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Working on your knees
In this video Lisa discusses why working on your knees is needs to be thought about very carefully, should be approa... -
What is Fascia?
What is Fascia? Fascia. It’s trending in the medical world at the moment and is becoming more and more importa... -
When can I go en pointe?
Ballet dancers young and old often see the progression onto pointe as a rite of passage in their dancing career. How... -
I’m Injured and Need Help!
“Will I Ever Dance Again…?” Most dancers will utter these words at least once during their career. It’s often the fi... -
Do You Want To Get More Flexible?
Did you know that stretching your muscles is one of the slowest and most dangerous ways of getting more flexible? Th... -
The Importance of Crawling
In many of my recent workshops with dance teachers all over the world I have raised the potential issues related to ... -
Is Over Stretching Bad?
Many dance teachers, concerned parents and health professionals are struggling with what they see going on in the da... -
Oversplits in Second – What are the Risks?
One of the most common positions I see young students trying to achieve in order to get more flexible is oversplits ... -
How external rotation at the hip affects which muscles are active during abduction
Lisa, I can’t seem to find any literature that addresses the question of how (outward) external rotation at the hip... -
How to maintain cardio fitness while injured
Dear Lisa, I am a dancer in Singapore. I have dislocated my patella 4 times and have done serious cartilage damage a... -
Dance Teacher Intensive Members Area Now Live!
If you have been one of the teachers or health professionals that has attended one of my two or three day intensive ... -
Can the “Will I Ever Dance Again?” program be used for knee injuries?
We often get asked the question “Can the Will I Ever Dance Again program be used for knee injuries?”, an... -
How certain drugs can affect your Achilles Tendon
Today’s post is from a concerned dance teacher in response to our previous post on Tight Calves, however her i... -
Are you getting the right rehab for your injury?
Hi Everyone, Last night I had a SKYPE call that on one level was lovely, and on another made my blood boil… On... -
Demi Pointe Shoes – Are they necessary?
Good morning lovely Lisa!! Just wondering if you have any info/data on the use of demi pointe shoes in classical bal... -
Floor Barre Set Up
Floor barre is a fantastic way of maintaining core, hip, and foot control whilst not bearing weight down though you... -
#PayTheDancers – What are you worth?
This week has been enormous in so many areas of dance, but the one that captured me so much was the global issue of ... -
How To Get More Pointe Range
Hi Guys, So many dancers want to know how to get more pointe range, so I am collecting all of the info that we have... -
What Product Is Best For Me?!
Thank you so much for your interest in the products that we provide. There are a lot to choose from, and many people... -
NEW! – Live Video Calls with Lisa!
Don’t you just love it when you try something new, and something even more amazing than what you expected comes out ... -
What is “Relative Rest”?
Many people are terrified of admitting an injury because they will have to take “time off”. This is usually associat... -
The Ultimate Rehab Program For Dancers
Many dancers contact us due to the struggles that they have had with finding the right practitioner, and getting int... -
Lisfranc Injury – To have surgery or not?
Hello Lisa! Firstly, can I just say how great it is to see you producing materials which have the potential to provi... -
Shay’s Story
Shayarne Matthesons dream of a career looked like it had ended when she injured her foot badly in a regular m... -
Will I Ever Dance Again? Coming Soon!!!!
This is the story of a young dancer pursuing her dream of becoming a professional dancer in Europe, who had to retur... -
Get your FREE PDF on “The Top 10 Elements of the Ultimate Rehab Program for Dancers”
Today I have something very, very special for you… By far the most questions that we get through The Ballet Bl... -
Don’t Have A Dance Physio? Don’t Worry!
We are well aware that many people in the world don’t have access to a Physiotherapist who specializes in trea... -
Regaining Shape & Strength Post Pregnancy
Hi Lisa, I’m 31 and started Ballet two years ago. I took a break from it July last year when I was pregnant an... -
Brand New Dance Injury Videos on The Ballet Blog
By far the majority of the questions that we get from readers are ones about how to deal with, and recover from inju... -
How To Get A Correct Diagnosis
This video on “How To Get A Correct Diagnosis” is the second in our series of videos designed to help yo... -
How To Treat A Dance Injury
Everyone’s had one of those moments where you come down on your foot wrong in class or worse yet, you’re... -
Pointe Exercises – Preparation for rises and prances en pointe
This is a great way to begin working in new shoes, and if you are a beginner, an essential exercise to get the feel ... -
Fitting Pointe Shoes – A Pointe Shoe Fitter’s Perspective
At the IADMS Conference (International Association for Dance Medicine & Science) having a chat with Laynie Turba... -
How do I Control Flexible Feet on Pointe?
