How to Keep Warm-Ups Effective During Recital Prep

Mar 10, 2025

As a teacher, you know how important a proper warm-up is for your students' safety, performance quality, and overall longevity in dance.

But as recital and year-end performances creep up on us, class time is often dedicated to making choreography and practicing dances—leaving little time for a full technique-focused class!

However, skipping a warm-up isn't an option. Dancers still need to prepare their bodies to avoid injury and perform at their best. The key is to create a shortened but effective full-body warm-up that gets them ready in minimal time.

Below are strategies to ensure your dancers are fully warmed up while maximizing your class time during recital season.

 

1. Start with Dynamic Movement

Begin with continuous movement rather than static stretching (no splits plz!). This helps increase blood flow and activates muscles.

Think exercises like:

  • Walking, increasing to jogging

  • Lunges with arm reaches (both sides, 8 reps)

  • Plie, releve, tendu sequences

Keep things moving to efficiently raise the heart rate and warm up major muscle groups.

 

2. Combine Mobility and Strength

Instead of separate exercises for mobility and strength, blend them together! This ensures the warm-up is both functional and time-efficient.

Some examples include:

  • Plank to downward dog (strengthens the core while stretching the shoulders and hamstrings)

  • Side lunges with torso twists (opens up the hips while engaging the core and legs)

  • Standing leg swings (loosens up the hips while improving balance and control)

These exercises prep dancers for dynamic movement without needing extra time for separate stretching and strengthening sections.

 

3. Prioritize the Spine and Core

Dancers need spinal mobility and core activation before jumping into choreography. Especially if your dances often involve transitions from standing to floorwork, making sure these areas are warm is key.

Quick exercises to include:

  • Roll downs and roll ups (mobilizes the spine and hamstrings)

  • Cat-cow stretches (gentle activation of the back and core)

  • Seated or standing oblique twists (warms up the rotational muscles of the torso)

These movements will help with fluidity in transitions and prevent stiffness in choreography.

 

4. Keep It Structured and Efficient

Aim for a condensed warm-up of about 15–20 minutes if your class is an hour long.

To make the warm-up as efficient as possible, use a set sequence that dancers memorize so you don’t have to spend time teaching it at the beginning of class. When students know exactly what to do, you can get straight into it. 

You may choose to create a series of sequences. A quick example warm-up structure could be:

  1. Dynamic movement sequence: 5 minutes

  2. Mobility + strength sequence: 5 minutes

  3. Core + spinal activation sequence: 5 minutes

Or, if your dancers are older or more advanced, you may try creating one long warm-up sequence that hits all these points. This can challenge their focus and stamina as well!

 

5. If it's Ballet Class

I give a condensed barre when I need to work on a recital dance! I recommend doing pliés, tendus, jetés, rond de jambes, and a light grand battement so they can swing their legs. Then, 16-32 sautés in the center.

Again, use set exercises so your students already know them!

 

In Conclusion…

During recital season, time is tight. By combining dynamic movement, strength, and mobility in a short but intentional way, you can ensure your dancers are prepared while maximizing your time in the studio. Implement these strategies, and you'll set your students up for success without sacrificing valuable rehearsal time!

***Be sure to head back to the Newsletter for music recs and more!