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. The original course has been divided into three four hour sessions, delivered over a three week period, to allow optimal understanding of all of the content via an online 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. 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.

For the latest dates and information on upcoming courses click on the 'Upcoming Workshops' button below. This workshop is also available as a self-guided option giving you the opportunity to work through the content in your own time. Both options give full, lifetime access to detailed videos of every test and exercise in the program, allowing you to continually review the work.

Self Guided Version

Upcoming Workshops

"Pushing in the direction you want to go is often the slowest and most dangerous way of getting there..."

- Lisa Howell

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?

This course is designed for Dance Teachers, Hands-on Therapists, Yoga Practitioners, Pilates Instructors, Athletic Trainers, Gymnastic Coaches and anyone else interested in the art of Flexibility Training.

Aims of the course:

Increase the awareness of the multifactorial nature to flexibility training
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
Give smarter alternatives to the traditional method of pushing into restrictions
Empower trainers with the tools to use different training techniques with different individuals at different points in time
Understand why these areas of tension build up in the first place
Help teachers manage the flexibility of adolescents safely through growth-spurts

L2-FLEXAssessing Range in Second Splits-600 x 400

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.

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!

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, yet often unknown qualities of various types of fascia, and how this may influence training in the studio.

Hypermobility:

We explore the varying differing presentations of Hypermobility in the dancers, and how this can impact training. We debunk several Myths around stretching in Hypermobility, and the essential element of building stability while improving range.

Fascial Mobilisers:

We explore safe and effective, multidirectional Fascial mobilisers that are ideal for adding into a regular Flexibility Training routine or warm up.

Sustained Stretches:

We also look at the power in deeper, sustained stretches, and the effect that this can have on the deeper fascial system, when used strategically, in the right situation.

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 accelerate flexibility training.

Resolving Flexibility Issues Long Term:

Perhaps most importantly we look at why tension builds up in some areas more than others, and strategic nways of continuing to work on flexibility long term.

Dealing with Growth Spurts:

Many adolescents struggle with their mobility during periods of growth. Unfortunately, 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 this workshop we 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 to get a good understanding of the content covered in the Level 1 course.

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

During this flexibility intensive we will learn about the different kinds of restrictions that will impact flexibility in any areas of the body. Knowing how to assess 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 their 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.

Have a think about why different individual would feel this in different places, and how you would address each reported restriction. Try this on a few different dancers and experiment with the effectiveness of the techniques you have chosen. If you need some help, this course is for you!

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 it can be taken as a stand alone course if you have not yet completed Level 1. 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.