During the second edition of the International Youth Dancer Health Awareness Week (9–13 March 2026), Codarts Student Life is offering a workshop on Mobility & Flexibility. With this workshop, we aim to raise awareness around this topic: is stretching important? And how do you find a healthy balance that truly supports your training?

Mobility and flexibility

Mobility and stretching are essential topics for dancers. Not just for becoming “more flexible,” but especially for understanding why you stretch in the first place. Using the latest insights from research, we show when mobility and stretching matter and how to find a healthy balance that genuinely supports your training.

In a dance world full of expectations about how things should look, it is even more important to focus on what truly counts: solid technique, smart training habits, and taking good care of your body. When you understand the basic do’s and don’ts, such as being cautious with stretching at the start of class, you can dance more safely and more prepared.

By tailoring mobility training to what your body actually needs, you develop not just greater range, but range that is usable and controllable. More stretching is not always the answer; for highly flexible dancers, that is often where problems begin. There is no one-size-fits-all approach. With an individualized strategy, you build targeted stability and strength within your own range of motion, reduce the risk of injury, and move with greater confidence.

Professional Guidance

At Codarts, we aim to equip dancers and teachers with the right knowledge and tools in the area of Mobility and Flexibility. We do this through our specialists at the Performing Arts Health Centre, the IYDHA-week and the Student Life Monitor.

More Information

Check out our 'safe stretching' infographic for tips, methods, and examples.

Read the interesting articles below:

• Restoring ankle dorsiflexion range of motion in athletes: an individualized clinical decision-making system - PMC
• How Much Flexibility Is Too Much? | Dance Teacher
• Has the Push for Ever-More Flexibility Put Dancers At Risk?
• Practical recommendations on stretching exercise

Or watch these videos:

• Beyond the ‘wow’ factor 

• How to safely improve turnout 

• Master your splits safely

Or take a look at the exercises below from our physiotherapists:

• Warming up exercises

• Hip turn out exercises

• Stretching exercises