Mr. Ailey’s most memorable ballets, including Revelations.

Watch the video and follow Glenn to learn how to develop a dancer’s jumping power, strong core, and flexibility with these exercises:

  • Table balance: Increases core stability and strength in the glutes and standing leg
  • Leg lifts: Engages quadriceps and abdominal muscles
  • Coccyx balance: Engages both sides of the lower abdominal muscles
  • Primitive squat: Balances body and engages gluteus
  • Spring jumps: Increases leg muscle strength and power”

By the way, Glenn Allen Sims is my favorite dancer’s husband. =) There’s gonna be a quick ad. Just bare with it.

Now, Chris Cuomo is in great shape, but you could see him struggling with some of the exercises. Glenn was doing this stuff with such ease. It’s crazy.

I mean, look at Glenn. Just look at him!

Bodies like that don’t just come around without hard work. More people need to realize that dancers’ regime of body care and maintenance is not for the light-hearted, and it may be more demanding than that of a professional sports player. 
I remember watching an interview with Alicia Graf Mack, another Ailey dancer. She stated something along these lines: a sports athlete (like a basketball player) could go into a leg stretch, but as soon as his hands let go of his foot, his leg comes back down. A dancer has to have the control and strength to keep the leg in the air.
I hope I didn’t butcher her words too much, and sorry if you don’t understand.
Anyway, dancers are athletes – and really great ones at that.
I’ve already been doing leg lifts, coccyx balance, and primitive squats; but since seeing this video, I plan on adding table balances and spring jumps to my exercises.
Any thoughts on this? Should I do more health and fitness posts? Let me know!
Video: menshealth.com
Photo: alvinailey.org
43 Comments Write a comment

A girl trying to make it in the future's history books.

43 Comments

  • Ana Carneiro 26 June 2012

    Something's wrong, can't watch the video and I would really like to!!!
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  • Anonymous 26 June 2012

    awesome

  • christian 26 June 2012

    love ballet!
    wauw!
    xo

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  • Blush 26 June 2012

    Awesome!

    Thank you for visiting blush and your lovely comment!

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  • JanM ♥ 26 June 2012

    Yes! More fitness posts please! 🙂

    xo,
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  • Bonnie 27 June 2012

    Daaaang. Ballet dancers are definite athletes. Their training is super intense. I have the utmost respect for them.

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  • JAELA 27 June 2012

    Thank you for visiting by blog and commenting… I am now following you.

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  • Joy Shana 27 June 2012

    nice post love, just followed you hope u do the same:)
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  • Juju 27 June 2012

    dancers body and abilities are charming
    thank you for you lovely comment, you have a new follower
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  • Am2Pm Chic 28 June 2012

    Awesome !!! The ballet training is so intense.
    xoxo
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  • Ask Erena 1 July 2012

    OMG! This guy has some body! Cool training! No wonder he is in such awesome shape. Thank you for adding my to your trophy case, I appreciate your friendship as well!
    hugs from New York,
    xx
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  • Laura 1 July 2012

    Great post!:)

  • Cátia G. 3 July 2012

    Sure! I'm already follow you**
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  • Pip 3 July 2012

    Hi dear! Thanks for the sweet comment on my blog! I am now following you and think your blog is really interesting! I can understand this post because I was a professional figure skater in my late teens and mid 20's, and worked very hard most of my younger years training and skating like 5 hours a day! Your body totally changes when you do exercised like these! I'm glad to follow and look forward to your future posts! Excited for you to follow me and please keep in touch! xx Pip

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  • Nora Fab 3 July 2012

    Thank you for your comment. I like your blog for its variety and its interesting topics. I will follow you and leave comments. Cheers..

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  • PRIYANKA DHIR 3 July 2012

    hey my dear! thx for ur comment on my blog .of course we can folow each other! love ur pics
    im folowing u on gfc now.. waiting for u to folow me back on gfc and my facebook page also 🙂
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  • tuwentytri 3 July 2012

    Thanks! followed you just now.
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  • Dana 3 July 2012

    Thanks for visiting me. I am now following you!
    Please come back and follow me too!
    Great post. My Hubby loves reading Men's Health!

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  • Priscilla 3 July 2012

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  • Marsha C 3 July 2012

    Nice post dear and thanks for your comment x

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  • Anđela Vitorović 3 July 2012

    Nice post! 🙂

  • Sara 3 July 2012

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  • Larissa 3 July 2012

    Hi dear! Nice post 🙂
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  • Marisa- Broke With Designer Taste 4 July 2012

    Ah,this is awesome! I did ballet for a long time so I really appreciate this post! Thanks for stopping by my blog. I am now following on GFC. Follow back? 🙂

    Marisa
    http://brokewithdesignertaste.blogspot.com/

  • Mehak 4 July 2012

    Heyy!! You have a great blog here!!
    Wish I could do some of the moves here!! 🙂

    Thank you so mu for stopping by and leaving lovely comment!!
    Following you now.. Hoping to see you in my friend list too..

    Love
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  • The Fashion Scan 4 July 2012

    Hi dear!!! Interesting post!!! Thanks for your lovely comment on my blog!!! Of course I follow you on GFC as Elisa Raimondo!!! Follow me back!!! Follow each other on the other socials?? Let me know! 😀

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  • Alonna 5 July 2012

    Great post!
    I followed you. (:

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  • Allison 7 July 2012

    Love ballet!!!
    🙂
    Allison

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  • oomph. 7 July 2012

    It's amazing what they put their bodies thru!!

    Will check you out on instagram, too!
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    • oomph. 7 July 2012

      When I search your name, it doesn't show up! Find me when you have time!

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    Hello , love your blog 🙂 would u like to follow each other ? I follow u now, please follow me too 🙂
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    Nice video.
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