Thread: What are your dancer remedies?

:cr: I am working on a new article for our local Middle Eastern Dance Association newsletter - Papyrus. I am trying to compile a list of "dancer remedies" to keep your body going.

For example:
* what is your remedy for sore muscles during or after a weekend workshop?
* What is your secret to getting rid of calloused feet?
* What do you pack in your bag for last minutes fixes in the dressing room (or teeny tiny bahtroom you change in)?
* What do you snack on before a long show
* other ideas?

I saw a couple of recent posts that shared great info about getting rid of callouses and such. I was hoping that there was more we could share.

Responses here may be chosen to be printed in the next edition of Papyrus. I will include a photo of the dancer or musician and their website along with their response. I will contact those that may be printed to get permission.

Thank you!
Yeli

...

I love Arnica gel for sore muscles. The sooner you put it on after exercise, the better it works. You can find it wherever you would find homeopathic remedies (most health food type places will have it).

I always have an old towel in my dance bag. I can stand on it when I get changed or put it over a chair or other flat surface so I can put my costumes down on a clean surface.

Then I just wash it in hot water when I get home. I also keep baby wipes in my dance bag to get the black junk off my feet after dancing.

I used to work in a PT office, and they carried this stuff called biofreeze. It works just like ice on sore or slightly puffy muscles, achy knees, knots in the back...it just 'freezes' the ache away for a couple hours. it works wonders....and I also stop and stretch during car rides back home ( I often have to travel an hour or more)...

snacks: pita chips and hummus!!!yuuuummmmm

For sore muscles, I recommend massage therapy. In fact, I will schedule my monthly sessions to come right after a workshop weekend if I know one is imminent.

If I can manage it, I like to eat a protein laden meal before a show, and have a carb snack after. I have no idea what the nutritional logic of this is (or if there is any at all), but I find I feel better before, during and after a performance if I do the above.

Originally Posted by mish_mish

I always have an old towel in my dance bag. I can stand on it when I get changed or put it over a chair or other flat surface so I can put my costumes down on a clean surface.

Then I just wash it in hot water when I get home. I also keep baby wipes in my dance bag to get the black junk off my feet after dancing.

Now that is something that I have never thought of before...a simple towel! Clean feet, warm feet, clean costume!

My old Egyptian boss told me when I had back pain that I should take a hot bath- that is, a bath as hot as I can stand it, and stay in it as long as I can stand it. Then go lay down on a bed. It works WONDERS.

Originally Posted by SaraKat

I love Arnica gel for sore muscles. The sooner you put it on after exercise, the better it works. You can find it wherever you would find homeopathic remedies (most health food type places will have it).

Me too! But I like the ointment better because it has the thick texture that seems to stay on my skin longer.

I also like Jason Cosmetics Witch Vera gel. :)

I "snack" on lots of protein before a long show, slices of turkey, or a couple of hard-cooked eggs & a slice of whole wheat bread. It's protein for staying power, carbs for energy. Then I drink lots of water, pee a lot and bring water with me. I'd like to add what I avoid before a long show is: candy, fruit, salty snacks (make me feel bloated) or any heavy meal. I know dancers who starve themselves all day before a show to "look slimmer" but this is madness; a long show demands energy and you can't pull that up fwith nothing in your system!

Oh, the body shop leg gel sooths and cools my achy legs and feet(no naimal testing and it smells good)epsom salts bath. also them ice hot pads on a particular sore area before yo ugo to bed. I drink lots of water stay away from alcohol beverages not even to take the nerved edge off . Dance bag: Make sure you have safety pins(avoid costume malfunctions) extra CD of music, your business cards and promo stuff never know when your next gig can be. towel, coverup,ponds wipes great for refreshing your face and removing some makeup.purell never know what nastiness are in those back room. If dancing with barefeet also put some anti-fungal ointment when you get home(unless you cleaned the floor yourself are yo usure its really clean?). always wear shoes when performing feet.

Alrana