| Fractures, herniated discs, and post traumatic stress | | | | leave the class if necessary. The backwards walking |
| were just a few of the problems I faced after an | | | | was a real challenge for me. I did not have the |
| accident. I was devastated when I could no longer | | | | coordination, speed, or balance for most of the basic |
| work. I was in pain all of the time from the damage | | | | steps I attempted. And dancing on a crowded dance |
| to my spine. | | | | floor was truly nerve racking. I was terrified that I |
| For the first 6 years after my accident I listened to | | | | would crash into someone, but I had to trust my |
| the doctors "don't lift anything over 5 pounds Don't | | | | dance partner to guide me safely. I got through the |
| irritate the nerves in your spine." After years of going | | | | first class and went in for a second, third, and fourth. |
| to physical therapists, pain centers, neurologists, and | | | | It was a challenge, mentally and physically. The |
| orthopedic surgeons I took matters into my own | | | | ballroom dance classes have been amazing physical |
| hands. I already had vast knowledge of exercise and | | | | therapy for my low body. And even better, there |
| knew what triggered my symptoms. I began to | | | | was moderate rather than intense pain after most of |
| experiment with body weight exercises and light | | | | the classes. |
| dumbbells. I made some progress, but I still had | | | | And here's a thought... I would not perform that |
| terrible pain every day. | | | | many low back kicks (back extensions), leg (quad) |
| When I began to write my Swing Set Fitness books | | | | extensions, or hip flexor contractions during any single |
| I performed some of the swing exercises and I was | | | | exercise session. And who would want to count that |
| shocked at how much I was able to do. Swing Set | | | | high when exercising! I had no idea how great the |
| Fitness helped me with upper and lower body | | | | fox trot, tango, and waltz are for improving low |
| strength. I finally started to feel alive again. | | | | body strength and coordination until I started to learn |
| I made tremendous gains with strength and with my | | | | them. And it is a different strength than ballet or |
| overall well-being, but I was looking for something | | | | other forms of dance. Ballroom dance has provided |
| more. I needed a physical activity that would help | | | | the missing component to my low body physical |
| with low body coordination and balance, but it had to | | | | rehabilitation. After taking about ten classes I have |
| be safe for me. And it had to fit my personality. Was | | | | noticed that my balance has improved and I am |
| there such a thing? | | | | more coordinated. |
| When I saw "Dancing with the Stars" I was curious | | | | Physical therapists should consider assigning ballroom |
| as to whether I should give ballroom dance a try. I | | | | dance to some of their patients for low body |
| knew there would be limitations with my spine. I took | | | | coordination, balance, speed, and strength. The |
| ballet for many years, was a gymnast, and a | | | | reaching back with the foot for the backward step is |
| gymnastics coach since 1978. I was definitely no | | | | a similar motion to a low back kick (hip extension). As |
| stranger to movement. As I watched the stars | | | | the female transfers her weight and propels her |
| dance I saw some things that would not work for | | | | body backwards, she performs quadriceps and hip |
| me, but I also saw enough that made me say, "Why | | | | flexor contractions. And ballroom dance is sure to |
| not?!" | | | | help people with posture. When a previously active |
| I still had to be careful in order to prevent more | | | | individual is at a plateau in physical rehabilitation, |
| damage to my spine, but I needed to try this. It | | | | ballroom dance just might be the best therapy. |
| would be the first time I have attempted movement | | | | So who do I recommend for ballroom dance in New |
| in a non-controlled environment. All of my physical | | | | Jersey? Check out All Star Ballroom in Brielle, NJ. The |
| rehabilitation from the accident was in controlled | | | | owner, Jim Hempen, was a highly successful |
| environments such as physical therapy offices or my | | | | competitive dancer and is a great instructor. I also |
| own home. I knew taking a ballroom dance class | | | | recommend Nola Jones who teaches in Freehold, NJ. |
| would be very risky because the movements would | | | | She has tremendous experience and is a wonderful |
| be decided by my dance partner and my | | | | teacher. And what physical therapist do I |
| environment would not be controlled. A bump from | | | | recommend? Give Michelle Wolpov, owner of Game |
| another couple or a fall could cause serious problems | | | | Shape, a call. Michelle has tremendous sports and |
| to an already damaged body. | | | | physical therapy experience. Game Shape is in |
| So I took the chance knowing that I could stop and | | | | Manalapan, NJ. |