Performance Rewired

Performance Rewired

By Yuka Sugiura & Nikki BybeeSportsScienceArtsPerforming ArtsLife Sciences
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Performance Rewired episodes

  • Episode 15: Why We Don't Use BOSU Balls in Training

    In this episode we break down why BOSU balls and foam pads are not the best tools for improving balance, ankle proprioception, or athletic stability. There's a difference between training on unstable surfaces and training for the actual demands of performance, and we share examples from dancers, gymnasts, and other movers. Yuka walks through a study on ankle proprioception and unstable surfaces, while Nikki adds practical coaching context from dance training and foot tripod mechanics. Together, we clarify that balance work should match the environment and task the athlete actually needs to perform.

    Key Topics

    • Why BOSU balls often train a different balance strategy than the one
      athlete actually need
    • When the floor is unstable, the nervous system reweights balance inputs away from the ankle and toward other strategies
    • Yuka shares her preferred ankle stability drill
    • Nikki emphasizes tripod foot contact at the heel, first metatarsal, and fifth metatarsal as the foundation for force and stability
    • A practical takeaway that training should match the surface

    Timestamps

    • 0:00 Cold open and welcome to Performance Rewired
    • 0:38 Why we don’t use BOSU balls: What to expect from the episode
    • 5:05 Why head movement matters for improving balance
    • 6:30 - The study: Ankle proprioception is not targeted by exercises on an unstable surface
    • 14:10 Why force production is not enhanced on BOSU or foam and a drill you can do instead
    • 19:37 Managing the tripod of the foot, the sensory pronation drill, and closing thoughts

    Resources & Links

    • Ankle proprioception is not targeted by exercises on an unstable surface
    • Sensory Pronation Drill

    Connect with us

    • Yuka-IG: @levelupneuro
    • Nikki-IG: @bybee_nikki

    For practical drills and movement strategies, check out our YouTube Channel.

    Sign up for newsletters for updates on courses and resources 

    • Transformation Newsletter
    • LevelUp Newsletter
    25 min
  • Episode 14: Building Resilience to Enhance Performance

    We explore what resilience means in elite performance and how small movement patterns can reveal opportunities to build capacity. We discuss why resilience involves both the body and the mind, from adapting to physical challenges to staying open to feedback and unexpected changes.

    Key topics

    • In this episode, we discuss how resilience can help athletes and artists perform at higher level, even when conditions or physical patterns aren’t ideal.
    • Why examining subtle movement patterns can help identify opportunities for growth, rather than labeling movement as simply good or bad.
    • How elite performers can still have small deficits or “glitches” in their systems, and how addressing the right one may improve performance.
    • How movement analysis can be mistaken for criticism, and why curiosity and openness to feedback can help performers make progress.
    • How sticking to the same routines, locations, or equipment can limit adaptability when competition conditions change.
    • Building resilience through safe, intentional disruptions in practice or interrupting a familiar routine.
    • Techniques for nervous system regulation

    Timestamps

    • 00:00 - Opening the conversation and introducing resilience
    • 03:16 - Why resilience matters in performance
    • 04:14 - Looking at movement patterns, not just facial expression
    • 05:21 - Finding the small challenge that could build capacity
    • 06:22 - Visual, vestibular, and movement-system inputs
    • 09:40 - Usain Bolt as an example in a discussion of physical resilience
    • 12:38 - Why elite performers may still have areas to explore
    • 15:38 - Simone Biles, pressure, and performance challenges
    • 17:38 - Breaking down movement without labeling it good or bad
    • 20:33 - Resilience in viewpoint and openness to feedback
    • 21:20 - Why top performers are willing to show where they’re struggling
    • 24:12 - Flexibility, plasticity, and getting out of a fixed routine
    • 26:31 - Practicing resilience through intentional disruption
    • 27:24 - The horse example: safely building tolerance for unexpected events
    • 29:27 - Practical ideas: changing practice positions and using a breath reset
    • 30:12 - Frontal-lobe training and focus
    • 31:32 - How physical and mental inputs shape performance

    Resources and Links

    Physiological sigh demonstration video

    Connect with us

    • Yuka-IG: @levelupneuro
    • Nikki-IG: @bybee_nikki

    For practical drills and movement strategies, check out our YouTube Channel.

