02/26/2026
what I'm looking for when working with my figure athletes (or really any athlete for that matter!):
Structural Symmetry
- shoulder height leveling
- pelvic alignment
- rib cage + rotation
- resting head position
- scapular winging
- tone + tension
Goal: improve balance + reduce tension that pulls us off center (i.e. Rhea's traps)
Range of Motion
- shoulder flexion, extension, + rotation
- hip internal + external rotation
- lumbar extension compensations
- thoracic rotation
Goal: restoring movement throughout posing + focusing on reducing pain due to compensations during lifts (i.e. quarter turns, fuller range in lifts, etc.)
Tissue Quality
- visible guarding
- elevation at rest
- bracing or restrictions
- reduced rom
Goal: increase blood flow, shift sympathetic dominance, improve breathing patterns, flow with movement, less hesitation, fuller rom (i.e. better recovery, injury prevention, quality movement)
When working with athletes, bodywork isn't just about relaxation. It's about precision, recovery, and improving performance both on and off the stage.
P.s. prioritize bodywork in the off-season so you're not scrambling for recovery in prep. 🫶
