How Can Female Dancers Dance in High Heels?

Dancing in high heels or stiletto dance has become increasingly popular, not just in the United States but also across the globe. Heels dancing is very versatile because you can incorporate most of its techniques in different genres of dancing, such as musical theater, gogo dancing, jazz, Latin, burlesque, hip hop, etc.

Furthermore, most heel dancers possess different abilities and techniques the body can use during the dance. Learning the proper heel etiquette brings out the confidence and sensual side of your being a female dancer. However, not all women can say they’re comfortable walking on heels, let alone dancing in them. To further your career in dancing, here are five simple tips on to dance confidently in heels without getting injured.

1. Choose the right kind of heels

Dancing in heels requires choosing the right pair of heels to keep you away from injuries while engaging in twists and turns. You should consider the heels that give you the most comfort when worn, especially those that make dancing less stressful for your feet. Some heels have specific designs, like Latin dance shoes, that offer optimum freedom of movement to execute your routine without pain or discomfort.

When choosing the right heels, take note of the following components:

Height
Ankle support
Thickness

2. Take up basic ballet classes

Signing up for ballet classes is one of the best ways to learn the correct way of dancing in heels. It will teach you the proper posture and balancing techniques necessary to stay comfortably on your heels for as long as possible. In addition, ballet dancing could help strengthen your calves and thighs, giving you the advantage of staying on your feet and preventing ankle injuries while you dance.

3. Stretch before dancing

Just like any other dance routine, stretching before you strap on your heels is essential in keeping your muscles flexible, strong, and healthy. Wearing high heels for hours puts a strain on your feet, thighs, and calves, even more so when performing vigorous dance moves. Thoroughly stretching those muscles prevents them from weakening and tightening, which could lead to possible injuries.

4. Lead with your hips

Leading with your hips is a technique that allows you to evenly distribute your body's weight and force you to engage your thighs and straighten your legs — making you look more sexy and confident. Your thigh muscles are better at absorbing stress. Engaging your hips puts them at work, taking unnecessary pressure off your knees and calves. You can try this by alternating the bending and straightening of both your knees as you walk in a straight line, with one foot following the other.

5. Exercise leg and core muscles

Whether you’re a professional dancer or not, you must learn to incorporate regular workouts as part of your everyday routine. Strengthening your legs (calves), core, and back muscles enables them to survive the stress caused by dancing on heels. Make sure to focus on working out these muscles, especially if you plan to dance more often on heels.

Conclusion

Not everyone is born to dance in high heels. But to become a better dancer, you must learn how to dance in heels comfortably. It’s an excellent skill to add to your repertoire of dance moves. However, hours of dancing in heels can be painful and uncomfortable, putting you at risk for injuries. So, just remember to apply these five simple tips, and you’ll be great. It may be hard at first, but with constant practice and self-confidence, you’ll be slaying the dance floor like Beyonce in no time.

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