    Sign up for newsletters for updates on courses and resources 

    • Transformation Newsletter
    • LevelUp Newsletter
    31 min
  • Episode 13: Seeing Clearly - Why 20/20 Vision Is Not the Whole Story for Dancers and Gymnasts

    In Episode 13 we dig into the difference between static vision and the kind of visual control athletes actually need in motion. We focus on how vision, vestibular input, and body position affect spotting, turning, landing, and overall performance in dance and gymnastics. In this episode, we also share a practical drill progression for training visual acuity under movement, plus a few real-world coaching observations from the studio and the gym.

    Key topics

    • 20/20 vision only measures static acuity
    • Why motion changes what your eyes can do
    • Signs vision may be limiting performance
    • Plyometrics as a cross-training lesson in force and foot contact
    • Why a nervous system approach can outperform biomechanical cueing
    • Vision, vestibular, and proprioception have a hierarchy
    • A simple drill to assess and train dynamic visual acuity

    Time stamps

    00:00 - Introduction

    02:28 - Life updates

    04:37 - Ballet jumps, thuds, and why foot stiffness matters

    06:11 - Applying plyometrics to a gymnast’s switch leap

    07:15 - Why 20/20 vision does not explain performance vision

    07:32 - What static visual acuity actually measures

    09:01 - Spotting, tumbling, and why movement changes vision

    10:23 - Testing static acuity beyond the standard eye exam

    11:52 - Head, neck, and shoulder position affecting vision

    14:25 - Why dynamic acuity matters for athletes in motion

    15:46 - Signs the nervous system is not getting enough visual data

    17:09 - Fake spotting, dizziness, headaches, and inconsistent skills

    20:17 - Athletes may not notice their vision is bouncing or blurry

    21:13 - Introducing the VOR drill for visual training

    22:14 - How to dose the drill and reassess performance

    23:10 - Progressing the drill into sport specific positions

    24:27 - Building resilience with unfamiliar body positions

    25:25 - Why dancers need real spotting practice, not just cues

    27:42 - Why visual training improved turns faster than biomechanics

    29:20 - The vision, vestibular, proprioception hierarchy

    30:18 - Closing takeaways and why better visual input supports movement


    A drill to try at home

    Dynamic VisualAcuity

    • Goal: Keep a target clear, edges of image pristinewhile gently moving your headside to side.
    • Drill demo
    • Try the drill in positions that resemble your sport, not just standing.oReassess a skill like turning, jumping, or spotting after the drill
    • If you coach dancers or gymnasts, consider training visual skills directly insteadof relying only on biomechanical cues

    Connect with us

    • Yuka-IG: @levelupneuro
    • Nikki-IG: @bybee_nikki

    For practical drills and movement strategies, check out our YouTube Channel.

    Sign up for newsletters for updates on courses and resources 

    • Transformation Newsletter
    • LevelUp Newsletter


    31 min
  • Epsiode 12: Built to Rotate: Reflexes Behind Turns, Spins, Flips, and Rotational Performance

    In this episode, we are breaking down some reflex systems that quietly shape balance, spotting, and rotational control in dance and gymnastics. The focus is on how the vestibular, visual, and proprioceptive systems work together, and why performance issues like chin drop, bobblehead movement, and unstable turns may be tied to reflexive responses rather than just technique. This glimpse into the neural is especially useful for coaches and athletes who want a more complete view of rotation, head control, and why some movement problems do not respond to the usual biomechanical cues. It also includes practical signs to look for in training and a few ways to think about neck and sensory system prep differently.

    Key topics

    • In this episode, we discuss why balance depends on three inputs - vision, somatosensory or proprioceptive input, and the vestibular system.

    • This is also a dive into the vestibulospinal reflex, the vestibulo-ocular reflex, the vestibulocollic reflex, and the cervical colic reflex as key systems behind upright posture, gaze stability, and head control.

    • Nikki shares how dropping the chin in pirouettes can be a reflexive safety response, not just a technical error.

    • Yuka explains how the vestibulo-ocular reflex helps keep the eyes stable during spotting in flips, turns, and spins.

    • We describe the vestibulocollic reflex as a major factor in keeping the head upright during running, vaulting, and other high-speed movement tasks.

    • Yuka shares the cervical colic reflex as a proprioceptive system driven by the neck muscles, especially the suboccipital muscles, which are extremely sensitive to motion.

    • They point out common clues in dancers and gymnasts, including chin tucking, head tilting, excess neck tension, trouble spotting, and unstable head position.

    • Both hosts emphasize that these reflexes are trainable and worth assessing in high-performance athletes.


