Dance skills

1.2 The warm up

The importance of an effective warm up to prepare the body for physical exertion cannot be emphasised enough.

Warm-up activities for dance should:

  • mobilise the joints;

  • increase the internal temperature of the body;

  • increase the heart rate and blood flow to the muscles;

  • make the muscles warm and pliable;

  • increase the range of movement around the joints;

  • increase the speed of transmission of nerve impulses;

  • prepare the mind, as well as the body, by focusing on oneself.