Episodes
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Tendonitis in one of the most commonly diagnosed injuries in athletes, and dancers are no exception. In this podcast episode, we dive into all the details about tendon injuries. You'll learn about the role tendons play in movement, why the term tendonitis isn't always correct, common tendon issues we see in dancers, and options for treatment.
Follow me on Instagram: @dancephysioerikaLearn more about me on my website: https://www.allegroperformance.comSign up for my newsletter: Click hereSend me an email: [email protected]
Episode 35: Sprains, Strains and itis's in Dance
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Early Sport Specialization (ESS) has increased in youth sports in recent years. In Part 1 of this series, we discussed exactly what early sport specialize is, some of the reasons why it's gained popularity in the past ~20 years, and what the top 3 concerns with it are.
Follow me on Instagram: @dancephysioerikaLearn more about me on my website: https://www.allegroperformance.comSign up for my newsletter: Click hereSend me an email: [email protected]
In this episode, we discuss the considerations of early sport specialization specifically in dancers, ways we can accommodate dancers training plans and ideas for mitigating some of the potential drawbacks of ESS.
Episode 10: Training Load Management for Dancers
Episode 7: Dance Conditioning - Cross Training vs Supplementary Training
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Missing episodes?
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Early Sport Specialization (ESS) has increased in youth sports in recent years, but it's not without its drawbacks. In this episode, you'll learn what exactly early sport specialize is, some of the reasons why it's gained popularity in the past ~20 years, and what the top 3 concerns with it are. Stay tuned for Part 2 of the episode where we will explore the implications for ESS specifically in dancers, and how we can mitigate some of the potential concerns.
Follow me on Instagram: @dancephysioerikaLearn more about me on my website: https://www.allegroperformance.comSign up for my newsletter: Click hereSend me an email: [email protected]
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With the start of the new dance season in most parts of North America, this episode focuses on considerations that teachers and students should be aware of as they return to the studio. With the absence of a true 'pre-season' in most of the dance world, the start of a new season acts as pre-season and should be treated thus so. In this episode, I discuss what the purpose and goals of a pre-season on, and how teachers and studios can make sure their dancers are safely transitioning back into the dance season.
Follow me on Instagram: @dancephysioerikaLearn more about me on my website: https://www.allegroperformance.comSign up for my newsletter: Click hereSend me an email: [email protected]
Episode 6: Periodization in Dance
Episode 10: Training Load Management for Dancers
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If you've been following me for any length of time you know how obsessed I am with the Olympics. In this episode, I highlight 6 lessons that I think the dance world can learn from the Paris Olympics and the athletes who participated in these games. Have a listen to hear what my biggest takeaways were and how I think they can be applied to the dance industry.
Follow me on Instagram: @dancephysioerikaLearn more about me on my website: https://www.allegroperformance.comSign up for my newsletter: Click hereSend me an email: [email protected]
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One of the questions I commonly get asked from dance teachers and other physiotherapists is what options there are for continuing education when it comes to learning more about dance medicine and science.
Follow me on Instagram: @dancephysioerikaLearn more about me on my website: https://www.allegroperformance.comSign up for my newsletter: Click hereSend me an email: [email protected]
In this episode, I highlight some of my favourite resources for both paid and free courses, workshops, online resources and more. This list is not exhaustive, so if you have favourites I've missed, send me a message and let me know and I'll do an update episode in a few months time.
Resources discussed in this episode:
1. Allegro Performance Dance Teacher Resources
2. International Association for Dance Medicine and Science
3. Healthy Dancer Canada
4. Harkness Center for Dance Injuries
5. The Ballet Blog
6. Dance Medicine Education Initiative
Episode 30: Regulation in the Dance Industry
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In this episode, I'm joined by Ellen Waller from Target Training Dance. Ellen and I first met at an IADMS conference in 2019 and immediately hit it off. We have a similar interest and fascination with how the body works, and have applied this curiosity to careers in dance science. In this episode we discuss Ellen's journey in Irish Dance, how Target Training came to be and how strength and conditioning benefits Irish Dancers. We also dive into flexibility training, and how the Flexibility Foundations program has helped Ellen re-vamp her flexibility training program to get even better results for her Irish Dancers.
