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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.
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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.
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Physiological sigh demonstration video
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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.
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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
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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
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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
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.
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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
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.
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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
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
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Heel exercises to increase plantar flexion (pointed feet)
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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.
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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:
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
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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
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
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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…