How can dance teachers recognize early signs of injury before it happens? In this second part of our injury prevention series, we uncover the timing, science, and simple in-class techniques that keep dancers strong and safe.

Welcome to Episode 16 of It’s All Relative — the continuation of last week’s powerful conversation with Kate Pano, licensed Physical Therapy Assistant, dance educator, and member of the Relative Motion team.

In Part 2, Cara and Kate pick up where they left off in Episode 15, going even deeper into injury prevention and dancer awareness. Together, they break down how timing, training habits, and proprioception all play a role in keeping dancers safe, balanced, and performing at their best.

If you haven’t listened to Part 1 yet, make sure to go back to Episode 15 for the full foundation on intrinsic and extrinsic injury risk factors before diving into this one.

Cara and Kate talked about:

• The importance of timing and early intervention when correcting movement habits
• How neuroplasticity affects dancer training and the need for repetition to create lasting change
• The top nine most common dancer injuries, and how to train away from them
• What proprioception really means and how to improve body awareness in class
• Simple proprioceptive drills teachers can use to strengthen balance and ankle stability
• How to help dancers transition from recovery to performance safely
• Encouragement for teachers to stay proactive, not pressured, when navigating dancer injuries

This two-part series with Kate Pano reminds us that technical excellence and dancer wellness go hand in hand. As teachers and studio owners, our goal isn’t just to create stronger dancers, it’s to help them move with awareness, longevity, and confidence in their craft.

If today’s episode resonated with you, subscribe to our newsletter for monthly Momentum Concepts and Injury Prevention Spotlights delivered straight to your inbox. You can also access free, ready-to-use exercises inside the Relative Motion Technique App, so you can start integrating safe, science-backed training into your classes right away.

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