Welcome back friends! I have decided to make a triumphant return to my blog. Between sicknesses, my personal life, my schedule, and other such things, I have had a prolonged absence from here. I am changing that, however. With the promise of spring on the way (40’s all week! Yes, I am calling that the promise of spring!) I am feeling a little more apt to productive behavior.
So the topic I want to tackle today is teaching while trying to conquer a cold. I’ve had multiple small ailments this winter. Between a sore throat for a few days, a few days of feeling overall rundown, and most recently a cold that knocked me on my tush, I’ve had to teach on more than one day of not being at my best.
As a teacher, you need to be present for your classes. There are times when you can go on auto-pilot- whether it’s the warm up that you’ve taught 8 of your same classes since the beginning of the season, or the mere act of running routines- but most often, your students will throw curve balls your way without you seeing them coming. When you have a compromised immune system, that can be difficult to deal with.
I was teaching a group of young ballerinas the other day. As I was calling out a combination, I began to have a coughing attack. Of course I had to walk away to grab my water and make sure that I could get the coughing out. I squeaked out as much as I could for them to keep going, but they all stopped what they were doing to stare at me having this minor attack and to ask if I was okay. Not to say that I don’t appreciate the concern of an 8 year old, however, knowing that I am fine and that it’s just a cough, I had hoped the students would continue on with the combination that they were doing.
Moments like that are difficult. There are always so many distractions in a class to begin with, particularly with the younger age levels. They like to look at themselves in the mirror, or giggle at their friends who are playing with their leotard, or the bass for the jazz class in the room next door is blaring, or the students in the lobby made a funny noise, or another teacher came in to ask a question, etc. The last thing that you want is to become another distraction for them. Even just a sneeze can become disruption enough to distract the students.
With the younger levels, I tend to try to ignore it. If I’m coughing, or my voice is cracking, I act like it didn’t happen. If the students acknowledge it, I make a minor comment, and then try to steer the class quickly back to what we were doing. If the students are older, most of the time there is a mutual laugh over it. “Oh, you’re sick? Haha, that’s okay. We all get sick and sound like this!” Majority of the time, the older students will realize it and move on.
The biggest problem isn’t the students. The biggest problem for me is the lack of energy from your body working overtime to get better. Personally, I’m usually a healthy woman. I don’t get sick often, even if I am tired a lot. This winter was difficult being sicker than usual. When I found myself in classes thinking “I really should be in bed right now,” I dug down deep and found ways to fix it.
I found that going into the studio with a clear cut plan for the class made it a lot easier. When I was following a step by step plan in my head and not letting distractions lead me away from it, the time went by faster. The students responded better, and they even looked better doing what they needed to. Usually, I have plans going in, but it’s more of a general plan in my head, rather than a moment by moment lesson. There were goals for the classes, and because I had to push myself through feeling terrible, I was more likely to stay on the task.
I don’t take cold medications going into class. I would rather be downing crazy amounts of water and coffee in class than take any kind of pill or liquid that would make me loopy. I tend to be affected really easily by any sort of medication, so even just taking one sinus cold pill will make me feel fuzzy. Having my head in a foggy place does not help. I would rather take some ibuprofen for any pain, and suffer through the minor situations. As long as I’m not in pain, or feeling nauseous, I usually feel clear headed enough to be on top of my teaching game.
Knowing your body is the most important part of teaching while sick. If you wake up in the morning, and you feel as though you won’t be able to get out of bed- don’t try to go into teach. A cold is something that you can deal with. A serious sickness like the flu or strep before you’ve been able to see a doctor is not something you should go into a dance studio with. Particularly since you are working with children, you don’t want to start spreading something that will make the children have to miss class. Colds, however, are easily dealt with when it comes to teaching. Even if it’s a struggle, as long as you’re using your hand sanitizer and washing your hands, the students will appreciate you showing up, your boss will appreciate you showing up, and I guarantee that even if you’re feeling tired and rundown, in the end you will appreciate yourself for showing up.
On that note, I hope everyone is taking their vitamins, eating right, and staying healthy out there!
Expect more blogs from me soon!
