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Stretching is one of the best things you can do for your dancing. Besides improving flexibility, it helps keep your muscles strong and less likely to be injured. It's also a great warmup and cooldown, not to mention relaxing. So stretch already!

Here are the stretches I do and the order I do them in. I use a reel song to time the stretches--hold each position for 16 bars, then switch. I also do each stretch at least twice on each leg.

Toe Touch: simple enough. Spread your feet out to shoulder width. Touch the ground. Hold for 16 bars. To make it harder, try keeping your feet completely together or putting your hands flat on the ground.

One Legged Toe Touch: From the previous position, move your left leg back. Keep both legs straight and bend towards the ground over your right leg. Hold, switch, and repeat.

Calf Stretch: Everyone knows this one. Stand against a wall, put one foot back, and push. Hold, switch, repeat. If you want to stretch your lower calf, bend the knee of the stretching leg slightly.

Quad Stretch: Keeping your balance with a chair or some such, pick up your right ankle with your right hand and gently pull up. Hold, switch, repeat. I seem to be saying that a lot. I think you get the idea.

Side Stretch: stand with your feet spread apart and lean your weight over one foot. It's hard to describe, but it should stretch your inner thigh.

Butterfly Stretch: Sit down and put the soles of your feet together. Pull them toward you and lean forward.