Conditioning For Ballet

With Luke Abnett

Classes

Biography

Luke Abnett is a Chartered Physiotherapist who specialises in Ballet and Dance. He mainly works with dancers to improve physical limitations which delay technique progression. Whether it’s improving flexibility, increasing turnout, or improving specific areas of dance (jump height, pointework, pirouettes..) – this is Luke’s day-to-day. Luke also helps dancers overcome issues with hypermobility or joint and muscle stiffness which make dance training harder than it needs to be.

Luke was the sole physiotherapist at the Royal Ballet School in Covent Garden for 6 years and has worked with various West End companies. Luke is also trained in Vocal Physiotherapy.

Class Description

Conditioning for Ballet is a class designed by Ballet Physio Luke Abnett to help recreational adult dancers unlock their potential.This class 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

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.