Hiroichi Tategata's Danceable LIFE Vol.3

A dancer's body is their greatest asset!
Hirokazu Tategata (dancer and choreographer)

I had to withdraw from "Hoshikuzu Pump" which started in September due to an injury. I sincerely apologize for causing you all so much worry and inconvenience.
Thanks to my dedication to rehabilitation, I am recovering well. I will do my best to be able to stand in front of you all in good health on the stage of THE CONVOY SHOW in December, so please look forward to it!

I took this opportunity to reflect on how I develop my body as a dancer.
I currently train with a personal trainer twice a week. However, this is a habit I only got into in my late 30s, and I didn't put in much effort when I was younger. I was very skinny, and even though it was something I felt self-conscious about, I just assumed that it couldn't be helped because I was not built to gain muscle. I had a low muscle mass for my height, so I had a lot of injuries, but in my 20s, even if I was tired, I would feel better after a night's sleep, and my injuries would heal quickly. It's a bad story, considering that a dancer's body is their capital.

I met my current trainer when I was 37 years old.

"The engine is too small in its current state, meaning there is not enough working muscle mass to deliver good performance."

I remember him saying that. Just like with a car, if you make the engine bigger and move your body in a relaxed position, you can perform more delicately. I was convinced by that idea, so I had him create a menu for me and started training right away.

That being said, it was tough at first. You just keep doing boring training and it's hard to see any visible results or changes. But that situation started to change after about three months. As my body shape started to change visibly, I started to enjoy it, and I was relieved from the back pain and numbness in my fingers that I was constantly bothered by, so my life became easier.

And best of all, I stopped getting injured. I really felt that this is what it means to train your body.

Since then, I always think about the strength and stamina required for the next production and do detailed training menus. The demands differ depending on whether it's hard dancing or acting.
Also, when you get injured like this time, it's important to approach it with a schedule for your return in mind. Believe it or not, this time I started rehabilitation the day after the surgery. Of course, I won't be able to move my injured right leg right away, but by stimulating the muscles in my left leg, I can prevent the muscles in my right leg from weakening to some extent. This is because I instinctively try to keep both legs in balance, but the human body is strange, isn't it?

By meeting a trainer who understands my body and can be trusted, I was able to go on stage with more confidence and my performance improved. We often hear that the mind and body are connected, and this is absolutely true. For example, even when I sprain my ankle, if my trainer says, "I'll tape it up properly, so you'll be fine," I can concentrate on dancing with peace of mind.

My goal is to continue to stand on stage as a performer with a strong presence, with a body and mind full of tension, no matter how old I get. To achieve this, I think it is necessary to keep up with maintenance and to face my body properly.

Photo courtesy of Don Giovanni
https://tabelog.com/tokyo/A1317/A131705/13154500/