Dance Conditioning Technique On-Demand Video Workouts
Go beyond "dance fitness"! Take your training (and your teaching!) to the next level with neuroscience, biomechanics, and fascia research for dancer specific protocols for better stability, improved turnout and extensions Learn how to REALLY train your core with science based exercises for neurological reaction timing.
The majority of conditioning programs just build strength on top of muscular imbalance and misalignments. DCT helps you understand how to reset your body and build balanced strength!
Workout with DCT to support injury rehabilitation, supplement professional training for improved technique, and bring all dancing bodies into balance for ease and joy in movement!
Train with the best! Susan Haines brings 20+ years of in-depth research in dance science to bring you cutting edge exercises that go deeper than the usual fitness based programs. As a Level III NeuroKinetic Therapy practitioner and Functional Range Conditioning coach, along with Pilates, Yoga, AcuKinesis, and Fascial Dynamic Certifications, Susan takes you on a deep dive of body knowledge with functional training videos designed especially for dancers!
How to Get Started with the Training:
Begin with the Foundational Videos for Core, Gluteal and Hip Regions, Foot/Ankle for 3-5 times per week for 3-4 weeks to reset alignment and movement patterns, then proceed to the Advanced Versions and train with these exercises 3-5 times per week for 3-4 weeks. It is recommended that you build awareness of new initiations and patterning here before proceeding to the shorter "Warm-Up" videos as theses assume efficient joint centrification and alignment for proper muscular activation. Continue with alternating Foundational and Advanced for each region to augment and maintain strength gains and neuromuscular improvements.
Sample Schedule of 6 Days Per Week Training Practice: Monday Foundational Core, Tuesday Advanced Gluteal Work and Foot/Ankle Warm-up, Wednesday Fascial Glide Warm-up, Thursday Core Reaction Training, Friday Fascial Glide Warm Up and Diaphragm and Breathwork, Saturday day off! Sunday Fascial Glide Warm-up and Solutions for Tight Hip Flexors.
Dancers can also 'self-identify' and select their own training journey based on prior injuries and physicality needs.
DCT is also happy to consult on a path for you!
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Fascial Glide Warm-Up
This is a great way to start your day, or to warm-up before class or rehearsal with exercises to find fascial glide for greater range of motion and mobility.
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Fascial Glide for Upper Trunk
Resolve sensations of tightness through the upper and mid thoracic regions with exercises that open the front of the chest, establish thoracic mobility and improved postural support for the upper trunk. Props Needed: Long foam roller or towel to substitute, 3-8 lb hand weight, pinky or tennis ball.
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Finding Fascial Glide: Oblique Slings
Introduction to fascial glide for trunk and hip stability through the anterior and posterior oblique sling systems. Exercises that help dancers find functional core support through the tensioning of fascial lines, using the spine and trunk as an "engine" to generate power from a stable platform. ...
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Core Foundations
A dancer specific core training program that builds core support through the fascial lines of the body. Learn how to train the core timing to react/predict the activation needed for dynamic movement.
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Foundational Trunk Stability: Oblique Slings
Building on concepts from Core Foundations, these new exercises develop lumbopelvic and thoracic control through slow, rotational movements to activate and bring awareness to the anterior and posterior oblique slings.
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Foundations in Gluteal Training for Dancers
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Foundational Ankle and Foot Mechanics
A detailed look at the relationship of the foot and ankle for improved stability. You will learn exercises to improve ease at the front of the ankle with talus glide, and discover imbalances in rotation and initiation that can inhibit stability, and proper foot and ankle mechanics.
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Breath Work: Respiratory and Pelvic Floor Diaphragms
Learn how to access ease in breath for exertion, finding a connection to the pelvic floor and creating intra-abdominal pressure. Many dancers overwork the scalenes and breath in a "top of the lungs" style that does not promote efficiency in movement. This video takes you deeper into the connectio...
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Spine Connections and Thoracic Mobility
Connect to the coil and recoil of fascial dynamics and spinal movement. Find ease through the mid-back and integrate the front and back fascial lines of the trunk. Props needed: a roller or a ball, chair, and a small towel or yoga mat.
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Training Core Reaction Timing
Learn how to train the core neurologically with patterning for appropriate prediction of muscle firing to support advanced movement.
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Advanced Gluteal Training for Dancers
Advanced fascial glide and muscle activation to support the hip joint. Includes warm up series from Gluteal Foundations.
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Advanced Foot and Ankle Stability Through Fascial Glide
A thorough warm up and strengthening series for feet and ankles that prepares the dancer for faster movements and weight shifts.
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Ankle and Foot Warm-up
A short but thorough warm-up to activate ankles, feet, and lower legs with exercises that connect to the pelvis and trunk. You'll use a pinky ball/tennis ball and a 12 inch theraband loop. A great way to start your day when you are short on time!
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Solutions for Tight Hip Flexors
Neuroscience based exercises and alignment strategies to balance the hip and activate the glutes.
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Restoring Fascial Glide for External Rotators and Improved Turnout
Excerpt from the Gluteal workout series when you need to activate the glutes and hip region and are short on time!
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Intrinsic Foot Strengthening for Dancers During Quarantine
Dancing on less than ideal surfaces can compress the foot and limit much needed mobility and connection to the core. Specific exercises to restore the spring in your step and improve stability and mobility through the foot and ankle.Train the joints of the lower body to safely decelerate for grea...
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Balancing a Posterior Pelvic Tilt
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Balancing an Anterior Pelvic Tilt
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Yoga for Dancers: Hip Socket Stability
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Yoga for Dancers Stability Flow
A 60 minute yoga class focusing on activating support through the hands, wrists, and shoulders, moving into grounded hip work to engage the gluteals and legs. Dancers will find stability through choreographed transitions that build connections to the spine and core.
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Yoga for Dancers Transition Flow
Prepare your body for supported positions and transitions with isometric strengthening for wrists, arms, and shoulders and functional gluteal work put to the test with flowing transitions.
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Balancing the Hamstrings and Quads
Learn how to balance the hamstrings and quadriceps for ease in movement, including improved extensions and stability through the hip and knee.
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Dance Teacher's Workshop "What to do About the Butt?"
A workshop that addresses the conflicting opinions about how we train and use the butt in dance, with corresponding exercises to incorporate in technique classes for greater awareness and hip socket freedom.
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Balancing the Neck
Build awareness, centering, and balance to the neck and skull region with fascial glide and exercises to integrate improved patterning in movement.