Level 1 - Coaching Calls
For Dance Teachers and Health Professionals
As a part of the Online Teacher Training Portal, I offer fortnightly coaching calls. These calls are a great way to ask any additional questions, and to learn how to apply the content covered in the course for various issues that you come across. You may attend the live calls, or work through the topics you find most interesting in your own time.
Each call is usually based on a specific question from a member. We look at all of the different elements that need to be considered when working with the issue, from the anatomy involved, right through to how to manage it in class. This is a wonderful way to learn how to apply all of the content in the base training to the scenarios you will see in real life. Each call is approximately 60 mins long, and we usually have time for further questions at the end.
I have presented over 50 live coaching calls, and include topics such as:
This call looks at the various different injuries that can give pain at the back of the ankle, using a cleaar differentiation guide. This then leads into ideas on how to best manage these issues through physical therapy and modifications for class work.
In this call we discus the various different sounds that dancers complain of in their hips. We look at the structures involved, as well as recommendatuons of exercises from the Level 1 program to help resolve each one.
Learning how to effectively manage Hypermobile knees in class is essential for all dancers. In this call we look at how to carefully assess those with hyperextended legs, as well as how to specifically train strength and control for class work.
Coaching Call - Sample
To give you an idea of how the coaching calls run, I have uploaded coaching call number #14 - Hip Popping, Clicking & Other Noises' as it is a very common question. All anatomy and exercises mentioned in the call are introduced in the initial Level One Training. In this live recording, we discuss:
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- Analysis of the various different noises that dancers complain of in the hips
- Recommendations for dancers struggling with hips popping
- Why hip popping can happen when trying to achieve a high développé or grand battement to the side
- What can be causing consistent popping in a grand plié in second
- What areas might need to be strengthened or stretched/ massaged
- Specific exercises to help reduce this popping & clicking action long term with a detailed step by step program.
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Common Hip Sounds
A deep clunk in a Grande Plié
This sound often develops in students who ‘must’ crack their hips before class. This indicates a deep instability in the hip joint, and is often accopanied by restriction in the back of the capsule, due to overworking in turnout. Frequent cracking results in the front of the capsule being overstretched and may also cause damage to the Labrum. While forcefully cracking the hips may make them feel better temporarily, long-term it will lead to further instability.
A deeper click with a Grande Battement
This is felt a little lower than the previous click, and is often palpable when throwing the leg to second. This also happens when extending the legs in Pilates-style exercises, due to a chronically thickened tendon moving over the AIIS/Rectus Femoris insertion. Likely due to poor spinal stability and increased load in Psoas Major. The dancer usually attempts to “stretch it out” but this often makes it worse. Advise them against repeatedly clicking to demonstrate, even if it is not sore, as the repeated friction will usually develop into pain.
Snapping, flicking or clunking on the outside of the hip
This syndrome is often termed “Snapping Hip". Tension in the Lateral Line causes friction when tensioned over the Greater Trochanter. Focus on offfloading and mobilising the entire Lateral Line rather than just focussing on the ITB. This issue is often due to poor hip stability, in standing and in gait. Also, be sure to check the mobility of the ribcage and its function when breathing, as this is often involved. However, simple yet targeted work, such as cupping the lateral line can work well to relieve tension.
Higher pitched clicking in the hip with leg circles
This action is often located at the top/front/side of the hip and noticed when doing standing hip circles when warming up, or during adage. TFL tension caused by hitching the hip of the working leg in retiré is often due to poor lateral stability on the supporting leg, lack of adductor control, or weak inner range hamstrings. Rectus Femoris will often be chronically tight if overused in adage due to a lack of deep rotation, and poor spinal stability. Over-recruitment of Psoas Major to stabilise the spine results in reduced function as a hip flexor, thereby increasing the load on TFL and RF in adage. Rectus Femoris will often be very restricted when assessing the Thomas Test.
Grinding and gravel like sensation when performing hip circles
This may be due to mild fraying of the labrum or degeneration of the joint surfaces. This often develops over time in hips that have lots of natural range, but little control. This may also happen in those who struggle with range and force themselves into deeper range than their anatomy allows. However, it can also be due to chronic synovitis of the capsule. If this is the case, dancers often do not like taking knees to chest or crossing the midline with the knee. If this is a chronic issue, correcting all of the contributing factors may take a while.
The Big 6
We also look at the commonly missed contributing factors to ongoing hip pain including:
- Breathing Issues
- Gut Dysfunction
- Spinal Instability
- Stability of the Hip
- Relaxed Standing Posture
- Gait / Walking Pattern
Understanding the imploications of these contributing factors is essential in long term resolution of any hip dysfunction.
Previous Topics Covered
All previous coaching calls and the associated PDF are available to watch any time in the Online Portal
1. Knee Pain, The Roll Down & Hip Pain
2. Lisfranc Injury
3. Hip Pain in a Professional Dancer
4. Shoulder Placement in Hypermobility
5. Avoiding Overwhelm - Part 1
6. Avoiding Overwhelm - Part 2
7. Planning the Year
8. Stress Fractures, Pronation & Pointe Range
9. Pointe shoes, Bunions & Plantarfascia Pain
10. General Q&A
11. Os Trigonum Surgery
12. Pain at the back of the ankle
13. Growth Related Injuries
14. Hip Popping, Clicking and Other Noises
15. Plantar Fascia Pain & Q&A
16. Managing Tendinopathies
17. Tendinopathy Prevention Plan
18. Hypermobile Knees
19. Working From Home & Online Classes
20. Self Care in Lockdown
21. Shoulder Pain & Instability in Acrobats
22. The Impact of Sub-Standard Flooring
23. Managing Back Pain
24. Correcting Children's Posture
25. Upper Limb Neural Tension
26. Persistent Foot Pain
27. Diving Deep into Hypermobility
28. Clicking Hips Program - Part 1
29. Clicking Hips Program - Part 2
30. Perfecting the Penché - Phase 1 - MObilise
31. Perfecting the Penché - Phase 2 - Isolate
32. Perfecting the Penché - Phase 3 - Integrate
33. Perfecting the Penché - Phase 4 - Function
34. Gait Analysis
35. Improving Gait - Part 1
36. Improving Gait - Part 2
37. Improving Gait - Part 3
38. Adult Lordotic Posture - Part 1
39. Adult Lordotic Posture - Part 2
40. Adult Lordotic Posture - Part 3
41. Adult Lordotic Posture - Part 4
42. Elements required for an Effective Walkover
43. Debunking the Developpé
44. Correcting Excessive Pronation
45. Correcting Excessive Pronation V2
46. Assessing & Improving Shoulder Mobility
47. Improving Shoulder Mobility - Part 1
48. Improving Shoulder Mobility - Part 2
49. Osgood - Schlatter's Disease
50. General Q&A
51. Sustained Hovers
52. Deep Core Activation
What people are saying:
"Having been frustrated for so many years with questions no one seemed to have answers for, It was pure relief and one Ah ha! moment after another when I met Lisa and joined the Members Portal. The most important thing Lisa gave me and my students was hope for change and improvement and a renewed excitement for learning more about how our intricate bodies are designed.
Lisa is so fun to work with! She's extremely personable, encouraging and makes things easy to use :) The members portal is brilliant! The content is well organized, and very clearly explained. Every time I return to a section for a refresher I am able to absorb a little more.
The coaching calls are the highlight of my week, being able to connect with Lisa in person and have personal feedback is invaluable. I also love how Lisa designs the programs in PDF's with checklists and evaluations making it easy to pass along to my students.
Thanks Lisa for your incredible dedication and passion!"
Maddison M, Canada
