TWB Company Dancer Nardia Boodoo shares her pre-show warm-up with us to get us all moving and feeling good on #FeelGoodFriday. Grab a mat, a Theraband, and try out the exercises below!
It is super important for me to get into ‘The Zone’ before a Performance. I start with my make-up. I block out everyone in my dressing, put in my Air Pods, and cue up a beat playlist. As I apply my make-up, I usually think about the notes I received during the run-through and remind myself to apply them.
When I was a teenager I would get nervous about performing, My dad told me that I should develop an on-stage persona, similar to Beyonce’s Sasha Fierce. I always think back to that funny moment and it usually loosens me up. My dad’s jokes help me to control my excitement and occasional nerves.
Then, I throw on all my warm-ups on and head up to the stage or available studio space to start getting into my body. I start on my back with some breath work to connect to my deep abdominals and clear my mind. I use a Scolio-Pilates Mat series that my instructor and I developed ( I have a slight curve in my spine and this helps me correct it). I incorporate Therabands for resistance, to help with my hypermobility and I don’t have to do as many reps. Afterward, I give myself a quick barre and center.
–Nardia Boodoo
