In this episode, Master Teacher Sarah Reis provides an overview of hte types of mats you might consider for your AcroDance training program! Sarah's got helpful ideas for getting started and tips for adding as your program develops. Spoiler alert: you don't need much! In her early development Sarah split her time between gymnastics and dance then later got into circus work and competitive rock climbing. The combination of these skills led her to a performance career as a stunt double in the thriving Vancouver film scene. While enjoying a professional performance career she worked on various projects including cruiseship contracts, print, television, film and nightlife productions. Sarah has always felt it was important to continue her education and graduated with a Bachelor's degree in Kinesiology in 2006. After graduation Sarah started work as an artistic sport rehabilitation specialist in a Physiotherapy clinic during the day while teaching dance in the evening. At the clinic Sarah primarily designed return to training programs for injured artistic athletes.Sarah is a certified teacher in acrobatics through the Canadian Dance Teachers Association (CDTA) and is a level three coach in women's artistic gymnastics with the National Coaching Certification Program (NCCP). Sarah holds longstanding certificates with many established dance teacher, Pilates and fitness related organizations. Sarah eventually returned to school to study contemporary dance at Simon Fraser University and completed a second degree in Education. Sarah spent some time working in the school district, holding an official teaching license with the BC ministry of Education in the specialty of performing arts and physical education. In 2008 she completed her Master's degree in Human Performance Coaching Sciences from the University of Victoria where she researched in the field of athletic motor development and later developed the curriculum for the International Dance Teaching Standards teacher education program for developing dance educators. Sarah began her doctorate research in Leadership Education but has since switched her focus to Dance Medicine. Within her research Sarah is interested in AcroDance teaching methodology and recently presented at the International Association of Dance Medicine and Science. When not touring as a public speaker, Sarah is the director of a large dance competition and manages a physiotherapy clinic among other small businesses. Sarah has spent the last decade touring worldwide presenting at various universities, dance conventions and conferences and can also be seen live from Los Angeles with CLI Studios. With a strong creative pull Sarah has been choreographing AcroDance lines and productions for more than twenty years and continues to be passionate about student development when she is home and able to teach in her hometown. Module three certified, Sarah is an examiner and course conductor here at Acrobatic Arts. Need some visuals? Check out Sarah's Weekly Mini presentation, Next pieces of equipment to buy and what you can do with them, on YouTube! If you'd like more amazing content more tips and ideas check out our Acrobatic Arts Channel on YouTube. Subscribe Now! Connect with Acrobatic Arts on your favourite social media platform: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/acrobaticarts/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Acroarts Twitter: https://twitter.com/acrobatic_arts/ Learn more and register for our programs at AcrobaticArts.com

Are you a Certified Teacher? Have you added your studio to our Certified Studios Map? Join Michelle McBride, Acrobatic Arts Marketing Director, as she walks you through the process and explains why this is an important step in your Certification! About Michelle McBride Michelle has a degree in visual communication design and has worked in the industry for 20 years. She works with Acrobatic Arts as a marketing director and also consults several local studios. She has worked with large national and international brands to small local businesses and government agencies. Michelle has been a dance instructor for over 20 years and is a certified instructor in the Acrobatic Arts syllabus, AcroDance Preschool, Aerial Arts and is a certified adjudicator. Need some visuals? Check out Michelle's Weekly Mini presentation, How to add your Studio to the Certified Studios Map, on YouTube! If you'd like more amazing content more tips and ideas check out our Acrobatic Arts Channel on YouTube. Subscribe Now! Connect with Acrobatic Arts on your favourite social media platform: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/acrobaticarts/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Acroarts Twitter: https://twitter.com/acrobatic_arts/ Learn more and register for our programs at AcrobaticArts.com

