posted April 08, 2006 01:23 AM         

I suppose it isn't quite a health problem, but a health 'dilemma'

I am a dedicated ballet dancer, and I dance 6 days a week. I have been dancing my entire life, primarily ballet. I take a sprinkling of jazz classes, but over all JUST BALLET! I don't know if anyone realizes what an incredibly demanding sport it is...it requires every single muscle in your body, no exaggerating, to be in complete control. They say a 1 hour true ballet class is the equivolent of a 2 hour game of football. I don't mean to go on and on, I just want to make sure that it is at first understand how difficult ballet really is for the advanced dancer...at least the dancer who works hard. And i am breaking a sweat five minutes into the first class.

I take a private on monday, followed by 3 advanced classes. On tuesday i take 3 advanced classes. On wednesday I have a private, followed by an advanced, and then and intermediate ballet class. Thursday I have and advaced ballet class and an int/adv. jazz class, and on friday I have an intermidiate jazz class and character class. Saturday I don't dance, and on Sunday I have a private.

Each class in and hour and a half, and each private is an hour.

Needless to say I AM ABSOLUTELY EXHAUSTED, and now I am starting to experience daily extreme pain in my legs. The pain is dull acheing and sharp shooting pains through my feet, knees, and thighs. I also get the occasional sciatica. I have seen a Chiropracter about it, and all he says is that I need to balance my life more and take more vitamin C. I can take vitamin C, but ballet is my life...a future career...not a hobby! It is not something I can just cut-back on. I would also like to comment on the fact that I am recieving very good training, and didn't even go onto pointe until 15. Often times bad training can cause extreme problems in the knees and back, etc. But my training is the old Russian training and a great deal of attention is paid to placeing the body correctly, and not injuring onself.

I also am not sleeping well at night. I take about 2,000 mg C a day, plus rosehips, flaxeed oil, vit E, a B-Complex, vit D, Magnesium/Zinc/Calcium...and some other antioxidants, including alpha lipoic acid and L-Carnitine. I eat a really healthy diet and try to get plenty of potassium every day.

I know this sounds like a silly rant, but it has been a problem for a couple of months now, and since nobody has offered any effective advice, maybe someone here can help. The main thing is all the pain I am in all the time...it is just constant pain and it is starting to affect my life in otherways.

If anyone has time to comment feel free too, but I also understand that my health problems are miniscule compared to others, so definently no hurry

I am 16 (17 in July) years old and I weigh about 120 lbs, and I might have PCOS. I don't know if this is any useful info, but just in case, I have included it. Usually I wouldn't include my age, since I believe age is an illusion, but here it might be a good idea.

Thanks a lot, and love and light to all

posted April 08, 2006 01:53 AM         

if something hurts you..and the joy is gone..then why gone on..with it?

posted April 08, 2006 03:25 PM         

This is very interesting a revealing comment. Same goes for 13anshee. I will think about this.

posted April 08, 2006 03:32 PM         

It is so ironic since I am the first to acredit all physical problems to metaphysical and astral manifestations, and I have been able to heal or allevieate myself of other health problems through this (such as migraines, acne, and menstruel problems). How funny that I was ignoring this knowledge about the pain associated with my dancing! I think I've been in some denial about it. I will definently need time to think about this...and I am so glad I posted here. Thanks again!

posted April 08, 2006 10:56 PM         

Sending healing light your way for answers...

posted April 11, 2006 01:59 AM         

I guess sometimes you have to remember why you dance in the first place. Pain is a part of it, but that good kind of pain; when you know you've worked hard and it's paying off. Take a step back, or take it easy in some classes rather than pushing yourself in each and every class.

Man, I miss dance...