Rachel Dodson
Dance Artist, Educator, Choreographer, and Art Instigator
What is PBT?
Progressing Ballet Technique, or PBT, is a revolutionary program originating in Australia that is designed to train the body by specializing in muscle memory, enhancing flexibility and using dance medicine and exercises to prevent injury. It is an excellent practice for dancers and athletes at any level to support safety in conditioning or rehabilitation from injury.
PBT has a gradual approach with very specific exercises and repetitions applicable to every level of training--beginning, intermediate and advanced. Drawing from dance science and dance medicine, this program helps dancers to understand which muscle groups take part in each movement. Within this innovative practice students utilize an exercise ball, fit ball, and theraband to experience activation and strengthening of otherwise challenging to access recesses in the body with a direct influence on balance and alignment.
In a PBT class students will:
Develop muscle memory
Maximize flexibility
Maximize muscle strength and development
Master ballet technique
Build longevity for a dance career
904 E White Ave, Moscow, ID 83843
Moscow Mountain Sport and Physical Therapy
FREE Parking
PBT Sub-Junior
PRE-REGISTRATION ONLINE REQUIRED
This is the entry-level class for students of any age and walk of experience. Students will focus on engaging and activating deep muscles groups of the lower limb, upper limb, back, and core. A healthy portion of this class is taught on the mat with sensitivity to joints as students experience a total body ballet warm-up from the inside out. Emphasis is placed on anatomically sound principles of movement rooted in healthy practice and opening channels in the body for increased physiological benefit and fluidity.
NO EXPERIENCE NECESSARY
PBT Junior
PRE-REGISTRATION ONLINE REQUIRED
In this class students will focus on engaging and activating deep muscles groups of the lower limb, upper limb, back, and core through the Junior level of the PBT program. Students will improve alignment, strength and flexibility to support their study of classical ballet or contemporary dance through both individual and partner exercises. The majority of class is taught on the mat and emphasis is placed on anatomically sound principles of movement rooted in healthy practice. Your young dancer is guaranteed to have fun in this one-of-a-kind dance class and community.
PBT Senior
PRE-REGISTRATION ONLINE REQUIRED
This class is designed to support the committed and advanced dancer who has completed PBT programs Sub-Junior and Junior. Students will hone previously developed skills as exercises accelerate in speed, challenge specificity and stability, and increase in duration. Instructor approval is required.
What PBT students are saying...
I have trained in dance for 18 years now and participating in PBT with Rachel was revolutionary when I was at a point I felt myself at a plateau in my technique while also fighting off chronic injuries. With an intense workload of 10-13 hours of training a day, 4-5 days a week, PBT was part of what helped me navigate my injuries and actually progress in my training. I felt a huge connection between my Pilates and PBT training. The engagement, length, and space I am able to create in my body has been so expansive with this work. There were times when I would have to sit out due to a severe pelvic injury, but PBT was there as another option to stay safe while strengthening. This allowed me to rehabilitate and bounce back faster than you would imagine. I would encourage any dancer to stop simply "spot treating" your technique and experience the full body engagement of PBT work
Allysen O. - Bachelor of Science Dance, University of Idaho
Rachel's PBT classes are an excellent addition to my ballet classes. With the PBT exercises, I have experienced greater awareness in my body alignment and pathways of movement. PBT exercises also allow me to strengthen certain muscles, including turnout. Rachel is patient and nurturing yet she challenges me. WIth Rachel's guidance, I feel safe to explore the edges of my body's ability
Anna C. - Grover Beach, CA
I think it's wonderfully beneficial how ballet concepts that have been practiced for hundreds of years can now be informed by what we know about the body and how it learns today.
It amazed me how doing just a few minutes of PBT before going into a standard ballet class seemed to dramatically inform my technique. Personally, I've never felt more turned out than I have after a good PBT session
Mandy S. - Bachelor of Science Dance candidate, University of Idaho
These classes are amazing, challenging and informative. They help you discover body parts you never knew existed. Kidding aside, Rachel fine tunes exercises to encourage you to develop strength and control. Whether in your core, turnout, feet, legs and arms; all parts of the body are utilized and bring better definition to your practice. I actually use several of the exercises and techniques in my Barre class at my gym. My students are always in awe of how just shifting one or two inches in an exercise can drastically affect the movement. It is so cool! Rachel is a wonderful instructor, after a few classes you will see why
Tanya V. - Moscow, ID
I love PBT! Training your muscles in a way that applies so specifically to dance has been such an eye opening experience for me. The way Rachel cares for her students and creates and environment of trust and cooperation is everything and instructor should be. When she uses her talents to teach and PBT--the muscle memory comes and progress is natural. I have seen this happen in my own dance and also in my young daughter
Melissa G. - Bachelor of Arts Theatre, ID
Macy G. - age 8, ID
Rachel's PBT classes really helped me better understand how to properly engage my muscles during ballet class. This new information changed the way I prepare for and take class in a way that better suits MY body, and because of this, I have both seen and felt great improvement in my personal practice! Not only has the strength I've gained from PBT helped in my ballet classes, but also with contemporary, modern, and jazz! Rachel's clear instruction, individual and group feedback was game changing
Taylor E. - Bachelor of Science Dance, University of Idaho