A couple of weeks ago, my left foot hurt a little when I rose up on half toe (releve). When I was younger, I might have worked through the pain, but now being older and wiser, I refrained from doing releves even though they are an essential movement in Ballet, Balletone, and Barre Blast.
I adapted to my condition and focused on the movements that I could do pain free. As I expected, in a few days my foot was better and I’m able to do releves again. My problem was a minor, over use type injury, the type of thing dancers and athletes of a particular age deal with all the time. With some rest, ice and some common sense I was back to my old self in a short time.
However, not all injuries are minor and some are life-changing in ways beyond the studio. What if you love to dance, but lost the ability to use your legs? What would you do?
While in London at the International Dance Teacher Conference, I attended a workshop on Wheelchair Ballroom Dance Competition. I had the pleasure of watching the reigning UK Amateur Wheelchair Ballroom champions, Strictly Wheels. Paula dances in a wheelchair and is partnered by Gary, a mobile dancer. These two are amazing dancers, regardless of their physical abilities!
Wheelchair Ballroom Dance Competitions are popular in many countries, such as Holland and China. I did some research to see if these competitions exists in the USA, but didn’t find much.
I am aware of a modern company, Axis Dance Company, based in San Francisco, California, that creates, performs, and teaches “physically integrated dance”— a contemporary dance form that evolves from the collaboration between dancers with and without disabilities. This highly acclaimed dance company is coming to the Capital Region in October. Axis Dance Company members will teach two workshops and perform at Proctors, Schenectady, NY on October 26, 2013.
I’m looking forward to attending both workshops and the performance to expand my knowledge of working with those that have disabilities. I believe that everyone should have the opportunity to dance.
AXIS Dance Company workshops and performance at the GE Theater at Proctors:
10– 11:30 am: Fundamentals of Inclusive Teaching & Working with Diverse Populations, $25. ($40 for workshop & performance). Course is open to PTs, PTAs, OTs, OTAs, CTRS and other medical professionals or students. Contact Adrienne Fil 518-382-4593 or [email protected]
12 – 1:30 pm: Physically Integrated Dance Master Class, $25 ($40 for workshop & performance). Appropriate for ages 15+ with some level of dance, athletic, or movement experience. Contact Gail Tassarotti 518-573-3631 or [email protected]
2– 3pm: Performance, works by Victoria Marks & Sebastian Grubb, $20, Group rates available. Contact Proctors 518-346-6204;