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Sunday, April 29, 2012

Why Ezine Articles Make Me Dance

I wrote my first ezine article in December 2001. I titled it 'The Power of Online Friendship'. It was five paragraphs long and contained 3 typos. I used it to promote 'The Free Promotion Tips Ezine', an ezine of mine that has long since faded into the Great Void of Cyberspace. I still think it's one of my most moving articles.

I danced around the house, river dance-style, for about 10 minutes when I read the email from Chuck Bowden, the editor of Your Ad Space Ezine, who promised to use my article. That was quite possibly one of the happiest days of my adult life.

I'm aware that most of you have more thrilling lives than me and, therefore, would not find getting an article published online to be a crowning achievement in your life. I, however, live a life of loneliness and solitude and would thank you not to rub your lives in my face.

I've written many more ezine articles since then and have had most of them used by various ezines and websites. Sometimes when I'm tired of sorting out spam or signing up for free promotional programs just to get 50 free visitors to my site, I like to type my name, followed by the word 'articles' into Yahoo or Google. I take a few moments to go through the results and see where some of my articles have been used.

Sometimes I find that my articles are being used in some very interesting places. For instance a few of my articles have turned up on religious websites, even though I have never written an article with a religious theme. I guess the Good Lord really does work in mysterious ways.

I find that a lot of my articles get published on Work At Home Mom websites. I find this interesting (1) because as a male I cannot, technically, be a mom and (2) as a poor, blue collar, working class stiff I do not, technically, work at home. But my message still carries weight with all those housewives. They must be desperate...

My overall point is: Writing ezine articles is a great way to get your name, website, product, etc. plastered all over the World Wide Web. No matter how well you promote and advertise there are just some dark corners of Cyberspace that you will not reach. You articles, however, over time, can find their way to these nooks and crannies and illuminate them with your words.

So my advice to everyone? Keep writing ezine articles! Not only do you get the satisfaction of writing them but you also get the joy of seeing your name (and you words) all over the Net. And then it'll be your turn to river dance...

Saturday, April 28, 2012

Why Put On Dancewear And Dance Costumes?

If you are a dancer, can you dance well without your dancewear on? A dancer who is used to wearing dancewear, even in practices, would feel uncomfortable without her costume on. But different people have different tastes in dance costumes.

Wearing exciting dancewear will give life to your performance. On stage, you want to grab the attention of the audience with your perfect dancewear. If you are wearing the best dancewear during a performance the audience will be able to distinguish you from all the other dancers. Of course, the dancewear isn’t all there is—your dancing skills matter, too.

Tights and leotards are perfect for ballet dancers. They emphasize the figure of the dancer. This adds impact to the graceful moves of the dancer. Ballet dancers prefer wearing tights because they feel nice to the skin and body. It allows them to move flexibly and freely without compromise. Although tights are tight, they don’t squeeze the body to discomfort because of the material they are made from. Most dancers love wearing dancewear because it gives them a good look and feel. Wearing a perfect costume gives them confidence with their performance. It does not only make them look good, but the performance is enhanced, as well. The catchier your costumes are, the more lively the performance.

Dancewear also reflects the personality of the dancer. All people have different tastes in clothes. Some may like dark colors and others light colors. Some dancers like to complement their clothes with their shoes and accessories. They love picking clothes that go perfectly with their style. Some dancers like to show off some skin while in a performance and they choose more seductive clothes, such as short tight skirts that accentuate their figures. Many other dancers prefer to show less skin and they wear dancewear that covers them well.

Your dancewear should depend on the type of dance performed. If you are in a dancing class, you are required to wear dancewear or a dance costume because it brings uniformity to the class. There might be different types of dance groups and particular styles of dancewear can be used to separate the various groups. Although it is not necessary to wear dancewear during rehearsals, many dancers do in order to get used to wearing it. Wearing a costume for the first time might not be comfortable but the more you wear it the more comfortable it becomes.

