My mom first enrolled me in dance classes at the age of three. For the next 11 years, I experimented with different styles of dance, from tap to contemporary to jazz, but I always found the the most joy in ballet. I was committed to my sport, dancing for hours several days a week, advancing from simple steps to entire variations en pointe. 11 years at my ballet studio taught me not only the art of ballet, but also discipline, teamwork, leadership, courage, and countless other fundamental aspects of my character. With the knowledge I had gained, I left my studio; I was soon to enter high school and join my school's dance team and wanted to fully dedicate my time to schoolwork and the team. That year, I woke up early every morning to go to practice. I would take off my back brace in the locker room, store it in my locker as I danced that day, and strap it back on for the rest of the school day. At first, I was hesitant to reveal my brace to my teammates out of shame and embarrassment, but my peers welcomed and accepted me regardless of my scoliosis. When I danced, I never felt pain due to my back; however, I was occasionally limited by stiffness or a loss of flexibility. Nonetheless, I didn't let these minimal obstacles prevent me from doing what I loved. Although I left my dance studio, I was fortunate enough to develop lasting friendships while I was there. I interviewed one of my friends, Lisa, who still dances there and knows several dancers who have been diagnosed with scoliosis at the studio. Below is what she had to say about dancing with scoliosis. In dance, mobility and healthy bodies are super important in order for dancers to perform to the best of their ability. Injuries can seriously set back dancers as they make their recovery, but a disease such as scoliosis affects a dancer throughout their entire dance career. Dance requires large amounts of back strength and flexibility, and almost every step in dance requires use of your back. This proves to be a real struggle for dancers with scoliosis because it can make almost every dance step painful or uncomfortable. Luckily through perseverance and treatments, I've seen many people succeed in dance despite having scoliosis. Scoliosis is a serious obstacle some dancers have to face, yet it is not impossible to overcome.
Steps such as an arabesque require dancers to lift their legs high to create what is known in the dance world as a "good line." Low arabesques are unacceptable, and dancers with scoliosis may be forced to drop their legs lower due to physical limitations. Another important obstacle dancers with scoliosis experience is maintaining proper alignment. My friend with scoliosis mentioned to me that it's difficult for her to keep her alignment during different positions while dancing because of her scoliosis. However, she has learned to pay special attention to her alignment and better understand her body's tendency to lean certain ways because of her back and fix them. Dancers with scoliosis adapt to their condition by paying attention to their body, learning from it, and developing coping strategies for dancing. As Lisa described, there are undoubtedly several obstacles that dancers or any athletes face when they are diagnosed with scoliosis. The effect of scoliosis on one's sport may vary depending on the severity of the individual's condition, but these negative effects and obstacles can be defeated with perseverance and support from one's peers. Don't let your diagnosis determine your future; your fate is in your own hands.
2 Comments
5/2/2023 09:10:14 pm
Thank you for pointing out that for dancers to perform to the best of their abilities, mobility and healthy bodies are crucial. My sister desires to introduce her daughter to dancing. As a result of my niece's leg injury, I'll advise my sister to enroll her daughter in professional dance lessons, which will greatly aid her daughter's mobility.
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Tatum La
5/6/2023 05:24:43 pm
Thank you for your comment, Iris! I found ballet to be a challenging yet fulfilling creative outlet when I was diagnosed with scoliosis. I really appreciated the emphasis on stretching, flexibility, and mobility, and I would advise your niece to be patient with herself and her body as she begins dancing. Wishing her a speedy recovery!
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