The difference between a strain and a sprain; a ligament and a tendon. Take a closer look at injuries and how to cope throughout the recovery process.
Meet Your Feet, Part 2
February 12, 2013 by 3 Comments
Did you know there are 4 arches of the foot? Are you aware that improper alignment of the foot can lead to two of the most common dance injuries? Lauren discusses the middle of the foot and suggests exercises to build strength in the feet.
Meet Your Feet, Part 1
January 10, 2013 by 4 Comments
It is crucial that a dancer take good care of his or her feet. Start with these general maintenance tips to prevent and treat minor injuries. And, don’t miss Lauren’s list of dance bag essentials for healthy feet.
Is The Snap, Crackle, or Pop of Your Hips Cause For Alarm?
March 28, 2012 by 9 Comments
Ah, the familiar sound of a snapping hip. Most dancers have experienced it at one time or another. Lauren takes us on a tour of the hip and what causes this popping sound, discusses the varieties of snapping hip, and lets you in on a ‘little secret’ that helped her get rid of the snap, crackle, and pop.
Is Cross-training A Good Idea?
September 29, 2011 by 2 Comments
Lauren’s answer: a resounding ‘Yes!’ But don’t dancers have to be careful about getting bulky? See what Lauren has to say. Plus, learn the difference between anaerobic and aerobic activity and how intensity plays a role. And, discover how to decide if a cross-training activity is right for you.
Fatigue and Injury: Making room for rest
August 18, 2011 by 4 Comments
Muscle fatigue is good but not when dancers push themselves (or are pushed by directors) to injury. We’re ignoring a crucial part of the formula for increasing endurance and enhancing performance. What is that element and why is it important for dancers to learn when enough is enough?
Bowed Legs, Tibial Torsion, and Side Splits
June 18, 2011 by 1 Comment
A reader wonders wonders how bowed legs might be affecting her second position and side split. She describes a related problem with knee and ankle alignment, leading to my response which focuses on tibial torsion. I provide a useful group of links and tips for working with this rotational deformity. Plus we talk about turn-out and side splits too!
The Achilles Tendon: Dancer Injury and Prevention
May 26, 2011 by 7 Comments
Achilles was infallible except for the small injury to his heel that killed him. Dancers, too, are prone to injury and stress of the Achilles tendon if they don’t do a few important things. Achilles tendonitis is the big one but it doesn’t have to be forever. Dancers must take great care and follow the proper steps to prevent flare-ups and further injury.
“Look, Mom, no hands!” — Finding the Balance of Balance
May 12, 2011 by 8 Comments
Why is it easier to balance standing up straight than bending at the waist? Lauren of Art Intercepts delves deeper into the science of balancing to answer that question and more.
The Surprising Connection Between Physics and Ballet
May 10, 2011 by 6 Comments
Now widely accepted and taught in university dance programs, at first Kenneth Laws’ writings connecting physics and the art of dance were accused of “reducing ballet to a science.” Learn more about Laws, his late start in dance, and his books in this introductory post on his pioneering work in the dance field.
Knees, Please: Why A Dancer Should Walk Like A Man
April 14, 2011 by Leave a Comment
Lauren of Art Intercepts follows our chat with Dr. Craig Westin with some pointers for dancers who are concerned about knee pain and/or injury prevention in this important, yet often fragile joint.
The Stem of Aplomb – Part Three: The Lumbar Spine, Sacrum, and Coccyx
March 17, 2011 by 2 Comments
Having addressed the Cervical and Thoracic spines in previous installments, we now turn our attention to the lower three sections of the vertebral column. Learn about the lumbar spine, intervertebral discs, the sacrum, coccyx, and get a quick and dirty list of the 3 big take-away points about ‘the stemb of aplomb,’ the spine.
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