For many dancers, by November many competition routines have started and that means dancing more hours and lot of stress on your body.  Are you taking care of yourself?  It is normal to have aches and pains after dance or the next day but when those aches turn into a nagging pain that won’t go away what are you doing?  Most dancers continue to dance through it.  You are athletes, you are tough and you don’t show weakness.  I have learned that it is not weakness to get those injuries looked at.

Just recently, my daughter told me that her hip and shoulder were bothering her.  The hip, I attributed to growing.  She has grown several inches in the past year and has had to deal with the joint and muscle pain that goes along with that.  The shoulder, I wasn’t sure about but I pushed it aside and hoped it would get better on its own.  When the pain in her body started to impact her ability in class, I decided to get her to the chiropractor.  Turns out her shoulder was the easy fix.  A very tight trapezius muscle that was causing shoulder pain.  Her chiropractor did Active Release Therapy (ART) and loosened it up.  All good.  The hip is more of a problem.  But with adjustments, ice, ART, low volt and laser 2 times a week for a couple of weeks, she should be better.  Of course, like all dancers, she is her own worst enemy and doesn’t want to show weakness in class so doesn’t want to take it easy.  Why are dancers so stubborn?  Is it because they feel they have to prove something?  Is it because they are in constant competition with themselves and others?  I don’t know.  Given that she is 12, I decided to tell her teachers she has to be careful for a couple of weeks.  I knew she wouldn’t, and that was confirmed by one of her teachers.

Listen to your bodies, fuel your bodies with healthy food, and take care of your bodies.  You only have one!  I have always been a believer in chiropractic care as well as massage therapy.  I trust my health care practitioners 100%.  They have always treated my children and myself with respect, care and they are passionate about helping people.

If you live in the Oshawa area and need someone to help you call McAllister Chiropractic Clinic on Ontario St.  905-433-4131 They offer chiropractic services as well as acupuncture and Active Release Therapy.  My massage therapist is one of the best and she is located in Whitby.  Give Jennifer Densham a call at 905-391-5530.

We are about one week away from a new dance season starting.  Some of you probably feel like last season hasn’t ended and many dancers have been in summer conventions and intensives.

If you are new to the dance world at a recreational or competitive level, Sequels and Sequins should be your first stop!  We have hundreds of pairs of gently used ballet, jazz, tap, and hip hop shoes.  If your child is just starting out and you are not sure if they are going to enjoy dancing, buying gently used shoes and dancewear is the way to go.  Why put out the expense of brand new when you can get perfectly good shoes at 50-70% less?

Competitive parents…we have hundreds of beautiful costumes for significantly less.  Stunning tutus, gorgeous dresses, sassy jazz costumes…you name it, we probably have it!  Don’t forget, we also embellish costumes, so if you think the costume is great, but it needs some extra sparkle to make it unforgetable, we can do that for you too.  Our prices are very reasonable and we offer an excellent quality stone.

New this year…we now except Cash, Cheque, Debit, Visa and Mastercard.  With so many payment options, you won’t have to go find a bank machine anymore.  We are excited to offer this new service to our clients.

Also new, we are the exclusive Gaynor Minden dealer east of Toronto.  Gaynor Minden make amazing pointe shoes that are actually comfortable!  They are not a paper glue shoe, and offer much more support, not to mention they make everyone’s foot look FABULOUS!!!

!!!!!COMING SOON!!!!!  Sugar and Bruno dance wear.  This is a line of t shirts, sweats and accessories, that dancers love.  The celebrity line features designs by Stacey Tookey, Mollee Gray, Chelsie Hightower and more!

With all of the exciting new things happening at Sequels and Sequins, how can you not come in!

I am so excited to announce this news officially.  The order should be here next week and we will be ready to start fitting by July 18th!!!!  If your child is en pointe, you will definately want to check out this shoe.  Until now it has only been available in Toronto.  We will be the official dealer of Gaynor Minden shoes between Toronto and Port Hope and Oshawa to Lindsay.  This is very exciting for people who have made that long drive into Toronto!

Why should you wear Gaynor Minden shoes?  The answer is simple.  They are amazing!  Here are just a few reasons why principal dancers and soloists all over the world are switching Gaynor Minden.

1)  Gaynor Minden pointe shoes were developed in consultation with, and are recommended by, doctors and physical therapists who specialize in the treatment of dancers.

2)  Conventional pointe shoes (Paper and glue) break in unevenly so the platform ceases to be level.  This creates more potential for the dancer to be out of alignment en pointe, which stresses the joints, particularly the ankle.  Due to the improper alignment the dancer risks stress fractures and other injury due to lack of shock absorption.

3)  Gaynor Minden pointe shoes are made with high tech cushioning material.  They are made with Rogers Corporation Poron 4000 which carries the Americal Podiatric Medical Association Seal of Acceptance.

4)  The shanks are unbreakable and pre arched in 5 different shank types for strong consistent support right where it is needed the most.  We will be carrying the 3 most popular shank types unless special ordered.

5)  The elastomeric boxes cannot be softened or broken in.  The sides never round down to permit “sickling” and “winging”.  These are two issues with alignment that can cause damage to a dancers feet and ankles.

6)  Finally, Gaynor Minden pointe shoes make the dancer roll up to pointe and balance with proper alignment for correct technique.  This is why they are wonderful for dancers just starting out and experienced dancers!

Once a dancer tries Gaynor Minden Pointe Shoes, they rarely to back to the paper and glue constructed shoe.  Gaynor Minden’s have a higher price point but they last up to 28 times longer than the conventional point shoes.  I know several girls who have switched and LOVE them.  In fact my daughter says it is like being in a running shoe on your toes!!!

Not only does Gaynor Minden have amazing pointe shoes, they also have lines of leotards and tights.  We will be stocked up in some of the more simple looking body suits but will be able to order at anytime if there is something you like!  Also, the Gaynor Minden tights are fabulous.  The are micro fibre and incredibly comfortable.

Price point for Pointe shoes (unless special order is required) will be $135.00

If you are interested in a fitting, please call.  Our hours are not consistent in the summer but will be in September.  I look forward to introducing many young dancers to this amazing line of shoes.