Just Dance, Stay Injury Free

I think we can all agree that injuries stink!  I have had my fair share. I have had plantar fasciitis, IT Band Syndrome (this is a pain that runs from the hip down the side of the leg), knee pain, hip pain and shoulder pain.  These injuries slowed me down, kept me from going on the adventures I craved and made exercising a struggle when I was able to get out and move.  I can happily say, though, that I am currently injury free!  Woo hoo!

I ran Coopers Rock 50k Trail Race over the weekend in West Virginia and it feels good to walk away from that without limping or with some sort of injury.  

Injuries can result from overuse, not enough rest, not knowing how to rest properly and accidents like tripping over a rock or stepping the wrong way.  There are many things you can do as a hiker, runner, walker, tri-athlete, marathoner, ultramarathoner etc. to stay injury free.  A few I recommend are: Deep stretching, massage, rest, epsom salt baths, increasing body awareness and strength training.

And, I have one more suggestion to keep those injuries away for good!  

Learn to let go...

By learning to let go muscularly on a deep, deep level we can keep injuries from coming back.

In my Pain Free Feet Program, an online course that helps people find relief from plantar fasciitis, one big thing I teach participants is how to let go deeply in the muscle tissue.  Injuries can result from holding on too tightly muscularly in the body.  The muscles can grip and hold on to the bones, each other and/or the joints which can cause misalignment and ultimately injury or pain in the body.  

It is not widely understood how to let go of this gripping on a deep level.  However, there are a variety of ways we can learn to let go. One great, super simple way I want to share with you to learn this is through dancing.  

So, why dancing?  

I know dancing can feel awkward.  For an athlete who is used to moving in a linear fashion - forward, back, up, down, left and right - moving in a more free form, circular way can feel strange and vulnerable.  But, is one of the best things athletes can do for their bodies.  Although I love dancing, it can sometimes feel strange to allow myself to let go in this way. But, the benefits are well worth the effort of stepping out of my “athletic box” and into my “dancing body.”  It feels so good for my athletic body to move in this different way!

Dancing is a great way to teach your body to let go, so don't overlook this as part of your training!

You don’t have to be a good dancer.  It is the simple act of moving your body in a new way that will keep your body feeling great and injury free.

I want to invite you to join me for a LIVE DANCE PARTY on my business Facebook Page this Thursday, May 3rd at 3pm EST.  Come practice letting go with me and experience how dance can keep you injury free.  If you miss the LIVE recording be sure to indulge later ;)