MARK MOY Professional Dance Instruction
Friday, May 27, 2016
Wednesday, November 18, 2015
Massage and the Dancer
Sore back? Painful plantar fasciitis? Tired legs? Sounds
like you’ve been dancing! These, among many others, are all common issues that
dancers of all kinds (professional, amateur and everyone in between) deal with
when they spend time in the studio. Whether you want to feed your soul or to
get in better shape, your body is sure to feel the effects of your craft. You
stretch, you work on core strength, and you take Epsom salt baths, yet some
aches and pains persist. So where do you turn to find relief so you can
continue to cha cha to your heart’s content? One word: bodywork.
Massage Therapy, while becoming more mainstream in our
society as a legitimate tool in self-care, still struggles with the stigma of
being frivolous. Many people continue to view massage as a way to “pamper”
themselves, rather than as an important way to maintain healthy musculature,
manage pain, and improve overall health. You might “indulge” once or twice a
year and go to the spa. Perhaps you are having a hard time justifying spending
the time and money on regular bodywork. Perhaps you still think of massage
simply as a way to relax. Are massages relaxing? Certainly. Do your muscles
NEED to be relaxed? Absolutely!!! Being both a long-time dancer and a licensed
massage therapist, I have an insider’s perspective on how vital it is that
those who dance incorporate massage into their regular health care routine.
Regardless of how cliché as it sounds, as a dancer you know
that your body is your instrument. It is the tool with which you express
yourself. So, to belabor the metaphor, let’s imagine your body as an actual
musical instrument: a guitar. Your strings need to be properly positioned in
order to play your tune. If they are in the wrong position you will not be able
to produce the sound you desire; the tone will be thin and poor at best and it
can even put stress and strain on the wood of the guitar, thus warping the wood
(sometimes irreparably). All it takes is some regular realignment and
fine-tuning of these strings to get you playing the way you want (and need) to.
Naturally, in this scenario, your muscles are your guitar strings; they require
constant attention and realignment in order to keep your body functioning at an
optimal level. By assuring that your muscles are where they are supposed to be,
your body can better cope with the strain that dance can put upon them. And
that makes for not only better but more comfortable movement. Want more
comfortable and effortless movement? Every dancer does. So be a fool for
dancing, but don’t be a dancing fool: get that massage!
To break it down, here is a list of some of the myriad
benefits you can expect from regular bodywork:
·
Relief of muscular and myofascial tension and
stiffness
·
Improved circulation of blood and the lymphatic
system
·
Increase in range of motion and flexibility in
joints
·
Promotion of tissue regeneration and reduction
of scar tissue
·
Lessening of anxiety, depression and general
stress
·
Heightened immune system
·
Release of endorphins (the natural pain reliever
of the body) and oxytocin
·
Relief of migraine and tension headaches and
fibromyalgia
·
Reduction of swelling
·
Improvement of posture
·
Lowering of blood pressure
·
Enhancement of injury and/or post-operative
rehabilitation
In today’s fast-paced society, we want results NOW. And in a
perfect world, you could get a massage once and all your aches and pains would
be cured. However, our bodies don’t cooperate with this “one-and-done”
mentality. Constant stressors on both the mind and body continuously add
tension to your muscles and it takes effort to combat the effects. You wouldn’t
brush your teeth once every six months and expect to maintain good oral
hygiene, right? Of course not! The same is true of your muscular system,
especially when you engage in such vigorous use of it like you do when you
dance. As a massage therapist, one of the most common questions I get asked is,
“How often should I get a massage?” My answer is always the same: “As often as
your pocketbook allows!” The truth is, there is no hard and fast answer to this
question. Many variables factor into how often you should get bodywork. Do you
have any injuries, chronic or acute? How is your nutrition? What is your
exercise regime? How is your general health? And yes, the taboo question of
your age plays a part in this as well. The hard fact is that the older we get,
the more care we need to give our muscles. At the age of 41, my body simply
doesn’t respond the way it did when I was in my twenties; I have to work a
little harder to do things that came effortlessly when I was younger. I marvel
at some of the feats I was capable of in my heyday as a dancer that seem next to
impossible these days! However, receiving regular bodywork is one way I make
sure that my body is working at maximum capacity so that I can continue to do
what I love: dance! There is absolutely no reason I can’t dance my way into my
eighties and beyond! It just takes more effort on my part to make that
possible. Massage is a vital part of that self-care.
So continue to work on your frame, your footwork and your
styling. Take that group class, that private lesson and that workshop. Go to
the club, participate in a fun dance outing and sign up for that competition
you’ve been dreaming about. Dance to your heart’s content! And then do yourself
a favor and book a massage. Your partner, your instructor and (most
importantly) your body will thank you.
Contributed by Rebecca Ash
Thursday, September 17, 2015
Cross-Training
A client recently asked me why a group
of people take classes in a dance style they very rarely use. Why learn Rumba if you dance primarily Country Western?
Many of us start out dancing for the social aspects. We forget that it is also a
sport in that it requires movement, coordination and muscle memory. After gaining
experience and training, some students come to appreciate dance for its beauty
and welcome the challenge of becoming better dancers but often stick to a favored style.
I
explained that the concepts of connection, partnering, and movement technique
are universal in dance. There are certainly differences in dance character,
rhythm, patterns, etc., but all move in partnership through time and space.
