18. Molding Healthy, Successful Artists with Mariaelena Ruiz

In this episode, Mariaelena Ruiz, Director of Cary Ballet Conservatory’s Professional Training Program, discusses her approach to training dancers with hypermobility, focusing on strength rather than flexibility. With her own experience as a professional ballerina dealing with a hypermobile body, Mariaelena emphasizes the importance of building strength and technique to prevent injuries. She explains how her teaching methodology prioritizes gradual progression, cross-training, and understanding correct alignment. This approach helps dancers develop the endurance needed for long performances. Mariaelena also provides advice for teachers working with hypermobile dancers, suggesting that focusing on technical strength rather than overstretching will ultimately lead to a more sustainable and successful dance career. She emphasizes the importance of communication between dancers, teachers, and medical professionals in managing hypermobility effectively.