How Much Pain is Too Much to Push Through

As another performance season approaches, both intensity and amount of dancing increases. Everyone is in search of perfection with every plie done in a night, the number of rotations in a pirouette, or the countless hours jumping. When routines are run over-and-over again, the body will begin to feel it. This can lead to aches, pains and soreness that prevent us from dancing at 100%.  

Having aches and pains while dancing is frustrating! It can begin to limit your performance. We get asked all the time, “Can I continue to dance?” Check out the chart. 

Dance is total body activity. It is normal to feel some aches and soreness after dancing. The key is these aches (1-4) should go away with rest.

In search of perfection, you may be practicing more and more without giving your body enough time to rest. Without time to recovery, your “normal” aches and pains become excessive (5-10). You will begin to notice your legs are lower with each kick, you fall off your center, and you feel winded after each run of the piece.

If you are starting to feel constant aches and pains every time you dance the best thing to do is: 

1)    Relative rest! Take a break from going 110% all day, every day. 
When you can, mark the combination and don’t go early/stay late to practice on your own. 

2)    Check your technique.  Talk with your teacher about what you are feeling and ask them what they see during your technique classes. 

3)    See a performance specialist to jump higher, lift your leg longer, turn more, and dance better!