Getting There!

My left hip is progressing much quicker than my right hip did! My physical therapist says that it is doing so well because I am not being overly cautious with it like I was with my right hip. She said that being too careful allows scar tissue to build up. I was surprised to hear this! I had thought that I wasn't being careful enough with my left. At times I almost felt guilty for not being extra careful with it. I guess my lack of cautiousness was actually to my benefit!

First day back!

 I have been able to do some twirling! I got a blister on my hand on the first day back. I guess my skin isn't used to twirling a baton anymore :). As I am able to slowly begin doing some baton movements, I am being very careful to avoid falling back into any bad habits.  It is so nice to have a fresh start at everything, and to be able to break habits that were seemingly impossible to break because they were so deeply ingrained in my muscles. For the first time since my surgeries, I really feel like the end of the recovery process is near! I am very pleased with how well both hips are doing and I have full confidence that they will return to 100%. I still have a ways to go before I'm able to attempt illusions and other moves that are very hard on the hip joint, but I am definitely getting there.     

Almost there :)

Making Progress

I am done with crutches! This is the point in the rehabilitation process where I start to feel like I am making real progress. I can now do a wider variety of cardio exercises. I can also do more advanced abdominal and arm exercises, and add new full weight bearing exercises for the lower body. My right hip feels quite a bit stronger than my left hip, but my physical therapist says that in the weeks to come the two will start to even out with each other. If my left hip feels weak or sore, instead of feeling discouraged, I tell myself that in just 10 weeks it will feel as great as my right hip does now. I really worked to try to keep my right hip progressing while my left hip was still in the early phases of healing.
  

Making progress :)

I have had a lot of fun doing full ballet barres at home with just my arms. It has allowed me to focus in on some aspects of port de bras that I may have neglected when I was also focusing on my legs. This has been a great opportunity to break bad habits that I had because the movements are not so deeply ingrained in my muscles. I have also enjoyed going to ballet class once a week to observe and take notes. Watching ballet classes has really given me a new perspective on technique. It is interesting to see what the teacher is talking about on other dancers rather than just trying to envision and apply the corrections to myself. Below are a couple photos that my friend and I took a few days before I got off of my crutches.

The Injured Dancer

Our version of the famous pose from the ballet Apollo :)



I am very grateful for all of the amazing support that I have received from the twirling and dance worlds and from my friends and family. Thank you so much everyone. You have made this whole experience much easier and more enjoyable.