For the past 4 1/2 months of my life, after being poisoned by Cipro, the very first thing I did every morning, while just barely awake, was to try to bend my toes. And for the past 4 1/2 months, every morning was the same………<span style=”font-size:130%;”>No, Not Today – Maybe Tomorrow</span>. I know how odd that may seem to some, but Cipro has robbed me of so many simple things. Bending my toes is just one of them.

Almost two weeks ago, on August 31, 2010 in my still somewhat comatose state, I tried to bend my toes and much to my surprise, it worked!  At first I wasn’t sure, so I tried again and low and behold my toes bent! I whipped off the covers to see with my own eyes and sure enough they were bending. Not much, but it is a start. I was reluctant to believe my good fortune and could hardly wait to check out my new trick again the next morning. Voila’, bending toes! It has now been a little over two weeks and the toes are still bending and the balls of my feet are a bit less painful. It seems as though I have reached a new plateau, hopefully this one will not be as long as the past one and the improvement will begin to accelerate, as opposed to remain stagnant.

If you are a dancer you know how important your toes are to your dancing! Cipro has hindered my physical ability to pursue my passion.  Besides the constant pain in the balls of my feet and toes, the fact that they were so locked up caused me to change the way I walked and the way I danced. I was back weighted and turned on my heels. I was often off balance and had to change from one foot to the other quickly, due to the pain. With this improvement, I am now attempting to make the necessary changes in the way that I have been dancing to dancing the way I <span style=”font-style: italic;”>should</span> be dancing!

This improvement came about 3-4 weeks after I began increasing my Vitamin C level. Vitamin C helps promote the production of collagen. I am not sure whether or not the Vitamin C was instrumental in my improvement, or just purely coincidental, but either way, I thought I would share my improvements and methods with you. It seems to me that it could be beneficial in helping to restore the destroyed sheath around the tendons and muscles from the antibiotic Cipro. (Levaquinn and Avelox are in the same class of Fluoroquinolones) I am currently taking 2000 mg per day and I weight 128 lbs.

Last weekend we were at the Palm Springs Summer Dance Camp and a friend of mine who had previously taken Cipro,  and has had two previous surgeries on her calves due to ruptures,  re-ruptured her calf while dancing. It is a harsh punishment to take a drug that robs you of your passion.

What I would like to know is when this will ever end! The fact that Cipro, Levaquin and Avelox (flouroquinolones) cause severe muscle, tendon,  joint pain and rupture and are still being prescribed without telling the patient of these risks is ludicrous! They claim that “only” 1% of people taking these drugs are effected and that they are otherwise “safe”.  I believe that to be an inaccurate number of people effected due to the lack of correlation between the antibiotic and an injury, therefore there is a lack of reporting the incidence to the FDA.

I have found numerous people that have been effected by these drugs and never realized that the antibiotics were the cause until it was brought to their attention. How many of you ever even thought that your muscle and joint pain, or ruptured tendons might be related to an antibiotic? I know that I never correlated my first tendon rupture  due to Cipro, until one year later when I took it again and could not even walk.  It was then that I re-examined my medical records and found that I was on the drug for 2 days when the rupture occurred.

I urge anyone that has had any injury of been diagnosed with Fibromyalgia, or Rheumatoid Arthritis to go back and check their medical records to see if you had previously taken any of these drugs. You may be amazed to finally be able to figure out why your physical health seemed to deteriorate overnight.

Doctors and hospitals love these drugs and prescribe them like candy. It is a crime that they continue to do so with no warning, and no cure once the damage has been done. You will be hard pressed to find any help or even someone to believe you if you are poisoned by these drugs. Dancers’ and all others please Beware of the Antibiotics called: Cipro, Avelox and Levaquin.

Well, a dancer can only sit on the sidelines so long! I figured I hurt when I sat down, when I walked and when I slept, so I might as well hurt while dancing, too! Having already ruptured one tendon in my foot, I approached dancing very cautiously. I taped up both of my feet, put on ankle and knee supports and gingerly danced. Of course most of the dancing was during a class, so it wasn’t nearly as strenuous as a real night out on the floor, but it was better than nothing!

I am pleased to say that while I was almost afraid to wake up this morning to more pain than ever, I am no worse fore the wear! I think I shall try it again!

Dancers’ do you find yourself sitting on the sidelines watching others dance? If so, there is only one sure fire way to resolve this problem. Get up, walk over to another dancer and ask them to dance. Chances are that they will lead you directly to the dance floor.

