Lighten Your Load

Shoes, snacks, hair supplies, water bottle, a change of clothes—the contents of your dance bag can add up to a heavy load. While you might need all of these things for class, carrying that weight in one big shoulder bag can put considerable strain on your back, neck, and shoulders. In fact, constantly wearing a heavy bag on one shoulder can cause the center of your spine to curve to that side! If you notice one shoulder floating higher than the other, switch to a bag with many sections to distribute the weight of your possessions—and carry only the essentials. Also try wearing a cross-body bag, which provides more support and decreases shoulder imbalance, making sure to shift sides frequently.