Another advantage of wearing dancewear during rehearsals is that you will be more comfortable performing on stage.

So what are you waiting for? Grab your dancewear, put on those dancing shoes and get into the groove.

Thursday, April 26, 2012

Zumba Dance Workout – How Many Calories Does It Really Burn

The Zumba dance workout claims to burn up to 1000 calories in just one session.

However, does the product live up to its claims?

There are some "Fitness and Fat Burning Secrets" that are Incorporated into every Zumba dance workout. One of these is the exercise protocol called "High Intensity Interval Training." In scientific research it was discovered that this one little "Fitness Secret" was responsible for increasing fat burn by more than 300% when compared to traditional cardio.

This dance-fitness workout utilizes this "fat burning secret" in every one of their sessions.

They incorporate high intensity interval training along with exciting Latin-based music, popular music, hip-hop, and many other exciting styles. This is another "secret" why so many Hollywood celebrities, soccer moms, and personal trainers have jumped on board the Zumba dance workout train.

Click here to read more about Zumba dance workout


Tuesday, April 24, 2012

Zumba Dance Classes – Top Mistakes to Avoid Before You Take a Zumba Class

Have you been looking at Zumba lately? Are you looking to take some Zumba dance classes but have been a little leery, intimidated or just shy about it? Well forget all that because a Zumba class is just plain – FUN! Here are the Top 3 tips to know in choosing Zumba Dance Classes
Tip #1:
Location, location, location – Check it out first. Find out what kind of facility, what type of flooring. The better the flooring the easier it is on your feet. You will be less prone to injuries – such as shin splints. You can generally tell if a floor has a concrete base, you will feel it in your calves after a good cardio. The best possible floor to workout on is a floating floor. One that has a layer of "cushioning" between the base and the wood.
Tip #2
Research the instructor – Make sure the instructor teaching is a Certified Zumba Instructor. Inquire about the type of fitness background he or she has. Do they have other certifications? Preferably you want a Zumba instructor that has been certified as a personal trainer. Why? He or she can then help you with any sticking points you might have in shedding those hard to shed fat stores.
Though it is not required by Zumba, a Certified Zumba Instructor with a strong fitness background is better qualified to teach you. They have a knowledge base of – anatomy, physiology, nutrition and they know how a body works, what are the best foods to eat that will aid you in shedding body fat. They can guide & assist you in discovering what types of foods are the best to help boost your metabolism and what the top stretches to perform are. A crucial part of good exercise science is to always stretch before and after your Zumba dance classes.
Tip #3
Does you Zumba Instructor have a dance background? Either trained in the classics or trained in the ballroom. This can help immeasurably in getting the maximum benefits from your Zumba dance classes. Don't shrug this tip off!
All of these things together, help make your Zumba dance classes the "party" that they are going to be.


Monday, April 23, 2012

Why Dance Lessons are Good for your Heart

Keeping our hearts healthy is important. Cardiovascular exercises, which increase heart rate, keep our hearts in shape. Regular exercise has also been shown to lower blood pressure, freeing our heart from some of the effort in moving blood through our system.

But many people don’t get much enjoyment from disciplined workouts. They know they need regular cardiovascular exercise to stay heart-healthy, but what activities are there to steer clear of tedious typical exercise programs?

Many find dancing to be one such activity. Dancing allows you to get your heart pumping and your limbs moving without having to endure the monotony of exercising on a treadmill or at a gym. Dancing regularly keeping not only keeps ones heart healthy, it also helps maintain balance and coordination. Plus, of course, dance lessons and events let you get you out of the house regularly and make and meet friends.

Local organizations, universities, community and, sometimes, churches hold dancing lessons and events that are open to people of all abilities and skill levels. If you haven’t danced in awhile, or even if you’ve never tried it before, it’s never too late to learn. Adding another skill to your list never hurts, and dancing is an ability that comes in handy mighty often. Dance lessons are typically offered by style (ballroom, folk, Latin, swing, etcetera) and ability level (beginner, intermediate, advanced, competitive). Most dances that you’re probably familiar with fall into the category of “ballroom dancing.”