Hi Lisa, I am teaching a girl who has really gorgeous flexible feet but she is finding it really hard not to go too ... -
How Can I Improve My Pirouettes?
Hey Lisa! I started ballet when I was 4 years old. I’m now 17. I still can’t do a double pirouette and ... -
Do Toe Pads Affect The Amount Of Strength Gained En Pointe?
Dear Lisa, Does the use of toe pads affect the amount of strength gained en pointe? In other words, if a dancer star... -
Is a lack of sunlight weakening your bones?
Do you suffer from recurrent stress fractures, or find it hard to build up strength? Latest research from the IADMS ... -
A Painful Bulge In The Inner Arch
This dancer developed a sharp constant pain on the medial side of their arch, and noticed a bulge starting to develo... -
Overcoming An Injury – Why Do Dance Injuries Scare Us So Much?
Hi Guys This week I have really been focusing on some of the deeper aspects of all of my clients rehabilitation that... -
Pain At The Front Of The Hip – Sartorius & Psoas Strain Causes and Fixes
Hi Lisa, I looked through your articles and don’t see any discussion on sartorius strains or injuries. I have ... -
How To Fit Pointe Shoes Correctly Video
Ever wondered why some girls look like their point shoes were made for them? It all comes down to knowing what to lo... -
Perfectionism, Honesty, and Knee Pain (odd title I know!)
Hi Guys Its been another crazy week here, but in beautiful kind of way. Seems the shifting, changing and evolving ju... -
Tightness Behind The Knee
Hi Lisa, I was lucky enough to attend your workshop when you were in the UK. I have used the exercises with both adu... -
Pain in the Big Toe Causing Restricted Pointe Range
THE QUESTION: “Hi Lisa! My daughter age 13 does a lot of ballet hours each week. She has developed a very stiff and ... -
The Impact of Flooring on Dance Injuries
I often get asked about the impact of flooring on injuries in dancers, and as there are so many things that can come... -
Being Bow Legged
“Hi Lisa! I have a question on being bow legged. Is there any way you can hide being bow legged because it interfere... -
Kirsten, Abbie and Jemima’s Workshop Story
Kirsten, Abbie and Jemima’s Workshop Story Dear Lisa. It was such a thrill to meet you at the Training Turnout... -
What Classes Are Available?
Most of the courses are based around one of our resources, such as the Front Splits Fast Flexibility Program, and al... -
Should My Daughter Go Full-Time?
My daughter is 14 years old and has been pushing both her father and I in the decision to go into full-time dancing ... -
Preparing For Rejection
I know that dancers have a tough time coping with rejection and dealing with losses at competitions. How can I help ... -
Changing Dance Schools
My daughter is feeling isolated in her new dance school. She has moved from another, smaller and friendlier school t... -
Dealing With Rejection
My daughter has been applying for companies, but nobody wants her. She has worked all her life for this and is now d... -
My Daughter Is Injured & Depressed
My daughter has been injured and been on reduced hours of dancing for several months. She is devastated and feels th... -
My Daughter Gets Bad Nerves
My daughter makes herself so nervous before she goes on stage. She is a beautiful dancer but freezes up right before... -
My daughter Has Been Diagnosed With Osgood Schlatters Disease
My daughter has been diagnosed with “Osgood Schlatters Disease.” The Doctor didn’t really explain what it was, and s... -
Are Leg Weights Okay?
My daughter’s dance teacher asked us to buy leg weights for her to work with in some classes but she has been ... -
My Daughter Is Hypermobile
My daughters dance teacher said that she is “Hypermobile” What is this, and what does it mean for her as a dancer? A... -
Young Dancers Stretching Each Other
My daughter and her friend were stretching each other the other day and some of it looked a little crazy. Should the... -
Young Dancers Developing Breasts
My daughter (10 years old) is starting to develop breasts and is very worried about this in ballet. All of her frien... -
Headaches & Growing
My daughter has started getting lots of headaches in the last 6 months and she is 14, we have had her eyes tested an... -
Growing Timing
My daughter is getting really worried. She is almost 14 and still hasn’t really grown much. All of her friends tower... -
Pointe Shoe Padding
Hi Lisa, Your URGENT thoughts on this new product would be appreciated! A student from another school has come over ... -
Young Dancers Skipping Meals
My 13 year old daughter has always been a little on the bigger side but has recently lost a lot of weight, and seems... -
Is it true that a lot of dancers have eating disorders?
