Whilst injuries could be perceived as the worst thing to happen to a dancer, through losing strength, having to rest and eventually rehabilitating the body back into dance, but there could be positive sides to injuries. It is possible in fact to return to dance as strong, or even stronger, than before, by staying in shape during the injury period.
By working the body in a different way while it is resting, it can be a way to not only stay in shape, but also to hone your technique and to work to ensure that you prevent injury from occurring again. Rather than just rehabilitating the injured part of the body, it is important to work all the core areas if possible, and even include some cardio training in order to maintain your level of fitness as much as possible. During the body's rest period it may also be useful to identify the things that led to the injury initially, especially if it was a chronic injury.
Retraining your technique and learning about the body will rejuvenate you for when you return to the dance studio after injury, stronger and even better than before. Time off allows you the chance to focus on aspects of your dancing that you don’t normally have the time to work on. Turnout often increases, too, because rather than gripping, the hips are able to relax. However, it is vital that you listen to your doctor and physiotherapist in order to recover in the best way possible. Don’t rush back to dance – even if things feel fine – as there is also internal healing going on.
Consequently, time off allows the body deep resting time, meaning proper recovery and the chance to come back with much more enthusiasm, strength and endurance in the studio. Additionally, one of the biggest psychological benefits of enforced rest is that it makes us examine why we dance, giving a renewed focus.
Surviving injuries
Whilst injuries could be perceived as the worst thing to happen to a dancer, through losing strength, having to rest and eventually rehabilitating the body back into dance, but there could be positive sides to injuries. It is possible in fact to return to dance as strong, or even stronger, than before, by staying in shape during the injury period.
By working the body in a different way while it is resting, it can be a way to not only stay in shape, but also to hone your technique and to work to ensure that you prevent injury from occurring again. Rather than just rehabilitating the injured part of the body, it is important to work all the core areas if possible, and even include some cardio training in order to maintain your level of fitness as much as possible. During the body's rest period it may also be useful to identify the things that led to the injury initially, especially if it was a chronic injury.
Retraining your technique and learning about the body will rejuvenate you for when you return to the dance studio after injury, stronger and even better than before. Time off allows you the chance to focus on aspects of your dancing that you don’t normally have the time to work on. Turnout often increases, too, because rather than gripping, the hips are able to relax. However, it is vital that you listen to your doctor and physiotherapist in order to recover in the best way possible. Don’t rush back to dance – even if things feel fine – as there is also internal healing going on.
Consequently, time off allows the body deep resting time, meaning proper recovery and the chance to come back with much more enthusiasm, strength and endurance in the studio. Additionally, one of the biggest psychological benefits of enforced rest is that it makes us examine why we dance, giving a renewed focus.