Ballroom dancing is performed with a partner (don’t worry; there are typically a number of “singles” taking lessons. You’ll be able to pair off when you go to the lesson). Everything from the internationally renowned waltz, to the classic American Foxtrot, to the Latin salsa and cha-cha, fall into the category of ballroom dance.

Folk dancing typically refers to square dancing, contra dancing, or one of several Irish, Scottish, or English styles of dance. Folk dances can sometimes be more social than ballroom dances (since partners typically split up and join with others during the course of the dance). Other popular styles of dance include swing, Latin, traditional and many others. Feel free to explore.

Books and videos can also be found online, if you just need a refresher, or would rather get the basics in the comfort of your own home.

If you’re looking for a great way to be heart-smart, stays fit, and meet new people, try dancing. Dance lessons allow us to try something new, exercise, and take part in a social activity all at the same time. Find a style that interests you, pick the appropriate skill level, find a place, and dance!

Saturday, April 21, 2012

Zumba Fitness Clothing – What to Wear to A Zumba Class

Zumba fitness clothing has become a big hit for the company and its growing base of instructors & raving fans. Such as Tanya Beardsley and Gina grant.

It seems that everyone is wearing it at their local dance workout class.
In this article, we will explore why you may want to consider when purchasing dance workout clothes and what to look for in your dance clothes.
If you have shopped around for these clothes you probably noticed that the clothing itself is colorful. It's made of a good quality material and it seems like a great deal of fun to wear. The consensus is that when you look good during your dance exercise workout you tend to stick to your exercise program and as a result increase the chances of achieving your fitness goals.
Here Are A Few Benefits of The Zumba Fitness Clothing:
They are supple and soft They are made from a "breathable material" (this helps reduce sweating.) They use a wicking that absorbs sweat The material stretches to fit your body and will not interfere with any of the dance motions or movements All the Zumba fitness clothing are designed with great rich colors that are designed to last.
When shopping around for your dance wear clothes make sure to compare them to what is offered in the Zumba fitness clothing apparel line.
These top 5 tips will surely help any shopper out and get them ahead in no time at all.
Make sure you select a sports bra that is very supportive. This is very important because of all the movement in this type of dance workout. Look for coupon codes online or sales from a local Zumba instructor in your area. The instructors buy the product at wholesale and many times will sell it to you for less than what the company sells it for online. Do not purchase any workout clothing that is made of all cotton. By the end of the workout you will be soaked in sweat because cotton absorbs. If you're going to place an order online it's a good idea to get a bunch of people together in place one giant order. This way you pay less for shipping. Look for closeout's and items that they are discontinuing this will save you additional dollars. Here's a bonus tip: even more important than Zumba fitness clothing is buying the proper exercise footwear. If you're on a limited budget this should be your first purchase.
Purchasing Zumba fitness clothing is not by any means mandatory. The most important thing is that you continue your workouts and strive to eat a healthier diet.

You can wear your cargo pants at class or even if you work out at home. Many people have purchased the Nintendo Wii video game and have created a party in their own home. This game can provide you with many of the same benefits as watching the videos. It comes with some exciting music and can be used by both women and men.

