How do you prepare a hypermobile student for the rigors of the professional dance world, finding that balance of exploring their gifts while moving cautiously to avoid injury? In this episode, we are joined by Mariaelena Ruiz, director of Cary Ballet Conservatory’s Professional Training Program and recipient of the 2019 Outstanding Teacher Award at the Youth America Grand Prix NYC Finals. She discusses her experiences training high-level dancers who wrestle with their hypermobility. 

Mariaelena brings her decades as a professional ballerina with a wonky body to her classroom and has a personal understanding of the struggles hypermobile dancers face. She asserts that her injuries also made her both a better dancer and a better teacher, and made her a firm believer in cross-training. She discusses why her teaching is focused on strength and not bendiness, and how she shapes a student’s training over the course of several years. 

We talk about why slower is better, and how she and her team approach the long-term training of a hypermobile dancer. She shares tips for teachers of hypermobile dancers, gives advice for frustrated bendy dancers, and reveals what she’d like to see support-wise from the dance medicine community. 

Full of thoughtfulness and packed with advice, Mariaelena’s interview is not one to miss! 

Learn about Mariaelena Ruiz and follow her on social media: https://www.caryballet.com/ https://www.facebook.com/CaryBallet/ https://www.instagram.com/mariaelenaruizofficial/ https://www.instagram.com/caryballet/ 

Learn about Dr. Linda Bluestein, the hypermobility MD, at our website and be sure to follow us on social media: Website: www.hypermobilitymd.com and www.bendybodies.org Instagram: @hypermobilitymd and @bendy_bodies Twitter: @hypermobilityMD Facebook: www.facebook.com/hypermobilityMD/ and www.facebook.com/bendybodiespodcast/ Pinterest: www.pinterest.com/hypermobilityMD/ LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/hypermobilitymd/ 

And follow guest co-host Jennifer at the links below: Website: www.jennifer-milner.com Instagram: @jennifer.milner Facebook: www.facebook.com/jennifermilnerbodiesinmotion/