Blog Archives - Page 2 of 3 - Safe in Dance International

Supporting safer dance

Following the launch of People Dancing and Safe in Dance International (SiDI)’s new online learning course, SiDI’s Co-Founders, Maggie Morris and Sonia Rafferty, explain how safe dance practice is vital for optimising performance, minimising risk and supporting the wellbeing of every dancer Lots of people see ‘health and safety’ as a set of rules that are necessary to protect workers but nevertheless can be restrictive and stifling. Certainly, in terms of artistic and creative practice, there are worries that overtly focusing on safety may be detrimental to innovation and risk-taking. But healthy and safe dance practice is so much more than industry regulations; it is the best way to optimise performance and to reduce injury risk. In the 21st century, there is the research [...]

Should I ice an injury?

Research in any field is constantly evolving and in time, the important findings will filter down to everyday practice. Recently in the popular press, several articles have suggested that putting ice on an injury may in fact have little beneficial effect or even delay the healing process. These suggestions aren’t new – we’ve known for some time that the evidence for the effectiveness of cryotherapy (cooling of injured tissue by ice application) on muscle injuries is limited. The question mark is over whether we should interfere with the body’s natural response to injury (inflammation) by trying to reduce it. Looking at the responses in the literature, there are mixed reactions. Some researchers state that as much of the research was [...]

Stretching by Guest Blogger and SiDI Provider Janine Bryant

Guidelines for Stretching - Warm up first. Never stretch a cold muscle! - By warming up first, the delivery of oxygen and nutrients are increased thus preparing muscles for strenuous activity. - Warming up should not be too tiring, but just enough to begin perspiring. - Usually a light jog for 5-7 minutes is sufficient. This tip connects the idea of aging well and dance career longevity to current studio practices. The idea that, what we do now in the dance studio directly affects how our bodies age and perform later, is one that I often talk about within the bounds of my own research on aging and range of motion (ROM). Perhaps one of the most controversial subjects for [...]

So What is Safe and Healthy Dance Practice?

Obviously, we at SiDI use those terms all the time, but what are we actually talking about? Are we the health and safety police? Do we want to spoil dancers’ fun? Do we want to stop people taking artistic and creative risk? Definitely not! Lots of people think of “health and safety” as a set of policies that are put in place to protect workers - necessary but also maybe restrictive and stifling. But healthy and safe dance practice is so much more than industry rules and regulations. It’s the best way to reduce injury risk and to enhance performance. There’s no getting round the fact that dancers get injured. Injury rates are high in our profession. So what can [...]

How can dancers gain core stability safely AND effectively?

The term “core stability” is used frequently in the media and fitness world and increasingly in dance training, but what does it actually mean for dancers and why do they need it? The core is generally thought of as the centre of the body (the part between the sternum and the knees) and stability is about gaining control of the spine and pelvis to support torso movement and coordinate the action of the limbs. A good functional core helps to connect the upper and lower body in order to produce a refined and efficient dynamic alignment when dancing. To engage the core effectively, dancers need to understand the relevant groups of muscles that are involved and the way they can [...]

Cultivating self-care: Nurturing tips for dance teachers

by Elsa Urmston MSc PGCAP FHEA The last year has been challenging for us all, as we navigate our dancing lives amidst a global pandemic, in a context which has seen huge political, economic and social upheaval during an ever-more startling climate crisis. Many of us have adapted to new ways of working, keeping dancing by through teaching online and dancing face-to-face when circumstances allow and finding creative solutions to ensure that people attending classes can do so safely, inclusively and socially. Dance teachers’ agile responses have been nothing less than inspiring. Whilst we are living through a period of immense change which may have been refreshing perhaps, it has no doubt tested our reserves of innovation, empathy, perseverance and [...]

Cultivating self-care: Nurturing tips for dance teachers, and anyone in dance

FULL LENGTH VERSION Written by Elsa Urmston MSc PGCAP FHEA There is no doubt that the last year or so has been hugely challenging for us all, as we navigate our dancing lives amidst a global pandemic, in a context which has seen huge political, economic and social upheaval during an ever-more startling climate crisis. So many of us have adapted to new ways of working in this context, responding to the need to keep dancing by shifting our teaching online during periods of lockdown or isolation, dancing face-to-face when circumstances allow and continuing to find creative solutions to ensure that those who usually attend our classes can continue to do so safely, inclusively and socially. The dance teaching profession’s [...]

Returning to the Studio – Useful Guidance from Around the World

The news changes from day to day within every country of the world and we all bounce between lock down and slowly moving back into the studio. We have colleagues who are back in the studio already as well as some who are planning to go back to teaching soon, or to a blended, on site & online delivery. Of course, the preparation you need to undertake and how you manage your students and teaching when you do return to the dance studio changes, or indeed if you can return at all depends where you are in the world. Please, always remember, that guidelines, rules and laws will vary depending on where you live in the world, so it is important [...]

#ASKSiDI

#ASKSiDI QUESTION: I’ve been applying my state’s guidelines for gatherings at gyms...which still allows only one-on-one training. I have a 400 sq ft studio and 8 students plus myself in there. Is it advisable to go back to the studio yet for classes? We do have the option of opening a window. #AskSiDI ANSWER: At the moment there is a wide range of different advice being collated around the world. Of course the first thing that anyone needs to do is to follow state or country specific guidance. We are currently collating information including links and resources that we hope will be helpful as many people are asking the same question as you. Of course advice could change rapidly as [...]

Guidance on delivering and participating in dance classes online

This information was written by Sonia Rafferty, SiDI Co-Founder and Charlotte Tomlinson, SiDI Associate. Our live dance activities have now been hit hard by the Coronavirus epidemic but many of you are giving up your time and energy to provide online classes and even more of us are searching for these classes to help us maintain our physical and mental health.So that we can all enjoy these activities as safely and productively as possible, SiDI has put together some guidance and key points to bear in mind when teaching and participating online: When teaching: Check your insurance: Before you begin, check with your insurer that you are covered to teach online sessions, whether they be live or pre-recorded. After your kindness and [...]

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