Supporting your moves...

Apologies for the day-late post, but we had a couple of New York days over here - - but! they were FULL of movement. Walking, dancing, yoga, etc. 

Growing up as a dancer, I always understood the importance of a good pair of shoes. Pointe shoes were expensive but essential to replace regularly. LaDuca's are half a month's rent, but so needed for theatre dance, and then we have tap shoes. This being said, when I first moved to the city, I didn't fully understand the value of my day-to-day shoes being supportive. But within the first month, between 2-4hrs a day dancing, walking everywhere, not having a car anymore, and working...that knowledge needed to change.

I started researching the most supportive shoes and ways to support my feet so that I could keep MOVING and GROOVING as much as possible. Two of the most sure-fire pain-relieving practices I added to my daily practice are below:

1. Gravity Release: Before a movement practice, find a spot to lay down and set your feet up on a wall. Shake out the legs and feet for a moment to stimulate the lymph system and reduce blood to the feet. You'll be shocked at how simple but effective this can be.

2. Ice Slippers: A large amount of extreme joint and muscle paint has been proven to improve with the application of icing or cold showers. An affordable step towards ice practices is purchasing a pair of ice slippers to have frozen and ready after a day of rehearsals, auditions, or work. Put on a thin pair of socks, and then wear the ice packs for about 20 minutes. Find them here.

3. Rolling Out: An easy pain prevention to have in your audition bag at all times is a little spiky ball to roll your feet out on. After having an intense class or movement session, just take five minutes to roll out the bases of your feet to relax the muscles. You'll find that the muscular release before putting street shoes back on is so valuable. Find them here. ​

Last week, we held a poll on social media for sneaker and supportive shoe favorites that we love!! These shoes are based more on a commuting lifestyle that requires an average of 10,000-12,000 steps per day, specifically on asphalt. There are so many great shoes out there, but this is for more of an urban lifestyle.

1. Nike Air Max 90: This shoe is fantastic for day to day walking (specifically on asphalt). Also, if you need a good dance sneaker or sneaker for theatrical practices, we highly recommend investing in this shoe. 

2. Hoka​ Bondi: This shoe comes highly recommended from dancers spending full days in heels and then walking for a commute. Hoka is also a GREAT brand of shoe if you want to commit to running, or have a regular aerobic routine.

3. Reebok: This is my personal favorite shoe because I get the platform shoe to increase cushion when walking. Additionally, I love them for dancing. Also, if you are a gym person, the classic low-level is a great option for weigh-lifting to have a flatter base.

Be sure to comment below and share with us how you are taking car of you body to support daily activity without limitation. :)

​Abbi

---