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)
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.
ReplyDeleteturquoisemoon
DeleteWhat a bummer having the bad bees knees. I know so little about horses, I don't know how that affects knees.
Look at that hip swirling action! It is very mesmerizing.
ReplyDeletePoke the Rock
DeleteHaving that fringe on the dress accentuates the whole movement..... WOW
I always thought it was the feet, but can see how knees are needed too.
ReplyDeleteJohn
DeleteKnees are so important. I can dance with a sore foot and it kills me if my knees hurt.
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.
ReplyDeleteRiver
DeleteI 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.
A good friend of mine was in love with dance as a teenager and a knee injury derailed her blooming career.
ReplyDeleteKeith
DeleteSorry about your friend. Bad knees can destroy dreams.
feet, knees and in this video...HIPS! Wow. they really moved as a unit. Great dance duo.
ReplyDeleteRosemary
DeleteGood to see you. Are you back home yet? Yes, I guess all parts of the body are necessary for dancing. Ha
What if your dance partner makes you week in the knees?
ReplyDeleteWill 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
Weak
DeleteGuess I'm up the creek
Week, weak, makes no difference, it's all in the game
DeleteWho 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
How are YOUR knees ? I loved that samba video - a great dance.
ReplyDeleteHey thisisme
DeleteMy knees are still ok because I took them into consideration, by always dancing on wood.
I love the samba too
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. :-)
ReplyDeleteSu-sieee
DeleteOMG you poor Suz....that is so debilitating to have bum knees. I don't think people honor their knees enough. Ha
Gee, I recognize that song. :) The dances are so fluid.
ReplyDeleteBish
DeleteI don't know the name but it has been in my head all morning.
All the movement below the waist & yet their heads stay relatively level--WOW!!
ReplyDeleteFishducky
DeleteThe 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.
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 :)
ReplyDeleteMark,
DeleteWhen 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.
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.
ReplyDeleteHave a GREAT weekend!! LOVE!
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.
DeleteYou have a loving week end.
Knees and ankles and backs--all get a work-out!
ReplyDeleteSusan
DeleteAnd watch the hips swing and sway. Whoo Hoo
Dancing is a high-energy workout! Some of us, who don't dance very often, need to remember that.
ReplyDeleteBTW, 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
Bear
DeleteYou 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.
Human Manzanita,
ReplyDeleteI 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! :)
Penny,
DeleteYou 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.
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.
ReplyDeleteRobin
DeleteActually all that flowing hip action comes from correct use of the knees. It's all in the knees, Baby. The Bee's Knees.
Just finished doing my knee exercises. Not because of dancing; but arthritis.
ReplyDeleteA-Z
Sandy
DeleteGood girl. Take care of those precious knees.
Love that video! I was surprised at how important the knees are to belly dance... and hula.
ReplyDeleteThis was such a fun video. I was out of breath just watching them move. I can see why the knees are so important.
ReplyDeleteAh 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.
ReplyDeleteAny tips on keeping them healthy???