Restless. That's about the only word that can describe how I've been feeling the past week or so. Though I'm still in the boot, I'm walking almost normal without it around home and mentally I'm desperately missing dancing. But last night I took my first yoga class (actually first anything phsyical class) since surgery and it was fantastic!
(Warning: this is sort of a mindless stream of conciousness about getting back in shape...not sure where I'm going...)
Technically I guess I should wait til I'm officially out of the boot to start getting back in shape, but technically the doctor said I *could* be out of the boot this week. I'm just waiting for my physical therapist to return to give me the okay. So I went ahead and did half of yoga - just the sitting half - and I'm so glad I did.
After a month of doing literally nothing physical I felt like I was reintroduced to a brand new body. It was very strange...it's like that sense of wearing someone else's shoes: they fit, but something's not right. My muscles felt oddly tight and loose at the same time. I know that doesn't make sense but it's true. Stretches that I never used to feel anything on suddenly twinged with constraint, but other positions that used to feel stuck now felt more free. I think when I'm in shape and turning out all the time my muscles almost block the openness of my joints. I'm not sure that's an anatomically correct statement, but that's what it sort of seems like. I mostly noticed this in the front of my hips...normally if I try to sit up and hold my knees parallel close to my chest I can't even get them to touch together, nevermind curl my chest over towards them. Last night it was so easy all of a sudden!
It made me think of how carefully I need to retrain my muscles as I start getting myself together again soon. I've always had a habbit of "gripping" my muscles while dancing because I'm sort of built to do so, but that's not good for you. It will be super hard for me, but I want to try to force myself to retrain slowly and more correctly so that I strengthen my muscles while keeping the length and ease that has come of relaxation (it's like my body has been refreshed, and although I certainly don't feel all energized and renewed, apparently my muscles are and they're just not telling me). It won't be easy.
Now that I've proven I'm able to do at least basic gentle yoga, I'm going to ease into a schedule of more and more yoga/pilates until I'm allowed to take barre. Once I'm offiically out of the boot I'll start standing poses and will be able to do more. But I think tomorrow I'm going to try hot yoga for the first time at Yoga to the People (anyone done that?) and then next week I'll take some pilates classes.
I'm so ready to be back in shape. I felt amazing after my half yoga class last night and this morning I'm actually not nearly as sore as I was expecting to be. And the best part is that my foot is completely pain-free still :)
Showing posts with label stretch. Show all posts
Showing posts with label stretch. Show all posts
Thursday, October 7, 2010
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
massage!
Oh my goodness, I got a massage this morning and it was SO good.
As a dancer it's really best if you go for a massage often to keep your muscles loose and healthy and everything, but time and money don't always allow for frequent visits...I haven't been in farrr too long and given my foot issues I thought it was time.
He spent like 45 minutes on my one calf on the bad foot side. It was so painful...I'm hoping with muscles loosening up though maybe some of the dancing pain will go away? I don't know if that's directly related to bursitis, but it can't hurt right?
Before and after class I try to stretch and work through muscles that hurt or feel tight, but it's so hard to target the specific places on yourself. Tennis balls and foam rollers are dancers' best friends, but they don't reach every specific tight spot.
Anyways, I'm glad I finally went. I'm kind of more sore now than I was when I went in though, haha. Oh well.
Tonight I'm going to a dance and technology blogging seminar thing hosted by Doug of GreatDance. Should be interesting.
As a dancer it's really best if you go for a massage often to keep your muscles loose and healthy and everything, but time and money don't always allow for frequent visits...I haven't been in farrr too long and given my foot issues I thought it was time.
He spent like 45 minutes on my one calf on the bad foot side. It was so painful...I'm hoping with muscles loosening up though maybe some of the dancing pain will go away? I don't know if that's directly related to bursitis, but it can't hurt right?
Before and after class I try to stretch and work through muscles that hurt or feel tight, but it's so hard to target the specific places on yourself. Tennis balls and foam rollers are dancers' best friends, but they don't reach every specific tight spot.
Anyways, I'm glad I finally went. I'm kind of more sore now than I was when I went in though, haha. Oh well.
Tonight I'm going to a dance and technology blogging seminar thing hosted by Doug of GreatDance. Should be interesting.
Thursday, November 8, 2007
The Flexi-stretcher: my new addiction
As much as I need my gingerbread latte nowadays, I need the flexi-stretcher before or after class!
This thing is unbelievable. Basically, it helps you stretch in the absolute correct position so you can't cheat and use other muscles or twist your bones or anything. It mainly helps improve your arabesque and get your leg right behind you, but it can be used for tons of other things.
Last night after class we had a demonstration with the girl, Rachel, who invented it. She's a dancer herself and had a whole series of exercises to go along with this amazing stretchy band. From abs, to arms, to extension, this thing does it all!
I've had mine for about 2 weeks now (but was borrowing from friends for about a week prior to ordering mine) and I definitely feel a difference! Most notably in my arabesque...my back is extremely tight and always has been, but this contraption gets my hips loose and in the right position so my leg goes up. It builds muscle and strength as it stretches, and when I'm in class after using it I imagine having it on and can feel the right alignment. It pulls my shoulder back too, which I often twist and hunch to aim for better extension.
I highly highly highly recommend buying one if you want a great stretch! It's a little pricey but well worth the investment. I got mine at Discount Dance, but you can also go on the flexi-sretcher website to order and see demonstrations.
Warning: It's addicting! :)
This thing is unbelievable. Basically, it helps you stretch in the absolute correct position so you can't cheat and use other muscles or twist your bones or anything. It mainly helps improve your arabesque and get your leg right behind you, but it can be used for tons of other things.
Last night after class we had a demonstration with the girl, Rachel, who invented it. She's a dancer herself and had a whole series of exercises to go along with this amazing stretchy band. From abs, to arms, to extension, this thing does it all!
I've had mine for about 2 weeks now (but was borrowing from friends for about a week prior to ordering mine) and I definitely feel a difference! Most notably in my arabesque...my back is extremely tight and always has been, but this contraption gets my hips loose and in the right position so my leg goes up. It builds muscle and strength as it stretches, and when I'm in class after using it I imagine having it on and can feel the right alignment. It pulls my shoulder back too, which I often twist and hunch to aim for better extension.
I highly highly highly recommend buying one if you want a great stretch! It's a little pricey but well worth the investment. I got mine at Discount Dance, but you can also go on the flexi-sretcher website to order and see demonstrations.
Warning: It's addicting! :)
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