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Friday, April 12, 2013

K is For Knees

A dancer's knees are the life line to ballroom dance. Flexibility is essential and even the smooth dances call for a softness of the knees to accompany the rise and fall of most figures.

Dancers should always be aware of the kind of floor they dance on. Competitions are  held on a floating wood floor that is comfortable to the dancer's knees.  Dancers avoid practicing on cement, tile or any rigid surface that jars the knees.

Knees can quickly end a dancing career and it's sad when a dancer has to retire the dancing shoes to the garage. Social dancers, too, should be aware of their dancing surface and the knees will take them dancing into old age. 
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Below is a video of a Samba . Note the work-out on the knees. Samba is "sooo much fun." One great reason to keep your knees healthy. The vid is long... just take a peek.  (or not)


 

40 comments:

  1. Ooh I love this, looks like so much fun! Glad you told me it was the Samba...I had no clue. I showed quarter horses (English)...my knees are messed up.

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    1. turquoisemoon
      What a bummer having the bad bees knees. I know so little about horses, I don't know how that affects knees.

      Delete
  2. Look at that hip swirling action! It is very mesmerizing.

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    1. Poke the Rock
      Having that fringe on the dress accentuates the whole movement..... WOW

      Delete
  3. I always thought it was the feet, but can see how knees are needed too.

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    1. John
      Knees are so important. I can dance with a sore foot and it kills me if my knees hurt.

      Delete
  4. I'm much more aware of my knees now than I used to be. I had no trouble with them at all right up until last year. Now I'm having the same stiffness and pain occasionally that my hips get. Just not as often. I haven't watched any of your videos yet, but I'll have a look at this one.

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    1. River
      I know.... stiffness is yucky when old age want to take over. I just put the videos in, in case anyone is really interested in a particular dance. They are long and take up time.

      Delete
  5. A good friend of mine was in love with dance as a teenager and a knee injury derailed her blooming career.

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    Replies
    1. Keith
      Sorry about your friend. Bad knees can destroy dreams.

      Delete
  6. feet, knees and in this video...HIPS! Wow. they really moved as a unit. Great dance duo.

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    Replies
    1. Rosemary
      Good to see you. Are you back home yet? Yes, I guess all parts of the body are necessary for dancing. Ha

      Delete
  7. What if your dance partner makes you week in the knees?
    Will you stop and freeze?
    Or fall to the floor?
    Either way I know how everything surely is needed at my shore
    Throw one thing off and you are done
    Stupid body needs replacement parts like robots under each sun

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Week, weak, makes no difference, it's all in the game
      Who ever let a partner stand in the way of fame
      Don't let the evil one stand in YOUR way
      Your body will heal quoth the famous Fay Wray.
      Nyuck nyuck

      Delete
  8. How are YOUR knees ? I loved that samba video - a great dance.

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    1. Hey thisisme
      My knees are still ok because I took them into consideration, by always dancing on wood.
      I love the samba too

      Delete
  9. I would think the high heels contribute to knee problems, too. I've always been in awe of women dancers because they're wearing high heels, and yes, doing steps backwards. Years ago, I was dancing on cement, fell backward, and popped my left knee out of joint. Had to be in a brace for about 6 weeks. Appreciated automatic cars then. :-)

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    1. Su-sieee
      OMG you poor Suz....that is so debilitating to have bum knees. I don't think people honor their knees enough. Ha

      Delete
  10. Gee, I recognize that song. :) The dances are so fluid.

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    1. Bish
      I don't know the name but it has been in my head all morning.

      Delete
  11. All the movement below the waist & yet their heads stay relatively level--WOW!!

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    1. Fishducky
      The saying goes, you are supposed to dance Latin with a glass of water on your head BUT samba does allow more up and down movement.

      Delete
  12. That looks like a lot of fun, though I doubt I could swing and sway like that guy. It was like he had rubber bones :)

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    1. Mark,
      When you see beautiful flowing hips, the hips aren't responsible..... the thing I'm trying to get across is that the hip movement is the result of the knees. That is why I say always take care of your knees. They are the workhorse of the dancing body.

      Delete
  13. Speaking of knees, My Hubs is getting knee surgery August 26. A complete knee replacement. He won't be swinging any way any time soon.

    Have a GREAT weekend!! LOVE!

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    1. Oh, poor Dennis. I've taken care of 2 people as they recovered from knee surgery. They both turned out well. I thought you were going to be in Kittyhawk around that time.
      You have a loving week end.

      Delete
  14. Knees and ankles and backs--all get a work-out!

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    1. Susan
      And watch the hips swing and sway. Whoo Hoo

      Delete
  15. Dancing is a high-energy workout! Some of us, who don't dance very often, need to remember that.

    BTW, we had a ballroom here in River City with horse hair under the floor. It was torn down a few years ago, to make way for a hotel-business-residential complex. So sad!

    Blessings and Bear hugs!
    Bears Noting

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    Replies
    1. Bear
      You are so full of good information. I have never heard of a dance floo with horse hair underneath. But why not.... it's brilliant. You need that air space and when dancing, it a cushion. I designed my dance floor in Bozeman (that I had to give up when I moved) It was built up a few inches and the top layer was maple. So lovely to dance on...but the PETA people would think that gross. But why not, horses die.

      Delete
  16. Human Manzanita,

    I beginning to understand what having a "knees-up" means.

    Time to do the doggy dance.

    A happy weekend to you, human.

    Pawsitive wishes,

    Penny the Jack Russell dog and modest internet superstar! :)

    ReplyDelete
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    1. Penny,
      You are the most extraordinary dog. You even dance.
      Knees are the bees-knees. I never saw one, a knee on a bee, that is.
      Thanks for visiting, oh, Penny the accomplished internet superstar.
      Have fun this week end with your human.

      Delete
  17. I know that I was supposed to be looking at the knees, but who couldn't watch the Hip Action on this dance???? However, when I could move my eyes off the hips I did see what you were saying about keeping the knees soft. If you lock the knees, the dance would be very rigid. It has to flooooowwwww.

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    1. Robin
      Actually all that flowing hip action comes from correct use of the knees. It's all in the knees, Baby. The Bee's Knees.

      Delete
  18. Just finished doing my knee exercises. Not because of dancing; but arthritis.

    A-Z

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    1. Sandy
      Good girl. Take care of those precious knees.

      Delete
  19. Love that video! I was surprised at how important the knees are to belly dance... and hula.

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  20. This was such a fun video. I was out of breath just watching them move. I can see why the knees are so important.

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  21. Ah yes, had a little scare over Christmas with a small knee issue. It is healed now and I won't be taking any chances in the future. I love dance too much to risk my knees.
    Any tips on keeping them healthy???

    ReplyDelete