Friday, April 20, 2012

Zumba for beginners - what is the best class of Zumba for a beginner


Exactly what is Zumba for beginners?
For those who don't know, Zumba, incredible Latin dance aerobic training, a sweep the nation.
It is an aerobic phenomenon that incorporates Latin dance and aerobics in a routine training extremely fun and exciting which will allow people to tone, burn fat and conditioning their body while having fun listening fast and slow Latin rhythms. It's really a loss-inspired dance-fitness program Latin circuit weight and training. It is not necessarily designed for beginners or active older adults however, it can be and has been used for anyone any age to achieve a better body is also much better health.
Many consider the aerobic workout to the training inclusive dance routine all because regardless of your knowledge of dance or training sessions, everyone can participate in the part of fitness Zuumba.
Here you can find out more about this fascinating training craze that has taken the world by surprise, as well as how a beginner can start immediately.
Regardless of your age or gender, any that can begin to use this exercise program. It's a cardiovascular training of dance that is not specifically designed for anyone in particular. No matter who you are and where you come from, as long as you can follow along you cannot run it.
The routine and dance are all explained and shown throughout the beginning phase, which allows the user again to familiarize yourself with the equipment while conducting training scheme. If you can move your arms, legs, chest and shoulders, you will be able to make without problem, and a few minutes early, you will begin to experience the Latin difference as the creator of Zumba Alberto Beto Perez for this dance-fitness program.
Dancing on the steps and interesting songs, it is really very simple. Remember to go to the gym room and prepare to part of your thigh off the coast. This is no longer the Salsa music, it incorporates a large number of popular tunes of today.
As said before, you are guided through the entire process, if you are working with a Zumba instructor who is present, or you work routines guided by an instructor on the DVD. You will learn how to intervene, move and sway your body in a few minutes. Tanya Beardsley is one of the instructors on the DVD of instructionexhilarate. His exciting style guides you through all the movements and the most exciting music of today (one of the most popular songs is hips Don't lie bamboo).
After that, you will quickly learn some of the faster and slower routines that are available. You will have the option to purchase the DVD training or attend a course of dance training; However, many people do both. Regardless of your motivation, you will discover that you will not only learn quickly, but you'll be on your way to achieve a more just and healthy way of life. Zumba for beginners is actually an inappropriate term. You see, how to structure this program allows you to go at your own pace and intensity level.
As stated above, people have a certain motivation that will attract this type of training initially, but once there, if the motivation was to burn calories, Cardio, your body, lose weight, become more physically fit or just simply find a program that you can, you will quickly learn that this training program can help in each of these areas. It is important to note that children of all ages participate in these routines of dance training and many of them have learned a lot about how to take care of their body and how it is important to stay in shape. Therefore, if they can do it - so can you.
For those who seek the best Zumba classes for beginners, Zumba Gold will provide all that is necessary for those only watching. If you are a business person, a young child, you are working in a particular industry, or you have not really work long, or at all for that matter, Zumba for beginners really works and you can learn all the processes in a short time all the.


Thursday, April 19, 2012

Autism| Being Overcautious- Having A Child With Autism

How it all started: Anna’s Story…

“My son, Harry, was born on Christmas Eve 2002. Although he was small, he was perfect in every way – with thick, blond hair and piercing blue eyes, he was like a miniature version of my husband, Tom, and we fell in love with him straight away.

Harry was hardly any trouble at all – he was a contented baby, whose sunny personality attracted compliments from everyone who met him. An energetic toddler, his happy chatter filled our lives and he would rush around, talking to everyone he met. He had a wide vocabulary and soon learned to express himself, telling anyone else who would listen what he thought about the world he was exploring.

But, over time, Harry became less chatty. At first, we thought it was a phase. Then, we began to notice more changes: Harry struggled to calm down after his tantrums, which were happening more and more frequently. He couldn’t get to sleep at night and spent hours tidying his toys into rows, only settling one they were all neatly in order.

As Harry’s mom, I tried my best to soothe him, giving him the kisses and cuddles that I thought he needed in a bid to show him how loved he was. But, as time went by, he became anxious, distant and, eventually, untouchable. He reacted violently to the affection that Tom and I would show him, pushing us away and then punishing himself with angry words, scratches, bites and slaps. I tried to reach Harry, to understand what he was experiencing, but he wouldn’t let me in.

“Just after Harry’s second birthday, our Doctor confirmed our fears: Harry was on the Autism Spectrum…”

So many emotions ran through us: fear, anger, confusion and, more than anything, guilt that we hadn’t been able to protect Harry from this condition.

