The Acrobatic Arts Podcast

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 wante...

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...

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 enj...

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...

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 You...

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...

In this episode Acrobatic Arts company Principal, Sandra Elliott, explains the most common errors we see in the Primary to Level 3 exams and how to fix them. Miss Sandra provides insight, common corrections, and tips to help you set your students up for success as the prepare for these exam levels. Need some visuals? Check out Sandra's Weekly Mini presentation, Most Common Corrections in Exams Pri...

Are mindset and anxiety issues holding your dancers back? In this episode of The Acrobatic Arts Podcast, Loren talks to Dr. Leisha Strachan about ways we can help dancers overcome common mindset challenges. Don't miss this episode chalk-a-block full of tangible strategies that you can start using to help your dancers today! Dr. Leisha Strachan is a professor at the University of Manitoba with a re...

In this episode, Master Teacher Miss Heather Lawrence-Thomas explains how Acrobatic Arts progress cards can keep your classes organized, your dancers motivated, and the expectations of dance parents met! Mrs Thomas has extensive training and knowledge in BATD (British Association Teachers of Dancing), ADAPT (Associated Dance Arts and Professional Teachers) AG (Al Gilbert), RAD ( Royal Academy of D...

Following up on Ep. 28 Physiotherapist Tim Buckley: Dance Injuries, Pt 1, Loren and Tim dive into answering listeners' questions with specifics and practicalities to the unique challenges dancers face. Tim Buckley is a Physiotherapist from Melbourne, Australia. He has worked exclusively with elite ballet dancers, circus artists and orchestral musicians during his 15 year career and has spoken twic...

In this informative episode, Loren talks to physiotherapist Tim Buckley about dance injuries resulting from different disciplines such as acro and circus arts. Tim provides expert perspective and insight into common questions dance teachers have about training, injury, pain, recovery, and prevention. Tim Buckley is a Physiotherapist from Melbourne, Australia. He has worked exclusively with elite b...

In this episode Master Teacher Loren Dermody give ideas for beginner handstands. Learn skills and drills for beginners in this exceptional lesson! Loren Dermody envisions living in a world where everyone dances, loves, laughs, lives their passion, and listens to Prince every single day! A renowned and sought-after coach and choreographer, Loren started studying dance, acrobatics, and baton twirlin...

With little more than an idea and drive to find her way, Mandy Yip went from selling her dance studio to leading the world’s most recognized AcroDance syllabus company. Now the CEO, Canadian Division Manager, and founder of Acrobatic Arts, shares her tips and tactics for building your way to business success with good company. As the founder and CEO of Acrobatic Arts Inc, Mandy manages the staff a...

The finale episode of The Acrobatic Arts Podcast's first year features memorable moments from the 2021 line-up. Top take-a-ways in a countdown of the very best include clips from: Rick Tjia Kelly Peterson Sarah Calvert David Stinson Dr. Linda Bluestein Dr. Leisha Strachan Erika Mayall Thank you to our listeners and a huge thank you to ALL our amazing guests this past year! … Coming in Janua...

Prepping for a dance competition comes with many concerns; however, one crucial consideration often gets overlooked: what will your dancers eat? In this episode, Accredited Nutritionist and Sports/Dance Dietitian Jasmine Challis provides solid takeaways and nutrition tips for dancers to optimize energy and keep them on their toes! Jasmine is an Accredited Nutritionist and Sports Dietitian on the U...

Have you lost your marketing inspiration, or are you not sure where to begin? In this episode, we're talking to Acrobatic Arts Director of Marketing Michelle McBride, who's had an impressive 20-year career as a graphic designer and dance teacher. What a wealth of experience and perspective she brings! It's inspiring and tactical. This episode teaches tangible marketing tips and take-aways for stud...

In this episode of the Acrobatic Arts Podcast, Liza Kovacs discusses the question “How much training is too much?” Liza considers herself a dance nerd and is interested in learning mechanisms, knowledge building and pedagogical practices in dance, as well as in the application of periodization concepts in classical training. Since graduating from the National Ballet School of Canada, L...

In this episode, Maggie Morris talks about Safe in Dance International. This is a wonderful organization that works to promote safe and healthy dance practice worldwide. Maggie provides a brief summary of the tools and resources that they have available for dancers and dance teachers. In addition to being the Co-Founder of Safe in Dance International, Maggie is also a dance educator and an arts co...

Linda Bluestein, M.D. is an integrative pain medicine physician and former ballet dancer specializing in treating hypermobility disorders and other conditions involving persistent pain. Do you know the difference between hypermobility and flexibility? Join Dr. Linda Bluestein on this podcast episode and listen as she answers that question and many more! In addition to her private medical practice,...

Have you ever wondered how to help dancers with scoliosis? In this episode we have special guest Suzanne Koucheravy. Suzanne specializes in dance medicine as well as being a Scolio-Pilates® master teacher. Listen today and hear Suzanne's informative talk on the topic of scoliosis and how she uses a pilates-based rehabilitation method to help dancers with scoliosis. Suzanne Koucheravy is a Pila...

Dr. Jeff Russell has over 35 years of dealing with concussions in both a sports environment and in a performing arts environment. In this episode, we learn how a concussion can happen for a variety of reasons and the symptoms are often very individualized. Dr. Russell also reminds us “That before you actually have to use the concussion care network - you have to make the concussion care netw...

Did you know that Acrobatic Arts has a Maureen Johnson Professional Development Scholarship? This scholarship is awarded annually to one dance teacher who exemplifies a passion for professional development. The recipient of this scholarship receives full tuition to the Acrobatic Arts Module One Teacher's Certification Course. In this episode, Maureen talks about her life as a dance teacher, a stud...

You really can achieve anything that your heart desires! At least that's what Paul Malek tells us in this episode of the Acrobatic Arts Podcast. Paul is the Artist Director for Transit Dance, an award winning choreographer, a sought after motivational speaker, an accomplished photographer and the author of his own book “The Secret to a Successful and Happy Life”. He definitely leads by...

Super exciting episode! Erika Mayall answers three important questions about flexibility. #1 How can we help our dancers with square hip splits? #2 What should we focus on when designing our mobility programs? And #3 How does the nervous system affect mobility and flexibility? Listen as Erika provides science based answers to these questions! Erika is a physiotherapist with a special interest in d...

In this episode, Mandy Yip explains the various certification courses that Acrobatic Arts offers as well as provides detailed information that may help you decide which course is right for you! She gives the dates and locations of upcoming conventions where Acrobatic Arts will be instructing classes and also shares some exciting news about the partnerships and collaborations that Acrobatic Arts ha...