khanjar

Ok, I did my first class this week and it was noticed by the tutor that my natural posture is wrong, that is before doing anything. My spine is not only crooked to one side, but appears my torso is twisted sideways. Well, I knew I were not in perfect shape, but this new information is a bit of an eye opener.

The dance tutor has recommended to me to go and seek a yoga class to sort out my posture, this I would agree with, as learning properley has been an interest for a good while as my own tentative forays into hatha yoga at home I feel somewhat lacking.

So, a question, what yoga style would be the best recommendation for posture work ?

Aisha Azar

Dear Khanjar,
First, I would go to a doctor to confirm that all of this is wrong with your body and find out what is causing it, unless your teacher also has a medical background, which is possible. Spinal issues are nothing to fool around with and it sounds like some of this might be spinal. Then I would decide from there, what kind of treatment and exercise is going to be the best to help you straighten out your posture.
I have some students that I do not allow into class without a doctor's or other medical professional's okay. For example, I had a student with an artificial hip years ago and she had to have a medical okay before I felt good about letting her come to class.
Regards,
A'isha

khanjar

Yes,thankyou, I should see a doc, or at least a chiropractor, but am just sort of dismayed with the NHS doctors here in the UK, they never seem to have the time or patience and some cases, funding, it is why I seek to treat ills myself.

I have for the last twenty years worked in heavy industry, an industry where injuries were a daily occurrence and I have popped a disc in the lower back even with correct manual lifting procedures being undertaken, that at least got me out of that industry. I have also suffered injuries through auto wrecks, but myself being of the resilient kind, I recover quickly and get back to life.

The injured spine I got back into some shape with pilates and have used the hatha to prevent stiffening of joints, something I have noticed comes all too quickly these days, ho hum, got to stay active, dancing is the perfect activity.

Aisha Azar

Dear Khanjar,
You may be correct that belly dance is the perfect activity! I have been dancing for 34 years, I am 55 years old and have a little arthritis in my right iliac joint and some in the place where my heel connects to the rest of my foot. I think this is repetitive stress related. I also suffer the occasional aches and pains after a few days of hard dancing, but otherwise I seem to be in pretty good shape for a person of my age and weight. I believe it is because of the dance. I am beginning to notice though, that I am not as limber as I was a couple of years ago.
Regards,
A'isha

khanjar

To have such little arthritis and few aches and pains is very good, your many years of dancing I would think have helped you maintain such levels of fitness. Just look at others of a similar age around you who do not dance, are they as fit ?

I already have the warning signs, arthritis in my fingers, which is a worry as I depend on my hands for my employment. This little bit of arthritis has served to provide me with a warning as to how things will decline if I do nothing about it. Concerns over flexibility are what originally drew me to learning this dance, as I see flexibility of limbs and joints a perfect solution to the effects of coming older age. Yoga,though I understand the benefits, I need to be able to move, dance is moving.

I once saw an Indian woman who through Yoga, was able to tie herself up in the most impressive of knots, stand on her head for long periods of time and teach others the art of Yoga. Believe me how I was surprised and utterly impressed when I learned she was seventy four years old. The key to youth,is clearly in maintaining flexibility through life

Aisha Azar

Dear Khanjar,

[quote]I think it is six of one and half dozen of the other since many people are now physically active in some way!




I can not remember much about it, but I do remember reading many years ago that one experimental therapy for arthritis in the hands was to have people play finger cymbals. it was supposed to keep the joints oiled and moving or something...??? Maybe it will help you, but it might be wise to check first.

Amazing!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Regards,
A'isha

Farasha Hanem

A'isha, I hope you'll still be logged on by the time I post this. I recently had yet another accident at work, this time, involving my back. About a month ago now, I carried a 12 foot ladder to the back after I was through using it, and threw my back out. I've been going back and forth to the company doctor, and Tuesday, I started the first of three physical therapy sessions. During the initial interview and check-up, my therapist asked me if I'd ever had scholeosis as a child. I told her I'd always suspected it, because I've always had a rather severe S-curve in my back, and have had posture problems ever since I can remember. But none of the doctors I've ever been to in my lifetime ever seemed to notice, let alone mention it to me. So the therapist taught me a few exercises to help prevent me from developing a stooped back when I get older.

I take supplements daily: calcium + vitamin D, glucosamine + chondawhateveritis, vitamin E and vitamin C (my dentist says they are healing vitamins), plus a regular multi-vitamin. I also take a prescription potassium supplement because I'm deficient in that mineral.

I've considered taking up yoga myself, and I'm going to see my regular doctor soon for a routine checkup. He knows about my bellydancing, and thinks it's terrific (in more ways than one; he wants his wife to take it up ). I also do some weight-bearing exercises, as well as bench-step. Do you have any other suggestions?

Oh! My therapist was impressed with my backbend!

Awwww, maaaaan, I figured my post would take too long; you've left.

Aisha Azar

Dear Farasha,


I'm baaaccckkk!!


Regards,
A'isha

teela

I agree with earlier posts about seeing a doctor in regard to your back and posture. I am one of those people who has slight scoliosis of the spine. I discovered i had it in my mid 30's and i came by it naturally as my father had a severe enough case to require a back brace when he was 14. I was also born with a mild hip problem that as I get older is noticable but the belly dance has really helped my hips so they are not as sore as they might be because of the bellydancing. My lower back also has issues so it doesn't flow the same way but I work around it. My philosophy is that i do the best I can.

Yasmine Bint Al Nubia

Hello all, I would also advise seeing a chiropractor or a D.O(Doctor of Osteopathic medicine), for the evaluation and treatment of suspected back problems. Dance teachers in no way shape or form should be diagnosing and offering treatment options to students. whereas their guidance may be helpful, many dance teachers lack true understanding of physiology. Physical therapist can create sound treatment/exercise programs that would maintain safety and be quite effective. With that being said, belly dance can serve as a portal for greater awareness to your own body's functions. I 've had students tell me that, they developed better posture since taking dance, but better yet they developed greater AWARENESS to what their bodies were doing.
Yasmine

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