Conditioning for Dance improves your technique and performance in all dance forms by strengthening the body’s core while improving your coordination, balance, alignment, and flexibility. The result is more lift without tension, deeper pliés, higher jumps with less effort, tighter turns, and improved extension and turnout. The innovative, proven techniques in this book will help you execute key movements better as you ·strengthen the muscles you use in dance by performing exercises with elastic resistance bands; ·start and move in proper alignment using imagery; ·improve your balance and release tension through playful exercises with small balls; ·develop leg and torso power that translates to higher jumps and tighter turns; and ·optimize your flexibility through touch, movement awareness, and imagery. Conditioning for Dance features 102 imagery illustrations paired with dance-specific exercises to help you maximize body–mind conditioning. The book culminates with a 20-minute, full-body barre workout routine designed to help you warm up, condition, and refine your dance technique. By working the muscles through movements and ranges of motion that approximate the demands of your chosen dance form, you directly enrich your performance capabilities. And as you strengthen the body’s core, stretch to gain just the right amount of flexibility, and incorporate the power of the mind, you unleash your full artistic and physical potential.