frustrated

[amatol]

I don't know what is going on so if anyone has some suggestions that would be great!

Lately I have been very deligent about going to classes, working out and stretching on days I don't have class, etc. For a while it was good but the last 3 weeks I feel I've been in a steady downward spiral... I'm losing my turn out, and overall flexibility and generally feel like I am fighting with my body the whole time that I usually manage to mess up really easy combinations. I don't feel sick or anything just constantly drained/tired, was hoping to work through it but it isn't getting better and well I'm just not sure what to do. Has anyone else had a slump like this?

[Odille]

Muscles have to break down before they rebuild. Are you getting enough protein? Spend a whole day in bed with some good books and high protein snacks. Things will surely be better afterwards.

[Laschwen]

A day in bed sounds good because you sound tired. Are you sleeping well or is stress disturbing you while you are supposed to be restoring yourself? Nobody can function well without enough good sleep.

Laschwen

[Mel Johnson]

But general fatigue, even without malaise (feeling sick), can be a symptom of a larger condition in itself. You probably would be best advised to go to the doctor before anything else to determine your overall condition.

[amatol]

a day in bed with books and snacks sounds divine! unfortunately can't quite swing that but think I'll try just not going to the gym after work today and crawling in bed instead. Probably it is just a case of overdoing it, would that account for losing flexibility?

 

I'm sleeping ok, but have been feeling like I could have easily slept longer (not enough hours in the day!).

 

I just recently started pointe (beginning Feb.) so don't want to cut back on any actual ballet classes especially since my teacher has been encouraging me to take more (right now I take 3 to 4, 1.5 to 2 hr classes). But maybe I can skip the gym for a week or two and see if that helps.

 

I'll check with a doctor if resting doesn't work or things get worse. Right now it is mainly just affecting dance class and knowing my doctor she would just say to quit.

 

thanks so much for the advice and if anyone else has anything else to add please do!

[Jaana Heino]

Overdoing excercise would definitely explain (at least temporary) loss of flexibility, I think. Your muscles get tighter when they are over-used.

 

I would suggest you have at least one day in week during which you do not do any excercise - not even working out on your own. If you just cannot stay still, some very gentle warm up and stretching might be alright, but nothing more than that. Your body needs time to recover. I personally find two days a week off is good for me as a 31 beginner on pointe.

[Mel Johnson]

Further, I'd lay off the gym, and substitute Pilates. (Unless the gym is giving Pilates) But I still think that you should make it a point to go to the doctor just to make sure that something else isn't going on.

[psavola]

I'd like to just add that sleeping enough (and well) is really, really important. Different people need different amounts of sleep, and you may not be in that portion who needs less than average.

 

I used to think I was sleeping enough with fairly regular 7,5-8 hours each night.

 

Then, quite accidentally, I had a week during which I had the opportunity to sleep 9 hours each night. My mood, mental capabilities and alertness level both at work and in private life improved so dramatically that I promptly arranged my life to include more sleep and never regretted the "lost" hour.

 

Päivi

[Garyecht]

I too echo the doctor recommendation just to be sure.

 

But you also have to ask the question of whether your decline is real or just a perception on your part. Progress in ballet is difficult to judge, whether you are making that judgment or someone else. First, progress is not linear (constantly up), as you improve, regress, improve, regress in oscillation around some trend. Second, almost everyone does improve over the long haul, assuming you are taking enough classes and practicing enough.

 

I also think that most adults in particular experience what I call “dancer’s depression,” from time to time. Essentially, this is when we set expectations for ourselves that we cannot meet. People do behave strangely when it comes to expectations. We experience something good and our expectations skyrocket beyond anything that is realistic. I have seen this 1000s of times in objective sports (i.e., sports where the athlete produces a number score, speed, distance, height). It seems to be how we humans are genetically wired.

 

An example might be your statement that “I am losing my turn out.” How would you know? Perhaps you are progressing by actually feeling your turn out more and are just aware of your lack of it’s use. I don’t know your case, but that is a possibility.

[Laschwen]

[

I used to think I was sleeping enough with fairly regular 7,5-8 hours each night.

 

Then, quite accidentally, I had a week during which I had the opportunity to sleep 9 hours each night. My mood, mental capabilities and alertness level both at work and in private life improved so dramatically that I promptly arranged my life to include more sleep and never regretted the "lost" hour.

 

 

 

 

Me too. I finally got over letting people affect me with the looks I get when I tell them I need to sleep at least 9 hours a night. It is like being called lazy. Then I saw a doctor on TV saying our nation is chronically sleep deprived and most of us would do far better to get 9 or 10 hours of sleep like our ancestors did before electricity. If it was daylight they worked hard physically and if it was dark they slept.....mostly.

Meanwhile there is a very real danger in overtraining even when we get enough sleep. I would check with a doctor too.

Laschwen

[lampwick]

I don't know what it's been like in Washington, but it's been a LONG winter here in the east. Seems like everyone's been feeling a bit blue lately

[amatol]

Thanks again every one!

 

yes 9 hours sleep is more my cup of tea than the usual 7 to 8 I get, just have to figure out how to fit it in my shedule.

 

my turn out decline is unfortunately real...or I should say hip rotation, my feet are where they always are but my knees won't make it over them with out extreme effort and in butterfly and frog stretches I'm just not as limber as I'm used to being. I didn't do anything yesterday but my muscles are feeling sore, so the idea they just need to recover makes sense. (still going to class today, but think I might forego my pointe class after) I know I have been pushing myself hard as I have felt more was expected of me now that I was doing pointe and not cutting out other stuff like my gym work outs to balance it out. The gym does offer pilates, but the class times unfortunately never match my shedule... they are talking about adding more classes though so I might stick it out and hope one of the times offered actually does work for me. I have a little vacation coming up in a week (YAY!), if I am still feeling drained and muscle fatique afterwards I'll certainly call a doctor. I guess I also need to keep perspective that doing more doesn't always result in getting better and the body needs rest.

 

oh and Jaana Heino, sounds like we are about the same age (I'm 32)

[Laschwen]

my turn out decline is unfortunately real...or I should say hip rotation, my feet are where they always are but my knees won't make it over them with out extreme effort

 

 

 

 

Pardon me sticking my nose in but.....

For heavens sake pull your feet in to get them under your knees if you have to or you might be doing a different kind of damage. Too dangerous for words....

Laschwen

[amatol]

my turn out decline is unfortunately real...or I should say hip rotation, my feet are where they always are but my knees won't make it over them with out extreme effort

 

 

 

 

Pardon me sticking my nose in but.....

For heavens sake pull your feet in to get them under your knees if you have to or you might be doing a different kind of damage.  Too dangerous for words....

Laschwen

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

don't worry, I do correct myself (and if not my teacher certainly would!)... and I can get my knees over my feet it just takes more effort where before it was rather natural.