Is it true that a lot of dancers have eating disorders? I will not lie and say that eating disorders are not common... -
What is the low GI diet, and is it good for dancers?
The Glycaemic Index (GI) is a way of ranking food based on the effect they have on the glucose levels in the body. C... -
Supplements For Young Dancers
I have read a lot about athletes taking extra multi-vitamins, protein and calcium. Should my daughter be taking any ... -
My daughter seems to live on Diet Coke. Is this bad for her in the long term?
Many girls drink Diet Coke, or other soft drinks, frequently during the week. This has now become the norm, so it ma... -
Injured Dancer’s Diet
My daughter has injured her back and is off dancing at present (She is 15). She is terrified of putting on weight as... -
Food on the Go and Controlling Bloatedness
My daughter often has to grab food on the go, and is at dancing for hours on end at the weekends. What should she ea... -
What is Dysfunctional Nutrition?
While ‘Optimal Nutrition’ is manipulating an already good diet to maximize performance and recovery, and ‘Good Nutri... -
How do I help my daughter see that she has options?
“Hi Lisa, My child is 14 and is heavily into dance. A few comments have been made recently that indicate that ... -
Chelsea’s Dance Story
Chelsea’s Dance Story I have always been just off the splits and just ‘that much’ lower in grand b... -
Felicity’s Injury Story
Felicity’s Injury Story In October of 2009 I had surgery on my right anterior tib-fib ligament. My ATFL had be... -
The Myth of ‘Short Muscles’
This post is about the moment when the human body completely blew my mind away. The moment when I saw physical evide... -
Jen’s Dance Story
Jen’s Dance Story In 2009 I fractured my left ankle, I had to give up ballet which broke my heart. I had just ... -
5 Myths about Flexibility!
There are so many myths out there that hold people back from realising their true flexibility. Discover your ultimat... -
How To Improve Restricted Pointe Range
Dear Lisa, I was hoping you could help me. In the last year I have purchased both your Perfect Pointe ... -
The Top 10 FAQ About Starting on Pointe! – FREE PDF
When anyone is planning to start en pointe they always have LOADS of questions… Here at the Top 10 FAQ... -
Faye’s Injury Story
Faye’s Injury Story At the end of 2011, I started to have pains in my lower back during arabesques and backben... -
How Do You Stop Pointe Shoes from Twisting on Your Feet?
If the shank is too firm and has no discernable curve when you are en pointe then it is too stiff and needs to be wo... -
How Do You Fit Pointe Shoes Correctly?
Having pointe shoes that fit well can make all the difference in you loving or hating pointe work, so it is importan... -
The Front Splits Fast Program is a Miracle!
Hi Lisa! The Front Splits Fast Program is a Miracle! And that is not said lightly… I used to dance with a comp... -
What to do when your knees don’t straighten?
While some people have issues with their knees being to mobile, many other dancers get frustrated because their knee... -
Fascial Tension Mobilisers – Part 2
This ‘Fascial Tension Mobilisers – Part 2’ video is the second part to our focus on Fascial mobili... -
Fascial Tension – 3D Calf Mobilisers
This ‘Fascial Tension – 3D Calf Mobilisers’ is the first in a series of three by Physiotherapist S... -
What Causes Clicky Hips and What To Do About It!
Re: Clicky Hips Hi Lisa My students have been complaining recently of clicky hips when they do certain exercises. A... -
Christina’s Injury Story
After a super long hiatus from dance (completed a Masters’ in Kinesiology) I decided to gear up and take my vocation... -
Clicking Knees and Pain Between the Toes
Hello! First off I just wanted to say I love your Perfect Pointe Book! Our entire studio uses it to prepare pre-poin... -
Chronic Ankle Pain in an 11 Year Old Dancer
Hi Lisa, My 11 year old daughter has been suffering from a chronic ankle pain. It started about 2 years ago. We sa... -
An Adult Dancer Pursues Her Passion
My first memories of wanting to dance go back to about the age of 4. I don’t remember specifically how I found... -
How Dancing Helped Through Difficult Times
At the end of 2009 and the start of 2010 i had very few friends and nothing that i wanted to do, I had given up on e... -
Breaking Down The Roll Down
One of the hardest things when you are trying to get more flexible is working out what exercises to do. However, by ... -
Orthotics vs Formthotics – Is one better for dancers?
