Health and Wellbeing

Dancers at Central will achieve a level of fitness similar to elite athletes by the completion of their degree. To achieve this optimal performance, Central supports students to be physically and mentally healthy, and able to cope and thrive in their professional careers in a positive and constructive way. To realise these aims, students have open access to a comprehensive range of support services and specialist staff.

Health and Wellbeing Suite

The Countess of Wessex Studios, Central’s new home from January 2021, will include a state-of-the-art health suite providing psychology, nutrition, physiotherapy, Pilates and a recovery-from-injury programme.

Supporting physical and psychological health

Wellbeing

Central’s approach is to maximise dancers’ potential by being attentive and proactive to both physical and mental health underpinned with kindness and care. Early intervention is the key to maximising all students’ potential.

Physiotherapy

Physiotherapy helps to restore movement and function if a student dancer is affected by injury or illness while helping to reduce the risk of injury in the future. It is a holistic approach aimed to improve physical activity and performance.

Performance Psychology

Performance psychology is a branch of psychology that focuses on the mental aspect of achievement. In dance and other performing arts, the aim is to support individuals to work towards the highest versions of themselves. This can be particularly important following an injury, helping to restore and to build confidence.

Pilates

Pilates is a system of exercises using special apparatus, designed to improve physical strength, flexibility, and posture, and enhance mental awareness, a highly effective support to a rounded dancer training programme

Recovery from Inury

Physically, the focus is on preventing and treating injuries while maximising strength, coordination, and control to ensure sound technique and performance.

Mental Health

Sometimes training in the elite framework may be intense, so Central has established a tiered approach to mental wellbeing to support students towards personal fulfilment with the ability to evolve as part of training, ultimately developing lifelong health and wellbeing strategies.

Covid-19 Statement

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, changes have been made to the training and operation of our onsite premises to prioritise the health and safety of students and staff alike. Measures taken include the wearing of face masks onsite (including while training in class), social distancing, and a one-way system through the building, as well as increased sanitisation. For further details, read our Covid Protocols document below.

Covid-19 Protocols

Research

Central staff regularly contribute to research delving into the physiology of elite dancers and their physical and mental wellbeing, keeping Central at the forefront of medical and psychological innovations and discoveries. Recent published research papers have focused on injuries in pre-professional ballet dancers.

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Living in London

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Life at Central

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Graduate Success

Central’s graduates find employment with leading dance companies and renowned theatrical productions across the world. Find out how we help our dancers prepare for professional careers.

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Tutors

Find out who will be teaching, training, and supporting you throughout your degree course.

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