21/08/2026
When Flexibility Becomes the Priority
I have seen this far too many times with pre professional dancers.
YOUNG dancers who have spent years constantly pushing for more flexibility, deeper stretches and bigger lines ,but without developing the core strength, hip stability and control needed to safely support those positions.
I have seen dancers who have required hip surgery, suffered labral tears, developed significant lower-back and disc problems, and experienced issues with spinal alignment and scoliosis. And sadly, I have seen this across multiple dancers and multiple studios.
This isn’t about blaming anyone. It’s about recognising that we need to look at the bigger picture.
A dancer can be incredibly flexible and still not have the strength to control that flexibility.
Flexibility without strength and stability can place enormous demands on the hips, pelvis and spine. Young bodies are still developing, and constantly pushing range without teaching the body how to control that range can have consequences that may not become apparent until later.
We need to stop measuring a young dancer’s ability by how far they can stretch.
We need to put just as much ,if not more emphasis on CORE strength, hip stability, control, strength through range and functional movement.
Beautiful lines are wonderful. But a strong, stable and healthy body is what allows a dancer to keep dancing for years to come.