Showing posts with label health. Show all posts
Showing posts with label health. Show all posts
Tuesday, March 26, 2013
Tuesday, April 10, 2012
Staying Healthy
I know I always say I’ll keep up with this blog, and then life gets busy again. Ah well, the point is that I’m here now, and I have a topic on hand to discuss!
Recently it seems that everyone around me is getting sick. At the dance studio, we had cases of strep throat and mono going around. My sister recently came down with flu-like symptoms, and I even had a small case of laryngitis about a month ago. The problem is that with all these sicknesses going around a dance studio, how do you avoid getting sick? And if you do get sick, how do you know when to dance, and when to sit out or stay home?
When I was seventeen, I attended a competition where I wasn’t feeling great in the morning. I could barely choke down my apple that I had for breakfast, and all I wanted to do was sleep. I had the chills, and my body was screaming for me to slow down. I knew I had teammates that I did not want to let down, though. I was also raised in a family where my mother would ask me if I was throwing up or profusely bleeding, and if I said no, off I went to whatever activity I was supposed to be doing, whether it was school, or dance, or what have you.
I accomplished about 12 different dances over the course of that day. We had a group number early in the morning, and then my duo was the very last number to go on. I knew by the time I went on for my duo that I was just about done. I should not have been walking onto that stage, but I sucked it up, found it deep within me, and danced my heart out. My mother still jokes to this day that I looked like I was turning a shade of green, and my hands were dangling at certain points when they should have been still. I didn’t think I would make it after I got offstage. I had dancers running around me to line up for awards. I was running to the bathroom by then. I also wound up staying home for 3 or 4 days from school- the most I had missed since elementary school.
I’m glad that I did it. As dancers, we need to have those moments where we sacrifice for our art. Yes, I was only a high schooler, but the discipline and rigidity of the art is instilled so early on for many of us. It’s taught me that I can’t call out of work for a minor cold, or a bad headache, and that has earned me a lot of respect with many of my bosses.
The most important part of getting sick, though, is knowing when it is okay to push yourself, and when it is not. At the studio I currently work for, we impress upon the dancers to know themselves and their bodies well enough to understand what they need. If they are so sick that they could pass it on to others, or wouldn’t be able to stay awake and observe- then stay home. If you just don’t overall feel well, and it would be better if you didn’t dance, then come to dance, but still observe and take in corrections. If you have a headache, well, take some aspirin, drink some water, and show up to work!
Avoiding getting sick is the tough part. Sometimes you can’t help it. Between barres in studios that don’t always get cleaned in between classes, and with older students rolling around doing floor work, there are multiple surfaces that can be affected. One wrong move and suddenly a student can be infected with any type of sickness.
I always tend to follow the basic rules- wash your hands when you can, avoid touching your mouth or eyes when you know you’ve been around sick children, eat right, sleep enough hours, and stay in tune to what your body is telling you. If it’s telling you that you need more sleep, find a way to get it. I know particularly with middle school and high school age students, this can be difficult. Between their hours of school, their hours of dancing, their hours of other activities, as well as trying to find family time and social lives, it can often be easier to get a few hours of sleep before going all out. Eating right, as well, can be difficult at those ages. Unless their parents or guardians are very aware of their eating habits, they often don’t get the nutrients that they need. Vitamin D is so important to the immune system, and with the apparent obesity problem in the United States, not everyone is getting the vital nourishment in which they need.
As a teacher, I am always trying to figure out what my students need on a personal level, whether that involves corrections in class, or telling them that if they feel like they’re going to pass out they really should sit down and drink some water. I care about every one of my students, not just as an instructor but also as someone who is looking out for their best interest. It doesn’t benefit anyone if a student is crying because their stomach hurts, or if they are passing out on the floor while observing class. Not only does it interrupt the class, but it also has a lingering effect on the other students. I’ve noticed that even in a class of students where not everyone is best friends, if one student gets sick, they all ask if the student is okay, or they’ll check up on them the next week. While it can be negative aspect for the class in terms of focus, it’s really special to be able to watch that camaraderie amongst them. It’s one of the many reasons I love teaching.