Life after the diagnosis was tough. People who we considered good friends began to avoid us.

They no longer saw a beautiful, intelligent little boy – they only saw the anger and rage when he threw a tantrum. They couldn’t know that, when I looked into his eyes, I saw that my baby was frightened by the world around him and struggling to cope.

Harry didn’t notice the stares and tuts coming from the people around him. Instead, he carried on in his own little world, fulfilling the little rituals and habits that brought him comfort, lining up his toys and humming to himself. But, the uneducated responses and cruel comments from people around us took its toll on me. I felt so incredibly guilty that I couldn’t give Harry the care-free life I so desperately wanted him to have.

“As Harry’s mom, I felt a strong duty to protect him from the outside world, and from other people, who I worried would only see the negative side of his condition.”

Over the next couple of years, I kept Harry close to me as often as possible, turning down the few play-dates we received, rejecting invitations to parenting groups and encouraging him to play at home rather than taking him to the park. I was sure that other parents would look at him and notice the differences in his behavior.

In a bid to keep him from falling behind with all the milestones that other kids were passing, I would help Harry get dressed in the morning, ignoring his anger when I did his buttons up for him because it was taking him too long. At mealtimes, I’d cut his food up into bite-size pieces for him. Eventually, he stopped trying to get dressed or feed himself, and waited for me to do it for him.

It took a heart-to-heart conversation with my husband to make me realise what I was doing was wrong – not just for me, but for Harry. One night, when I had bathed and undressed Harry, cleaned his teeth for him and put him to bed, Tom asked me to come and sit by him in the sitting room. He told me he’d watched a webinar by a childhood Autism specialist, who explained the seven most common – and dangerous – mistakes that parents of children with Autism can make.

“In the webinar, he discovered that over-protecting Autistic children can have a serious negative impact on their long-term development.”

Feeling stung by my husband’s words, I finally agreed to watch the webinar with him. I was sure that whoever this so-called ‘expert’ was, she wouldn’t understand the challenges that Harry and I were facing. She wouldn’t know that, when I did Harry’s homework or tied his shoelaces for him, I was trying to help my little boy. 

As I watched the webinar, I felt tears well in my eyes. I realized that, by protecting Harry from the world, I’d stopped him from growing into the independent little boy that I wanted him to be. Instead of letting him take on new challenges and celebrating when he did a good job, I did everything for him.

In the webinar, renowned childhood Autism expert Sandra Arntzen, M.Ed., explained how over-protecting children on the spectrum can stop, or even reverse, their development. Often motivated by feelings of guilt or fear, parents wrap their Autistic children up in cotton wool and keep them away from challenging experiences that help children to grow, learn and achieve.

As I listened to Sandra outlining the other six mistakes that parents of children on the spectrum often make, I felt a sense of relief and comfort.

“After twenty years working with Autistic children, Sandra understands the difficulties and encourages parents to look forward to their child’s future, not back.”

As my wonderful little boy lay sleeping next door, I opened my mind to what Sandra was saying and vowed to let Harry have all the experiences he should have.

While I would be there forever to
support him, I would no longer live his life for him…

Raising a child with Autism is hard. It’s a long-term commitment but I’ve learned that, by encouraging your child to be independent, you can achieve hope, joy and freedom that you didn’t think was possible.

I’d encourage anyone out there to watch the completely FREE webinar by Sandra Arntzen, M.Ed to find out how to unlock your Autistic child’s potential starting now. Supporting your child appropriately from the earliest possible age is crucial.

Today, you can learn more about the seven most dangerous mistakes, and learn to avoid them.

“Remember: you are the key to your child’s future.” 

Children with Autism need strong parents and carers who will give them love, support, boundaries and structure. It’s time to take action, and you’re not alone.

“Join Sandra Arntzen, M.Ed for her FREE webinar, and help your child become one of the success stories.”

