4dancers – Page 64

Dance Therapy: A Closer Look

February 24, 2012 by 4dancers

Our focus this month has been on health/wellness and injury, and today we have Rosana Hernandez with us to talk about the field of dance therapy…

by Rosana Hernandez, MS, R-DMT

1) What exactly is dance therapy?

Dance/movement therapy is the magical and natural beauty of dance juxtaposed with its profound therapeutic value. The American Dance Therapy Association defines dance/movement as “the psychotherapeutic use of movement as a process which furthers the emotional, social, cognitive and physical integration of the individual.”

Dance/movement therapy focuses on the movement behavior as it emerges in the therapeutic relationship. Movement is the primary means of assessment and intervention. Through the creative process of dance, patients are challenged to trust the present and to welcome questions. To navigate unknown paths and to recognize their fears and resistances that hinders them from expressing themselves genuinely. Dance/movement infuses hope by providing a listening ear through movement and a symbolic outlet of expression for physical and emotional needs. Dance/movement therapy is a platform for wholeness, reconciliation and corrective experiences.

2) How does one become a dance therapist?

The dance/movement therapy credential is obtained at the graduate level. After the completion of an ADTA Approved Graduate Program or the Alternate Route and acceptance by the Dance/Movement Therapy Certification Board, the Registered Dance/Movement Therapist (R-DMT) credential is rewarded. R-DMT is the first level of entry in the profession. With additional requirements and supervision experience, the Board Certified Dance/Movement Therapist (BC-DMT) is attained. BC-DMT is the advanced level of the dance/movement therapy practice. BC-DMT can engage in private practice and provide training and supervision in dance/movement therapy. The American Dance Therapy Association website has a list of ADTA Approved Graduate Programs and Alternate Route guidelines (www.adta.org).

3) Where do dance therapists work? [Read more…]

Toenail Injuries in the Dancer by Dr. Sinkoe – Ingrown Nail/Infection

February 23, 2012 by 4dancers

An ingrown nail is usually referred to any condition whereby inflammation of the surrounding skin of the toenail is present. A “true” ingrown nail occurs when the nail does ingrow into the surrounding nail fold. This may result after the individual has lost the nail and the nail regrows abnormal. A chronically bruised and lost nail may result in an ingrown nail. This occurs because the nail root, nail matrix, has been injured and the nail is now “programmed” to ingrow abnormally.

However, the majority of the time, the “ingrown nail” results after the nail is cut too short within the nail grooves. Bleeding will occur resulting in a granuloma. A granuloma appears as reddish tissue within the nail groove. Granulomas attract bacteria and thus a bacterial infection can develop. The granuloma grows and covers the nail border, thus appearing as an “ingrown nail”.

Signs and symptoms: [Read more…]

Chicago Dance Scene — Beneath the White City Lights

February 22, 2012 by 4dancers

Christopher Kai Olsen is an Emmy Award^®-winning Chicago filmmaker that I thought readers here might be interested in learning more about. Last year he created almost 50 minutes of original film projections for Thodos Dance Chicago’s multimedia story ballet. The White City: The Columbian Exposition of 1893 is an original work – set against the backdrop of the famed Chicago World’s Fair. It was co-conceived and choreographed by Melissa Thodos and Tony Award^®winner Ann Reinking.

Thursday, February 23rd, Chicago dance lovers will have the chance to see Beneath the White City Lights: The Making of an American Story Ballet at 10:30 PM on WTTW11. As part of the story ballet creative team from its inception, Olsen was afforded unprecedented access to the visionary endeavor, and in addition to his own artistic process, began documenting the making of the ballet, from concept, through rehearsals to its March 2011 premiere at the Harris Theater in Millennium Park.

The one-act ballet chronicled in the film brings the 1893 Columbian Exposition to life through dance, in a story filled with passion, ingenuity, intrigue, and murder. Its cast of historic characters includes famed architect John Root, ill-fated Chicago mayor Carter Harrison, Sr. and America’s first serial killer Dr. H.H. Holmes, who preyed upon young women amidst the chaos of the World’s Fair. (The film’s dramatic crescendo is danced inside Ms. Reinking’s inventive interpretation of Holmes’ claustrophobic “Death Box”).

