What is The Inner Life of Ballet?
Welcome to a new approach to ballet!
The field of dance medicine emerged in the 1980s and now dancers can get excellent therapeutic care as well as state of the art conditioning. Many dance companies and conservatories have physical therapy as well as some form of dance conditioning in-house. Dance companies might also have Pilates equipment, equipment from the GYROTONIC EXPANSION SYSTEM®, and strength and conditioning programs available, but there is often still a gap between rehabilitative care, dance conditioning and dancing.
The Inner Life of Ballet™ is about closing that gap. I have been working with dancers for over 25 years and my experience has shown me that they want and need more information about how their bodies work. The pressure they are under to move better, stronger, and faster and to create more beautiful shapes and lines is intense and ever present. Also, artistic and rehearsal directors might see that a dancer is lacking a certain quality, but can’t always give clear directions as to how to improve. Ballet teachers can get impatient when students don’t progress with the challenging aspects of technique and artistry.
I have found that supporting dancers to become more process-based than product-based has yielded dramatic results from injury healing and prevention to stunning technical and artistic improvements. When dancers know the ‘how’ and the ‘why’ behind what they do and not just the ‘what’, they become empowered with a more somatic approach to their art form and can find fulfillment instead of frustration. They start to work smart instead of hard, and become more interesting to watch.
The Benefits of The Inner Life of Ballet
A physically sustainable way to fulfill the aesthetics of ballet
Healthier dancers, mentally and physically
Technical consistency through improved biomechanics
A clear way to cue artistry, free of excessive stylistic tension
An understanding of classical ballet that sees it’s functional intelligence
For Dancers
Increase confidence and self-esteem
Feel as though your efforts help you succeed
Learn how to trust and appreciate your body and its’ unique qualities
Work smarter, not harder
For Movement Educators
Learn how to use your skills to create efficient movement patterns within ballet
Improve confidence working with dancers
Train your eye to see “line” and continuity in ballet
For Ballet Teachers
Learn how to teach with enhanced verbal cueing
Develop teaching skills designed to provide information as well as corrections
Improve your knowledge of anatomy and learn how it can be helpful
For Physical Therapists
Increase your confidence when evaluating a dancer's technique
Learn to see and create functional movement patterns within the ballet aesthetic
Learn to observe injury patterns as an integral part of the kinetic chain
“Over 23 years ago, I walked in injured and curious. Since then, Alicia’s inner life work — a unique approach to ballet that elevates the quality of movement — has been my constant companion. As an injured dancer, a curious dancer, a versatile dancer, a classical dancer, a teacher, a mentor, and now a director, I’ve had the privilege of learning from someone whose devotion to her craft is unparalleled.
Alicia’s gift lies in her ability to guide us toward our inner life, a boundless concept that touches anyone seeking to connect with the deepest parts of themselves. Through her teaching, we learn to express from the soul with sincerity and artistry, transforming our movements into a reflection of our inner world. Her work resonates with anyone, offering not just clarity in understanding movement, but a pathway to create something truly authentic and profound when passing on that knowledge.
This is because she loves—she loves all that is within us.
And that, above all, is the ultimate gift.”