Advice for dancers.

I'VE SUBSCRIBED TO DANCE MAGAZINE FOR YEARS, AND YOUR COLUMN IS ONE OF THE FIRST THINGS I READ EACH MONTH FOR YOUR EXCELLENT ADVICE. HOWEVER, IN RESPONSE TO "ANONYMOUS" WITH SORE KNEES (SEE ADVICE FOR DANCERS, DANCE MAGAZINE, JUNE, PAGE 13), MAY I SUGGEST ANOTHER POSSIBILITY FOR HER PAIN BESIDES OVERTRAINING? DANCERS WORK WITH TURNED-OUT HIPS AND FEET, WHILE MOST EXERCISES AT A GYM ARE DONE IN A PARALLEL POSITION. WHEN I MOVED FROM DANCE CLASS TO THE GYM MY KNEES ALSO FELT AWFUL UNTIL A TRAINER MODIFIED EXERCISES TO INCLUDE A SLIGHT TURNOUT. NOW, WHILE OTHERS' FEET POINT STRAIGHT AHEAD ON THE EFX ELLIPTICAL FITNESS CROSSTRAINER MACHINE, MINE ARE AS TURNED OUT AS THE MACHINE ALLOWS. AND THE KNEE PAIN IS GONE!--TONI MULLER FROM SPRINGFIELD, OREGON Your point about turnout is well taken. In fact, this is one of the major advantages of the Pilates system, because it allows dancers to exercise in their position of function. Still, Anonymous's knee pain occurred while dancing, not working out at the gym, suggesting that the problem arose from too much training. Dance medicine specialists tell me that a common knee injury due to overwork is a strained tendon, causing patellar tendinitis ("jumper's knee"). Telltale signs include pain in front of flee knee when landing from a jump or going down stairs. The first step toward recovery is to reduce training or even take time off, especially if the dancer has the luxury of a summer break or layoff. If the pain continues, see a physical therapist or orthopedist for a correct diagnosis and treatment plan. Smart dancers know that the best way to treat overuse injuries is to address them before they become chronic problems.

I RECENTLY STARTED TAKING HIP-HOP CLASSES WITH MY GIRLFRIEND AND WAS SURPRISED AT HOW GOOD IT FELT TO WORK OUT AGAIN. I LOVED DOING TRACK IN HIGH SCHOOL, BUT I DIDN'T KNOW YOU COULD GET THE SAME FEELING FROM DANCE. IS IT A CHEMICAL THING?--HOOKED ON DANCE Intense exercise, whether it's from sports or dance, has the power to release the body's endorphins, natural morphine-like chemicals that calm your nerves while producing feelings of satisfaction, euphoria, and a greater tolerance for pain. This reaction is often referred to as the "runner's high." Other pleasurable experiences, such as laughter, soothing music, meditation, and sweets, can also elevate endorphins. In the latter case, food cravings usually accompany periods of stress or hormonal changes two weeks before a woman's menstrual cycle. They may also be associated with seasonal affective disorder, a form of depression related to lack of sunlight.

WHY DO DANCE TEACHERS SNUB STUDENTS WHO DROP OUT OF THE PROFESSION? BOTH MY DAUGHTERS WERE GIVEN THE COLD SHOULDER AT A RECENT DANCE RECITAL BY A FROSTY INSTRUCTOR, AFTER YEARS OF FRIENDLY GREETINGS WHEN THEY WERE HER STUDENTS. DON'T THESE TEACHERS KNOW THAT FORMER DANCERS COMPRISE A MAJOR PART OF THEIR FUTURE AUDIENCE?--ANGRY MOTHER Hopefully, your experience does not reflect the behavior of most dance teachers, although I've seen this happen, too. The snubbing may come from those who are still dancing, or it can occur when students change schools. It's possible that those who continue in dance think that those who drop out have made the wrong choice, looking down on them for not being "tough enough" to stick it out. Teachers can also be fiercely possessive about holding on to their students. It's also possible that the "snub" might simply be a lack of recognition on the part of the teacher.

Dancers discontinue their training for a variety of reasons, including competing interests and talents. Teachers who treat former dance students with warmth and respect exhibit not only personal maturity but an appreciation for the bonds that exist between the profession and the steadfast loyalty of its fans.

I'M 17 YEARS OLD AND ALL I WANT TO DO IS DANCE, IT DOESN'T BOTHER ME THAT I DON'T HAVE A BOYFRIEND. BUT MY YOUNGER SISTER TEASES ME ABOUT IT ALL THE TIME AND SAYS HER FRIENDS THINK I'M WEIRD, ISN'T IT NORMAL FOR DANCERS NOT TO DATE? NONE OF MY FRIENDS IN BALLET HAVE BOYFRIENDS.--BORED WITH BOYS Sometimes it's hard for people outside the profession to understand the total commitment it takes to become a dancer. While this doesn't preclude having a boyfriend, dance training can make dating less compelling for several reasons. First, there's the time element. Dancers who train at the advanced level often take two or more classes a day, six days a week, in addition to their academic studies. With so little free time, they may find it more difficult to socialize than their nondancing friends. Dancers also have to contend with the problem of fatigue after dancing all week. Last but not least, intense physical exercise can delay pubertal development years beyond the average age of menarche (approximately 12) in the United States. The result is that dancers often exhibit less interest in dating until their hormones kick in several years later.

SEND YOUR QUESTIONS TO: Linda Hamilton, Ph.D., at 2000 Broadway, PH2C, New York, NY 10023 and read her answers exclusively in DANCE MAGAZINE.

Former New York City Ballet dancer Linda Hamilton, Ph.D., is a lecturer, a psychologist in private practice, and author of Advice for Dancers (Jossey-Bass). She has been offering advice to DANCE MAGAZINE readers since 1992.