“The most effective sport systems in the world don’t produce talent, they prevent it from being ruined, before it ripens.”
Dance Performance Therapy
A Physical Preparation and Readiness Program for Youth Dancers (ages 11+)
The Challenge:
The sport of dance has evolved significantly. It is now substantially harder than it ever was ten or twenty years ago. Dancers are doing harder skills, higher repetitions, at younger ages, with the end result being more force being placed on their growing bodies. Although these advances are important for pushing the boundaries of dance skills and routines being performed, a vast majority of these athletes are young kids or adolescents who are far from being fully matured, and who simply do not possess the structural tolerance, movement competency (i.e. mobility, stability, motor control etc.) and strength to handle the persistent forces. Due to all these circumstances, building an adequate physical preparation and functional capacity foundation (see this Building Blocks of Performance infographic) is paramount, alongside all the great technical/skill development that occurs in class. Being able to handle (absorb/transfer/produce) repetitive forces, often at extreme ranges of motion, is how advanced dancers can perform incredible skills and optimize their safety, joint health, and injury risk over multiple years. Just think about how and why injuries (either acute or chronic/overuse) occur - the forces imposed on the body by the environment (external forces) are greater than the body’s ability to withstand/overcome those forces (ie. not enough internal force generating/dissipating capacity).
The Solution:
By participating in a carefully planned strength and conditioning program (designed and monitored by a qualified movement professional), we can systematically condition the body to handle more force, prepare tissues for loading within a broad range of dance skills, and encourage proper movement mechanics as a method of injury prevention. My Dance Performance Therapy (DPT) Program is dedicated to enhancing a dancer’s movement competencies and capacities (eg. mobility, stability, strength, power etc.) and injury resiliency through a carefully planned combination of:
Semi-private Personal Training sessions at Playfit Health and Performance Inc. (McKenzie Towne, SE Calgary).
A periodized Physical Preparation Curriculum (Home Program) with video demonstrations of every exercise, routine, and recovery protocol.
A DPT Resources Bundle including: “Warm-up” Considerations, nutrition strategies, revery protocols, and mindset/psychology tips and more…
Specifically designed for dance athletes 11+ years of age, the Coach-led Semi-private Personal Training sessions (and Home Program) will introduce the most recent advances in the science and practice of mobility/flexibility, strength, and performance training in order to help dancers build the fundamental movement and structural foundation required for subsequent participation in competitive/high level dance.
Program Director/Coach:
Scott Lahey (full bio here)
As a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (NSCA), Functional Range Conditioning Mobility Specialist (FRS), Performance Therapist (ALTIS), and father of two young competitive dancers, I am not only qualified, but highly motivated to deliver this comprehensive program. With nearly two decades of experience working with youth athletes in multiple sports, I’ve helped dozens of athletes ripen into University, Olympic, and Professional-level competitors, but unfortunately, have seen too many others sidelined by easily avoidable, persistent injuries due to insufficient and inappropriate training programs and methods. A culture shift is taking place whereby those in the “performing arts” are increasingly looking to leaders in the “movement sciences” to help inform and nurture their students’ development, injury prevention programs, and “return to play” rehab protocols (see video below). By integrating art and science, dance training with strength training, performance training with Physical Therapy, I strive to educate and assist developing dancers, dance teachers and studio owners deliver physical preparation/readiness solutions that work.
What is Performance Therapy?
The term ‘Performance Therapy’ (as used by ALTIS) refers to a methodology that compounds our knowledge of movement sciences and sports medicine in an effort to better understand and enhance health and performance. It is a layer of input aimed at optimizing the quality of daily practice. Its purpose is to accomplish incremental gains in movement efficiency, and therefore aid in the promotion of wellness and improved performance. It's the world of strength and conditioning and sport science interacting and communicating with the world of physical therapy, sports medicine, soft-tissue professionals etc. in order to optimize the health, resilience, preparedness, and performance of athletes.
Program Objectives:
Provide an opportunity for dancers to prepare/train for the upcoming dance season and learn to address/manage physical weaknesses and limitations.
Teach proper movement mechanics, and functional strength and mobility protocols as a method of injury prevention and structural tolerance/resilience.
Improve joint function, stability, and control, and systematically prepare the body to handle more force.
Learn how to tap into larger motor units typically associated with fast-twitch type II fibres, and increase explosive strength/power.
Empower young dancers to take control of their own physical preparation/recovery through proper self-care, load management, and regeneration strategies.
Program Overview and Pricing:
Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, our lives, routines, and schedules are all impacted and constantly in flux. As a result, the easiest solution is to open up my calendar to you, allowing you to book Semi-private (or Private) Personal Training sessions that fit within you and your dancer’s busy schedule. Instead of having designated class times available to book, simply click on the appropriate link below to schedule a time that works for you.
Book a Semi-private Personal Training Session (Group of 4) - use this link if you are scheduling in 4 dancers as a pre-formed, closed group.
Book a Semi-private Personal Training Session (Group of 3) - use this link if you are scheduling in 3 dancers as a pre-formed, closed group.
Book a Semi-private Personal Training Session (Group of 2) - use this link if you are scheduling in 2 dancers as a pre-formed, closed group.
Book a Semi-private Personal Training Session (Open Group; 4 max) - use this link if you are booking as an individual wanting to join a group.
Book a Private Personal Training Session (Closed) - use this link if you are booking as an individual and wanting the session to remain private.
You can use these links to book as many sessions as you would like in advance, or simply let me know and I will block off any preferred training days/times for you after booking your first session. Upon completion of your first session, you will gain access to the Physical Preparation Home Program Curriculum (Phase 1) and DPT Resources Bundle. You may attend as many or as few sessions as you like, but at least one Semi-Private or Private Personal Training session per week is recommended to get the most out of the Program (in addition to following along with the Home Program Curriculum).
Personal Training Rates:
Group of 4 = $20/dancer
Group of 3 = $25/dancer
Group of 2 = $35/dancer
Private = $60
Billing:
An invoice will be created and emailed out at the end of the month for all Semi-private and Private Personal Training Sessions completed.