ABOUT
Welcome to Stretch & Strengthen!
As competitive Irish dancers for over 20 years, we have experienced everything: injuries, setbacks, inflexibility, technique issues, mindset blocks, you name it. In through it all, it never felt like there was a landing place with people who fully understood what this world was all about.
In 2024, we came together to develop a program that had the dancer in mind and would be a holistic approach to training and wellness. With that in mind, we hope to maximize your training experience in both the physical and mental training worlds.
Mission
At Stretch & Strengthen, our mission is to empower Irish dancers to reach their full potential by enhancing both physical and mental performance. Through a dynamic and tailored approach, we strive to build flexibility, resilience, and endurance, enabling dancers to perform with strength, grace, and confidence. Committed to fostering a supportive and challenging environment, we aim to equip every dancer with the tools they need to excel on stage and beyond. Together, we push boundaries, cultivate discipline, and celebrate the artistry and athleticism of Irish dance.
Vision
Our vision at Stretch & Strengthen is to inspire a new generation of Irish dancers to embrace excellence in both body and mind. We envision a world where dancers achieve peak performance through unwavering resilience, enhanced flexibility, and enduring stamina. By fostering a culture of empowerment and discipline, we aim to redefine the limits of Irish dance, cultivating individuals who perform with strength, grace, and confidence, both on and off the stage.
Stretch & Strengthen is designed with the dancer in mind. Irish dancing requires a delicate balance of strength, power, and flexibility - both physically and mentally. Designed to uniquely meet your needs as a dancer and help you achieve your goals, Stretch & Strengthen will take you on a journey to becoming your best self. We pride ourselves on being dedicated to elevating the whole dancer by providing skills and coaching that allow you to take your abilities to the next level, on and off the stage.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is this program important for dancers?
Irish dance is a very unique art form, which has unique needs. Dancing requires a delicate balance of strength and flexibility, and it's important to practice both realms, both physically and mentally. As dancers ourselves, we’ve used both areas to help progress our dancing and can relate to any stage you might be at in your dancing career.
As dancers, cross-training and training outside of class are often overlooked or misunderstood. Many wellness professionals don’t understand the unique needs of a dancer. As dancers ourselves, we understand the demands and challenges dancers face. We know how dance has evolved and know where weaknesses often lie and how to correct them. This program also sets a solid foundation for life outside of dance, helping you become the strongest version of yourself physically and mentally.
What am I investing in?
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Personalized training & coaching
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Strength & conditioning coaching and programming designed for dancers
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Wellness & recovery classes - yoga, mindfulness, mobility & stretching
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1-on-1 sports psychology sessions
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Mental skills training videos and workbook content
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Group Masterclass sessions to come together as a collective and practice using your mental skills
How is this program delivered?
Over the course of your training cycle, you'll be guided through programming delivered in multiple platforms -- in-person or virtual 1:1 sessions, pre-recorded videos, workbook material, and virtual masterclass seminars.
We know that life is busy and that your time is valuable, so we've designed this program to be as flexible as possible to meet you where you are in your journey.
Designed and coached by world-class Irish dancer and Kinesiologist, Maria Maxwell and World-Champion Irish dancer and Sports Psychologist, Mackenzie Mahler
What should I expect when I join?
This program is designed for YOU! With that in mind, we tailor our training plans to meet you where you're at in your dancing journey.
During your training cycle:
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Gain access to our online learning platform, housing all the materials you need
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Unlock new chapters containing all the content and learning material for each new topic
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Meet with coaches in-person or virtually for scheduled 1:1 coaching sessions
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Follow a uniquely designed strength & conditioning and mental skills program
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Unlock new Wellness & Recovery Stretching and Mindfulness video lessons with each new chapter
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