Ballroom dancing and heartburn.

[dusty]

Hi guys,

I have been having frequent heartburn lately. When going through the possible causes, one was 'clothing that fits tightly around the abdomen' that will squeeze the stomach.

Now I have been doing ballroom for a while and ALL my coaches tell me to suck in my stomach and I have been trying to that.

So, I guess my question is, does ballroom dancing (with a sucked in gut) cause frequent heartburn (literally)? How do people deal with this (for those us with a bigger belly)?

[latingal]

Welcome to DF dusty!

Okay I have to admit, this is one of the most unique first postings I've seen here on DF. *grin* I look forward to hearing what the DF membership has to add on this topic.

My own take, as far as sucking in your stomach, well I find that to be a less than precise phrase when it comes to activating your core. I am not an expert, but I believe there are two or three muscles that make up the core muscles, and basically they seem to stabilize the spine, hip and upper leg. When you activate them, you aren't really sucking in your stomach. One of my pros describes it more as zippering up your pants zipper feeling. It's a much more subtle action. It's more of an activation of the muscles than a gripping or tense holding of the muscles.

Does it cause heartburn? I don't think so, or all dancers would be in real trouble...

[samina]

never heard of this. also never heard to suck in one's gut, and would never recommend exactly that to a dancer.

i will say, however, that when you begin to work different areas of the body...things happen. working your stomach as you are could be "loosening up" emotional stressors you normally keep repressed by being more "frozen" in that area of your body. or it could be that's occurring on a physical level -- you're activating an area of your body that is weak & now showing itself as heartburn.

perhaps try more alkaline foods, and foods with my living enzymes in them to aid digestion. and release emotions so they don't stay as stressors in your body.

ballroom is not the culprit. :)

[Laura]

Sometimes when I overwork my core muscles, be it in gyrotonic or Pilates or ballroom, I get a little nauseous. Not heartburn, but nausea.

I think that you might want to see a doctor if the problem doesn't clear itself up as your dance technique expands and improves.

[TAK]

Hi dusty,

Welcome to DF.

Yes, my partner experiences heartburn too, and he is pretty sure it's at least partly because of his attempts to suck in. I think he has even had doctors tell him that that can contribute to heartburn.

Sorry you are having to deal with this...take care!