Moving you
from the studio to the main stage
I love performing.
You’re probably here because you do too. The problem is that it’s difficult to hit that stage with that full confidence you see in the person next to you when your back is sore or your ankle is not quite better yet. You’re obviously not going to tell anyone because you still want to perform, but now you’re afraid of being found out and holding back - which means they’ll notice something’s off anyways. You’re so busy stressing out about this that you can’t even enjoy yourself on stage anymore and the thing you love most has become such a trigger for anxiety. Next thing you know, you’re burnt out and injured all over again and the cycle continues…
I’ve been involved in this industry for more than 20 years and dancers today are still dealing with the same struggles that were dealt with 20 years ago…
Things that commonly come up can be anything from:
Getting injured too easily & chronic flare ups
You are constantly getting injured, bones popping and regularly feel in pain. That doesn’t mean you stop though, you keep dancing through because you think this is a normal part of dance culture
Low self-esteem & Comparison-itis
Whether you’re crowded in your classroom or taking that solo intensive, you regularly feel alone and don’t think you can talk to anyone about the problems you’re having. Honestly, you probably shut down, and that leads you into a shame spiral of self-doubt and thinking you’re not good enough.
High stress & disordered eating
Being a high performer is stressful and that added pressure of wanting to look your best on stage doesn’t help. Meals are all over the place, fast food is too easy to get when you’re on the road and you’re basically micromanaging everything you eat because you don’t want to risk your weight ruining your lines or feeling heavy on the floor.
I hear you. All those struggles up there are things I’ve dealt with myself at one point or another (literally, ALL of them). The reality though is that as much as you believe these are commonplace in dance culture today, they’re also holding you back from being the best performer you could even imagine being!
Think about it:
It’s common in the sports world now to have the care in fitness, nutrition and mental health to support careers and optimum performance. Dancers, though, are still stuck in the debate between if dance is even a sport or not! Does that even matter though?!
Here's the real struggle:
You don't see yourself like the athlete that you truly are
We're here to fix that.
You are in the Right Place If...
You want to be a stronger dancer and improve your technique
You want to learn about how to take care of yourself holistically (sleep, mental health, nutrition, etc.)
You feel the pressure of solo practices and need extra support
You want to feel like your best self in the studio, on stage, and everyday!
This isn't for you yet if...
You feel like you have all the knowledge you need to succeed in your performance
You are comfortable with your habits and the results they give
You are a solo artist and not looking for group or a community to grow with
Welcome to
Bourne Unbound
We believe that our performers deserve the same support and care that all athletes have helping them reach their highest potential.
With the right knowledge, health team and support system, dancers have the power to exceed their highest limits. When you feel great, you produce great things and bring joy to the world.
There is a shift coming in the way of thinking
With the boom of dance shows and expectations for exceptional dancers getting higher every year, young performers are having to put their bodies through intense training just to be able to keep up! Technique class alone doesn’t cut it anymore and performers all around are looking for ways to improve their skills. We’re seeing it more and more: dancers posting about nutrition, seeing different body types and studios encouraging dance fitness. All of this is bringing everyone to the same conclusion:
Dancers are athletes and they need to start training as such.
If you only take one lesson away, it’s this:
How you train is important, and can get as intense as any athlete or sports team out there…
Enter into
the era...
of the artistic athlete
Feel confident in your abilities and what your body can do
Know the steps to prevent injury and stay safe while dancing
Understand the importance of your health and how it moves you
Dance energetically across the room again!
Supporting your dancing with additional training and nutrition can seriously improve your energy, injury recovery and overall mood. Not only would this benefit your time in the studio, but outside the studio as well, helping you grow and become the amazing person you know you can be. I know how much you love to dance and that your life wouldn’t be the same without it, but don’t risk letting it ruin you. You don’t have to be alone trying to just survive; be in a community that understands the dance world and wants you to thrive within it. See this as your safe haven to improve your health without the fear of being told to stop doing what you love.
Pain doesn’t have to be the “Badge of Honour” you think it does
Unleash your performance potential and get that extra edge you've been looking for
Our Mission:
From Studio to Stages --- From Playgrounds to Podiums --- From Fear to Freedom
To empower young performers and athletes to understand their bodies and the importance of health, fitness and nutrition in order to improve their overall performance, in and out of the studio. We provide them with the foundational tools needed to care for themselves and understand the signals to watch for in order to seek critical health advice.
"...dancers are clearly athletes in the degree to which they require sophisticated physical capacities to perform at a high level..."
