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But I don't have time to...

How many times do you finish a class and tell the students to practice or stretch at home?  How many times do they come to the next class without doing either?  The answer: almost every class and every student.  So how do we get them to practice at home when they have homework, chores, other activities, etc.?  Multitasking!  I know it sounds crazy, but it works.  Stretching can be done just about anywhere and anytime.

 Everyone has to read.  Younger kids often have to read nightly for 20 minutes.  Older students have required books for English class.  I encourage students to hold a stretch as you read so many pages, then move the book and read that many more.

 During other homework.  Put it just far enough you are stretching as you write your answers.  This is great for butterfly and straddle stretches.

 Don't fast forward those commercials.  This is a great time to work on a step, work on that tap section giving you troubles, crunches, or planks.  Do as many crunches as you can during the commercial break.  And of course, you can stretch during the show.

 Work while getting ready for the day or for bed.  Brushing your teeth, hold your releve, do toe raises, or duck walks.  How about grande plies to pick up, well, anything.

 Think outside the box and get creative.  Practicing does not have to take up lots of time.

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