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My Journey Through Foot Surgeries and How It Led to the Creation of the Dancer Resilience Program™

Writer's picture: Veronica KVeronica K

If you’ve ever been sidelined by an injury, you know how helpless it can feel to sit and watch your friends continue to train while you’re stuck on the sidelines. I’ve been there more times than I care to admit. After several foot surgeries—including a Kidner procedure to remove my accessory navicular, which unfortunately resulted in the atrophy of my posterior tibialis, and a bone spur on my first metatarsal—I found myself in this exact position. Each time I faced the reality of being non-weight bearing, it was a mental and physical struggle. I couldn’t stand the idea of doing nothing while I watched my strength and technique slowly fade away.


That feeling of helplessness sparked something in me. I knew there had to be a better way for dancers like myself to stay active, engaged, and avoid losing strength and mobility in the rest of their bodies while recovering from an injury. That’s how the Dancer Resilience Program™ was born. I created this program to give dancers the tools to stay strong, both mentally and physically, even when they're unable to bear weight on an injured limb.


What Is the Dancer Resilience Program™?

The Dancer Resilience Program™ is designed for dancers who are recovering from non-weight-bearing injuries but want to maintain strength in other areas of their bodies. It’s about more than just recovery—it’s about preventing the regression that often happens when we’re forced to take time off. This program provides a structured approach to safely maintain strength, flexibility, and mobility in uninjured parts of the body, while allowing the injured area to heal.

It’s suitable for dancers of all ages—whether you’re a 5-year-old just starting out or a senior dancer managing long-term wear and tear. The program is also designed for dance educators who may not know how to handle students with non-weight-bearing injuries. I know from experience how hard it is to sit on the sidelines, watching your friends dance while you take notes. The Dancer Resilience Program™ gives teachers the tools to keep these dancers engaged and progressing, rather than letting them lose valuable time and technique.


Why Working on Other Parts of the Body Matters

During my own recovery, I learned how important it was to keep the rest of my body strong. Research shows that even when you’re non-weight bearing, working on other parts of the body can improve circulation, enhance recovery, and maintain muscle tone.


A study in The Journal of Applied Physiology found that resistance training on uninjured limbs can actually help reduce muscle atrophy and promote circulation to injured areas, supporting the healing process. Similarly, cross-training while injured can prevent significant loss of cardiovascular fitness, strength, and mobility.


That’s exactly what this program focuses on—keeping you active and strong, even when you're not able to dance at full capacity. It’s not a substitute for physical therapy or medical treatment, but it complements those methods by keeping your brain and body engaged. This way, you’re not just sitting out of class and watching your friends dance; instead, you’re actively working toward your return to the studio.


Progressive Return to Ballet Class

One of the biggest challenges with injury recovery is returning to class without losing progress or risking re-injury. The Dancer Resilience Program™ guides you from being non-weight bearing to slowly and safely returning to ballet class. With a carefully structured progression plan, you can build back your strength and technique without the fear of regression. This program is designed to prevent the common mistakes dancers make when rushing back to class, ensuring that you return stronger and more resilient than before.


Injury Prevention for Ballet Dancers

The Dancer Resilience Program™ doesn’t stop at recovery. It includes an entire section dedicated to injury prevention. We cover common injuries ballet dancers face—like snapping hip syndrome, ankle sprains, and foot pain—and provide tools and exercises to prevent these issues from occurring. If I’d had a resource like this during my dance days, it could have saved me from years of pain and frustration. That’s why I’m passionate about helping dancers prevent these injuries before they start.


Join the Dancer Resilience Program™

If you’re a dancer recovering from an injury or a dance educator looking for ways to support injured students, the Dancer Resilience Program™ is for you. Don’t let injury set you back. Keep your body and mind active, prevent future injuries, and return to dance stronger. Click here to learn more and get a special coupon when the program launches!

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