yes, she needs to talk to a health care pro- scoliosis is kind of a catch all term for curvature of the back, which can be in various directions and caused by various things- in general, exercise should help her limber up, but she needs to talk to a physical therapist, chiropractor, back specialist, structural integration practitioner, etc. before you will know how to help her. I give general strength/flexibility exercises to all my students, but there is only so much you can do, you are NOT a medical care provider! I do have scoliosis, and have worked with all of the above- mine is getting better, but that is not always the case- a friend of mine has a degenerative case and she works hard just to maintain what she has.

Dear Liz
I have had a mild congenital scoliosis myself. After many years of yoga, gymnastics and dancing people never know until I tell them (including my osteopath!). I think specific exercises from a physio/osteopath as well as geernal pilates/yoga to stretch adn tone the midriff is the key.
And yes, I agree that it may take a little longer to get the moves and maintenance of flexibility may just require a little extra effort. Work in a mirror to maintain symmetry of movment is paramount here. I think openly telling the student that, but remind her that this is one of the best things you could do for such a condition and the outlook is optimistic!!
Cheers
Vonika

I was diagnosed with scoliosis over 30 years ago. Whoever diagnosed her should have given her a list of exercises with drawings you should look at. They are rudimentary at best. This dance forms drills and isolations lends itself very well to the flexibilty and range of movement she will need to maintain. But as with any individual, each scoliosis patient is different.
I really feel there needs to be a link here, between the young girl newly diagnosed, alone in her room, faced with an extreme body acceptance issue and the all shape accepting world of "go female beauty" in belly dance.
Cat/dog pose of yoga is also very beneficial "to me."
Like wise she should take a list of your exercises, drills, and isolations to her healthcare provider.
I think you will all be pleased with how well they mesh.
Chiro, ortho, osteo, yoga, massage, and belly dance can have a symbiotic relationship and keep this dancer living relatively pain free.
She's really going to have to learn her body's signals as to what too much is.
"No" can be a really good word, but can be the hardest to say to ourselves.
The tenseness and stiffness may be from the vertabrae coming too close together with an already compressed disc on one side. The torque of the spine will work better in one direction than the other. This is of course assuming that her curve is thoracic and not lumbar or cervical.
The concave or convex shape of the ribcage will also create some resistance to the movements but these can be overcome.
But all of the above should be discussed with her care provider.