In a dance community, asking someone to dance does not imply that you are interested in starting a relationship with that person. It simply means: “I would like to dance”. There are many couples that go social dancing or attend dance conventions together and rarely even dance with each other. Couples, we dancers all thank you for sharing your significant others. We understand that  “A Dance is just A Dance.”

When I first started dancing I was HORRIBLE. I did not have a clue how to dance but, I was determined to learn. I would show up at my local social dances 3-5 nights a week and literally BEG the guys to dance with me. I was unaware that dance classes were even available, so I was at the mercy of anyone that would help me.

During that time, my 3 year old grandson was visiting for 3 weeks. One night he fell asleep watching Shrek, if any of you have kids and have watched the movie you will know exactly what I am about to say. At the end of the movie the little donkey jumps up, over and over saying:  “Pick Me, Pick Me”, I was too tired to get up out of bed and shut it off, so all night long I heard, “Pick Me, Pick Me”!!! The next night at dance, my hand flew up in the air and the words just came out of my mouth: “Pick Me, Pick Me!!!”" From that day forward, I never sat on the sidelines again! As a matter of fact,  as I eventually learned to dance, all it took was one “Pick Me” a night and I rarely left the dance floor. You see, once you get yourself out there on the dance floor, chances are that you will find your next dance while still there. So dancers, feel free to use my mantra and ask them to “Pick You.” Do not be afraid to ask someone to dance and if you must turn someone down, do it politely. There are legitimate reasons for saying no.

Positioning is also very important. Do not hide in the corner or sit at the back of the room. Stand near the dance floor and look like you WANT to dance. Watch where the dancers are entering and exiting the floor and remember that they are there to dance, just like you. I know that it is often difficult to ask a dancer that is more experienced than yourself, but if you truly want to become a better dancer, you’re going to have to be brave and do it! In retrospect, if you are a more experienced dancer, try to “remember when” and occasionally ask a lower level dancer to dance. Let’s all dance together and build a strong healthy dance community.

Bottom line: if you are sitting on the sidelines, you have only yourself to blame. You must be brave, suck it up and ask someone to dance!

While I am certain that there are many different types of foot injuries that occur while dancing, I will be referring to my own particular foot injury. I am in no way trying to diagnose anyones foot problems, I am just going to share my own. You may suffer from some of the same symptoms that I have and I will tell you how I cured mine.

First of all, let me tell you that I have been dancing for almost 3 years, my foot injury occurred 9 months ago and has plagued me right up until now. As a beginning dancer I was out dancing 5 or 6 nights a week with dancers of all levels, from a beginner like me, to much more advanced and experienced dancers. I had no formal training and was at the mercy of whom ever I danced with.

I distinctly remember the exact moment my injury occurred. I was dancing a Country 2 Step with a leader that took large steps. While continually stepping backwards, the ligament under my big toe was pulled. I felt a sharp pain, finished the dance, limped off the floor and thought to myself, “That was strange.” It wasn’t until I got back on the dance floor that I realized how bad the injury was. I went home and popped 3 Vitamin I’s (Ibuprofen) and iced my foot. Much to my dismay, my foot was even worse the next morning. I didn’t dance for several weeks, but was so addicted to dancing that I just couldn’t stay away,  I just kept dancing right through the pain.  Literally, months went by and I kept taking Vitamin I, dancing and whining.

Eventually, I went to a Chinese Foot Massage place near my home. I figured it couldn’t hurt and I was willing to try anything at that point. ( you would think Dr. might have entered into my mind, right?) The weekly foot massages actually began to improve that particular injury. What I hadn’t prepared for was the continuing foot pain. The pain had traveled from the big toe area of my foot  to the next two toes and ball of my foot. It also radiated to the top of my foot.  You see, while I was babying my “Big Toe”  injury,  I put added strain on a different area of my foot. So while the “Big Toe” was happy, the rest of my foot was not. After 6 months of whining, taping my foot and pain meds, I was drug to a chiropractor. My only regret  was that I hadn’t gone sooner.

Dr. Leland Carroll, of the Studio Wellness Center has saved my foot, my life and everyone’s ears around me. After a thorough examination and assessment, he explained and diagnosed my injury. I have pretty severe pronation. Pronation is a turning outward of the foot at the ankle, I have a tendency to walk on the inner border of my foot. It is typically hereditary, but further aggravated by my dancing. I also suffered from Metatarsalgia, a condition which causes the arch of your foot to collapse. His first recommendation was to try custom orthotics. Of course my reaction was doubtful, but faced with the alternative “fix” of surgery, I thought I would give them a try. Shockingly, I can now say that 9 months after I was first injured, and 2 months of wearing my Custom Made Orthotics (which fit into my dance shoes and boots) my foot has finally healed. Oddly enough, so is that nagging knee pain that I had,which I thought was just old age!

