WELCOME TO DANCER NEWS
Sharing the secrets of becoming better, no matter what age.

DANCER NEWS is devoted to helping others discover the magnificence of learning and growing through our mistakes. The result is that we can dance as many years as we want. We don't have to put up with past injuries, we can heal them instead. We can learn to be stronger and more beautiful dancers every year instead of going down hill.

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DANCER NEWS Table of Contents

Articles written by Vanessa Kettler:
GRACE, a new dance form:
Special Breathing Method:
​
General Guidelines for Dancers:
Essential Alignments:
Lower Back Relief for Dancers:
Bellydance Danger:
​Recuperating From Injury:
Better Balance for Dancers:
Touch Improves Balance:
Hand Elocution:
Dance Forever:
 Dance which is good for joints.
 Especially for dancers.

 Safety, choosing a teacher.
 Get these right and all goes well.
 How to reduce stress in your spine.
 Dangerous and common mistake.
​ Wonderful, safe techniques.
 Advice for balance issues.
 Improve proprioception.
 Hand dexterity.
 Stay healthy and safe forever.
Anatomy of the Spine:
 Detailed description of the nervous
 system including the use of
 dermatomes, root nerve maps, an
​ excellent diagnosis tool.
Innovative Exercises for Serious Dancers
Reverse Twists:
​Spinal Release Circling:
 Spinal twist stretches.
 Spine relaxation.
One note: Some of the exercises recommended in these articles are done from a seated position. I know it is rare in most dance classes for this and you might assume it is meant for seniors. It is not. There are specific skills that must be learned from a seated position, even for the most experienced dancer. 
Offerings by Others:
Ma*Shuqa Mira Murjan is a long time foundational member of the San Francisco Bay Area's belly dance community. Her classes on professionalism are essential for any serious dancer. In 2006, Ma*Shuqa was diagnosed with severe ovarian cancer. She not only survived but thrived as she was challenged by this life threatening situation. She has incredible advice for us all on how to emerge from physical trauma into sparkling artists as she herself has done. Her recommendations are so important for us all. These 2 articles are highly recommended reading:
Ma*Shuqa Mira Murjan's journey through ovarian cancer 15 years ago. This amazing article written by Ma*Shuqa offers fantastic and detailed advice.
In this second article by Ma*Shuqa, she writes of when illness or injury has the potential to change our dancer persona. Her advice is so apt. Please read.

BALANCE NEWS articles are written with the goal of helping those older age well through exercise. References to these articles are also included throughout DANCER NEWS. Here are several especially useful to dancers of any age, followed by the link to the full compliment of 100+ BALANCE NEWS articles:

Chronic Pain:
Chronic Depression:
Intense Shoulders:
How to Breathe:
 When Breathing Is Difficult:
Inflammation:
​Toxicity:
 Relieving chronic pain.
 Comprehensive advice.
 Releasing shoulder/neck tension.
 The best way to relieve anxiety.
 For those with asthma, etc.
 The root of all illness.
 Modern life creates toxicity.​
Published March 17, 2021.
Updated May 13, 2026.