How do I prevent myself from becoming dizzy and nauseous when I do fast turns while dancing?

Question

I am a tribal fusion bellydancer. In my training I have learned several different kinds of turns. Including types influenced by flamenco, algerian/moroccan/north african dance, american tribal bellydance (ats) and katahk (classical indian). I have had previous training in ballet/classical style turns (very little).

I pride myself in my different kinds of turns and how many and how fast I can do them during dancing-but i have one problem. I always, always get super nauseous and dizzy after.

I would like to start improving my banjara style barrel turns, which im sure will make me even MORE dizzy after.
How do I not only use technique to help this problem, but is there anything I can eat or drink before I dance to help?

Everyone's helping alot but the answer I keep getting is Spotting.
I don't have a problem with spotting. I actually use this technique very well (it's the only way I can do ats style turns with ballance)

What I mean is How do I help my problem DESPITE spotting and focus and practice?

Thanks everyone!

Answer 1

try taking a motion sickness med- but first see your doctor for a full check up and tell them the problem you have with your turns. Also Ginger root is also a natural way to get rid of motion sickness.

Good Luck!

Answer 2

Sorry, but "You should go to the hospital" is the best answer. I can only guess that you went into some sort of shock as a result of your injury? Everyone can react differently to being cut and losing blood. Since you've never experienced this before, and I'll assume you're still concerned, you should see a doctor or go to a hospital. Y!A is not the best place for a 'free' diagnosis.

Answer 3

I have seen ice skaters use a technique that seems to work because I never got dizzy when trying it. What they do is, instead of keeping their face in one direction in relation to their body, they hold their head facing one way while their body spins until they cannot anymore, then turn it to face another direction. It's hard to describe, but imagine it better if you look down at them from overhead. They body keeps spinning in a circle. Their head, on the other hand, stays at one point on the circle, then shifts to the next point and stays there, then shifts to the next one, and so on. It helps keep your equilibrium so you do not get nearly as dizzy.

Answer 4

Ginger settles the stomach, so crystallized ginger pieces might help. But there could be a medical problem--nystagmus, maybe, and you ought to get that checked out.

If you've done all these types of turns, then I'm sure you know the basics about getting your eyes focussed on one spot as long as you can, so you keep coming back to one still point. Because you must know this, I think you ought to see your physician, and describe your problem to him.

Maggie

Answer 5

maybe you're turning to much in your dances; or too fast. for your next dance, try doing a few less turns so you can focus a little better. people will still love you; it doesn't matter how fast you turn or how many turns you can do!

i have the same problem, but it's usually cause im dont spot as well as i should.
good luck with future dance! i hope you get this problem solved quickly! check ya latah!! =))))

with love, lillian jean

Answer 6

Spotting and Focus

So how does one apply focus and spotting, you ask? Well, basically spotting is applied when you are turning solo or are caused to turn. Spotting is the act of causing your head and eyes to "start first" and "finish first" throughout the sequence of spins while keeping your body centered. What’s important about spotting is that you learn how to "separate" your head from your body as you turn. The effect of not spotting is dizziness. Also, since the head is heavy, it needs to be controlled as you cause your body to spin or turn. At first, you will feel the effect of dizziness. Since our eyes are
like the lens on glasses and cameras, you will find yourself going out of focus and then back into focus. Eventually, you’ll become more accustomed to focusing your eyes and balancing your body to accomplish single or multiple turns.

There are several exercises you can practice in order to improve your spotting and focus. Some are stationary exercises and others require traveling from one spot to another. Two have been chosen for this article. They are suggested exercises and by no means the last word in focus and spotting. I’m sure if you ask around, you’ll be referred to other exercises, equally or more advanced. You can try these at home but it is best to practice in a dance studio to prevent injury from bumping into the furniture. Obviously, the exercises require ample space and if done in the home, it is recommended you remove the furniture and any objects that may get in your way.

Let’s begin with a stationary exercise. We’ll start with turning left. While standing straight, turn your head toward the left shoulder. Follow by turning your shoulders in that same direction while simultaneously taking small steps. Keep this motion going until you find you can’t turn your head anymore without bringing your shoulders with you. At this point, bring your shoulders and the rest of your body to meet with your head for a complete turn (you should be at your starting point) This exercise will help you to "separate" the head from the body. This action should eventually help you reduce some of the dizziness that occurs during the learning stages. In addition, it should also ultimately create a "snap" in your turns. Visually, people will see the head whip around before the rest of the body catches up. Like most basic exercises, this stationary exercise is very helpful toward achieving your goal. This exercise is performed slowly so you won’t need the arms for balance yet. You can keep your arms at your sides while you work on isolating your shoulders, the steps, and your head.

The second exercise requires you to move in space. We’ll turn to the right this time. Your goal is to reach the other side of your space while traveling in a straight line. Pick a starting point, then turn your head to the right and focus on an object; a wall, a picture, a person, or a spot (hence spotting). Use this object as a focal point. Apply the same elements from the first exercise and remember to keep your arms raised and aligned with your ribs (I call it the mambo position) as you make your way across the floor. Your steps should be very small and tight while you travel on the balls of your feet. Keep your stomach in and use your inner thighs for assistance. Think of these turns as "Pencil" turns. The name comes from the way the body takes the shape of a pencil while you are turning. These so-called "pencil" turns are very similar to the kind that almost everyone does while dancing. There are exceptions, but for the most part, you should keep both feet on the ground while executing multiple turns (the other options are pirouettes as done in ballet or jazz – but this is not the norm for mambo dancing).

Like everything else -- Practice, Practice, Practice!!!!!!

Answer 7

Okay, I'm not going to give a long paragraph, but all you have to do is spot and keep your eyes on that one spot throughout the turn however you still may feel a little dizzy.

Answer 8

You should use a "spotting" technique. That's where you fix your eyes on a certain spot while you turn and when you get out of range of that spot, then turn your head rapidly the direction of your body and fix your eyes on a new spot. That keeps your head from going round and round and prevents dizziness.

Answer 9

Try taking a motion sickness medicine like over the counter Dramamine, it works for me and whenever I go in long car rides or on a plane or boat I take it before hand and it really helps. There is also a motion sickness patch that can be gotten by prescription through a doctor.


Good Luck

Answer 10

You need to spot! When you turn look at an object before you perform the turn and go for that turn and try to keep your eyes on it at all times by whipping your head around to meet up with your eyes and also focus your eyes insted of letting them go where they want!