Guelph Youth Dance, along with the support of registered physiotherapist and Heather Dancer Canada founding member Heather Finn, are excited to announce that we are currently working on building a support network for dancers and dance educators to support dancer wellness. Dancer wellness includes the three main components recommended by Healthy Dancer Canada: Physical, Mental and Nutrition. We are striving to offer these experiences to dancers and the GYD teachers for free in order to strongly encourage everyone to participate in healthy practices.
Our first step is building relationships with regulated healthcare providers in the Guelph area with specific expertise in youth dancers. If you are, or know someone, with experience in the physical, mental and nutritional wellness of youth and would be excited to work with us or if you would like to volunteer, we would love to hear from you!
We look forward to sharing more news as this project develops and we hope to hear form you if you have an interest in joining us.
Dancer Screenings
What is Dancer Screening?
– Screening early in the dance year promotes goal-setting, effective and efficient dance training, and life-long dancing. Your session will 1) objectively evaluate your strengths and weaknesses, 2) help you set goals and reach your full potential, and 3) encourage positive communication between you and your family, your teachers, and your health care team. Ideally, screening takes place before you experience pain or injury. If you have an injury that needs evaluation, consider booking a Physiotherapy Assessment.
How much does it cost?
– Dancers pay $50 for a 30 minute Dancer Screening Assessment ($20 less than the Standard Physiotherapy Treatment). Assessments fully covered under insurance plans. Those that don’t have coverage can contact me directly for alternative pricing.
Where does screening take place?
– Dancer Screening will take place during off-hours at Speed River Physiotherapy (5 Gordon Street Unit 102A, next to Balzacs) in order to provide the safest in-person experience. Your screening may involve hands-on assessment and guidance, so we will use the appropriate screening, PPE, hand-washing, and cleaning protocols.
Thank you Speed River for the use of your space for our Dancer Screenings!!
How do I book screening?
– Click here to view Heather’s schedule and book your screening appointment.
HEATHER FINN
Heather took her first dance class in a church basement in her hometown of Elmira, and hasn’t stopped dancing since. Heather studied ballet at Academy of Dance Waterloo, modern and break dance at McMaster University Centre for Dance, and danced professionally in Hamilton, Ottawa and Guelph. While she has a special interest in dancer’s health, she maintains interests in injury prevention and optimizing health and wellness for all of her patients. Heather’s parents and grandparents are among her greatest influences. Each of them have been caregivers in their own way; as stay-at-home moms, teachers, home-builders and physicians. Heather returned to the area in 2010 to be closer to her extended family. She is married and has 3 children. Heather completed her Bachelor of Arts and Science in 2001 and her Masters in Physiotherapy in 2004 at McMaster University. During her physiotherapy training she apprenticed with Joanna Speller of the National Ballet School, Donna Krasnow of York University Dance Department, and Sunday Homitz of the Cleveland Ballet. Since then she has completed post-graduate courses in Pilates Mat and Reformer, Manual Therapy, Acupuncture and Pelvic Health. Heather is a member of Healthy Dancer Canada and the Canadian Alliance of Dance Artists.
