Did you catch “I Sacrificed Everything for Ballet” in the March issue of Seventeen? Guest Melanie Doskocil helps balance the view with some straight talk about ballet training for a career, inviting readers to weigh in with their thoughts on sacrifice, crossing the line, and how to prevent the pitfalls of elite training.
Health, Wellness & The Dancer's Body
The Stem of Aplomb – Part Three: The Lumbar Spine, Sacrum, and Coccyx
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.
Getting Knee Deep With Dr. Craig Westin
Dr. Craig Westin is an orthopedic surgeon for the Chicago Center for Orthopedics at Weiss Memorial Hospital and medical director of Chicago’s Joffrey Ballet. He has worked extensively with dancers, skiiers, and is a team physician with the U.S. Figure Skating Team. Dr. Westin generously took time out of his busy schedule to talk with Dance Advantage about knee problems, proper alignment, pain, and injuries common to dancers.
Stretching For Front Splits
If you’re struggling with getting all the way down in those elusive front-splits, there are two areas of flexibility that you’ll want to pay special attention to: the hamstrings and the hip flexors. Spend some time working to increase your range of motion in each of these areas individually with the stretches in this article.
The Stem of Aplomb – Part Two: The Thoracic Spine
Of all the spinal sections, the thoracic vertebrae are least capable of movement, however it is exceedingly important to the movements of dance. Lauren of Art Intercepts teaches us about the thoracic spine, its function, and gives an exercise to stretch and strengthen this area of the back for movement and greater aplomb.
Got Stress? 10 Manageable Relievers For Women (and Men)
Melanie Doskocil is the director of a busy ballet school. Stressed? How could she be stressed? Many of you can relate, I’m sure. In her first guest spot here on Dance Advantage, Melanie shares how she mistook her symptoms for something else and gives 10 manageable ways to restore your usual vim and vigor.
