Level 2 Flexibility Intensive

For Dance Teachers and Health Professionals

This teacher training workshop is now available as an online virtual workshop with Lisa Howell. For the latest dates and information on upcoming courses click on the 'Upcoming Workshops' button below. This workshop will also be available as a self-guided option giving you the opportunity to work through the content in your own time. To be added to the wait list click on the 'Self-Guided Version' button below.

Self Guided Version

Upcoming Workshops

The body of research & development around the art of flexibility, and especially the fascial system and its relationship to our mobility, continues to grow. Flexibility, or lack thereof, is very rarely contributed to muscle tension alone. We must look at each individual more carefully to understand the true cause of any restrictions in range of motion. Factors like joint shape or position, neural tension, fascial tension, breath, postural habits and even emotion can all contribute to lack of flexibility in an individual. Once the true cause is identified, efficient and safe techniques can be used to rapidly, and safely, improve mobility.

Understanding the relevance of this new information to the dancer is essential for all students, teachers and health professionals, especially those working with elite athletes and performers. Many traditional stretches, and even many ‘Myofascial Release Techniques’ taught globally may actually be doing more harm than good. Gone are the days of forcefully "releasing" fascia with deep foam roller work or massage techniques. The new work is far gentler, more effective, and less damaging to the tissues. However, this requires a unique, intelligent, multifactorial approach, with a deep understanding of human anatomy guiding its application.

This intensive teacher training workshop with Lisa Howell will answer questions such as:

What make makes one person tighter than the other?
Why can one dancer do the splits without stretching while others can’t even when they try so hard?
Why do students sometimes feel even less flexible when they are stretching?
How do I deal with a class full of students with different levels of flexibility?
How do I deal with students who suddenly lose flexibility when they go through a growth spurt?
What is neural tension, and how can I work safely with students with tight nerves?
How do you stop flexibility gains from regressing the next day?
How do you know which mobiliser to use for each student?

Note: Please do not worry if you struggle with your own mobility!

We have every element of the course filmed with demonstration students so you will not need to perform any movement that is not part of your normal repertoire. However, many teachers are delighted at just how much they effortlessly improve their mobility during the tests and exercises in this course!

Aims of the course:

Increase the awareness of the multifactorial nature to flexibility training, that everyone is different and may require different training techniques at different periods of time.
Educate dance teachers and therapists that the traditional method of pushing into restriction is often not the most effective way to improve, and in some cases may be counter productive.
Explore safe ways of assessing exactly where each individual is restricted in order to create the most effective program.
Learn safe ways of mobilising these restrictions to create more mobility.
Understand why these areas of tension build up in the first place and how subtle changes to how we sit, stand and walk can make an enormous difference to our flexibility.
Help teachers manage the flexibility of adolescents safely through growth-spurts.

Front Splits 0.5 - Cartoons - Mike Howell - L3 Flex - Dance Teacher Training - Lisa Howell - The Ballet Blog

Many traditional stretches and even many "Myofascial Release Techniques" may actually be doing more harm than good. Flexibility, or lack thereof, is very rarely contributed to muscle tension alone. We must look at each individual element carefully to understand the true cause of any restrictions in range of motion. Factors like joint shape or position, neural tension, fascial tension, breath, postural habits and even emotion can all contribute to lack of flexibility in an individual. Once the true cause is identified, efficient and safe techniques can be used to rapidly, and safely, improve mobility.

If you are struggling to find exercises to fit all students or feeling frustrated because you feel helpless with a particular student who just isn’t making progress, this course is for you! This workshop will help you assess your students in detail and be able to offer them effective techniques in a logical clear order to get them on the way to achieving THEIR optimal flexibility.

This intensive teacher training workshop will change how you work with flexibility forever!

New Online Virtual Workshop Format

We all know that learning in person is so much more engaging than watching videos online, but unfortunately our popular in-person workshops are simply not possible in the current climate. The original Level 2 Flexibility Intensive course has been divided into four 4 hour sessions to allow optimal understanding of all of the content via an online virtual workshop format.

To replicate the depth of learning and personal connection we feel at the in-person course, the content is delivered in a combination of live teaching, pre-recorded video content and personal exploration. While you do not need to have a student model with your during the course, we highly advise planning to practice each days content on a model after the call finishes. After the workshop you will also be given access to the recording of the calls, giving the opportunity to go over any particular parts of the course in your own time.

