Dancing with femoral anteversion

[dancersm]

Hi dancers,

I am an adult dancer who started dancing in his mid-twenties. I also suffer from mild femoral anterversion (inward twist of thigh bones).
This issue has always been hard emotionally to deal with but I learned to be careful of stepping outward through adulthood and not worry much about it. Originally when dancing salsa and bachata as an amateur, that was not an issue either. But since two years ago, I have started to be more serious about dancing and starting dances like brazilian zouk and argentine tango. Specially throughout my zouk training, multiple teachers have pointed the importance of pointing outward when stepping for better balance and aesthetics. When I am cautious, I can do so but it is hard and as soon as I get distracted I notice that my thighs want to go back to original posture especially in rotational moves. Partly due to my childhood experience, I have gotten more and more concerned about it to the point that I am losing confidence in my dance and feeling very low. I have talked to a doctor and they do not suggest surgery for mild cases. If anyone has a similar experience or knowledge about my case, I appreciate your advice on how to improve my situation both practically and emotionally.

 

[raindance]

Can you consult with a physical therapist? Maybe they can guide you on safe approach to dancing with your condition.

Once you know your safe boundaries for movements and positions, it's a matter of accepting yourself and making the best of your own situation. Maybe some movements take more training for you, or maybe they need to be adjusted in some way, or maybe you avoid certain movements, etc. Something as simple as wardrobe adjustments (style of pants) may help wIth presentation as well.

Lastly you may find some dances more comfortable or suitable for your body. That's ok too.

 

[opendoor]

..starting dances like brazilian zouk and argentine tango.. multiple teachers have pointed the importance of pointing outward.. when stepping for better balance and aesthetics..

There are three perspectives of the dancer, that of the outside, that of the dance partner, and finally your own perception. Forget the teacher's and fight your self-doubt: as long as dancers are queuing up to dance with you, the world is fine. In tango, pointing inward is actually a problem. But ignore the pressure, ask your instructors for hip-opening exercises, and basta.

ps for similar reasons i shredded my inner menisci. At the bus stop, I rotated outward on one leg, I also did in the queue at the ATM. The knee is much weaker than the acetabulum. Accept yourself as you are. You don't need to justify yourself to zoukieros. The dance style itself is unaesthetic. If necessary, switch to neotango. Bad posture is also part of the program there.

 

[Numawan]

A practical example of where it is very useful to point the foot outward: for the leader, a sacada with his right leg followed by a clockwise pivot (see picture). Pointing the foot outward greatly facilitates the pivot. In such a situation, those teachers telling you to point the foot outward are certainly providing good advice in my opinion.



However, what matters here isn't the aesthetic aspect but the functional effect of facilitating the subsequent pivot. Your objective shouldn't be to point your foot outward as much as other people. Your objective should be to point your foot sufficiently outward (compared to YOUR normal angle) in order to achieve a comfortable pivot.

When reading your original post, you seem worried about the fact that you can't point your foot outward as much as other people. However, you don't mention major problems to dance. The latter is what really matters.

BTW, there also situations where you need to point the foot inward. Practical example: for the leader, sacada with the right leg but followed this time by a counterclockwise pivot.



Both pictures come from this performance:

 

[Greybeard]

If you´re taking private lessons, discuss your limitations with the teacher. A good one will be able to work within your limitations. A not so good one will at least not pester you with it. If the teacher keeps insisting on you using his/her idea of perfect form get rid of them. It´s your health.

If it´s all group classes, sharing in class could be a bit embarrassing. Just do what feels comfortable. If the you see the teacher frequently, and they give you a lot of personal attention on foot position, take them aside before or after class.

 

[Warren J. Dew]

Take up international Standard dancing, where mild turn in of the knees is pretty much the normal position?