Angela Kim is a professional figure skater, contortionist, aerialist, and Founder of Balanced Skaters. She is recognized for her versatility, but it's the blending of disciplines that sets her apart. We talk to Angela about her unique career, a comeback after double hip reconstruction, and how she's made a professional career on the ice and under the big top! Angela Kim is a Professional Figure Skater, Circus Artist, & Founder of Balanced Skaters. Angela comes from an eclectic background: she began skating at the age of 6 and competed until age 18. She's been performing ever since. She started her professional career back in 2000 with Ice Theatre of New York, Inc.® and has held principal positions for Holiday on Ice, Disney on Ice, Royal Caribbean, Art on Ice, and Cirque du Soleil since then. Her long-standing success stems from years of experience working with the body in many different disciplines. She discovered circus arts in 2006, and has been studying traditional Mongolian contortion and aerial acrobatics for over a decade. During this time, she also opened and co-owned a successful pilates studio called Studio Blue in Portland, Oregon, where she began to develop the Balanced Skaters program. After several years of coaching and running her studio, she began mixing circus with figure skating, putting her on the map as one of the few pioneering skaters to mix disciplines. In 2015 Angela received her certification as an Functional Range Conditioning (FRC) mobility specialist. She began coaching full-time on and off the ice in Oakland, CA, and opened her second pilates studio, Pilates Loft Oakland. After 2 years of being away from performing, she received an offer from Cirque du Soleil to perform as an inline skater and aerialist in their new creation, Volta. During her time in Cirque, she continued to coach as well. She was asked to teach for Acrobatic Arts and was thrilled to be a part of a program that helped young dancers build strong, capable, and healthy bodies. Angela saw a disconnect in the skating world and wanted to make a larger impact in reaching broader skating communities. She teamed up with Acrobatic Arts to create Balanced Skaters. Balanced Skaters: https://www.balancedskaters.com/ Balanced Skaters on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/balancedskaters/ If you'd like more amazing content more tips and ideas check out our Acrobatic Arts Channel on YouTube. Subscribe Now! Connect with Acrobatic Arts on your favourite social media platform: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/acrobaticarts/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Acroarts Twitter: https://twitter.com/acrobatic_arts/ Learn more and register for our programs at AcrobaticArts.com

In this episode, Master Teacher Kate Evans explains why shoulder and hip flexibility are critical for bridge work. Kate also helps you put what you learn into action with exercises to increase your dancers' mobility in their shoulders and hips. Listen Now! About Kate Evans Kate commenced her training at the age of 2 and danced throughout her entire childhood under the training of Maria Shanks. She trained in ballet, jazz, tap, lyrical, contemporary and musical theatre. Kate completed all examinations in classical ballet with the RAD (Royal Academy of Dance) and in all genres with Comdance including Jazz, Tap, Theatrical and Ballet. Following this she trained full time at Brent Street Studios (Sydney) and completed her Certificate IV in Performing Arts. After graduating from high school Kate was accepted into BA Medicine at University of NSW however deferred, and accepted the position at Brent Street Studios. Kate recommenced her BA Medicine however transferred her focus into a Bachelor of Psychology after 2 years, completing and attaining the BA in Psychology at the Queensland University of Technology. Kate has had a professional career and gone on to share her love of the performing arts and acrobatics/aerial arts through teaching students, professionals, certifying teachers, examining and adjudicating, at a range of locations both locally and globally. Kate has always had a passion and love for teaching and commenced teaching in her early teens. Whilst completing her Bachelor of Psychology Kate also attained dance teaching qualifications including Comdance Modern Jazz Teachers Diploma, Comdance Tap Teachers Diploma, Comdance Classical Ballet Teachers Diploma and Comdance Theatrical Teachers Diploma. Kate also attained her Certificate in Ballet Teaching with the Royal Academy of Dance and is currently a registered teacher for the RAD. Kate now runs and manages her own Performing Arts and Acro and Aerial studio in QLD, Beats Per Minute Performing Arts, and Beats Per Minute Acro and Aerial. With over 22 years teaching experience Kate has trained students from the age of 2 years to Professional in all areas of dance, acrobatics, aerial and singing with many of her former students dancing and teaching professionally around the world in musicals, movies and cruise ships. Kate is Alixa Flexibility Certified Module 1, 2, 3 and Course Conductor, delivering teacher certification courses to teachers globally. Kate also hold qualifications in Progressing Ballet Technique, Aerial Arts Hammock and Hoop certified teacher, and a Ready Set Dance and Ready Set Ballet licensee. Module 3 certified, Kate is a Course Conductor and Examiner for Acrobatic Arts, and manages the Australia, New Zealand, and Asian divisions of Acrobatic Arts Examinations faculty. Kate is also Course Conductor and Office manager for Aerial Arts. Kate has a passion for the biomechanics of dance/acro/aerial and endorsing safe and progressive dance/acro/aerial training. Kate is honoured to be be apart of the Acrobatic Arts faculty and thrilled to be sharing her passion and knowledge with the next generation of students and teachers! Need some visuals? Check out Kate's Weekly Mini presentation, Why is shoulder and hip flexibility important for Bridge Work?, on YouTube! If you'd like more amazing content more tips and ideas check out our Acrobatic Arts Channel on YouTube. Subscribe Now! Connect with Acrobatic Arts on your favourite social media platform: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/acrobaticarts/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Acroarts Twitter: https://twitter.com/acrobatic_arts/ Learn more and register for our programs at AcrobaticArts.com

