“12 Stocking Stuffers For The Dancer In Your Life!”
The holiday season is upon us and what better time to stock up on some dance bag essentials and fill your wish list with things that will help you in and out of the studio? Read on for Nikita’s favourite stocking stuffers for the dancer in your life!
1. So Luxury Magnesium Gel
Magnesium gel is perfect for soothing sore muscles. Apply before bedtime for a relaxing effect and reduce the aches of sore muscles! Get yours here.
2. Truly Lifestyle Brand Sheet Mask.
Treat your skin to hydration the day after a performance! After sweating in the hot stage lights, caked in make up and glitter, your face will need some love! Get your Truly Radiant Sheet Mask here.
3. Hustle & Flow “Chin up. Crown On.” Notebook
Every dancer needs a place to write down choreography changes and formations! Or sometimes a dance teacher says something that just sticks and changes the way you look at a move (like when Portia Favro taught me how to breathe during rib circles…Truly life changing!) Get your Hustle & Flow notebook here.
4. Witch Hazel Toner
I always try to use non-disposable or reusable items when possible, so instead of using a face cleansing wipe to clean my skin of sweat after dance class before driving home or going out after class, I use a witch hazel toner and a reusable cloth or make up pad. A quick wipe of my face and I know I’m not leaving sweat to set on my skin! Here’s my favourite witch hazel toner.
5. Snacks
A must-have in every dance bag? SNACKS! You want easy to pack, clean ingredient foods like nuts and dried fruit and granola bars that you can leave in your bag and not worry about. Here’s one of my favourite ‘Real Food Bars’.
6. So Luxury Fire Balm & Ice Balm
I have tried so many muscle relaxing balms over the years and nothing compares to these two from So Luxury. The fire balm heats up and the ice balm gets nice and cold - and both are amazing depending on what you’re looking for to sooth sore muscles after dance class or a good conditioning workout. Check them out online or stop in at Thrive Dance Studio (22661A Fraser Hwy, Langley) to pick some up in person!
7. Gua Sha
My chiropractor taught me about muscle scraping with a gua sha instead of/in addition to foam rolling and it has become the biggest love hate relationship of my life. It hurts to good! Muscle scraping can help to reduce inflammation, swelling, and pain. By breaking up adhesions and scar tissue, it can improve overall range of motion and flexibility, which can be especially helpful for dancers! Use some of the fire and ice balm above to help the gua sha glide and prioritize your recovery after class! Get your scraper here.
8. Hair ties
There is nothing worse than getting to an intense dance class and realizing you don’t have a hair tie. Keep these in your dance bag for emergencies!
9. Magnesium Bath Soak
As much as I love the burn after a good dance class, I love a good bath after class too! Magnesium for those achy muscles and a hot bath for some relaxation - this is my favourite bath soak for post-class me-time.
10. Electrolytes
This is another dance bag essential - especially on those hot summer days in the studio when the building hasn’t turned the heat on yet 😅 Electrolytes help you to stay hydrated and promote proper muscle function during high intensity activity. Grab a couple of these single serve packages and keep them in your dance bag.
11. Dry Shampoo
We’ve all been there - just finished a hot and sweaty dance class where you put in the WORK and your friends want to grab food but you look like a drowned rat? Wipe your face down with the witch hazel above and throw some dry shampoo in your hair and you’re good to go! This is my favourite brand - it is paraben free and made in Vancouver!
12. Hustle & Flow 5 Class Pass
Last but not least, get 5 Hustle & Flow Dance 75-minute drop-in classes for the price of 4! Drop-in to heels, sassy sneakers, or contemporary classes in our upcoming season! Get your 5 Class Pass here.
