Don’t Dance through Injuries

I recommend this really salient article, pushing back against the “dancing through injuries” culture that permeates the world of professional ballet.  Though non-professional ballet class settings don’t exert the same pressures on class participants, we do see similar “just push through it” and “tough it out” mentalities suffusing fitness and exercise culture.

This is not healthy for our bodies or minds.  It is worth remembering that you can actually set yourself back by forcing your body to do something it’s not ready or equipped to do.

There’s no shame in saying: “That doesn’t work for me,” or “My body doesn’t like that.”  When the conversation in your head sounds like, “Ouch!  That hurts!  Should I back off?” the answer is always a firm YES!

Listen to your body.  Take it slow.  Better to do less and “live” to dance another day, than to push things too hard and get sidelined with an injury.