Ellen Waller
Ellen is a long time competitive and professional Irish dancer and instructor and has dedicated her life to Irish dance. Her talent as a dancer has lead her to perform for thousands across the world and her passion as an Irish dance instructor has influenced innumerable young dancers.As a young dancer, Ellen recognized the unique physical and mental challenges encountered by elite dancers and athletes. Determined to learn more about supporting young dancers and athletes, she returned to school to complete her Masters of Science in Exercise Science.
Coupling her in-depth experience as an Irish dancer/instructor with her expansive knowledge of kinesiology, Ellen developed the innovative Target Training program; a series of courses and training methods that condition the specific muscles Irish dancers need to:
optimize performanceimprove techniquereduce the risk of injuriesovercome physical and mental challengesperform and compete at an elite level
Follow me on Instagram: @dancephysioerikaLearn more about me on my website: https://www.allegroperformance.comSign up for my newsletter: Click hereSend me an email: [email protected]
You can connect with Ellen:
On Instagram @targettrainingdance
On her website targettrainingdance.com
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Nerve gliding, also known as nerve flossing, is a common treatment technique used in physiotherapy. Recently, it has become more main stream and used not just for injury recovery, but also general performance enhancement and optimal health.
Follow me on Instagram: @dancephysioerikaLearn more about me on my website: https://www.allegroperformance.comSign up for my newsletter: Click hereSend me an email: [email protected]
In this episode, I break down the differences between nerves and other soft tissues, the mechanics involved in nerve gliding techniques, and when nerve glides might be an appropriate modality to use for dancers.
Episode 13: Flexibility for Dancers - The Nervous Systems Role in Mobility
Episode 15: Adolescent Growth Spurt in Dancers
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In this episode, I'm joined by Maria Haralambis - aka The Dance Scientist. We discuss Maria's journey in the dance world, and how she discovered the field of dance science. You discuss the benefits to both dancers and teachers when teachers incorporate dance science into the studio, and how teachers can learn how to do this.
Follow me on Instagram: @dancephysioerikaLearn more about me on my website: https://www.allegroperformance.comSign up for my newsletter: Click hereSend me an email: [email protected]
Maria Haralambis
Maria Haralambis, M.Ed., NASM CES, FMT is a current Ph.D. student, Adjunct Faculty, Social Media Manager, Pre-Pro Ballet Teacher, & CEO of The Dance Scientist, L.L.C. You can see her featured in the November 2024 Dance Magazine issue in the section titled “What Dancers Can Learn from Sports Performance Training.”
She serves 8 roles in boards and committees across organizations including Healthy Dancer Canada, IADMS, and NDEO. As a Pre-Pro Ballet Teacher, her students have attended the following: YAGP, Cecchetti Intensive at Hope College, ABT Summer Intensive, Grand Rapids Ballet Intensive and have won several awards and scholarships; and some now dance professionally.
She holds certifications in Stott Pilates (including ISP) Acrobatic Arts, Cecchetti, Rock Tape, NASM Corrective Exercise, and First Aid. For her Masters Thesis, she conducted her own research study in a Motor Learning lab that analyzed dancers’ balance skills using a computerized forceplate known as the Balance Master.
She teaches at a dance studio, an online Dance Kinesiology course to MFA students at Reinhardt University (Georgia), is a Social Media Manager for several dance organizations, and is a professor for a continuing development course on NDEO’s OPDI platform. Outside of that, her business offers products for Dance Educators, such as Anatomy Posters, E-Book Teaching Resources, Online Courses, her own Dance Science merch, her own blog, and her own Podcast.
You can connect with Maria:
On Instagram @the.dancescientist
On her website www.thedancescientist.com
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Just like many people in helping professions, dance teachers put everything into their students and studios, often at the expense of their own health and wellness. In this podcast episode I discuss 5 things for dance teachers to prioritize when it comes to taking care of their own bodies, so they can continue to teach for years to come.
Follow me on Instagram: @dancephysioerikaLearn more about me on my website: https://www.allegroperformance.comSign up for my newsletter: Click hereSend me an email: [email protected]
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In this episode, I'm joined by Tamara Thompson Levi - the founder, director and CEO of Shine Dance Festival and The Dance Leadership Institute. We discuss Tamara's journey in the dance world: from growing up in Edmonton, AB her professional career that brought her out to Vancouver, BC and her vision to create the competition she felt was missing in the dance world at the time. Tamara is a passionate educator, presenter and event director who's success is grounded in vision, leadership and a values centred business approach.