In this episode, Master Teacher Vicki Fletcher gives ideas for drills and skills that you can work on with your incline mat. You will find great ideas for building strength and confidence in little to advanced dancers! Vicki Fletcher was born and currently lives in Ontario Canada and has been dancing since the age of 2. She soon realized that her love for all forms of dance was something she wanted to share with others through teaching. She began teaching at the age of 17 and has been doing it ever since. Vicki brings 25 years of teaching experience in jazz,tap,acro,lyrical, stretch and conditioning and musical theatre. Vicki graduated from Dance Masters of America's Teacher's Training School at Kent State University and the University of New York in Buffalo and is also certified through the Ontario's Gymnastics Federation. Vicki has adjudicated dance competitions and has taught workshops at many studios in Canada. She feels it is very important to stay current with your training so attends workshops and conventions whenever she can. She has won many awards for her creative and innovative choreography and her students have won numerous awards,scholarships and titles. Many have gone on to pursue their own careers in dance whether it be performing in companies or on cruise ships, studying dance in University and becoming teachers themselves. Through her years of teaching Vicki has become more and more passionate towards the acro aspect of dance and has had great success in building a strong acro studio. This love for acro and the desire to see it done safely by teachers and students is what makes being a part of Acrobatic Arts so exciting for her. She is looking forward to working with students and teachers from all over the world who share her passion for acro. Need some visuals? Check out Vicki's Weekly Mini presentation, Many ways to use an incline mat, on YouTube! If you'd like more amazing content more tips and ideas check out our Acrobatic Arts Channel on YouTube. Subscribe Now! Connect with Acrobatic Arts on your favourite social media platform: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/acrobaticarts/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Acroarts Twitter: https://twitter.com/acrobatic_arts/ Learn more and register for our programs at AcrobaticArts.com

In this episode, Acrobatic Arts company Principal Sandra Elliott talks about the importance of balanced development in our dancers. Sandra offers insight and practical steps to help build balance from the beginning or to overcome deficiencies that have developed over time. Understanding imbalances and how to correct them can give teachers a strong foundation in helping their dancers find technical freedom to perform optimally. Don't miss this important episode! With over 30 years teaching experience, Sandra has also been enjoying her role as a course conductor and examiner with Acrobatic Arts since its inception in 2012. She assisted in developing the Module 1 Teacher's Certification Course. In addition, she developed the Graduate Student Teacher's Certification course, the Adjudicator Certification for AcroDance course and the Pin Examiner Certification course. Sandra is a registered teacher with the Royal Academy of Dance and has her Bachelor of Education Degree, with a major in dance. Throughout her teaching career, she has successfully prepared students for all levels of RAD exams. One of her students achieved her Royal Academy of Dance Solo Seal while another student participated in the RAD's Margot Fonteyn International Ballet Competition (formerly ‘The Genee') who later became a member of the Citie Ballet Company and is currently a member of Ballet Kelowna. Sandra has also been closely involved in the training of many students who have gone on to dance in professional shows including The Music Man (Broadway), Radio City Music Hall Rockettes, Movin' Out (Canadian Tour), Cirque Du Soleil (Las Vegas), So You Think You Can Dance Canada, Celine Dion and Taylor Swift. One of those students was the 2013 winner of UK's Got To Dance and a competitor in World of Dance Season 2. He is currently running his own contemporary company ‘Untitled' out of the UK. Sandra's choreography has won many overall, title and choreography awards. She is passionate about not only developing artistic dancers that have excellent technique but she also loves helping dancers to understand how the things they learn in dance can translate into their personal lives helping them to push themselves to be the best they can be. Email: [email protected] If you'd like more amazing content more tips and ideas check out our Acrobatic Arts Channel on YouTube. Subscribe Now! Connect with Acrobatic Arts on your favourite social media platform: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/acrobaticarts/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Acroarts Twitter: https://twitter.com/acrobatic_arts/ Learn more and register for our programs at AcrobaticArts.com

In this episode, Acrobatic Arts US Division Manager Mark Nash talks about the nature of ballet and acrodance as complementary art forms in training and performance. Teachers and studio owners, this episode provides excellent insight for conversations with parents and dancers. Mark is the US Division Manager for Acrobatic Arts, as well as an acro adjudicator, educator and certified examiner. He enjoys choreography and has won the Josephine-Hermene Schwarz award as well as received commissions to choreograph repertory and full-length works for various dance companies throughout the US. He was a professional dancer and has danced for Dayton and Cincinnati Ballets, and Ballet West. Mark is also an eight-time Men's World Baton Twirling Champion, and has taught numerous world champions as well. He values education and has Master's Degrees in Business and Arts Administration, as well as many dance related certifications. Mark is also a devoted husband and father of three, and lives in California. Previous Episodes: Ep 5 Acrobatic Arts United States Division Manager Mark Nash Email: [email protected] FB https://www.facebook.com/nashmark/ IG @nashmark23 Nash Twirling Academy https://www.nashtwirlingacademy.com Acrobatic Arts AcrobaticArts.com