- Russel (2013), Journal of Sports Medicine
There is power in health autonomy and with the right guidance and training, you can control your health and retire on your own terms. The best way to take back control of your health is to understand the body you live in, treat it holistically and be connected with its every process. Improving the health and wellness of performers by shifting their mindset to care for their bodies as athletes do can help guide them transform their training habits, performance and overall lives.
If I knew then what I know now...
A few years back, I was watching a young professional's showcase, and it shocked me that I was close enough to the stage to actually hear the dancers gasping for air as they moved through their pas-de-deux.
It brought me back to my intense training days and I realized that we didn’t get much outside training other than our technique classes and show rehearsals.
As beautiful as they looked, their technique classes and rehearsals weren’t properly preparing them for how long and hard they would have to work on stage come performance time.
Knowing my own journey, I know what having a good weight training routine and understanding what I eat did for my dancing.
I moved easier, felt more confident and trusted my body that much more!
Those are all feelings that ALL dancers should have.
No dancers should have to feel burnt out, worried or like their bodies can’t handle high impact as they get older, and I’m sure you feel the same way!
About the Programs
Athletes Unbound Programs
Helping dancers and athletes understand their bodies so they go from underfueled and overworked to strong and confident, and injury-free. These health and injury recovery programs are about removing the limitations – both physical or mental – and getting our athletes to reach their performance potential. We do this by understanding that you are more than an athlete, you are a whole person. Learn More Here
Performers Unbound Cirriculum
This series is designed to educate dancers ages 13+ and their families to learn about their health, understand how it benefits both their technique, mentality and overall performance. Whether you are transitioning into pre-professional or stepping towards recreational classes, having these foundations will help make the transition that much easier. Learn More Here
Building Better, Stronger and Pain Free Dancers - the Healthy Way
Be the first to know!!!
Common Questions
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Who is this program best for?
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This program is suitable for dancers and performers of all ages who are committed to their performance skills growing and want to keep up with industry demands. Ideal participants are either in the early years of their professional careers, or are preparing themselves for advanced or competitive level performing.
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Do I have to be a dancer to join?
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I created this program with dancers in mind because I grew up around these people and am very familiar with what is lacking. That being said, injury and recovery can benefit anyone and all! Performers Unbound is beneficial for all who call themselves a performing artists (or not) but references are tailored to those in the performance industry.
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What do I have to do?
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Go through the videos and complete lessons that help you grow and understand what you need for improving your health, fitness and the season ahead
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Do I have to show up live to each class?
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Each lesson is pre-recorded for your convenience. There will be some live Q&A sessions that will happen throughout the program, but we try and accommodate everyone's schedule the best possible. If the time still doesn't work, fear not - we still record these too and have them available on the group portal.
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Will this REALLY help me improve my performance?
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As long as you let it. These are lessons that have been researched and tested, but theory can only take you so far. Just like you need to go to dance classes to improve, actually putting these lessons into practice will be the key factor to help you feel better, energized and like a whole new dancer!
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Still have questions? Let's talk about it!
Custom Curriculum Programming
Ask us about our Performers Unbound curriculum program designed with your specific Team or Studio in mind! This program is designed for dancers of all ages to learn about their health and understand how it benefits both their technique and how to stay healthy outside the studio. We’re already starting to see a shift in the attitudes of dancers, understanding the importance of fitness, nutrition and mental health - so let’s keep that momentum going!
Onsite workshops and seminars can be requested and cater to your specific sport or activity:
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Dancers
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Varsity Athletes
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Recreational
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Competitive
Meet Dr. Bourne, ND, B.KIN, CISSN
Taking dancers and athletes from underfueled and overworked to strong confident & injury free; making their performance feel as effortless as it looks
As a dancer myself, I understand the importance of maintaining my body and mental health in order to be my strongest and dance safely in the studio. Learning about nutrition and fitness in school really helped me appreciate the value of these topics and how much they influenced my injury care, stress management and just overall wellbeing. That's why I want to share what I've learnt over my 10+ years of education and 20+ years of dancing with any dancer that comes my way! It's important for them to have someone who can hear them out and help improve their physical and mental performance so they can be stronger and healthier outside the studio too. I am here to support dancers' training, catering to their specific needs, and be a member of their health team. It’s a goal of mine to introduce these principles and what I’m teaching dancers at all levels because, well, I know what we dancers go through, and it's not only about benefiting their health, but bringing back that passion and love for dance again!
@bourneunbound