Nisima & the Bus, Part Deux

Nisima · 06-22-2007, 12:29 PM

Okay, so nooowwwwww, I'm getting shooting pains from ankle bone all the way up to hip if I even take off the brace for an hour and I've not been dancing very much (for me). So, off to the doctor and now I can't dance at all and have to see the orthopedic ankle doctor - the good news is that it's a sports medicine orthopedic practice so I'm feeling like they will understand dancers better than just any orthopedist. Bad news, it could be chipped or bruised outside ankle bone, or stress fractures that develop all too commonly a couple of weeks after initial injury. *sigh*

Anyhoo, I'm now on a "restricted walking only if necessary, immobilize ankle and elevate when possible".

So, no classes at all, and I will be doing floor stretches in my home dance room (very soft padded rug and mirrors) more ab routines lying down but how the heck can I practice shimmies if I can't stand up that long? I guess I could do some from kneeling position but not 3/4 ones - can you get a visual on that?

Oh, so frustrating, anyone have ideas on how to practice hip shimmies in this situation? Maybe in my imagination, LOL!

dunyah · 06-22-2007, 01:06 PM

Wow, Nisima, this has just been a nightmare for you, hasn't it. Actually, your idea about mentally practicing shimmies is not bad, it's been proven to work for athletes with injuries. Put on some great music and shimmy away in your mind!

Shimmying on the knees would be an interesting exercise, too. Doesn't it hurt your ankle to be in that position, though?

Good luck, keep up with the mental imagery of yourself dancing beautifully and you will be able to pick up where you left off when you recover from the injury.

I hope the bus company paying for all this!

catwomyn · 06-22-2007, 03:31 PM

Amazon had a video on chair bellydance. I wonder if this might help you stay in shape until your ankle heals?
http://www.amazon.com/Chair-Aerobics...2544187&sr=8-1

Nisima · 06-22-2007, 03:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dunyah

Wow, Nisima, this has just been a nightmare for you, hasn't it. Actually, your idea about mentally practicing shimmies is not bad, it's been proven to work for athletes with injuries. Put on some great music and shimmy away in your mind!

Shimmying on the knees would be an interesting exercise, too. Doesn't it hurt your ankle to be in that position, though?

Good luck, keep up with the mental imagery of yourself dancing beautifully and you will be able to pick up where you left off when you recover from the injury.

I hope the bus company paying for all this!

I think you are right about trying to shimmy on knees - it forces the ankle into a weird position and right now doctor is saying "immobilize it".
And no, the bus company isn't paying, my health plan is covering it. I should be grateful I didn't get run over!

I will do some "mental dancing" I have a 5 minute piece that I'm working on a loose framework of moves - it will *almost* be like dancing after I do floor stretches and ab workout (lying down of course). Maybe even make some dance notes so I don't forget my "plan" for this piece and there are two others.

Nisima · 06-22-2007, 03:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by catwomyn

Amazon had a video on chair bellydance. I wonder if this might help you stay in shape until your ankle heals?
http://www.amazon.com/Chair-Aerobics...2544187&sr=8-1

Great idea, I forgot about this in my general state of being upset about not being able to do anything weight bearing on that foot.

See, this is why I just loooove you buzzers!

*Shira* · 06-22-2007, 05:17 PM

Nisima, so sorry to hear you're having follow-on pain/injury! You're smart to be seeing a sports medicine orthopedist - they're really great at steering you onto a path to returning to activity as soon as possible.

As for other dance-related stuff you can do while immobilized, how about some of these ideas?

Go through all the tapes and CD's you have, especially the ones you haven't listened to in a long time, and rediscover songs that you maybe didn't like back when you bought the music, but now they suit your taste.
Write an article for one of the belly dance magazines on a pet subject - advice on what kind of dance floor to look for when renting a studio, how-to's in something you're good at, etc.
Create some articles for your web site - could be advice, could be dance history/culture, could be how-to's, etc.
Read one of the books related to belly dance that has been on your wish list a while.
Work on a costume that you've been meaning to alter or finish.
Watch favorite videos of performances.

In any event, I'm sending you my wishes for a speedy recovery!

Nisima · 06-22-2007, 06:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by *Shira*

Nisima, so sorry to hear you're having follow-on pain/injury! You're smart to be seeing a sports medicine orthopedist - they're really great at steering you onto a path to returning to activity as soon as possible.

As for other dance-related stuff you can do while immobilized, how about some of these ideas?

Go through all the tapes and CD's you have, especially the ones you haven't listened to in a long time, and rediscover songs that you maybe didn't like back when you bought the music, but now they suit your taste.
Write an article for one of the belly dance magazines on a pet subject - advice on what kind of dance floor to look for when renting a studio, how-to's in something you're good at, etc.
Create some articles for your web site - could be advice, could be dance history/culture, could be how-to's, etc.
Read one of the books related to belly dance that has been on your wish list a while.
Work on a costume that you've been meaning to alter or finish.
Watch favorite videos of performances.

In any event, I'm sending you my wishes for a speedy recovery!

Thanks, Shira, as disappointed as I am, I have already stacked up a couple of costume projects and have decided that I will need to actually calendar my practice time at home or I will get trapped by the couch monster watching old "Law & Order SUV" reruns all summer. Without the support of regular scheduled class and rehearsal with troupemates, it's hard to establish private practice time, but putting it in my Franklin Covey will mean I HAVE to - or I have to move it to the next day and that's a chore!
Actually, I have 3 pieces of music that are new to me that I have been listening to and wishing I had time to work out a framework of entrance, exits, what costume I'd wear and now's the time. I guess I should be careful what I wish for..............................