Linda Bluestein, M.D., is an integrative pain medicine physician and former ballet dancer who specializes in treating hypermobility disorders in dancers. Following-up from our first chat with Dr. Bluestein in Ep. 20, we dive deeper and explore her unique approach to the evaluation and treatment of this highly specialized population. This is a must-listen for all dance teachers! In addition to her private medical practice, Hypermobility MD, Dr. Bluestein is the founder and co-host of the podcast, Bendy Bodies with the Hypermobility MD, and former co-host of “Hypermobility Happy Hour.” Dr. Bluestein is the Director of Education for the nonprofit, EDS Wellness, Inc. and founder and executive director of Bendy Bodies, an organization dedicated to empowering hypermobile performing artists. She has published a number of original research papers; presents work at national and international conferences, and is a contributing author for the book, Disjointed - Navigating the Diagnosis and Management of Hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome and Hypermobility Spectrum Disorders. Dr. Bluestein is a member of the Board of Directors for the Bridge Dance Project, the Allergy and Immunology Working Group for the International Consortium on EDS and HSD, the Advisory Board for Doctors for Dancers, and the Resources Committee for the Dance Healthy Alliance of Canada. More information about Dr. Bluestein can be found on her website, www.hypermobilitymd.com. Links: Hypermobility MD https://www.hypermobilitymd.com/ Hypermodbility MD Podcast https://www.hypermobilitymd.com/podcast Bendy Bodies http://bendybodies.org/ International Association for Dance Medicine & Science https://iadms.org Ehlers-Danlos Society https://www.ehlers-danlos.com Social media: https://www.facebook.com/hypermobilityMD/ https://www.instagram.com/hypermobilitymd/ https://www.instagram.com/bendy_bodies/ https://twitter.com/BluesteinLinda

In this episode, Master Teacher Wendy Holmquist explains the difference between AcroDance and Gymnastics, including equipment, technique, expectations for performance and more! Need some visuals? Check out Wendy's Weekly Mini presentation, The difference between AcroDance and Gymnastics, on YouTube! If you'd like more amazing content more tips and ideas check out our Acrobatic Arts Channel on YouTube. Subscribe Now! Connect with Acrobatic Arts on your favourite social media platform: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/acrobaticarts/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Acroarts Twitter: https://twitter.com/acrobatic_arts/ Learn more and register for our programs at AcrobaticArts.com

Katie Schaar has nearly two decades of experience in the business and she's done it all as a dancer and a choreographer: movies, SYTYCD, music award shows, the Super Bowl, rock star world tours, and co-founding her passion project Sugarfoot Therapy. In this episode, Katie talks about her career and influences, as well as giving her best insight on setting dancer athletes up physically and mentally for whatever path they choose! Mentoring young people or interested in a long-lasting career? This episode is for you! Katie Schaar has nearly two decades of experience as a Los Angeles-based dancer, choreographer, & dance teacher. Credits include Dancing with the Stars, So You Think You Can Dance, the American Music Awards, MTV VMA's, the BRIT Awards, the Grammy's, films The Muppets and Rock of Ages, the 2015 Super Bowl Halftime Show, and world tours for P!NK, Katy Perry & Taylor Swift. She has a BA from Loyola Marymount University, where she studied Communications Studies and Dance. Katie co-created Sugarfoot Therapy, a physical therapy-based conditioning & injury prevention program for dancers; and she is the founder and Director of Operations at MOTI Physiotherapy in LA. Sugarfoot Therapy classes on CLI Studios: https://members.clistudios.com/classes/instructors/81 Sugarfoot Therapy, Online exercise platform and teacher courses: www.sugarfoottherapy.com MOTI Physiotherapy, Los Angeles Physical Therapy facilities: www.motipt.com Bridge Dance Project - Optimizing Performance for Competition - an event for competition dance studio owners / teachers / event planners. August 5-7, 2022. Denver, CO - USA If you'd like more amazing content more tips and ideas check out our Acrobatic Arts Channel on YouTube. Subscribe Now! Connect with Acrobatic Arts on your favourite social media platform: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/acrobaticarts/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Acroarts Twitter: https://twitter.com/acrobatic_arts/ Learn more and register for our programs at AcrobaticArts.com