geschrieben von balletboy  am 14.03. um 00:22:48

Leg warmers, body warmers, etc. have a history and a contemporary function.

The history...Years ago most ballet studios were not heated.  Have you ever wondered why the Cecchetti syllabus starts with grand battements?  That's to warm the body up.  The leg warmers help keep the warmth in.

Also part of the history....there's often time between exercises, while the teacher would critique and demonstrate the next exercise.  In an unheated studio, you need to retain warmth at these times.

OK....now the contemporary application.  Have you ever seen photos of the rehersal sessions for a company?  The sessions usually start with a class, but then gets to the rehersal.  When you see phtos of NYCB or ABT or whoever, there are a lot of dancers on the side-lines waiting for their performance.  They cannot continue exercises because it is distracting to the rehersal at hand.  So the need for the warmers.

OK, now my historical and contemporary application.  I take classes in a number of air-conditioned studios.  While the air-conditioning is great for my upper body, it's not good for my knees.  And often there's lots of time between exercises. So I wear leg warmers.

balletboy

PS: OK, you sweat.  I sweat mostly on my upper body, but not in my feet, calves, knees and thighs.  My leg warmers have never gotten sweaty.  Have your's?

PPS: OK, what about head bands?  The body regulates heat loss mostly through the head.  I stay warmer when I wear a head band, though I know some guys who think it's better not to waer a head band.  So what's your position here?