Read all the tips here.
Some of the best tips that I took away:
Courtney the Yoga Instructor on Cross Training for Dance
Yoga is good, because it helps the joints be more mobile and increase flexibility. When you have a greater range of motion (which you can control), you may be less likely to be injured. Pilates is also good, it helps you get better core control and stability, which in turn help move you and hold you up!
Nick Williams on dieting and dancing:
Avoid going out to eat after a night of social dancing (unless you can keep it healthy), and don’t think that going out dancing will balance out an unhealthy diet or meal… the unhealthy meal will win every time.
Rebecca the physical therapist on common dancer injuries:
Plantar Fasciitis can bother people. This is when the fascia on the bottom of the foot is inflamed and it usually hurts just to walk on it, and definitely to jump on the foot. It’s a multifactorial problem but can be prevented with good supportive shoes (get some arch support if you need it) and some easy gastroc stretches. Hip and knee injuries can occur too. A syndrome called “iliotibial band syndrome” can happen too, which might be painful on the outside of the knee. This needs to be treated by a physical therapist or doctor (who would refer to a physical therapist) but can be prevented with some good hip flexor, hamstring, side-body stretches, as well as a foam roller on that outside thigh.
Shelby on dancing for older dancers:
If you want to keep dancing your whole life, I think, young or old, you should really take on habits that promote strengthening the body for the stresses that you're putting on your body and most importantly good recovery habits such as stretching, foam rolling, sleep and good nutrition.
Read all the great tips here.