Ask Amy

No matter what I try, I have trouble turning. What exer­cises can I do to improve my pirouettes? What should I think about when I’m turning? —Kiana, CA Turns are tricky—there’s a lot of room for things to go wrong. For me, I’ve learned that I have to...
Back From The Brink

Back From The Brink

Ballet dancers have nearly 100 percent injury rates. From minor sprained ankles to major bone breaks, nearly everyone faces time away from the stage sooner or later. The good news? Recovering from an injury doesn’t have to be a career setback. It can actually make you...
Back From The Brink

Ask Amy: Easing Back After Injury

I just found out I fractured my talus (ankle) and can’t dance for 4-6 weeks. How should I ease my way into dance after my doctor gives me the okay? —Emily, Winchester, VA You’re wise to want to ease back into shape, because bone injuries need plenty of time to heal. I...
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Ask Amy: Oct/Nov 2009

Have a question? Click here to send it to Amy and she might answer it in an upcoming issue! It seems like every other week I have a new injury: hip issues, Achilles tendonitis, back problems. I’m afraid this will stunt my career— it’s hard to improve...
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Inflammation 911

When Washington Ballet apprentice Corey Landolt felt a pinch in his lower back while rehearsing a pas de deux from Coppélia last season, he didn’t waste any time dealing with what could have become a painful inflammation. “Just as I was lowering my partner from a...
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Words of Advice: Injury Inquiries

If I’m trying to work through a minor injury, when do I know it’s time to sit out or see a doctor? Mickey Cassella, PT, director of physical therapy services at Boston Ballet: There’s no such thing as a “minor injury” when you’re a...