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 topicsWhy neuro training should be part of the beginning of every movement sessionTranslating workshop “tricks” into long-term training How an Assess - Reassess process helps athletes track what actually worksIndividualized protocols and why some athletes respond differentlyUsing neuro training as a warm-up for the nervous system, not just the musclesPain, safety, and how the brain can create protective responses that inhibit movementTimestamps1:20 - How Nikki creates accountability for dancers in her workshops02:08 - 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 coaches07:37 - The benefit of coaches and instructors understanding the approach and process09:05 - Why neurotraining works best when integrated into daily practice, classes or rehearsals09:53 - The process of introducing and adjusting drills in group settings11:20 - How body position plays a role in the outcome of a drill and the importance of gradually introducing complexity13:13 - How a simple positional change could create a negative or positive result from a drill14:30 - 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 results16:25 - An example of neuro training improving a professional athlete’s performance and longevity19:20 - 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 pain23:11 - 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 insufficient28:40 - Closing thoughtsResources & LinksConnect with usYuka on Instagram (@levelupneuro)Nikki on Instagram (@bybee_nikki)Performance Rewired YouTubeSubscribe to our newslettersYuka: LevelUp NewsletterNikki: Transformational Newsletter