Follow me on Instagram: @dancephysioerikaLearn more about me on my website: https://www.allegroperformance.comSign up for my newsletter: Click hereSend me an email: [email protected]
Tamara Thompson Levi
A passionate educator, presenter, and event director, Tamara is the founder, director, and CEO of Shine Dance Festival and The Dance Leadership Institute.
Tamara found her second home in the dance studio where she started training in tap and jazz at age 3 in Edmonton, Alberta. By 15 she was performing in industrials, on camera, and on stage and, fresh out of high school, at 17, she took the leap and moved to Vancouver to launch her dance career. She has danced on stages around the world for companies including Alberta Ballet, Calvin Klein, MAC Cosmetics, New Balance, and Festival Cruise Line. She has appeared on screen in an assortment of TV movies, commercials, music videos, and the award-winning dance film Black Angels.
In the early 2000’s she began teaching dance on a regular basis and found a true sense of purpose as an educator teaching dance in studios, schools, and at events across Canada leading master classes, preparing students for exams and competitions, and teaching at the post-secondary level on faculty at Capilano University and TDI Professional Dance Training Program in Vancouver. She completed the Youth Protection Advocates in Dance certification in 2019 and is deeply committed to promoting a wellness-centered approach to dance culture.
In 2005, seeking to create a more holistic environment for the next generation of dancers, Tamara started Shine Dance Festival, a series of annual dance events for youth. Through her unique vantage point as a competition director, she has become a mentor and leader in Canada's dance community, especially notable during the pandemic where she facilitated virtual sessions for teachers and studio owners to navigate the continuous changes together in a supportive space. Also an active mentor with WeBC for women entrepreneurs, Tamara has been leading live and online programs and events that bridge communities and empower dancers, educators, and business owners across Canada and beyond.
You can connect with Tamara at:
Shine Dance Festival
The Dance Leadership Institute
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No one wants to get injured while away at a summer intensive, but the reality is injuries are an unfortunate part of dance. Some dancers will come into an intensive already dealing with an injury, while others may suffer an injury while away at the intensive. In this podcast episode I'll go over things to consider and ways to manage injuries while at a summer intensive.
Follow me on Instagram: @dancephysioerikaLearn more about me on my website: https://www.allegroperformance.comSign up for my newsletter: Click hereSend me an email: [email protected]
Other episodes to check out:
Episode 16 - Dancer First Aid PEACE & LOVE
Episode 21 - Considerations for Summer Intensives
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In this episode, I'm joined by Lindsay Daniels from The Movement Project. We discuss her journey in the dance world, the injury that led her to a career in teaching, and how she ended up in a public high school setting. Lindsay is a strong advocate for the benefits of dance education as skills for life, and provides opportunities for dancers in both her high school program and community based dance program in the Durham, Ontario region.
Follow me on Instagram: @dancephysioerikaLearn more about me on my website: https://www.allegroperformance.comSign up for my newsletter: Click hereSend me an email: [email protected]
Lindsay Daniels is an educator, adjudicator, curriculum writer, and speaker with over 25 years of experience in the dance education industry. She is currently on faculty with the Durham District School Board as a Dance Education Specialist in Oshawa, Ontario and is the founder of The Movement Project, an organization committed to best practices in Dance training, and pedagogy. Lindsay has a Bachelor of Kinesiology from McMaster University, is certified with the Ontario College of Teachers, she is a faculty member of the ADAPT Teacher Training School and a guest speaker at the Toronto Dance Teacher Conference. Lindsay is always eager to connect with other dance professionals, to create a safer and more inclusive dance community.
You can connect with Lindsay Daniels at:
The Movement Project Website
The Movement Project IG Account
Maxwell Heights SS Dance IG Account
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Hyperextension at the knee is an aesthetic that is often valued and sought after in the dance world. Those that don't have it want it, but those who have it know it be can a challenge to manage and isn't always a blessing.
Follow me on Instagram: @dancephysioerikaLearn more about me on my website: https://www.allegroperformance.comSign up for my newsletter: Click hereSend me an email: [email protected]
There is ongoing debate about how to manage knee hyperextension in dancers - do we let dancers use this range in order to achieve the desired lines that it provides, or do we limit their range for the sake of joint health and longevity?
In this episode of the podcast, I break down what exactly knee hyperextension is, when we might allow a dancer to utilize this hyperextension and ways we can help dancers learn to control this mobility and keep their knees happy and healthy.