I am not saying that every dancer needs Custom Made Orthotics, but if I am able to help anyone out there with foot , knee or back pain, I am glad to share my story. I found Custom Made Orthotics, at a discount,  online. I believe some insurances cover such a product, as they are expensive, but I got the folks at OurHealthNetwork.com to extend my 10% coupon to anyone that uses the code: LovetoDance

Sure hope that this helps anyone with a current foot issue or better yet, helps someone prevent one!

One of the most difficult things for me about social dancing, and I am talking about “organized club” dancing in my area, is that no matter what type music is played, most (ok, almost ALL) dancers still just dance West Coast Swing. It is so hard for me to just do West Coast Swing when the DJ is playing a Cha Cha or Hustle. Even if you can find a fellow Hustle dancer you will have a difficult time “doing the Hustle” as the West Coast Swing dancers get annoyed if you use too much floor space! UHG! Same applies to Cha Cha……oh, well, I guess some dancers prefer to only dance one dance………..what a shame, because the other dances are equally just as much fun!

Even though I am now able to put one foot in front of the other, turn without wobbling and follow many different leaders, I still find the different theories and concepts of dancing quite challenging and often frustrating. It is amazing to me how many different ways one dance is interpreted and taught depending upon your instructor,  and often even where you live.

My “theory” is to listen closely to the person that you are either learning from, or dancing with, and apply what he or she is teaching you at that particular moment. Attempt to retain as much information and technique that you can from each and every individual. You will find that you will become a more accomplished dancer by allowing the many different styles, characteristics and  idiosyncrasies  that you encounter to permeate your body and mind while learning and dancing.

I am certain that we all hear and feel music differently, but during a  dance it should be both dancers’  goal to connect  to each other and to dance as one. So bearing this in mind, apply what you have mastered through experience, be open to new philosophies and technique and try and have the best dance that you can at any particular moment.

As much as I don’t like to admit it……..there are dancer’s that I just do not want to dance with. I am also certain that I am that person for some dancer’s as well, so I guess that is just a dancing fact!

While attending The Palm Springs New Year’s Bash, I got brave enough to sign up for 3 Jack n Jill competitions. For those of you that are unfamiliar with a Jack n Jill, it is a competition where dancers are randomly paired up. You do not know who your partner is, or what music you will be dancing to.

While checking in for the competition, my friend commented that she hoped she wasn’t paired up with the guy that she was standing in front of. I said that there was really only one guy, in the whole group that I didn’t want to get paired up with. Turns out, it was the same person. Guess who got the guy.

Yup, it was me……..karma……..seems that if I put it out into the universe, it happens!

Now, for the confession……the dance really wasn’t that bad at all. I was actually pleasantly surprised. The leader was no longer difficult to follow and he even stayed on time. Moral to the story…….keep your mouth shut, feet moving and a positive attitude. Shame on me for having negative thoughts!

I didn’t even make semi finals in that West Coast Swing category, but I did place third in Hustle. Just goes to show you, you never know what is going to happen~

Last night, at the monthly ballroom dance, I had the chance to talk with a friend who has been dancing about as long as I have. I was explaining (more likely complaining) to her how hard it has been for me to learn balance (still working on it). She responded “You too? I thought it was just me.” I explained to her that both Ras#1 and I have had to work extra hard to overcome our natural tendency towards klutziness.

Her comment reminded me of all the times I have been frustrated, nearly to the point of quitting, thinking that I was the only one having trouble learning some facet or another of dancing. Well, it isn’t so! Sure, there are those beginners who just have that natural grace and talent that allows them to learn with ease. And then there are the rest of us, some of us with more talent, some with more grace, and some of us with just desire and determination. So, while these occasions can be frustrating and even depressing, take comfort in that you ARE NOT ALONE! Others now and before you have shared the same fears, frustrations and even despair while attempting to learn how to dance. Ras#1 and I have both been and sometimes continue to be there and while we continue in our quest to become better dances, always remember…..even those of us with no god-given graceful attributes can learn to dance!