    Timestamps

    03:24 - Why rotational athletes need head stability and gaze control

    04:49 - These reflexes are trainable capabilities, not just fixed traits 10:30 - Balance is built from vision, proprioception, and vestibular input 

    11:27 - Vestibulospinal reflex and why it helps keep you upright 

    11:52 - Vestibulo-ocular reflex and how it supports spotting

    12:18 - Vestibulocollic reflex and keeping the head stable in motion 

    13:31 - Reflexes as automatic safety systems, not technique problems

    16:12 - Nikki’s own gaze stabilization changes after VCR work

    17:24 - How the VOR supports spotting and rotational performance

    20:10 - Why ankle stability can have a vestibular component

    22:45 - The vestibulocollic reflex and how it supports head control

    24:28 - What a bobblehead head pattern can signal in athletes

    26:09 - Vestibulospinal reflex and trunk support during balance 

    29:10 - Cervicocollic reflex, neck proprioception, and head control

    32:44 - How these reflexes show up in dancers and gymnasts

    34:07 - Signs an athlete may need reflex tuning

    37:14 - Spotting drills, chin drop, and early signs in turn training

    41:00 - Why better reflex function improves safety and performance

    41:17 - Closing thoughts

    Resources and links

    Connect with us:

    • Yuka on Instagram (@levelupneuro)
    • Nikki on Instagram (@bybee_nikki)

    For practical drills and movement strategies, check out the Performance Rewired YouTube channel.

    Subscribe to our newsletters:

    • Yuka: LevelUp Newsletter
    • Nikki: Transformational Newsletter
    39 min
  • Episode 11: The Unintended Consequences of Corrections that Gymnastics Coaches and Dance Instructors Say

    In this episode, we unpack common coaching cues that sound helpful in dance and gymnastics but can create confusion, tension, and even body-related insecurity. We discuss how the nervous system prioritizes safety over performance, and how that changes the way corrections could be given. When we replace vague or body-part-heavy cues with clearer, more effective language that supports learning without increasing threat, we get better results.

    Key topics

    • This episode was inspired by a post by Shane Wuerthner @athletistry. We explore corrections that dancers and gymnasts hear constantly but may not understand, and why that gap matters for performance and confidence.
    • We explain why “performance comes after safety” and how the nervous system will always choose stability over compliance with a cue.
    • You’ll hear a break down the problems with cues like “tuck your butt,” including how they can create extra tension in the pelvis and make students feel like their bodies are wrong.
    • The problem with the common “ribs in” correction and why rib-cage cues often fail when the athlete does not have enough proprioceptive awareness of the area or has to manage respiration and spinal position at the same time.
    • We contrast internal-body cues with external-focus imagery, using examples like “monster mouth” for rib alignment and tape imagery for handstand shape.
    • There is also an explanation why “lower your shoulders” can be frustrating, especially when the athlete is already trying to manage arm position, neck tension, and shoulder-rib spacing.
    • We dig into the problem with naming muscles or anatomy that the athlete does not understand, such as “use your lats,” “pull up your quads,” or “connect your hamstrings to your sit bones.”
    • Nikki emphasizes that a lot of these cues can trigger anxiety, scanning, and maladaptive perfectionism, especially in dancers who already feel pressure to monitor every detail.
    • We unpack the cue “lift from under the leg” and explain why joint position, pelvic
    • availability, and internal rotation matter more than simply trying to grip or force a muscle action.
    • Conclusion is that by stepping back to a whole-body lens, arguing that many visible compensations are the result of the nervous system trying to preserve control, propulsion, and safety.

    Timestamps

    00:00 - Cold open and start of the conversation

    00:06 - What the episode is about: unhelpful studio cues

    00:48 - Yuka’s Tahoe trip and summer travel update

    01:41 - Nikki’s summer, Yellowstone, and Boston plans

    02:36 - Inspired by a post asking which corrections people hear but do not understand

    03:47 - Why unclear cues can create insecurity and nervous system threat

    04:54 - Safety first: the nervous system will choose security over performance

    06:39 - The first major example: “tuck your butt”

    08:02 - How tucking can increase pelvic tension instead of helping alignment

    09:24 - Why body-focused corrections can feel like criticism of the athlete’s body

