Recovering from injury or illness

February 19, 2014

I am often asked questions regarding care and maintenance of the “dancer body”. Even though we strive to teach dancers to seek balance and health in the body/mind/spirit, the eager-to-perform dancer will inevitably push themselves beyond that comfortable balance. Preventing injury is obviously the best plan, but when life offers a distressful situation the smart dancer will react with a positive approach and do everything possible to use the situation as a learning experience and work toward a strong come-back. Here are some important tips for a quicker recovery and return to full strength.

Students who stay away from class as they heal will be less likely to make a quick come-back. Opus II Dance Studio encourages recovering students to continue to participate with their classes even if not at full strength.

• Continuing to be a part of the class encourages healing by helping to keep the student motivated. Students may physically participate (in a chair or lying on the floor) in some of the exercise as they are able depending on Physician/Therapist orders.
• Movement in any part of the body stimulates overall circulation. Even participating in the port de bras portion of the exercises while holding placement of the upper body helps maintain artistry and encourages maintenance of the central core.
• Students are encouraged to imagine the dance steps being performed. It is amazing how that imagery is transferred to the body. Muscles react to the mind. Keeping the mind active actually helps heal the body.
• Learning dance combinations keeps the sideline dancer in sync with their class. When they return they will be mentally fit to re-join their classmates.

Students who work toward healing in these ways gradually work back into the class with much less of a setback.

It is important to note, however, that IF the injury or illness is debilitating and prohibits participation over an extended period of time it may be emotionally difficult to watch others do what you wish to be doing. Every individual must work with their medical professionals to find the right course of action for themselves.

It is my hope that this “Dance Tip” may be helpful to you. We all have to learn to get up and start again at some point in our lives. Finding joy (or at least motivation) in challenges is a great way to approach life. On with the dance!

Hellie Schussler – School Director/Opus II Dance Studio

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