Call #1 - 4 hours

Introduction - We spend the first few minutes inviting attendees to introduce themselves and give a brief background of their training and vocational focus. Developing a community of like minded professionals is extremely important when working at this level.

Assessing Range - The course commences with some exploration of how to carefully assess each individual's particular restrictions, taking note of the quality of the restriction, as well as the range. This leads into an understanding of the order of priority in which restrictions need be worked on for optimal efficiency and safety in flexibility gains.

The Importance of the Breath - Effective breathing mechanics can have a surprisingly effective impact on many individuals flexibility. We look at assessing and improving the dynamics of breathing as well as several effective retraining exercises.

Bone & Joint Restrictions - We look at assessing the hip and spine to determine any bone-on-bone or joint restrictions. We look at the anatomical variability in the shape of the hip joint and how this affects range of motion, and the alignment that each individual will nee to focus on in class. We revise several exercises introduced in Level 1, plus lots of new ones to help resolve these restrictions safely.

Call #2 - 4 Hours

The Nervous System - We explore the role of the nervous system on flexibility via both its function and mechanical properties. We explore how each of these aspects can be worked with intelligently to create lasting change in flexibility.

The Fascial System - The fascial system can affect mobility in a number of ways. We explore the nature of fascia and then look at various mobilisation techniques to specifically target fascial restrictions. We look at the unique challenge of training flexibility in the presence of Hypermobility, as well as improving range in those with a more robust fascial system.

Call #3 - 4 hours

The Muscular System - While traditional static stretches are not the most effective way of improving flexibility, understanding how the muscular system affects flexibility is still very important. We look at when muscular stretches are appropriate as well as the art of eccentric training to create long, strong muscles.

Taping Techniques - In some cases, a lack of flexibility is actually due to a lack of stability. We look at some helpful taping techniques that may be used to support the deepest stabilising layers in order to accellerate flexibility training.

Resolving Flexibility Issues Long Term - Finally we look at other ways of continuing to work on flexibility long term.

Dealing with Growth Spurts - Many adolescents struggle with thei rmobility during periods of growth. Unfortunatly, many people have listened to the Urban Myth that "bones grow faster than muscles" and fail to learn the real reason behind a loss of flexibility during this time.

Question Time - Due to the depth of content covered in this intensive teacher training course, we make sure to leave time to cover additional questions and clarification in this final call.

Pre-Reading

During the three day Intensive we are going to spend an entire two hours on the importance of Fascial Integrity and it's correlation to Flexibility Training. Before attending the workshop please watch the following videos.

The Fuzz Speech

The Heart Dance

Fascia 25 x

A snippet from the Course: How to Improve Range in Second Splits

During this flexibility intensive we will learn about the diffrent kinds of restrictions that will impact flexibility in any areas of the body. Here is a extract from the section on assessing second splits to get you started.

Assessing the current quality and location of the restriction is essential in being able to choose an effective mobiliser to improve range. Start sitting with the legs in front, and then slowly walk them out to the sides until the first point of restriction. Make sure that they do not push too deeply into range, and instead, look for the first sign of restriction. This may be in one of many different areas, and each one will require a different set of mobilisation techniques to resolve.

To get started check out this video with Lisa explaining how to assess second splits. We have also created a PDF for you, to print out and use in the studio which includes the assessment tests and specific exercises on how to improve range. CLICK HERE to download the free PDF.

Free PDF Download

FAQ's

Do I have to demonstrate all of the exercises? Please do not worry if you struggle with your own mobility. We have every element of the course filmed with demonstration students so you will not need to perform any movement that is not part of your normal repertoire. However, many teachers are delighted at just how much they effortlessly improve their mobility during the tests and exercises in this course!

Can I attend this course before completing the Level One Course? Due to the new format of this workshop this Three Day Online Intensive can be taken as a stand alone course. However, we highly recommend you familiarise yourself with Lisa's approach to Flexibility training by revisiting the Front Splits Program before attending the course. If you wish to delve deeper we highly recommend you attend the Level 1 Teacher Training either in person or online, or sign up to the Online Teacher Training Portal.