    10:51 - The issue with “ribs in” and why rib awareness is so limited

    12:43 - External-focus cues and the “monster mouth” example

    13:49 - Why playful language helps learning and lowers threat

    14:36 - Breath, autonomic function, and how respiration changes patterns

    15:47 - Gymnastics crossover: ribs in during handstands

    17:01 - “Lower your shoulders” when the shoulders are already low

    18:55 - The exhausting cycle of “shoulders down” versus “relax”

    19:15 - The problem with naming muscles and anatomy students do not know

    21:10 - How piecemeal corrections can create anxiety and over-monitoring

    23:47 - “Connect your hamstrings to your sit bones” and why squeeze is a bad cue

    24:40 - Why “squeeze more” often leads to too much tension and confusion

    26:11 - “Lift from under the leg” and why the cue feels impossible

    27:39 - Why 90 degrees is where compression and restriction often show up

    28:36 - Training length under load instead of just passive stretching

    29:34 - Why pelvic internal rotation matters in higher leg lines

    30:33 - Clarifying devloppé mechanics and the role of the pelvis

    31:30 - Sacral mutation and counternutation as part of available movement

    32:28 - Joint position first, muscle engagement second

    35:03 - Developing control and stability at end range, not just height

    37:46 - Whole-organism thinking: the athlete is not separate body parts

    38:45 - Example of a dancer swinging the arm for pirouette propulsion

    39:41 - Better foot contact and ground reaction force as the real solution

    40:24 - Closing thoughts, performance comes first with safety, we’re a whole organism and we’re not pieces and we’re not body parts, the brain rewards safety.

    Resources and links

    Connect with us:

    • Yuka on Instagram (@levelupneuro)
    • Nikki on Instagram (@bybee_nikki)

    For practical drills and movement strategies, check out the Performance Rewired YouTube channel.

    Subscribe to our newsletters:

    • Yuka: LevelUp Newsletter
    • Nikki: Transformational Newsletter
    41 min
  • Episode 10: The Neuroscience of Corrections and Movement Safety

    Discover how neural inputs, safety mechanisms, and sensory feedback influence corrections in dance and gymnastics, and learn practical strategies to optimize performance by rewiring the brain and body.

    Key Topics

    • The role of corrections in dance and gymnastics and how they affect performance
    • Why some athletes need fewer corrections due to neural safety and neural input
    • How safety mechanisms, like eye convergence and body awareness, influence movement correction
    • The importance of neural wiring and sensory input for efficient, fluid movement
    • External focus techniques, imagery, and environment adjustments to enhance learning
    • The significance of body-wide interconnectedness, including foot and hand neural coupling
    • Practical drills to improve foot awareness, alignment, and sensory feedback
    • Understanding foot anatomy, the 'tripod' concept, and implications for aesthetic and functional movement
    • Strategies for managing tension, absorption, and safety in landings and complex skills

    Timestamps

    00:00 - Introduction to corrections and their intrinsic role in dance and gymnastics

    00:32 - Life updates 

    01:03 - The core reason behind corrections: neural safety and the body's protective mechanisms

    01:54 - How body structure influences correction needs and performance

    03:19 - The impact of safety on movement, including eye convergence and neural wiring

    04:30 - The path of least resistance in movement and how neural input shapes correction

    05:27 - Why deep neural rewiring is essential for optimal performance

    06:49 - Common movement resistance caused by neural safety zones

    07:45 - How safety behaviors, like closing eyes or avoiding corrections, develop

    09:44 - Cognitive reserves and their impact on reflexive versus voluntary movement

    11:09 - The significance of accurate sensory input from the feet for safety and performance

    12:38 - How neural disconnection affects balance, alignment, and movement quality

    14:18 - The importance of absorption in landings and how to train for softer, safer landings

    17:15 - The complexity of foot anatomy and its critical role in movement

    18:40 - The sensory and motor homunculi: why our feet occupy significant brain space

    20:30 - Practical drills for enhancing foot awareness and proprioception

    22:11 - The interconnectedness of body parts: neural coupling from hands to feet

    25:30 - Addressing foot and ankle position for better aesthetics and function

    27:15 - External focus and imagery to improve foot lines and ankle control

    31:53 - Drills for strengthening the 'tripod' foot and foot mobility

    33:10 - The influence of footwear, sensory feedback, and wearing shoes on movement

    36:25 - How to assess and enhance foot and sensory awareness in practice

    37:20 - Final thoughts and resources for improving neural safety and correction strategies.

    Connect with us

    • Yuka on Instagram (@levelupneuro)
    • Nikki on Instagram (@bybee_nikki)

    Subscribe to our newsletters for updates on courses and resources:

    • Yuka: LevelUp Newsletter
    • Nikki: Transformation Newsletter

    For practical drills and movement strategies, check out our YouTube Channel.