Hi Lisa, I read in one of your articles and watched a Q&A video that both mentioned the soft Formthotics as a c... -
The Truth About Core Stability
Yes – I know that we all know that we need it, and most readers will already be doing lots of training for it. But a... -
Preventing Hamstring Tears
Just about every dancer struggles with this at some point, so I wanted to give you a few tips to help avoid somethin... -
Hamstring Strengthening Video
This Hamstring Strengthening video is one of the bonus videos from the Front Splits Fast Program Members Area. It t... -
What is Fascial Tension?
Fascial Tension is the way that Fascia works to help us stay upright, move dance and play. It helps us live, but it ... -
Fascial Tension Mobilisers – Part 3
Fascial Tension Mobilisers – Part 3 This video is the final of three videos covering fascial mobilising techni... -
Why Shin Splints Is Not An Accurate Diagnosis
There are many causes of pain in the front of the shins including thickening of the covering of the bo... -
The Best Treatment For Patellofemoral Pain
‘Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome‘ (PFPS) is a general term for pain around or behind the knee cap. It is very common in... -
Resistance Band Rises – Exercises For Pointe Work
This great video shows you how to strengthen your ankles safely using a stretchy resistance band! A resistance band ... -
Bunions Webinar
Hi Guys, Many dancers (and often their parents) are concerned at the possibility of developing unsightly and painful... -
Download a FREE 15 minute video – and be nice to your feet!
Download this fantastic 15 minute video – that teaches you all about your Soleus Muscle – simply by visi... -
Will Having Wide Feet Hinder My Ability To Do Pointe?
Hi! My name is Alice. I have a question about dancers with wide feet. The first dance store I went to said that my f... -
How do I sew the ribbons on pointe shoes?
How do I sew the ribbons on pointe shoes? Many girls have all kinds of elastic contraptions to hold the heel of the ... -
Breaking In Pointe Shoes
Breaking in pointe shoes correctly can not only make them feel much more comfortable when rising for the first time.... -
The Best Treatment for Plantar Fasciitis in Dancers
The plantar fascia is an extraordinary structure that stretches along the full length of the foot and is very import... -
Should Dancers Use Orthotics?
The question I chose to answer this week is from a Dance Teacher wondering about the effect that orthotics have on y... -
Professional Dancer with Knee Pain Wants Answers
Professional Dancer with Knee Pain Wants Answers Dear Lisa, I have been quietly following you for years and I am alw... -
How To Get Your Legs Higher with a Développé.
So many girls have good flexibility when stretching, but find it hard to use this when dancing, especially with gett... -
Stretches To Improve Pointe Range
Dear Lisa, Would you happen to have any foot stretches that I can use to improve my pointe? I know about the golf ba... -
The Pros and Cons of Foot Stretchers
The following article and videos were created in response to all of the questions we get in regards to foot stretche... -
How Old Is Too Old To Start Pointe Work?
The “How Old Is Too Old To Start Pointe Work?” question comes up often in forums and discussion groups c... -
Improving Beginner Pointe Work
Improving Beginner Pointe Work Teachers often wonder how to get the best out of their students en pointe, and I get ... -
How Ballet Dancers Can Avoid Common Foot Injuries
Most dancers will complain of some foot injury at some stage in their training, and professional ballet dancers will... -
Does Pointe Work Hurt?
While pointe work is not exactly like wearing slippers, it should not be painful for the beginner. There are a few r... -
Does Pointe Work Cause Bunions?
Many girls (and their mothers) are concerned of the possibility of developing unsightly and painful damage to their ... -
Can Students With Restricted Range Ever Go En Pointe?
Hi Lisa, If a student does not have good flexibility through the ankle, and cannot pointe her foot properly, does th... -
Core Training for an Over Cracked Back!
Many people crack their back frequently, to ‘release tension’ and to ‘make it feel better’ however frequent manipula... -
Injury Prevention for Contemporary Dancers
Unfortunately, injuries are often considered a part of life for the dancer, but this doesn’t necessarily have to be ... -
Cramping in Feet and Short Calves
Many dancers complain of cramping in their feet and “short calves” interfering with their dancing. This ... -
The Value Of Online Community In Dance Education
There is a huge need for comprehensive quality dance information to educate young dancers about their bodies, to ext... -
Tips For Turnout – Achieving Ultimate Extensions
In our Tips for Training Turnout EBook, we look at all of the contributing factors to a beautiful developpe devant &... -
Tips for Turnout – Isolating Your True Turnout
In our first Tips for Turnout post we looked at ways of opening out the hips, to get some more turnout range, and ... -
Tips for Turnout – Achieving Your Ultimate Range
It seems like the flavour of the month in the clinic this month is turnout. Not that it isn’t always an issue, but i...