You’ve finally taken that big step and committed yourself to learning to dance. And there you are…………standing in the middle of a dance floor with numerous other folks trying to remember how to do just the basic steps. Hmmmm, you say to yourself….I think I’ve got it. The, the instructor asks you to do the same steps to music and…poof…..everything you thought you had just learned is gone. You look around and everyone seems to have gotten it, everyone that is but you!  While that might appear to be the case, in actuality, it’s likely not. Some of those other dancers have probably taken the class before and are just brushing up on their skills, others have natural dance skills, while the remainder, like you, your just not seeing. In spite of your fears, you take a deep breath and forge ahead. By the end of the class you are feeling reasonably comfortable that you can do the steps illustrated in class and move to the side of the dance floor, now open to all dancer. You hope (or not) someone will ask you to dance and you will be able to practice you new moves.You watch in awe as the experienced dancers glide around the dance floor, with moves you think only the pros could master, and wonder if you will ever be able to dance even half that well. Then, one of those dancers ask if you would like to dance………………..and a whole new nightmare begins! The color drains from your face, you start to sweat, your stomach starts rolling and you feel like you might throw up……but you say yes. Out on the floor you wish you could just disappear into the floor and never be seen again, you apologize profusely to your dance partner and pray for the song to end. It does…… and round two begins…………..

In the beginning is typical for both leaders and followers, to have Spaghetti Arms. Limp and loose. We then tend to go to the opposite extreme, a stiff and rigid frame. Finding that happy medium is the challenge.Your arms should move your entire body, you should move as a whole unit, not arms, and then body. Ladies, as a brand new dancer, there is much to remember, so just try and take a deep breath and realize that you are dependent on “feeling” where and what, a leader is asking your body to do. Leaders, remember that you are the driver, you need to maintain that solid firm, I’m in control authority. Be deliberate with your movement and lead.

I suggest that you find someone that you are familiar and friendly with. Someone that is able to laugh and experiment. Start by both of you having very weak limp spaghetti arms. You will feel the lack of connection immediately. You will realize that neither one of you will be able to communicate through your frame. Two people without frame will find it very difficult to move around the dance floor and execute any style of dance.

Next, one of you should be the noodle, the other, a stiff, strong, rigid frame. As you will notice, this does not work well either. The strong person will likely be shoving the other person off balance and the person with no frame will stumble around not knowing where he/she should be, or how to get there. Take turns being both extreme. You will begin to adjust and find a happy medium. One that works for both of you. You will understand and feel what it is like to dance with Mr. or Mrs. Vermicelli and you will NOT want to be that person! It is an absolute chore to dance with someone with no frame. Your arms become weak and tired, just from trying to hold up the others arms, during a dance. It is not fun and is well worth the practice to find and maintain your frame. Once you find your frame, you will be able to adjust to most any dancer.

You can practice this equal and opposite resistance with anyone, they do not have to be a dancer. I found that I was able to even get my 15 year old son, who would rather cut off his feet than dance, to match my resistance and create a stable frame. I was able to move his body through his frame and he was able to move mine. For him it came naturally, for me, it did not!

So, a few tips. Stand opposite of each other. Hold each others hands and create an oval. Take turns “moving” each other. Observe what you are doing and how the other persons’ body reacts. Do not allow your elbows to collapse and keep them in front of you. Learn to allow your frame to move your body.

I believe that we all vacillate from one extreme to the other, before finally feeling or understanding what Dance Frame truly is. Giving up is not an option, and all of your hard work will be rewarded this first time that you spin flawlessly across the dance floor.

Good Luck and keep fine tuning your Dance Frame, the more adept you become, the more fun dancing will be!

Establishing a quiet, stable dance frame, is a goal that all dancers should aspire to, enabling them to achieve that essential connection with their dance partner, allowing them  the luxury to not only listen to, but enjoy, the music that they are dancing to.

Spaghetti Arms, or lack of Dance Frame, is a common problem for new dancers. It is one of the most important building blocks in becoming an accomplished dancer. It is also one of the most difficult skills for a new dancer to master. It is equally  important for the leader and follower to both have, and maintain, a good, constant and continuous dance frame. I often hear a leader complain that a follower doesn’t have frame, and therefore he is unable to “lead” her. This, of course, is an accurate statement. It is possible, however, that these “leaders” have yet to develop their own solid dance frame themselves.

Sometimes when leaders  refer to their “frame”, they are actually mistaking “frame” for a lead, such as in, turn NOW! If there is no prior connection, with constant and continuous framework already established during the dance, the follower is just receiving “frame” when the leader is trying to initiate a pattern, a turn, or a change of direction. That often leads to confusion for the follower and a missed lead. So leaders, remember that frame must be “quiet” and “continuous” throughout the entire dance, in order for the follower to react when you initiate your intention.

