Each year, the week highlights a specific health theme within dance. In 2026, the focus is on mobility and flexibility. Within the dance world, flexibility is often seen as an important quality, but mobility goes beyond mere suppleness. It is about developing a range of movement that is not only extensive, but also controllable, functional and safe for the dancer’s body.

During this week, knowledge was shared internationally on how dancers can integrate mobility and stretching into their training in a responsible way. Codarts also dedicated attention to this, including activities and workshops organised by Student Life and specialists from the Performing Arts Health Centre.

Read more here about this year’s theme: mobility and flexibility.

Looking back: REDs as the 2025 theme
During the IYDHA Week of 2025, the theme was Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport (REDs). REDs occurs when a dancer’s energy intake is not balanced with their training load. This can lead to various physical and mental issues, such as an increased risk of injury, reduced muscle strength, concentration problems and hormonal disturbances.

Through lectures and information sessions, attention was given during this week to recognising and preventing REDs, as well as to the importance of maintaining a healthy balance between training, nutrition and recovery.

With the annual IYDHA Week, the international dance community continues to promote accessible knowledge on dancer health for students, teachers and families, contributing to the healthy and sustainable development of young dancers.

Read more here about the REDs theme.