Health Smart! Injury Prevention

Given that many dance studios take a few weeks off for winter break, January is a time when injuries are more likely to happen. This is because the body has not been actively engaging certain muscles with the same rigour as when dance classes are happening regularly. This post is a reminder of certain precautions to take in order to avoid injuries as dance classes and performances get started again.

The most important thing is to always listen to your body. Even though in December you may have been able to do the splits, that doesn’t mean that after a few weeks off you will still be able to do them. Pushing yourself to where you were before the break is bound to cause an injury. So take it slow and ease yourself back into the swing of things. It may take a couple of weeks, that’s okay.

Warm up gear is essential, especially in this cold winter weather. Warm up gear that follows proper dance attire can help to get your muscles warm faster. Muscles tear when they are cold and being pushed, so keep them warm until they can generate their own heat!

Drinking water before class is key. Although staying hydrated during a dance class is important, the body needs to be hydrated going in as well. It’s best to drink more about two hours before you take class and sip smaller amounts during class. Water will help your whole body work better, keeping it all safe.

Finally, if you get an injury, make sure it’s healed before you start using that body area again. A complete heal means that it has a better chance of staying healed. If you force yourself back before you are ready, you may create a recurring injury. So like that old saying says, better safe than sorry.