Three weeks ago my son started Pilates physical therapy for dancers. He’s working with a great former dancer who really knows her stuff. She made him slow way down — Julian was taking lots of extra ballet classes to try and get back into shape. He had, however, developed a case of tendonitis from over use. Remember he’d been in that boot for a month without dancing at all. So, the extra classes were not a good idea. (Don’t listen to the school director who says she knows best how to get your son back in shape, because she’s a dancer…)
In any case, the Pilates therapy seemed just the thing. She noticed that he had lost 30% of his muscle in that hurt leg, and they set to work on building it back up with machines, tennis balls, bands, and a variety of exercises. He was amazed at how much he had to use his core (abdominal) muscles for many of the exercises, and he was tired afterwards.
The best part, however, was all the work they’ve been doing in front of the mirror. She makes him do plies and releves and watches exactly where his hips are and if his knee caps are “sagging” and how he holds his shoulders and if he is leaning back too far. It’s great! It’s the best posture class for dancers I’ve seen Julian take to date! And he’s really learning how he has to hold himself.
I’m sure this will pay off not only in his ability to dance better — he’ll be more balanced — but also in less injuries as well.