Register for your FREE webinar training with Sandra Arntzen, M.Ed now and discover the key to unlocking childhood Autism.  


http://tinyurl.com/autism33
           

Wednesday, April 18, 2012

Zumba in NJ – New Jersey Tops Country in Zumba Dance Classes

Zumba in NJ has become one of the top five states in the Zumba world. You would think other states like California with a bigger population and more familiarity with Latin style dancing would have outranked it but this is not the case. Perhaps the reason for this is that California has a larger Spanish population but look in any Zumba class in New Jersey and what you see is a dance studio filled with everyday individuals, house wives, soccer moms, busy executives, school teachers, salespeople and even Hollywood A-list celebrities!
You see Zumba combines fun, motivating music and high energy dance steps with unique Latin-based moves and combos that allow the Zumba participants to dance away the days worries. At the same time have a blast. The principle behind Zumba is that the workout should be "Fun and Easy to Do." Let's face it, we all want the benefits that exercise brings us but who has the time for long tedious and boring workouts. That's what's completely different about a Zumba dance workout. This workout is not only great for your body but also provides tremendous benefits for your mind. Many Zumba practitioners call it the "feel happy workout."
According to the www Zumba com website, this aerobic workout is a fusion of Latin and international music was incredible dance themes that created dynamic, very effective and exciting fitness system. The routines themselves feature aerobic and fitness interval training. What that means is that a Zumba class will have you doing a combination of fast and slow rhythms that tone and reshape your body. Many individuals have reported not only losing body weight but also losing pounds and inches as a result of this cardio intensive dance workout.
Zumba was created by celebrity fitness trainer Alberto" Beto" Perez. Beto, a native Colombian came to United States in 1999 and brought Zumba with him. At that time it was called "Rumbacize." Beto was approached by two entrepreneurs and together they decided to change the world with their own unique brand of fitness philosophy. Zumba which is extremely popular throughout Florida has now become the hottest and fastest growing form of fitness not only in New Jersey but also in other countries around the world.
Zumba is aligned with most of the major fitness associations. Such as the aerobic and fitness Association of America, American Council of exercise, IDEA, and many others. If you have not tried a Zumba dance class in New Jersey… what are you waiting for?
To learn more about Zumba in NJ dance classes please visit here: Zumba Classes in New Jersey


Tuesday, April 17, 2012

Zumba New Jersey Just Keeps on Growing

It seems that the Zumba New Jersey world keeps growing everyday and we are doing our part to add to the knowledge base online of Zumba New Jersey. This Latin dance workout is addicting, besides teaching Zumba Classes in New Jersey seven days a week I also spend a considerable amount of time developing this web site with the help of my search engine optimization and design expert.
As you can see, it has had a complete redesign… do you like it? Please give me your feedback in the comments section below; I would appreciate it very much.
I recently imported some of the articles I have written into this exciting web location I found that is phenomenal. It is called Zimbio; if you would like to look at the site please visit here: Zumba
As you can see it is a great site in addition to that, I also write articles that are listed in the top directory on the Internet Ezinearticles.com. If you want to look at some of the featured stories I have posted there, here is the link: Zumba
I hope you enjoy the article as well as this site. Do not forget to leave your comments and recommendations for topics that you wish to learn more about, i.e. Zumba New Jersey, aerobic exercise, weight loss, and nutrition areas.
If you live in New Jersey and would like to find out more about classes please visit here: Zumba Classes
Want to know more about: Zumba Instructor
To read more articles: Zumba Articles


Monday, April 16, 2012

Zumba Tanya Beardsley

Tanya Beardsley of Zumba is a specialist in education for the society (which means that it teaches a master class for instructors).
In addition, she was the co-host of the 2008 series of fitness DVDs and is currently featured in the series of DVD 2011 as well as in the Zumba fitness video game... currently she lives in Manhattan, New York and if you believe in these things it is a form of Cancer (zodiac sign).
Tanya was a professional dancer Ballroom before she tried her first class back in 2001 has been connected on this Latin inspired dance exercise program since then.
In addition to teaching a Zumba course at Equinox in New York, she also teaches other people on how to become an instructor in this exciting Latin dance session... now that is a member of team sez (Zumba education specialist).
Beardsley which is also certified by the AFAA group exercise classes as well as the American practice Council (ACE) travel around the world, providing instructions, as well as to support many fitness instructors in the network ZIN.

