Dancer hip exercises

Here is a review of some of the key exercises presented at the Just For Kix dance camp. When and how to properly apply them was covered in the live sessions, so please use caution in your exercise selection. This blog post is intended for review of techniques only. Some of the exercises are from the student session, and some are from the coaches' session.

Just for Kix 2014

Thank you for allowing us to share ideas on injury prevention and help dancers get back "in the game" at camp!

Cathedral Dance Festival

Kicking off dance week at the Cathedral Dance Festival with a session on strength & conditioning to improve kicks/battements and leaps! Key take home points identified by participants were the importance of muscle coordination exercises, exercises to strengthen turnout muscles, and ideas on how to balance each side of the hip & core!

Physical Therapists Meaghan Cox & Meredith Butulis at the Cathedral Dance Festival

Bunions?

Have bunions? As Pointe magazine points out, most of the time you don't need a surgeon.

Here are some great tips on how to keep your feet working optimally, as well as work with and prevent bunions often associated with dance.

Here is one tip for point dancers not present in this article: Put a dab of alcohol on a cotton ball. Press the cotton ball into the spot where your bunion typically hits the point shoe. This will soften that spot so it doesn't cause as much discomfort. Be careful with where the alcohol hits the shoe, as it needs to be isolated to just this spot!

This article was written by Meredith Butulis, DPT, who practices at our Eden Prairie location. 

Dance Medicine?

What is the benefit of having dance medicine and allied health providers for dancers? Watch this short video clip to hear some thoughts!