Part 2 Don’t get hurt!
In my previous post I discussed staying warm, as a cornerstone of a dancer’s sustainability. Here I explore the importance of mitigating injuries. The longevity of any career is a multi-complex system. This is just one perspective, focused on physical training, applicable to the workplace.
Obviously the most stressful thought for any performer is “not performing.” Every living and breathing moment is to be “on stage.” A dancer’s priority is to do as much as humanly possible, to not end up on the injured list.
The body is a moving mechanism, and no matter how careful one is, injuries do occur. That said, avoiding them at all costs is hard-wired into the human brain and body for survival. Dancers recognize that it’s in moments of lapse or carelessness when stuff happens.
An injury to a dancer can be a simple setback or complete career devastation. What is then required to fend off the demons of injury? For starters, no skiing, sky diving, marathons, or any kind of extreme sport or dangerous recreation. Whether explicitly stated in one’s contract or just implicitly understood, a dancer understands and accepts this as part of the job (unless completely reckless or too young to know any better).
Beyond avoiding potential high-risk events, a rigorous, unwavering course of disciplined mental and physical training must be followed. Daily class, daily rehearsals, cross training such as swimming, Pilates, Feldenkrais or Alexander technique to stave away muscular imbalances that repetitive choreography implants. Mental training includes meditation or other relaxation methods like yoga, Reiki or defined breathing practices.
Then more rehearsals aided by alternative therapies such as massage, acupuncture, to bring relief to a highly trained body, often overworked body. All of these pieces of the puzzle consume the wallet of a dancer’s meager income, and demand relentless attention.
One side note, the more mature the dancer, the more vigilant the routine, or suffer the consequences. There is a fine line between taking necessary precautions and obsessive worrying, which can be counter-productive. Finding the right balance requires plenty of experimenting, positive role models, painful honesty from colleagues, and a supportive community. All words of wisdom as the US workforce ages, and society must adapt to the demographic changes.
How does this apply to health promotion?
Every profession has its own unique “performance” demands. An office manager, mechanic, nurse, schoolteacher and a stay-at-home Mom, all are on stage, just not a theater. They have physical requirements, mental pressures, deadlines, travel schedules, performance expectations and more.
Not every job requires the multitude of training as dancer. However, we are creatures that move. Therefore, having a body that can perform simple daily tasks efficiently, and energetically is optimal. Training techniques that minimize injuries are learned through practice.
Learning how to safely bend, stretch, and keep the spine mobile requires trained muscles. Core strength, proper posture, enhanced breathing patterns are all “don’t get hurt” strategies for the workplace. By establishing good muscle patterns, the body is protected for performance.
Each and every individual needs a varied toolbox of performance training. Finding the right mix entails good job assessment, experienced trainers and individuals willing to learn basic body mechanics. Good technique is learned in the studio not on stage.
There are companies today offering performance programs geared to specific industries or organizational sectors. For example, Tignum and the Human Performance Institute offer training for executives. Occupational Athletics has some unique programs for truck drivers.
According to consumer reports 80% of adult Americans suffer back pain at some point. If for no other reason than that, now seems like a good time to get back to basics. Generic courses produce generic results.
“You learn technique so it’s there for you when you need it most!”
Louise Williams (my first ballet teacher)