Cross-Training
came to mind. I became a better Smooth dancer because I also studied Rhythm and
Latin. Cross-training refers to an athlete training in sports
other than the one that the athlete competes in, with a goal of improving
overall performance. It takes advantage of the particular effectiveness of each
training method, while at the same time attempting to negate the shortcomings
of that method by combining it with other methods that address its weaknesses. Bottom line – it's about balance. When you are performing the same movements all the time you
are using the same muscles. This puts you at risk for a repetitive injury and
it also creates an imbalance. Just like incorporating activities into your
routine that work different muscle groups (adding a cardio aspect to weight
training for example) improve your overall fitness level, incorporating
different dance styles improve your overall
technique. I feel my partner, I feel the floor more, I have developed an
awareness of how my every physical action affects my partner, and vice versa.
My proficiency of any particular dance was very much augmented by the training
of another dance, and I would encourage students of any dance to follow my
lead.
Tuesday, August 25, 2015
Wednesday, March 11, 2015
Becoming A Project Of Success
When we move forward, the iliopsoas (a muscle consisting of the
iliacus and psoas major muscles) and other hip flexors contract, causing a
forward leg swing until the foot hits a surface. You basically fall on that foot and repeat
the action with the other leg creating locomotion, otherwise known as…walking. Our bodies are designed to be very efficient
with this ambulation as we fall forward on our heels and roll through to the
toes.
Walking differs from dancing in many ways. There are no accidental
steps in dancing. There is an exact foot placement and exact amount of turn. Combined
with many more physical actions, one can create graceful movement through time
and space in partnership with another. Many muscle groups and work are involved
throughout the body to execute dance steps while maintaining a frame and
connection with a partner. A student of dance may dutifully show up for
instruction and practice dance figures, yet fail to work on the most important
aspect of partnering, motion, and balance…themself!
We can’t change the
natural laws of our universe. Gravity and energy are always going to influence
our movement. We must, therefore, become aware of our physical weaknesses and
then pursue a form of training that generates correction. Sometimes achieving
better balance can be as simple as more rotation in the upper torso or a shift
of head weight. Sometimes a personal compensatory action is employed or a
mental strategy involving analogies might create the desired result. Sometimes
there is a limited range of motion, or lack of flexibility, strength, or
endurance. If "it" is preventing us from dancing at a higher level,
it doesn’t really matter whether it originates from an old injury or some
under-developed muscle. As a dance instructor, I teach the patterns and rhythm
of a particular dance, the necessary technique, and the lead/follow aspects of
partnering. It is important for me to
also identify the physical issues preventing precise movement and balance and
coach my students in corrective exercises.
I walk the walk with regular chiropractic care and massage therapy to not only
ensure wellness, but to enable me to perform my job of dancing and coaching. I
find that I must endure the sometimes painful exercise of foam rolling my
iliotibial (IT) bands to maintain muscle elasticity and range of motion and
flexibility. I must also perform exercises to maintain my muscle strength,
particularly around weakened or injured joints. Essentially, I am a
never-ending project so that I can continue to do the job I most enjoy––
instructing dance. I encourage my students to do the same, which will help them
achieve better movement in addition to a healthier lifestyle. Fitness is a
necessity in dance. Stronger core and leg muscles together with increased
flexibility will result in more control of our movement, i.e. better dancing!
So the next time you trip off a step or stumble into a room, remember that to
dance is not just an accidental walk in the park.
Wednesday, November 26, 2014
Thanksgiving
The pursuit of
any skill or art requires dedication, discipline, and steadfast practice, but
the most important element in success is having the right coaches. I’m very
grateful for all of the instructors I’ve had in my individual quests towards
some goal. One of my greatest lessons is to really respect the knowledge and
gift a coach offers as I’ve come to appreciate the value of a teacher more than
ever in my own growth. I am humbled and grateful that I can, as a teacher in my
field of expertise, be a contributor instead of a consumer. I not only instruct
dance, but I motivate and mentor when a student experiences frustration or hits
some temporary limitation. I feel an ever-growing appreciation for the
influence my guidance may offer as I contribute to the achievement of someone’s
goal. I am simultaneously grateful to my students who provide so much joy in my
life, allowing me to coach them in their endeavor with a trust that I will
guide them with my fullest capabilities. I learn a great deal from my students.
They bring me constantly to an awareness of myself and to enjoy all the small,
intangible moments I once so easily dismissed.
My quality of
life is exponentially improved by both my teachers and my students. I’m
thankful for both.
Thanksgiving is
a personal holiday for me every day (without all the calories) as I hold myself
to not just thinking and feeling gratitude, but showing and expressing it to
others each day.
Happy
Thanksgiving!!
Wednesday, November 19, 2014
My dance card runneth over!
I’ve had the
opportunity to teach at several events the past few weeks. Most recently,
I had the pleasure of working a local school district fundraiser. It was hosted
in a private home, complete with food, beverages,
D.J. and party lights galore. Instructing adults with little or
no knowledge of dance deepened my appreciation for the moment. The
participants gathered around as the DJ lowered a microphone from the upstairs
loft, as if I were a Boxing referee about to announce the
contestants. I felt so at ease in that environment as I began to present the
concept of partner dancing and introduce the dance of the evening in terms
that helped the group understand how to respond. I feel so blessed
to do this as a career and share my knowledge with both beginners and more
advanced dancers.
I have entered a
sweet spot of gratitude as
my business transitions into opening a new school
of dance. The teachers I’ve been training have become like immediate family and
the student body like extended family. The excitement has been building among
current students and those anxiously awaiting their first class. I’ve been
receiving referrals from a networking group I belong to as well as from a
church directory. But the most complimentary source is always word of
mouth. After previously being part owner in two studios, I look forward to
watching this school unfold as we organically grow to our fullest
potential. This Thanksgiving, I am grateful to all of the teachers
who will be working with me as we launch this new endeavor; Kelly, Karla,
Shawna, Natalie, Jordan, & Juan Carlos.
My dance card runneth over!
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