    36 min
  • Episode 9 - Understanding the Crucial Role of Feet in Movement, Safety, and Performance

    In this episode, we explore the often overlooked importance of foot function in dance and gymnastics, emphasizing sensory feedback, biomechanics, and training techniques to improve connection to the ground. Whether you're a performer or coach, gain insights on how foot awareness can transform movement quality and safety.

    Key Topics

    • The feet as primary sensory tools critical for safety and movement control
    • The feedback loop between feet and brain: How sensory input influences gait, posture, and power
    • The anatomy of the foot: 26 bones, joints, muscles, and its complexity
    • The concept of the tripod foot: Its shape, significance, and how proper contact points enhance control
    • How to recognize and correct improper foot engagement in dancers and gymnasts
    • The impact of footwear and technique on foot sensory input and function
    • Connection between foot alignment and overall body posture, with practical exercises
    • Interrelationship between hands, feet known as interlimb neural coupling
    • Drills to improve proprioception and internal rotation via sensory feedback
    • The importance of barefoot training and reducing compressive footwear for better foot health
    • Tips for assessing and enhancing foot sensation in daily and training routines

    Timestamps

    00:00  - Introduction: The importance of foot awareness in movement

    00:42 - How the feet influence posture, safety, and performance

    03:35 - Exploring the main focus: foot feedback loop and biomechanical control

    05:07 - Recognizing momentum generation through the foot: lurching vs tripod grounding

    06:31 - Aesthetic considerations in gymnastics and the importance of foot points

    08:48 - Defining the tripod foot: contact points and misconceptions in training

    11:13 - Using the tripod concept to improve ground engagement and reduce tension

    12:10 - Sensory input, safety, and the brain's representation of the feet

    14:18 - The importance of landing softly and absorbing shock effectively

    17:15 - The anatomy of the foot: bones, joints, and neural significance

    19:00 - The brain's sensory prioritization of the feet and implications for training

    20:30 - Sensory exercises and the connection to movement accuracy, especially on beam

    23:31 - Interlimb neural coupling: how hand exercises can benefit foot mobility

    27:47 - Body structure influences on foot positioning and movement range

    30:16 - Techniques for increasing range of motion: foot twists and internal rotation drills

    33:15 - The benefits of barefoot training for sensory feedback and better function

    35:56 - Practical assessments: testing sensation, proprioception, and encouraging awareness

    36:50 - Final tips: Reducing footwear's compressive effects and enhancing sensory input

    37:20 - Closing remarks and resources

    Resources & Links:

    Heel exercises to increase plantar flexion (pointed feet)

    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



    38 min
  • 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
    34 min
  • Episode 7 - Why Elite Dancers and Gymnasts Need Elite Levels of Proprioception

    In this episode of Performance Rewired, we dive into the essential role of proprioception in athletic and artistic performance, exploring how elite performers might still have gaps in their sensory awareness and how to optimize this critical system. We share insights from our coaching experiences as well as practical exercises to improve proprioceptive capacity.

    Key Topics:

    • The importance of having high-levels of proprioceptive awareness for elite athletes, dancers, and gymnasts
    • How injuries and repetitive patterns can limit proprioceptive acuity
    • Exercises to enhance proprioceptive awareness, including two-point discrimination and graphesthesia
    • The impacts of sensory reweighting, like an overreliance on visual inputs to understand where you are in space
    • The role of sensory mapping in injury recovery and movement

    Timestamps:

    00:00 - Introduction to proprioception and its relevance for performance

    00:27 - Common misconceptions about elite proprioception levels

    01:23 - Life updates

    03:54 - Observations from coaching diverse groups and managing threshold points in the course of a class

    04:51 - How having a neural lens aids in calibrating performance level changes during a class

    08:39 - The hierarchy of systems that drive movement and where proprioception falls in that hierarchy

    09:10 - Proprioception defined

    09:44 - Why high performers need high-definition 3D brain-body maps

    10:02 - How injuries and repetitive patterns can lead to gaps in proprioceptive maps

    11:00 - Clues pointing to proprioceptive deficits and cases of intentionally ignoring information

    from the limbs13:17 - Sensory reweighting: Reliance on proprioceptive information vs visual and vestibular inputs

