Episode 8 - How We Approach Neuro Training Program Design for Dancers and Gymnasts

In this episode, we talk about the perception of neuro training as brain ‘tricks’ and discuss how it's a process and approach that creates changes in the brain to improve physical performance for the long-run. We share recent experiences from workshops and clinics and the process behind designing and refining programs for groups and individuals. Key topics Why neuro training should be part of the beginning of every movement session Translating workshop “tricks” into long-term training How an Assess - Reassess process helps athletes track what actually works Individualized protocols and why some athletes respond differently Using neuro training as a warm-up for the nervous system, not just the muscles Pain, safety, and how the brain can create protective responses that inhibit movement Timestamps 1:20 - How Nikki creates accountability for dancers in her workshops 02:08 - We’re rewiring the brain in order to create changes in how it drives movement, not doing a series of brain “tricks” 05:35 - The Assess - Reassess process as a method to select drills, and how to reinforce the learning process with athletes, dancers and coaches 07:37 - The benefit of coaches and instructors understanding the approach and process 09:05 - Why neurotraining works best when integrated into daily practice, classes or rehearsals 09:53 - The process of introducing and adjusting drills in group settings 11:20 - How body position plays a role in the outcome of a drill and the importance of gradually introducing complexity 13:13 - How a simple positional change could create a negative or positive result from a drill 14:30 - Challenges of introducing neuro training to a group that will respond to drills differently 15:47 - The power of individualized protocols and the optimal frequency for the best results 16:25 - An example of neuro training improving a professional athlete’s performance and longevity 19:20 - Why warming up and performance improvements benefit from solutions beyond solely biomechanical ones 20:40 - Pain as a protective response from the brain, and how a single neuro drill provided relief from knee pain 23:11 - Benefits of preparing both the physical tissues and brain areas that regulate movement and muscle tone 26:50 - Why neuro training warm-up protocols can be more efficient than traditional warm-ups 27:30 - A case study of a dancer with difficulty spotting and how biomechanical instructions or adjustments alone may be insufficient 28:40 - Closing thoughts Resources & Links Connect with us Yuka on Instagram (@levelupneuro) Nikki on Instagram (@bybee_nikki) Performance Rewired YouTube Subscribe to our newsletters Yuka: LevelUp Newsletter Nikki: Transformational Newsletter