Professor: Robin Kish & Chad Van Ramshorst

Tuition: $550 member / $625 non-member

12 Weeks; 3 NDEO-Endorsed PDCs

This online course provides an introduction to the field of dance kinesiology with an emphasis on applied teaching practices for dance educators.

The course will provide you with a strong foundation in anatomy and kinesiology to help maximize performance and minimize potential injuries of your students. You will learn how to create environments to promote healthy approaches in the training of dancers which include injury basics, developmentally safe practices, nutrition and the creation of a medical support network.

The information provided in the course is based upon proven principles and methodologies gathered from current research. As an educator it is important to clearly define the anatomical potential and limitations of individual dancers in order to maximize technical training and performance. This course will provide you with the confidence that you are using safe and effective training principles to minimize injury in your students.

Books Required: Biel, Andrew. Trail Guide to the body (5th Edition); Morton, Jennie & Kish, Robin (2017) The Embodied Dancer: A Guide to Optimal Performance on apple ibooks or amazon/kindle

Questions about this course? Send an email to opdi@ndeo.org

"So many new things to add to my class. I love the way it integrates everything: dance, anatomy, nutrition, psychology..."

"I am able to apply the lessons I have learn to my teaching and I do believe I am and will be a better teacher." "Better understanding of anatomy and how joints work. I wasn't sure what Kinesiology really entailed. But, I gained a lot of knowledge on how to help my students prevent injury and best practices to take care of themselves."

"It made me more aware of nuances of the human body and our anatomy."

"I found it really helpful to formally learn the kinesiology and applied practice of anatomy and dance. It felt like a great foundation was placed that I can continue to grow from."

"Deepened my anatomical knowledge, loved the applied/reflective assignments where we analyzed our own teaching environments--that was very helpful."

"I really liked the videos and PowerPoints. They were very helpful and instructional. I thought all the projects were relevant, and the information was very applicable for teaching in a studio."

"Taking this course reinforced previous knowledge and gave me the opportunity to explore ways to further integrate concepts into my teaching. I have brought many aspects of this class forward in my studio teaching this semester."

Robin Kish, MFA, MS Robin earned her MFA in kinesiology and pedagogy from the University of California/Irvine and her MS in exercise physiology and biomechanics from California State University/Fullerton. She is a licensed massage therapist and certified in Pilates. Since 2006, she has been on the faculty of Chapman University where she teaches Dance Kinesiology and Injury Prevention, Movement Anatomy and Exercise Physiology, Dance in World Cultures, Pilates Conditioning, Ballet for Non-majors, Ballet Technique, Conditioning, and a Pilates Certification Course. She guest lectures for Physical Therapy, Athletic Training, and Education Departments. She has authored numerous publications and has given extensive presentations on anatomy, kinesiology, and original research. She is an active member in the International Association of Dance Medicine and Science, Performing Arts Medicine Association, American College of Sports Medicine, and the Pilates Method Alliance as well as NDEO. 

Chad Van Ramshorst received both his Bachelor’s of Fine Arts in Dance Performance and later  his Doctorate of Physical Therapy from Chapman University. Combining his experience as dancer and clinician, he currently practices as a physical therapist in Southern California specializing in orthopedics and dance medicine. In 2016 he joined Chapman University’s Department of Dance as a Lecturer and in 2019 would join Chapman University’s Department of Physical Therapy as a Lecturer. He continues with instruction in both programs with additional education efforts including dance medicine research, dance medicine conference presentations, and volunteer clinical work with collegiate level dance programs and professional dance companies in Southern California.