As mentioned previously, Tanya was a competitive ballroom dancer before joining the company. Although she spends much of his time in the classroom teaching and its guidelines, it is still time to training with weights 3-4 times per week.
It also considers that the diet is essential to the maintenance of a healthy life.
She tries to eat every three hours to maintain his body to a high metabolism. It will usually have a protein shake or a bar of proteins with a good carbohydrate before taking or teaching a class.
In addition to Alberto Beto Perez who was his idol of fitness, it also considers his brother, who is participating in the "Ironman competitions" as one of the people who were inspired in the life.
It has some interesting beliefs such as ""some movement is better than no movement to all the"and his favorite expression is"doubt kills. ""
Tanya was recently featured in shape Magazine became a "rock star" as a spokesman for Zumba. She enjoys an active life and teach this to other instructors in the world. Beardsley is in his thirties was quoted in Shape Magazine as saying that Zuumba (a common spelling wrong) has transformed his life.
Zumba fitness was named by People Magazine and others as the number one for 2011 fitness training. Is Vivica not surprising that celebrities such as Jennifer Lopez, Kirstie Alley and even a. Fox, join the ranks of supporters of the Zumba.

Saturday, April 14, 2012

Why do dancers often get growing pains?

Lots of girls and boys between the ages of 10 and 16 may be experiencing pain related to their rapid growth. Unfortunately as we grow, all the action takes place at the growth plates in our bones, and it does take some time for the muscles, ligaments and nerves to adjust to their new positions. This means that hamstrings that were allowing you to get into the splits easily three months ago might be a little short for the new leg they are attached to! As tempting as it is to stretch them out constantly, it is also a time when we have to be REALLY careful about how much, and how hard we stretch.


Unfortunately, a lot of your muscles attach to the bones right on the growth plate. For instance, the tendon that attaches your knee cap to your lower leg does so right on the growth plate of your tibia (shin bone). Your hamstrings also attach to a softer bit of bone at the base of your pelvis. If you stretch too vigorously, or are pushed into a stretch by someone else (try and avoid this wherever possible) you can actually pull the muscles where it attaches onto the bone, or even pull a little piece of the bone away. This is called an avulsion injury. Where your hamstrings attach (up under your bottom) is a really common place for this to happen especially if you are pushed into the splits. Try and feel any stretching in the middle parts of your hamstrings, especially if you know you are having a period of growth. If you are trying to regain your flexibility, make sure you focus on all the other muscles of the leg and pelvis rather than pushing into the splits.


The way the muscle attaches into the growth plates can cause a few different problems if you are doing a lot of sports involving jumping and running like dancing. This is why a lot of girls and boys who dance get issue with their knees around this time. If a muscle is working really hard and one end of it is attached to a growth plate, the constant pulling can aggravate the growth plate and you can get quite a bit of pain.


Osgood-Schlatters Disease is a very common form of growing pain that is caused by overuse. If you have pain below the knee cap, and you think it may be the growth plates you may be experiencing this syndrome and should visit your physiotherapist for management. Use Rest, Ice, Compression, and Elevation to settle any sudden increases in pain. If you are having more random pains at night, and the pain is more above the knee joint, it may be purely action at the growth plate. Make sure that when it has been a little sore you do not do too much jumping or strong stretching.


If you do have persistent pains in the knees, it is best to see a sports physiotherapist (physical therapist), ideally one that specializes in dancers, as they can show you exercises and taping techniques to reduce the pain.