COURSE DETAILS
Minimum age: 15
DAY: Thursday
DATES: 8th May – 12th June 2025
LENGTH: 6 weeks
LEVEL: All
TIME: 18:30 – 19:30
TEACHER: Luke Abnett
PRICE: £120
Course Description
Conditioning for Ballet is a course designed by Ballet Physio Luke Abnett to help recreational adult dancers unlock their potential. This course is ideal for the dancer who is trying to apply their teacher’s corrections but is finding that their body isn’t naturally doing what is being asked of it! Ballet is a demanding artform and asks the body to move in non-neutral and non-natural ways – turnout and demipointe for example. Balance is challenging in these positions, and the ability to hold them doesn’t come easily. The core muscles are placed under additional load, and need to be strong and controlled to be effective. However, with a targeted approach to certain areas of the body, we can quickly open up the body’s capacity to improve balletic performance.
We will work on the following key areas:
Core strength and control – learn how to coordinate the different components of the core with a specific focus on the requirements of ballet,
Turnout – maximise safe turnout in all positions,
Foot and ankle strength – improve the unique requirements of ballet in both the working and supporting foot,
Balance and coordination – learn how to put it all together and learn how to apply the lessons from these exercises to your ballet classes
You can expect a series of progressive exercises across the six-week course to improve the above areas. Threaded through the class will be tips on how to apply these benefits to your ballet classwork, in an encouraging environment where each dancer’s journey, at whatever level of experience, is respected and supported. The exercises have been carefully selected based on years of experience working with beginners and experienced dancers alike.
To ensure all needs are met, we require an online medical and injury history form to be completed prior to starting. If you have any questions please visit balletphysio.com/contact-the-
Here is the link to the google form which participants need to complete prior to attending: https://forms.gle/
Biography
Luke Abnett is the Ballet Physio. He is the company physiotherapist for London City Ballet and the school physiotherapist for London Vocational Ballet School and Blommaert Ballet School. Luke has worked with dancers of all ages and all abilities for 14 years, including the Royal Ballet School, Royal Ballet Company, International Draftworks, Acosta Danza, the Lion King and others. In his time at the Royal Ballet School, Luke co-founded the Royal Ballet Science and Medicine Advisory Group with the Clinical Director of the Royal Ballet. He oversaw an integrated physical conditioning curriculum which included fitness training and pilates. Luke has two courses on the Dance Masterclass platform, and free lessons are accessible via the link luke.dance-masterclass.com
In recent years Luke has launched a series of conditioning courses for vocational dance students, and is now bringing the benefits of this training to adult recreational dancers in the Conditioning For Ballet course at Danceworks.
Luke specialises in helping dancers make the most of their facility by strengthening the less-obvious supportive muscle groups and bridging the gap between class corrections and improved performance. Luke is available for one to one sessions at Danceworks or online.
