The Cost of Injury

I am officially injured, for the past six weeks I have been dealing with a bad back, so I took myself off to the chiropractor http://www.gonstead-uk.com After my consultation and an x-ray it is apparent that my pelvis has been rotated. This means the left side of my body is slightly twisted putting a great strain on the position of my spine and the nerves attached. I also found out that my left leg is 7mm shorter than my right, so it’s already altering the alignment of my body. Diet is also a really important part of my visits to the chiropractor, I have to produce a diary of what I eat! I don’t think he will be impressed. Grahame the chiropractor then explained to me what adjustments he will do to alter the alignment of my spine and start to relieve the pain. Great.

Adjustments.

The adjustments don’t hurt, however If I’m honest I find the whole process horrific. The noise of the cracking of my bones made me speechless. As a dancer it’s something I’m used to, I also have complete control over what’s cracked, at the chiropractor’s you don’t, and when they want to alter your body complete trust is required.

Being injured costs, not only general costs of specialists e.g. the chiropractor but the cost of reducing your workload. The chiropractor so far has cost me £205, and its £40 per visit from now on for 6more visits, enough to make me feel ill . Since being injured I have had to reduce my workload as its adding stress to my body, I have had to cancel hours of pole classes and parties and reduce the hours at my part-time waitressing job that keeps me going through the summer when there are no dance classes.

Being injured is stressful and affects your self esteem. The worry of the never ending costs to heal but the need to work is a constant battle. You would think that it would make you motivated, to get on with things that need doing; things that you never get round to doing or starting when you’re not injured, however in my experience I don’t think that it does.

I understand why some people come out of the profession as the need to make money is essential and the cost of being a dancer is expensive. I am a workaholic and not being able to work much is something I have not adjusted to. However I am hoping that because I am fit and healthy my treatment will not be for long. Fingers crossed!!!

Back to school!!!!!!!!!!

Ok people, it's time to get down to the serious stuff. Project time.

So it's been a lovely few months chillaxing and not doing anything that involves the word 'project' or 'proposal' however now I feel it's time to get a move on. I have been putting off doing anything because of the pressure I feel to do well. I have high expectations of myself and I dont think this has helped the situation.

However, I have been busy with some basic foundations to my project. I have landed myself some more pole teaching work. I now work for three pole dancing company's.

1. Pole Confessions http://www.poleconfessions.co.uk

2. Northern Pole Divas http://www.northernpoledivas.co.uk

3. Poletastic http://www.poletastic.com

So, I have been busy, busy, busy. What’s great about my new jobs is I get the opportunity to work with girls aged 14-16 and get them interested in vertical pole training, because if Pole dancing does become a future Olympic sport they will need to be trained from a young age. At Poletastic It's great as I get to access the latter age group that I want my project to be focused on the 30-35 bracket.

I get booked for regular work with Poletastic and mainly Pole parties. Pole parties are commonly for lady’s hen nights or women’s birthdays that want to see what it’s like. They are great fun, the women get a great experience, gain some confidence by being surrounded by their friends and get an idea what it's all about.

The access to these women will benefit my project as I can get my questionnaires filled out by plenty of women, some who will want to experience the fun of the lesson, some who are there because they have to. It will also be a good way to meet people and invite them to my focus group.

So, Although I have not yet started anything on paper for my project I have been busy laying the foundations. So watch this space................................................