We asked Christopher a few questions about the project, which he answers for us here…

2012-TDC 2012 Gala_1-tweak2 — Christopher Kai Olsen, Melissa Thodos and Ann Reinking

Can you tell readers how you came to be involved with this project?

I first began working with Melissa Thodos, Ann Reinking and Thodos Dance Chicago back in 2009 on “Fosse:Prelude”, a short film about three Bob Fosse dances featured during their 2009-2010 season. Collaborating with TDC during this project was such an incredible experience that I jumped at the opportunity to work with them again on The White City the following year.

What is unique about this film?

With “Beneath The White City Lights”, I had the rare opportunity to film from inside the experience itself, allowing audiences to see The White City through the eyes of the dancers, choreographers, and designers who put their heart and soul into the production.

What did you find interesting about working with dancers?

I have a great deal of respect for Melissa’s leadership of the company, and for how her direction has attracted such a spectacular group of kind, talented and hard working dancers. How they manage to perform at Olympic intensity hour after hour, for months at a time, and keep coming back for more (with a smile!) is incredibly inspirational.

Also, as an FYI…the week immediately following the broadcast, The White City stage performance returns to Chicago as the centerpiece of Thodos Dance Chicago’s 20th anniversary concerts. Performances are Friday and Saturday, March 2 and 3, 8pm at the Harris Theater for Music and Dance, 205 East Randolph Drive, Chicago. Tickets, $25-$60, are available at (312) 334-7777, or online at harristheaterchicago.org.

Toenail Injuries in the Dancer by Dr. Sinkoe – Bruised Nail

February 16, 2012 by 4dancers

Toenail problems become a source of concern and agony for the dancer, particularly the ballerina on pointe. Toenails function to improve our tactile (pressure) sensation and to act as a support structure for the toe. This can be helpful for the dancer on pointe. However, because there is a lot of pressure on the nail while on pointe, bruising of the nail can result.

The underlying nail bed is highly vascularized. The nail plate is adhered to the nail bed via small ligaments. Repetitive microtrauma to the nail plate can injure the ligaments resulting in shear stress to the nail bed. A small amount of bleeding occurs under the nail. As the bleeding continues, the nail plate can elevate, producing calloused tissue and making the nail appear thick. A portion of or the entire nail plate can be lost.

This cycle usually repeats itself over a period of time. Many ballerinas accept the fact that they have chronically bruised nails. Long term consequences of a chronically bruised nail can be chronic ingrown nail borders, a deformed nail or a fungal infection of the nail.

Causes of a bruised nail: [Read more…]

Nutrition For The Dancer: Emily’s Apple And Pumpkin Oatcakes

February 14, 2012 by 4dancers

Today I’d like to introduce Emily Harrison, who is sharing a great healthy recipe with us here at 4dancers, as well as talking a bit about nutrition. Part of our health/wellness focus for the month of February. I haven’t had a chance to make the recipe yet, but it sounds delicious and I can’t wait to try it!

I am thrilled to be guest blogging with 4dancers.org. As a former professional dancer I learned early on in my career how important nutrition was to my performance. Now as the dancers dietitian, I work with dancers to help them be at their best with fewer injuries.

Nutrition is a complicated science, but if I had to only give one piece of advice it would have to be: “eat breakfast”. I know you all have heard this before, but you can’t minimize the importance of literally breaking the fasting state with a good source of complex carbohydrates.

Carbs have gotten a bad rap in recent years. But in fact carbs are the body’s preferred source of fuel for athletic activity. Complex carbs in whole grains, vegetables, and fruits give the muscles a prolonged source of energy that is critical in the type of start-stop activity we do as dancers. Whole grains are important sources of fiber, B-vitamins, iron, and folate. The American College of Sports Medicine recommends that athletes get 55-60% of their total calories from carbohydrates. Carbs can be found in whole grain pasta, bread, rice, quinoa, barley, all vegetables and all fruits. How can something like that be unhealthy? Sure we want to avoid simple sugars in sweets, juices, soda, refined grains, and baked goods. Those kind of carbs won’t give you enough energy to get through tendus in class. But have three of my oatcakes for breakfast and dance strong all the way through grande allegro.

This recipe has become a favorite of the dancers that I do food demos for. In fact the dancers from Atlanta Ballet’s summer program loved them so much that they set off the fire alarms in the dorms making them the next day: [Read more…]

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