There will be another ‘The Science of Dance Training’ podcast being recorded at the end of this week!  The focus of this podcast is on backs, lower back, upper backs, arabesque, back extensions, etc.  Send in your questions on backs to thescienceofdancetraining@gmail.com.

Remember that we can’t diagnose conditions but we are really good at helping dancers understand the inner workings of their body – and how to maximize your efforts in dance!  If we don’t answer your question in this podcast – don’t worry – it will be put on the list of questions for future podcasts.

Check back at the end of the week for the podcast posting.  We are also going to post it on iTunes!

After some trials and tribulations (the learning curve to technology is never easy) the first Science of Dance Training podcast is ready for your listening pleasure!  The volume varies some (we’ll get that fixed for next time) but we are too excited to wait any longer to share this with you!

Click Here!

Here are the questions that we answered in the first podcast.

Question #1
Thank you so much for all you do to promote healthy ballet information for dancers of all ages. I have a question that I have not seen an answer to as of yet from a physiological perspective. Often, we parents have questions that we’d like to run by an impartial source rather than solely rely on our dance teachers’ answers.

As non-dancing parent of a young ballet dancer, aged 9, who would love to go to class 5 days a week if I would let her, how do I know how many hours of dance daily and weekly would be considered too much for her strong but still growing body?

I don’t want her to sustain injuries that she might not be aware of from dancing too much at a young age. She is studying under a teacher well-trained in the Cecchetti method and is taking mainly ballet classes and a jazz class for variety.

I’d appreciate any information you can provide. Thanks in advance.

Nicole

Question #2

Thank you so much for taking on this project. I applaud your innovative use of technology to reach this new generation of dancers (especially because incorrect information is so easy to find on the internet).

My question for the Science of Dance Training:

I’ve been told by dance teachers that a movement like a developpe or a grande battement starts from the hamstring muscles. I’ve also heard from athletic coaches that the hamstring does not control this movement, and that it is rather the quadricep. So, which is it? What exactly is the anatomy of a developpe or a grande battement?

Cross-training Confusion,
Tova

Question #3

Another suggestion applies to pointe. I know this is a delicate area, but I have several girls that I feel are ready to begin pointe work. Do you think the amount of hours of ballet in conjunction with body readiness are appropriate to assess readiness? Do you feel that an x-ray of their feet and ankles is necessary before commencing pointe work. Also, for prep-pointe, I would like the dancers to have pointe shoes to start working with them at the barre and breaking them in for 6-mos before they begin actual pointe work. Is this advisable? Dana

Question #4

I have three newer students with amazing flexibility, all three of whom are dealing with a snapping hip. It is getting painful, and doctors locally aren’t really sure what to do with them because it isn’t a flexibility issue. I am sure there are some exercises they should be doing to help strengthen, rather than lengthen, the iliopsoas, which they probably aren’t using properly due to the flexibility….I have a feeling they can cheat because the don’t need to work the joint as the rest of us do! What can I have them do to work that area for strength? And am I on the right track with that, or is there another reason for the snapping hip?
Tracy

Question #5

Thank you for providing this helpful information to all of us.

I have read a good portion of both of your publications, and seen many of the videos. The question I have has to do with the timing and order in which to introduce the exercises and stretches to a young dancer. It seems that they are often overwhelmed with what they are supposed to do. Instead of incorporating these great techniques into their routines before and during class, I see my own daughter reverting to the old ways, such as prone frogs, etc.

What is a good way to introduce these exercises so that they can actually remember what to do. Using a book or video is awkward during class.

And to make the sequence logical and easier for them to remember, and to incorporate into a routine, how do you suggest they start? For example, back, then hip, knee, ankle and foot?

I know your books suggest the routine to follow, but I ,myself, find it daunting to get my daughter to do the exercises as often as she needs to. I thought if there were a way to introduce, say 3 exercises at a time, then maybe she would be more compliant. But, I’m not really sure where to begin. She is “tight” in all areas!

Anyway, those are the issues we have which seem to be the major stumbling block to my daughters progress! This combined with a child’s natural timidity to be seen by her friends doing something new!

Thank you so much for the wonderful work you both are doing! I have learned so much from both of you!

Regards,
Nancy

Here’s that link again to click and be taken directly to the podcast!

Have a wonderful holiday!
Lisa and Deborah

We want to use this blog to collect questions from the dance community to answer in our podcasts.  It doesn’t matter whether you are a young dancer, a dance teacher, or a professional dancer – we want to help you become a better dancer and/or teacher by giving you accurate anatomical information that will help you improve your dancing.  The truth is our bodies come in different sizes with differing amounts of turnout and flexibility – and – the trick is to learn to work with how the body was designed to move!  We both came into dance medicine from being dancers and teaching dance which helps us understand the special challenges that dancers face.

We invite your questions – especially broader questions that are applicable to many.  Neither of us are physicians and we cannot diagnose injuries – especially over the internet – so please seek qualified care for those.  We can however, educate you to become more knowledgeable about the inner workings of the dancer’s body,  which can prevent problems and injuries from occurring in the first place!

Simply click the comment button and write your question or concern in the reply box – then watch your mailbox for a notice that a podcast from The Science of Dance Training is ready to be listened to and/or downloaded!  You can also email your questions to thescienceofdancetraining@gmail.com

Thanks for being a part of our global dance community!

Lisa & Deborah