So I hope everyone stays safe and healthy through the rest of the dance season. I know for many of us we are seeing the finish lines ahead with upcoming recitals and such! I wish everyone good luck, even though I truly hope to be back on here in the next few days with more rambling musings!
Recently it seems that everyone around me is getting sick. At the dance studio, we had cases of strep throat and mono going around. My sister recently came down with flu-like symptoms, and I even had a small case of laryngitis about a month ago. The problem is that with all these sicknesses going around a dance studio, how do you avoid getting sick? And if you do get sick, how do you know when to dance, and when to sit out or stay home?
When I was seventeen, I attended a competition where I wasn’t feeling great in the morning. I could barely choke down my apple that I had for breakfast, and all I wanted to do was sleep. I had the chills, and my body was screaming for me to slow down. I knew I had teammates that I did not want to let down, though. I was also raised in a family where my mother would ask me if I was throwing up or profusely bleeding, and if I said no, off I went to whatever activity I was supposed to be doing, whether it was school, or dance, or what have you.
I accomplished about 12 different dances over the course of that day. We had a group number early in the morning, and then my duo was the very last number to go on. I knew by the time I went on for my duo that I was just about done. I should not have been walking onto that stage, but I sucked it up, found it deep within me, and danced my heart out. My mother still jokes to this day that I looked like I was turning a shade of green, and my hands were dangling at certain points when they should have been still. I didn’t think I would make it after I got offstage. I had dancers running around me to line up for awards. I was running to the bathroom by then. I also wound up staying home for 3 or 4 days from school- the most I had missed since elementary school.
I’m glad that I did it. As dancers, we need to have those moments where we sacrifice for our art. Yes, I was only a high schooler, but the discipline and rigidity of the art is instilled so early on for many of us. It’s taught me that I can’t call out of work for a minor cold, or a bad headache, and that has earned me a lot of respect with many of my bosses.
The most important part of getting sick, though, is knowing when it is okay to push yourself, and when it is not. At the studio I currently work for, we impress upon the dancers to know themselves and their bodies well enough to understand what they need. If they are so sick that they could pass it on to others, or wouldn’t be able to stay awake and observe- then stay home. If you just don’t overall feel well, and it would be better if you didn’t dance, then come to dance, but still observe and take in corrections. If you have a headache, well, take some aspirin, drink some water, and show up to work!
Avoiding getting sick is the tough part. Sometimes you can’t help it. Between barres in studios that don’t always get cleaned in between classes, and with older students rolling around doing floor work, there are multiple surfaces that can be affected. One wrong move and suddenly a student can be infected with any type of sickness.
I always tend to follow the basic rules- wash your hands when you can, avoid touching your mouth or eyes when you know you’ve been around sick children, eat right, sleep enough hours, and stay in tune to what your body is telling you. If it’s telling you that you need more sleep, find a way to get it. I know particularly with middle school and high school age students, this can be difficult. Between their hours of school, their hours of dancing, their hours of other activities, as well as trying to find family time and social lives, it can often be easier to get a few hours of sleep before going all out. Eating right, as well, can be difficult at those ages. Unless their parents or guardians are very aware of their eating habits, they often don’t get the nutrients that they need. Vitamin D is so important to the immune system, and with the apparent obesity problem in the United States, not everyone is getting the vital nourishment in which they need.
As a teacher, I am always trying to figure out what my students need on a personal level, whether that involves corrections in class, or telling them that if they feel like they’re going to pass out they really should sit down and drink some water. I care about every one of my students, not just as an instructor but also as someone who is looking out for their best interest. It doesn’t benefit anyone if a student is crying because their stomach hurts, or if they are passing out on the floor while observing class. Not only does it interrupt the class, but it also has a lingering effect on the other students. I’ve noticed that even in a class of students where not everyone is best friends, if one student gets sick, they all ask if the student is okay, or they’ll check up on them the next week. While it can be negative aspect for the class in terms of focus, it’s really special to be able to watch that camaraderie amongst them. It’s one of the many reasons I love teaching.
So I hope everyone stays safe and healthy through the rest of the dance season. I know for many of us we are seeing the finish lines ahead with upcoming recitals and such! I wish everyone good luck, even though I truly hope to be back on here in the next few days with more rambling musings!
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