Episode 12: Flexibility for Dancers Part 2 - The Truth About Overstretching
TEACHERS! Check out the new FREE 3 Cues for Teachers to Ditch in Dance guide.
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Dance is one of the most physically demanding activities and dancers are continually pushing their body's to the limit. Some aches/pains/niggles are to be expected when pushing our physical boundaries, but how do you determine when something is just a niggle and when it's actually an injury? In today's episode I discuss things to consider to help you determine when you can just carry on as usual, and when it might be time to admit that an injury is an injury, and likely needs medical attention.
Follow me on Instagram: @dancephysioerikaLearn more about me on my website: https://www.allegroperformance.comSign up for my newsletter: Click hereSend me an email: [email protected]
TEACHERS! Check out the new FREE 3 Cues for Teachers to Ditch in Dance guide.
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Ever wondered what the difference between a sprain and a strain is? And which one is a more severe injury? In this episode I discuss the difference between sprains, strains and all the -itis injuries in dance. Knowing how dance injuries are classified can help dancers understand the nature of their injury, as well as facilitate communication with teachers and healthcare teams.
Follow me on Instagram: @dancephysioerikaLearn more about me on my website: https://www.allegroperformance.comSign up for my newsletter: Click hereSend me an email: [email protected]
TEACHERS! Check out the new FREE 3 Cues for Teachers to Ditch in Dance guide.
Episode 20: Ankle Sprains in Dancers
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In this episode, I'm joined by one of my long time teachers and mentors, Astrid Sherman. We discuss the pros and cons to implementing a syllabus system for dance training, as well as some of the commonalities and differences with different syllabus around the world.
Follow me on Instagram: @dancephysioerikaLearn more about me on my website: https://www.allegroperformance.comSign up for my newsletter: Click hereSend me an email: [email protected]
Astrid Sherman is currently the Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing (ISTD) International Representative for the Americas’ and guest teaching between Los Angeles, Vancouver, and Spain. After dancing professionally with the Natal Performing Arts Council in South Africa, she immigrated to Canada. There she was artistic director of a large ISTD-based professional training school in Vancouver for 16 years, with many graduates being accepted into companies and prestigious post-graduate programs internationally. She has a Fellowship teaching qualification from the ISTD in Imperial Classical Ballet. Her BSc focused in Kinesiology and Gerontology from SFU in Canada and her MA in Dance Pedagogy was from Middlesex University in the UK. She is on the International Association for Dance Medicine & Science (IADMS) Dance Educators’ Committee where she is very much involved in organizing Regional and Outreach Virtual Dance Science events. Astrid has presented dance research at many IADMS & Healthy Dancer Canada conferences and has published in the Journal Dance Medicine & Science. She also acts as the Dancer Wellness Advisor for Ballet Beyond Borders.
You can also connect with Astrid Sherman at:
Website: https://astridshermancatchingart.com/
Email: [email protected]
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When we think of rest, we typically just think of physical rest. But that's just one of 7 different types of rest - as described by Dr. Saundra Dalton-Smith. In this episode, I outline the 7 different types of rest we should consider, and how we can incorporate them not just into post season, but throughout the dance season as well.
Follow me on Instagram: @dancephysioerikaLearn more about me on my website: https://www.allegroperformance.comSign up for my newsletter: Click hereSend me an email: [email protected]
Episode 6: Periodization in Dance
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I continue to hear stories of dancers being penalized for being injured by being pulled from dances or not being allowed to perform. In this episode, I dive into why I think dance is one of the greatest activities to modify in terms of rehabilitation, and how we as a dance culture can accommodate these modifications to ensure our dancers stay safe while continuing to be able to participate in the activity they love.
Follow me on Instagram: @dancephysioerikaLearn more about me on my website: https://www.allegroperformance.comSign up for my newsletter: Click hereSend me an email: [email protected]
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With the end of the dance year fast approaching, it's time to consider what the off season is going to look like for you or your dancers. In this episode, I cover what an ideal post season and off season should and could look like. I dive into what the goals of the off season really are and how you can use the off season to set yourself up for success for the coming dance year.
Follow me on Instagram: @dancephysioerikaLearn more about me on my website: https://www.allegroperformance.comSign up for my newsletter: Click hereSend me an email: [email protected]
Episode 6: Periodization in Dance
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