On the other hand ladies, it is our responsibility to offer our leader a stable frame. One that is a constant, toned resistant, and equal to that of our partner. It is typical when we first begin dancing to have Spaghetti Arms. Limp and loose. We then tend to go to the opposite extreme, a stiff and rigid frame. As a brand new dancer, there is much to remember, so just try and take a deep breath and realize that you are dependent on “feeling” where and what, a leader is asking your body to do. Your arms should move your entire body, you should move as a whole unit, not arms, and then body. Leaders, this goes for you, too.

Take Survey Now.

SCORING:

• 9 or more. Mayday, mayday. Houston, we have a serious dance problem. Don’t be surprised if your friends organize an intervention to confront you with your addiction. You can deal with problem directly by checking your phone book for the local 12-step-hop program in your area.
• 6-8. You’re a borderline dance-aholic. With some effort on your part you can take back control of your life without outside help. It may be enough to cut out dancing between dance classes.
• 3-5. Not to worry. You’re one of those social dancers. You can take it or leave it. You can walk off the dance floor anytime. Dance-aholics view you with suspicion.
• 0-2. Are you kidding? Are you taking this test as a joke? You probably don’t know a step-hop from a pivot. Get outta here — you wouldn’t even watch dance-related television programs!

As dancers, how about we make a pact to try and transform all of those couch potato addicts into Dance Addicts?

Any of you who have ever had the chance to be thrilled with the discovery of a place to dance while traveling out of town and felt shock and awe, not in the sense of military doctrine regarding overwhelming power, rather, in the realization that the quality of dancing was frightening, would understand what I’m talking about! Ras #1 and I discovered such a place….Tuesday 2-step was our agenda for the night! Now….don’t get me wrong….I’m not claiming to be a great dancer, in fact, I’m still on the huge upward learning curve, so, on that basis, you may have an understanding of how sad the dancing really was.

Now, Ras #1 and I have attempted on a few occasions to play the man’s part (lead) of the dance team, usually when there is no-one to else to dance with, and country 2-step is one of those we have attempted to dance the boy (oops, I mean man)-part. The fact that, while playing the man part, we were about as good at dancing as most of the men on the dance floor, and better than some, just proved how bad it was. DO NOT DESPAIR! DO NOT GIVE UP! More that likely you can find better dancing material in your area, you may just have to look longer and harder and/or drive further.

Ras #1 and I decided, right then and there, that we would never again complain about dancing in our own locale………..that is, until we attended the Palm Springs Swing Dance Classic……………………but that’s another blog for another time.

The New Year started with a bang, or should I say a splash or two, or three, of champagne, while dancing the night away at the Palm Springs Swing Dance Classic. After five days of dancing and workshops, Ras #1 and I have so much to talk about, that we have actually been in a “quandary” (not to be mistaken for “at a loss of words”), as where to begin. So, rather than sit and stew, I thought I would just pull one subject out of the hat……hmmm……what is it going to be? I suppose that I will talk about the subject that stands out the most, and that would be………how one dancer can make another dancer feel. I’m not just talking about whether or not you were able to follow or lead during you dance or whether or not you were making eye contact with your partner while dancing with them, but were you smiling? And I am talking about smiling from the inside out. As a dancer, I can tell you that I can “feel” another dancers’ smile!

For those of you who are new to dancing, it is important to make eye contact with your dance partner, while not staring at them. Dancing with a partner who either stares at you, or at the opposite extreme looks at everyone else, on and off the dance floor, with the exception of you, is very uncomfortable. Focusing on your partner while you are dancing increases your awareness of how they’re moving and what they are doing and makes your partner feel like you are actually part of a dance team. In addition to focusing on your partner………smile! Social dancing should be fun. A snobby, arrogant attitude based upon anything, including your superior dance skills (if they indeed exist), is inconsiderate and very intimidating, particularly to a beginner. Considering how passionate dancers are about dancing, we should be doing everything in our power to encourage others to discover the joy that can be achieved from dancing. Joy, now that is an interesting word…it may sound like corny verbiage attached to dancing, but Ras #1 and I are here to tell you……………..dancing is pure “Joy”. The more we dance…..the more joy we experience and the more we want to dance. Yes, it is a vicious, addictive cycle!

One more thing I want to add is….….when you have a genuine smile on your face, your parnter “feels” it, not just “sees” it, it’s like putting the icing on the cake.

We danced with one particular gentleman in Palm Springs, who we’d previously met and danced with. I am here to tell you that dancing with Mark is simply, pure joy! Every dance that man dances, he smiles, with his entire being! It is as though he is dancing the best dance he has ever danced! Dancing with him is pure “joy”. That is the kind of partner we aspire to be, the kind of partner that everyone should aspire to be!

Happy New Year and Enjoy,

Ras#2