Ballet Rehab Coaching
Our Ballet Rehab Coaching closes the gap between traditional physical therapy and full ballet participation.
Research by Glasser et al. suggests that 95% of ballet dancers experience an injury during their careers, with 75% of those injuries being overuse related. It is unfortunately common for dancer’s to experience re-injury to the same body part or a different body part during the first two months of ramping up participation. Sports medicine literature supports that re-injury rates for athletes returning to participation is as high as 30%. More research is needed to understand the re-injury rate specific for dancers, but it is estimated to be higher than other sports.
Through Ballet Rehab Coaching, our goal is to decrease the risk of re-injury for dancers by providing structured guidance on gradual participation ramp-up and strategies to help dancers make autonomous decisions regarding their wellbeing while progressing safely. We aim to create smart and resilient dancers, that have a deep understanding of when to “push” versus when to scale back to emphasize body recovery tactics. We are not aiming to retain clients forever, instead, we want to instill the skills necessary for clients to flourish and be able to maintain a long, healthy, career in dance while we support them from the audience.
Our process is educational and collaborative. At the completion of each session, our clients receive clarity on what to focus their energy on to continue progressing until our next session together. We don’t believe in a “one-program fits all” approach – instead of a generalized ballet class progression template, we create individual and specific skill guides that are informed by the dancer’s priorities, body tissue capacities, and progression potential. We take into consideration biomechanical demands with skills, workload volume, and the biopsychosocial contributing factors to a dancer’s experience when reintegrating in the studio environment.
Our coaching sessions result in dancers feeling organized, grounded, and empowered to take on their next studio session rather than feeling fearful or apprehensive with movement.
What to Expect with Ballet Rehab Coaching
Initial Evaluation
During your first session, we will guide you through a comprehensive movement evaluation to collect information on your mobility, strength, endurance, and preferred technique movement patterns. This will help us build your custom plan of action, which includes studio skill assignments (homework!) and a review of supplemental strengthening exercises. You will also receive access to curated dance medicine and science video lectures to contribute to your health literacy for dance career longevity.
For every session afterwards, we’ll provide you with session notes with specific body recovery recommendations, workload management considerations, and supportive resources including warm-up and cool down strategies. Please note that the first session for Ballet Rehab Coaching is always a 50 minute session. This gives us enough time to complete our comprehensive evaluation.
Follow-up Coaching Sessions
Follow-up coaching sessions can be held in different ways, depending on a person’s needs, access to a studio or gym, schedule, and energy levels. Sessions can either be structured synchronously or asynchronously.
Synchronous sessions: similar to a private lesson, where the expectation is for a client to be in a studio or gym space ready to be guided through exercises and/or dance combinations. The majority of the time is spent moving.
Asynchronous sessions: similar to consulting, where the expectation is for a client to bring their brain. During these sessions we will review the highs and lows of the previous week, review workload, and assemble a plan for the following days for the dancer to carry-out independently. This includes exercises and dance combination recommendations that are intentionally dosed, to guide progress on their skill checklist. This option is best for dancers with tired bodies, or limited schedule and studio access.
Ballet Rehab Coaching Package Options
Every Ballet Rehab Coaching package includes:
- A custom skill checklist that is targeted at your current level and intentionally designed to guide you to the next level
- Access to dance science educational videos
- Personalized anatomy review as it relates to the dancer’s recovery experience
- Overcoming overuse injuries with workload management and strength training
- How to track and monitor workload management in dance
- How to differentiate between muscle soreness VS injury related pain
Short Sessions (25 minutes)
- Package options of 6 or 12
- Virtual only
- Best for dancers who:
- Feel confident in their ability to carry out a plan with written guidance
- Prefer working independently in their studio time and using the coaching sessions to either review workload management, update skill progression checklist, and/or discuss next steps in their ballet rehab coaching program
- Prefer a biomechanical review of only a few skills; anticipates minor technique corrections needed or “fine-tuning” a few ballet skills
Long Sessions (50 minutes)
- Package options of 6 or 12
- Virtual or in-person for Miami locals
- Best for dancers who:
- Are feeling fearful of ballet movement or apprehensive with attempting previous skills
- Prefer more 1:1 guidance and live technique instruction in the studio – similar to a private dance lesson, to review and progress their skill checklist under supervision and direct feedback. Needs assistance with monitoring workload and making autonomous decisions
- Anticipates many technique corrections are needed while re-integrating into the studio
*Discounted rates apply for professional dancers
**Interested in training but have a tight budget? Ask about our financial aid discount – limited spots available on a first-come-first serve basis
Frequently Asked Questions
What can I expect during a discovery call?
Discovery calls are 1:1 for 20 minutes. During this time we discuss your goals, previous injury history, training volume and skill level, and discuss pathways you can take to make progress towards your goals. At the completion of the free discovery call, individuals will have a better understanding of next steps they should take to foster dance career longevity.
Do you work with dancers that specialize in non-ballet styles for Rehab Coaching?
Yes. However, we want to confirm we are the right fit for your needs. Please book a discovery call for us to review your questions and options.
Can I commit to just one Ballet Rehab Coaching session?
No. Our goal is to help you reach your goals. When returning to the studio following an injury-related setback we strongly recommend continuous weekly or biweekly coaching. We know that the human body is incredibly resilient, but musculoskeletal tissue adaptation takes time and progressive loading.
I am a dancer who has been referred to physical therapy. Can I work with you?
It depends. While the majority of the time the answer is yes, we want to confirm if we are the right fit for your immediate needs. Our model is designed to support dancers who have already been cleared by their medical team to reintegrate into the studio setting. Please book a discovery call for us to review your questions and options.
How do I book a package for Ballet Rehab Coaching?
After the discovery call, Baseline Dance will email you information for onboarding, scheduling, and billing. If you do not see this email in your inbox or spam within 24 hours, please contact us for assistance admin@baselinedance.org.
Where are in-person sessions held?
If you reside in the Miami area, we may be able to come to you! We are open to travel to either your home gym or studio. If this is your intention, please email us to confirm that we are able to travel to your desired training location.
If I book a package, do sessions have to be on a booked on a fixed schedule?
Nope! We know dancers are busy, so we allow you to book whenever works for you. We may recommend a follow-up frequency, but we encourage clients to make autonomous decisions that will serve them best.
Do packages expire?
For virtual sessions, clients have 12 months from the date of purchase until their sessions expire. In-person packages are on a case-by-case basis; please reach out for more information.