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Alright. Let's talk from one dancer to another. For me, it is ballet, jazz, belly and the absolute greatest style of all - TAP!!! I love tap! Anyway, unlike a lot of kids, I didn't start dancing when I was 5-6 years old. I was a little older. I was dancing for awhile. Then I was injured. I have a portable barre and I was practicing with it in the basement. This was about 12 years ago, almost. I was in the middle of a grande plie. That was when I felt it. It felt like both of my knees popped. I didn't know what to do. I had the hardest time going back upstairs. Eventually I did, but the bedroom was another flight of stairs to climb. I can still remember standing in the kitchen with my mother just crying over it. She didn't know what to do with me. Then I also hurt my knee (a stupid injury - all my fault - too long to get into now). So there was all of this complication with insurance. Eventually, I was able to see a doctor (almost 6 months later!). I was told that I had chronic tendonitis and that I would need to wear this band. I had to go to physical therapy to get it, though. They ignored what the doctor said and started fussing with my knees. Because of their fussing around, I am in such bad shape now that all they do is grind and crack (really loud, too!). Someday I plan to go back to the doctor, but thus far, I have been able to function more than I could 12 years ago. I haven't been in a rush to get back. Anyway, because of all of that hassle and nonsense with the doctor, I completely quit dance. I had to get a job. I had my entire life planned out. I am short, also. I am not skinny. I have a curvy body. Not something that the ballet would choose in their dancers. So my sights were always set for theater. These injuries made me give up and get a job. Now, I am NOT happy with my profession. I would much rather dance. I have come to the conclusion that rather than be an excellent dancer, I just want to move well. Know what I mean? A few years ago I decided to begin pilates (I was already into yoga). As I got more into shape, I got it into my head to get back into dance, which I did. Excluding this past winter, which prohibited me from actually leaving the house, I NEVER miss a class. I won't be able to start up again this fall. I will have to wait until next semseter. But you have NO idea (well, YOU would ) what it was like to be back in a class. I cannot pirouette beyond a single to save my soul. And my leaps on the left side are horrendous. Yet, to have a teacher tell me that I have beautiful lines, and that I am so strong, and that my feet and arches are perfect, and that I should be in the higher classes, was something so great that it brought my spirits up so much. I am known for being very bitter over the dance issue. I know I can't be what I was. But now, to know that I am somewhat as good, is fine with me.

So, I think that you should most definitely really get back into it again. It will make you feel better. I swear that everything about life changes for you when you are dancing again!

By the way, what video is it that you are using? Have you ever tried those NYC Workout videos? I don't think they are challenging, but depending on the day, they can be tiring for me.

Aren't toe shoes something else? When you are up en pointe long enough, it makes your calves look fantastic, though. It is kind of worth it!

I think it is wonderful that you are going back to dance again. I love dance, though I have not done so in a long time. I have always been partial to the ballroom type dances. Particuarly I love swing, I enjoy the latin dances as well. And I always wanted to learn belly dancing.

I love dancing, but I'm not very good. I have very poor movement skills in some ways. As a kid, I used to skip with my legs straight! . But anywho, I think thats great that you're doing that! I used to do calisthenics (not the same, I know) when I was young, and it helped me with my movement, until my condition kicked in too bad for me to continue! I enjoyed it, and one day I think I'll like to get back into something like that, or take some dance lessons

Lady W, it is so nice to know someone who understands. There is no one in my real life that can sympathize. My knees are also damaged and when I bend or take stairs I can hear them. I have arthritis pretty bad as well. I told my husband once that I would gladly do it again knowing that there would be sleepless nights dealing with arthritis, and I would. I’m glad you are dancing again. I was never any good at tap, but I loved the shoes. I also enjoy ballroom and swing. I still have a barre (thanks for the correct spelling ) in the basement. I smiled when you told me about your instructors compliments. A nondancer would not understand the pride one feels in having high arches. “Nice foot” can really leave me smiling! I’ve always been very concerned about form. Even now when I watch a ballet I’m busy breaking down each step and analyzing the form. I wonder what others think of when they are watching? Please message me about your progress and experience.

I was also going to tell you that I started really dancing when I was nine, so a little older than normal. I took classes when I was very little, but the instructor was a very large woman in a red pantsuit. Can’t really move in a pantsuit! No real instruction then.

Oh Mom-H, you over did it. You have to work your way up in intensity. I hope you'll recover shortly and get back to it.

I envy you guys that can dance. Not to sound geeky but I watch "dancing with the stars" and I have come to like ballroom dancing. Don't think I could ever wear any of those dresses the women wear!!!!

I know, the dresses can be revealing, but the shoes are GREAT! I like the ballroom dancing but ballet is my love. I think that some ballroom is easier than you may think. A simple box waltz (maybe it’s called a three step or four step, I can’t remember anymore) is easy to learn and a lot of fun and you can really build on it.

Of course that's if her husband is interested in dancing. Most husbands aren't.

That's true Virgil, but some husbands are willing to do things they may not be interested in because it pleases their better half.

I couldn't have said it any better MH !!!!!

I love ballet, but only when it comes to watching. When I was young, my mom took me to auditions, and the man there told her that my legs didn't fit for ballet dancing . I saw The Nutcracker Suite last year at the Opera house, it seemed like lots of fun to do these moves. I really hope you enjoy it now as you did before

That was an absolutely fascinating read, motherhubbard, and LadyWentworth. All I can say is that I'm so glad you listened to your intuition and went back to something you love. I am glad it is already bringing you joy. I am not a dancer at all, I am not graceful, and learning the steps would take lots of practice, but even I know how wonderful it is to dance I would like to learn how to waltz or ballroom dance. Tap is absolutely joyous! I love watching tap dancers-not that you get too, much, just occasionally on AMC. Ballet is gorgeous-I recently saw a documentary on Margot Fonteyn-WOW! So, go for the gold, motherhubbard, and be happy in all that you do!

MH, I have this habit of analyzing the form of other dancers, too. It seems that since I ended up the way that I am now, I tend to study other dancers more. I don't know why I am so much more concerned now than I was before, but I really do study them now. I have always loved choreography (I know ALL of it from "West Side Story" by heart ).

But I have to say that I am very happy to hear that someone else in the world actually really knows what I am talking about here. Of course, it is a shame that there has to be someone else, but it is almost comforting. Does that make sense? My knees are so loud. This was the physical therapist's fault. When marking out the steps (especially at the barre), I don't really participate. Everyone else gets deep into their plies and I am barely moving. My knees are so loud that I wait for the pianist to start before I move so that the music can mask the sound. It is so bad.

pussnboots, I am a "Dancing With Stars" junkie!!! Monday they reveal the new contestants.

I had to assist a teacher a few years ago with ballroom. It is almost ridiculous how men make it so obvious that they don't want to be doing that. It was particulary frustrating because this man was learning for his wedding!!