Real life I love the feeling that exercise gives me Former professional dancer Alison Bailey, 51, was a FLexercise fitness teacher before being diagnosed with osteoarthritis. Her hip-replacement operation then revealed another issue that would test her resilience but her love of dance, exercise and kayaking has helped her stay strong As told to: Phil Lattimore I was a trained ballet dancer, though I learned other forms of dance too, including modern and tap. I earned my Equity card and had a few auditions for West End shows before I joined a small contemporary dance group at 19. I danced professionally until I was 25, performing all over the world with a wide variety of artists and performers, and at many of the big nightclubs in London. I stopped touring with the company after I got married and had children. Mymarriage fell apart when my children were really young, however, so I needed something solid, locked down, work-wise. Thats when I decided to train to be a Fitness League teacher (which was recently rebranded as To help influence how healthcare FLexcercise). services are provided, go to england. My grandmother was a founder member of the organisation in the 1930s, when it was known as the nhs.uk/participation Womens League of Health and Beauty, and it was massive in the UK. My mother followed her and became a teacher, so it seemed the right way forward for me when I was exploring possibilities related to exercise classes. All our work at FLexercise is based around music and movement. We deliver classes using the Bagot Stack system, designed around posture, wellbeing and health. We do all sorts of core-stability exercises based on rhythmic dance movement. It works well with our member audience, who are aged around 50-plus. It took a year of training before I set up my first class. Then I did a childrens bolt-on course and went on to teach dance in schools. It was really successful and I absolutely loved it. It was so rewarding, and I was upset when I had to give it up because of my osteoarthritis. Finding out That was six years ago. I was competing in a modern jive competition and, afterwards, I felt my right hip go ping. I tried to ignore it and carry on working but, eventually, it was so painful that I had to visit the doctor. I had a labral tear, and I was sent for an x-ray and an MRI scan. It soon became apparent that my injury was more serious I also had degenerative osteoarthritis, and thickening around the joint, which made the tendons weak. I had two hook spurs on both hips that I was born with; my hips used to clunk a bit when I was dancing, but I didnt realise at the time what it was. When youre dancing, you push, push, push, and do crazy things with your legs. I was shocked and devastated when Ireceived my diagnosis. I had really been pushing myself dancing, exercising and running outdoors, whichI loved, so I was mega-fit and super-ripped and that must have helped keep my body going. But the tearwas the start of it and showed that my hips were worn out. The doctors said I would have got osteoarthritis anyway, but it had happened much sooner because of the dancing. I took steroid medication for a while, but then stopped, as it wasnt making any difference to my condition. In 2015, I had microfracture surgery to try to create some kind of cartilage growth. Ispent six weeks not putting any weighton my joints after that, and it was agony but it was a waste of time; itdidnt work. I had my right hip-replacement operation in July 2016. When they opened me up, however, You can find a FLexercise class for the consultant discovered my hip socket was much worse than expected. I had very shallow hip flexible, friendly sockets so because of my type of work they gave me a setting which made my right leg 5cm fitness at longer, to make it stable and prevent it from constantly dislocating. That means I have to wear built-up shoes on my short leg. I just push through it, but walking is now the hardest thing like fl-exercise.com driving a car with a flat tyre. Supportive friends Recovery took much longer than I expected, because of the additional joint issues, so I didnt get back to teaching for nearly four months. Other FLexercise teachers nearby rallied around and helped me out with classes. Theyre like a family to me. I still run my classes, and Im still adapting my life around my hip. When its difficult, I listen to my body I dont push myself too far. The worst thing is not sleeping. I dont want to take strong pharmaceutical drugs, so Ive gone down a more holistic route. I try to watchmyweight because I know that being overweight is not good for joints. Diet is really important, too. I have to avoid certain things or I can have flare-ups. Idont often drink alcohol, for instance, as I know my joints will suffer the next day. Im due to have my left hip replaced towards the end of this year. My aim, when I go in, is to make sure Im the fittest I can possibly be. Being fit gives you the best possible chance for a good recovery. You have to work hard at it, but,mentally, youve got to be positive. Im pretty resilient; I wont let this beat me. Iwont let life get me down Ill just keep ploughing through. And, once I have the other hip done, Ill be 5cm taller than I was originally. The consultant says he will level out both legs and thatll make life so mucheasier for me. If it goes to plan Ishould be able to dance again though I wont be able to do the splits or high kicks any more. Keep moving Its so important with arthritis to keep moving. You need to stay flexible and exercise your joints. Cycling is good, or any gentle light exercise and strengthening work, but youve got to listen to your body. If I hadnt been an active exerciser, my recovery would have taken much, much longer. Theres no way I would have been able to do what I do and be as fit as I am. Im a lot more sensitive now, and aware of other peoples needs in my teaching. Having osteoarthritis has really made me rethink what I deliver inmy classes. Because I loved to dance, I was all about come on, lets mambo! but now Im more aware of people with the condition, and how much it can hurt. I do more strengthening exercises and resistance than Ive ever done, because it helps to protect joints. Im not a gym bunny I find that quite a soulless experience. I did used tolove running, however, and Im hopingthat, after my second hip is done, Ill be able to get back to this. Ilove the feeling that exercise gives me Ilike those happy endorphins running through my body. I discovered kayaking a few years ago in Devon with my sister; we tried it out with some friends and, three weeks later, wed bought two new kayaks. Wewent in as novices, but its the best thing, and I completely love it. We take them out in open water on the sea its fantastic exercise and really good for your soul. I feel happy every time Im in it. I think its so important for people with arthritis to find something that makes them happy.