    15:37 - Effects of mirror reliance and visual dependence in artistic movement

    17:19 - Using resistance bands to enhance body awareness

    19:26 - Assessing proprioception through two-point discrimination

    22:02 - Graphesthesia and sensory exercises for performance, pain and injury recovery

    26:30 - The importance and performance impacts of being able to feel all varieties of sensations on the skin

    27:40 - Looking at foam rolling or massage guns as sources of sensory inputs to create a different output (a change to muscular tone or function)

    29:15 - Practical tips: self-massage, brushing, and other sensory strategies before movement

    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
    33 min
  • Episode 6: How to Incorporate Neurotraining In High Performance Athletes, Dancers, and Gymnasts— Boost Your Movement, Resilience, and Longevity

    Discover how neuro performance training can enhance athletic and dance performance, prolong careers, and optimize movement efficiency. This episode explores the integration of neuro training into high-performance routines, emphasizing the importance of training the brain and nervous system alongside physical strength.

    In this episode

    • The hierarchy of movement: Why the brain's input (visual, vestibular, sensory systems) governs muscle function
    • How neuro training acts as the software for the body's hardware, optimizing movement and performance
    • The significance of neuro training for high-level athletes, dancers, and performers aiming for that extra 1% boost
    • Ways to incorporate neuro drills into daily routines, training sessions, and pre-performance routines
    • The role of neuro training in reducing tension, unraveling compensations, and preventing injury or plateau
    • Understanding the nervous system’s role in pain, tension, and movement limitations
    • How neuro training enhances resilience and adaptability to high stress and demanding environments
    • Case examples: Olympic athletes, dancers, and even horses benefiting from resilience-building neuro protocols
    • Practical tips on assessing nervous system thresholds and customizing neuro interventions

    Timestamps

    00:00 - Introduction: How neuro training fits into high performance and why it matters

    00:17 - The hierarchy of biomechanics: inputs controlling muscle function

    00:47 - Neuro training as the brain's software, enhancing the body's hardware

    01:30 - Benefits for elite athletes and dancers: performance edge and career longevity

    02:45 - How neuro training can reduce tension and undo compensations

    03:36 - Addressing nervous system regulation in movement and performance

    04:04 - Why high performers plateau and how neuro training offers a solution

    05:04 - Integrating neuro drills into busy training routines and pre-performance warm-ups

    07:19 - The importance of resilience and managing high-stress environments

    08:14 - Understanding pain and tension as signals from the brain, not just biomechanics

    09:03 - The power of neurotraining to improve force generation and movement control

    10:11 - Case example: Adding neuro drills to already intense routines for measurable gains

    11:21 - The emerging science supporting neuro performance training in sports and dance

    12:26 - How to assess nervous system readiness and determine low thresholds for stress

    13:15 - Case studies from athletes and performers: managing stress, tension, and fatigue

    14:42 - Tension as a sign of nervous system overload and how neuro training resets it

    15:52 - The role of the nervous system in safety, survival, and movement restrictions

    16:23 - How neuro training can unlock hidden potential by calming protective responses

    17:47 - The misconception of pain and injury—pain as a brain-protective response

    18:50 - Building resilience through neuro protocols: high stress, high performance environments

    19:40 - Practical ways to incorporate neuro drills during training or in daily life

    20:42 - How enhanced sensory input improves force production and movement efficiency

    22:29 - The significance of visual convergence and neuro-ergonomic exercises

    23:54 - Simple neuro drills for athletes: between sets, pre-performance, or as part of a warm-up

    25:19 - Scaffolding neuro training into existing routines: eye drills, vestibular exercises, etc.

    26:50 - Recognizing signs of nervous system fatigue and thresholds for neuro intervention

    27:47 - The importance of resilience in managing stress, fatigue, and unpredictability

    28:41 - Low threshold indicators: pain, instability, inconsistent movement patterns

    29:16 - Resilience as adaptability and how neuro training enhances it

    30:16 - Recognizing when neuro training can shift nervous system responses for better performance

    31:11 - A horse’s resilience training: chaos and calm through neuro protocols Instagram: @TotalHorseMethod

    33:00 - Wrapping up: Evolving high-performance training by focusing on brain and nervous system

    33:23 - Final thoughts: Engage the brain purposefully, train what matters, and optimize your movement

    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


    36 min

About Performance Rewired

From the publisher's feed

Performance Rewired is a podcast for movement experts ready to challenge everything they’ve been taught about learning movement and tap into a brain-based approach to performance.  For…