Is it Worth Starting Dance Again?

by Brittany

I started dancing at the age of 3. For years I did Ballet, Jazz, Tap, Character, Hip Hop & contemporary.

Then when I was about 11 I started to get this awful pain in my hip and slowly it got worse and worse, to the point I stopped dancing all together.

I saw my doctor and she referred me to a surgeon. Later I find out that the ball of my hip wasn't the right size for my socket and that I had torn all the cartilage inside my socket.

In time I stopped all physical activities, No running nothing. And now I'm nearly 14 and wondering if i should go back to dancing? It killed me not being able to dance, they have not yet finished fixing my hips.

But I was just wondering if you could give me any advice on whether i should go back? Is it worth it? And how should i pick the right dance school to go to?

And any tips on preparing my body in the mean time?
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Hi Brittany,

I grit my teeth as I read about your hip. I'm so sorry you have to deal with all of that!!! Having to quit dance because of injury is hard and confusing and I feel for you.

Your question is a good one. First, Pilates is an absolutely fabulous thing you can do to get ready for class. Finding a Pilates trainer, one with experience in rehabilitation, would be the best case scenario. They can teach you how to put your joints through their full range of motion safely. They will also train your muscles to be as supportive as possible.

Trainers can be expensive (around $60/hour for solo class) so if that is not possible, try the at home videos. I recommend Balanced Body or Stott videos. You can supplement the videos with research on-line.

Be really careful about going to a cheap gym or group Pilates class. Your hip requires slow, careful work, especially at first. You don't want to further injure it by trying a move in a group class that is not right for you.

Now the big question is, Is it worth it to go back? If dance is part of who you are, than it is always worth it to go back. Even if it is just to see if it is still what you want.

Some people return to dancing to find that no matter the level or the genre, it just feels so good to move again! Some people go back and find out that it is way too frustrating not to be able to move like they used to. You won't really know what your response will be until you try.

Make sure you communicate with your doctor and be really honest with what you can and cannot expect from yourself right now. Be patient with your healing process. If it is what you really want, dance can be a fabulous part of your life!

Good luck!!! Check back in a few months and let us know how you are doing!

Ashleigh