Conditioning for Performing Artists™ - Youth
It is important to recognize that the ability to perform at a high level is not simply innate talent, but the result of years of dedicated training, practice, and performance experience. This demanding path can lead to chronic stress and burnout at any age, both physically and emotionally.
High-level performance art requires levels of physical, mental, and emotional fitness similar to those of professional athletes, yet performing artists often lack the support and guidance provided to athletes. Unlike athletes who have coaches to guide them through practices and events, performing artists generally practice alone. There is often little support available to help performers reach their full potential and maintain their well-being. Moreover, performing artists who suffer from injuries may face significant stigma, which can hinder their ability to heal and continue their craft.
Yet, there is often a gap in resources and support available for performers, particularly youth. The Conditioning for Performing Artists™ program that I have created offers a youth trajectory specifically designed to fill this gap. It provides comprehensive support for optimal performance integration and injury prevention through a blend of body-oriented, as well as movement and sound-based modalities:
Body Mapping facilitates re-patterning of movement so that the body becomes more efficient in flow;
Somatic Experiencing® explores the ways in which we hold tension and stress in our physical selves;
Polyvagal Theory helps us understand how our nervous system responds to different stimuli and how we can regulate our responses through practices that target the vagus nerve, such as the Safe and Sound Protocol.
This program is tailored to meet the unique needs of performing artists, providing them with the physical, emotional, and mental support they need to thrive both on and off the stage.
“I'm Oksana and I'm 16 years old. I've been playing the flute and taking ballet lessons for years now, and I'm pretty good at both. But, I've been dealing with some major pain in my body because of my flute posture and the intense dance training. My knee's been giving me some trouble too, and the doctor recommended surgery if I want to keep dancing. My parents booked me online sessions with Bianca and she taught me about body awareness, which was kind of weird at first, like paying attention to my breathing, eye movement, jaw, shoulder blades and other body parts I never thought about. She taught me how to notice my thoughts while practicing or performing, without letting them take over. I never realized how much my breathing was holding me back while dancing until I started working with her. She showed me Body Mapping and Vagus Nerve exercises, some therapeutic yoga and tai chi, and we did balance and somatic work. Bianca's pretty cool to work with - she always comes up with unexpected things that somehow work! Now, I move better, can play the flute longer, and my dance frame is way better. I feel much lighter on my feet, too. I might still need knee surgery in the future, but for now, the doctor says that the knee is stable.”