painful hips

[sarahlyn]

I have been experiencing pain in my hips while dancing, but only when I take class with certain teachers. I went away to a month long summer intensive and had no pain, but when I returned home again to my home studio, I started to feel pain again by the second week. They teach Vaganova style, but so did my summer program. However, they tend to do much longer barre routines that demand much longer holding above 90 in all positions. And also for much longer counts. So, how do I address this problem respectfully?

[Victoria Leigh]

Sarahlyn, if your hips hurt from certain things in class, then either don't do them, and tell your teacher that your hips hurt, or, try to learn to adjust the placement and height of the leg to where it does not hurt your hips. Holding extensions is good to a point, but holding them too long can be damaging. It sounds to me like your teacher may be going a bit too far.

 

This is really more of a class/technique issue than a health issue, so I am moving it to YD.

[sarahlyn]

Yes Ms. Leigh, I do think that they have intensified their barre beyond the usual and that is what is bothering my hips. But what is hard is that even though they say to lower to 45 degrees they believe you are not trusting their teaching and liking them. I think the students just deal with pain so they don't offend them.

[Victoria Leigh]

Well, that would have to be the students' decision, wouldn't it? Pain versus not offending a teacher who is pushing for too much from someone and expecting them to do something that causes pain. Hmmm....

[sarahlyn]

Yes, my thoughts exactly!