In this episode, Cara breaks down one of the biggest teaching blind spots in the dance industry: correcting symptoms instead of strategy. As studio owners and dance teachers move toward a new year, this conversation challenges how we diagnose technique issues and why symptom-based corrections keep dancers stuck in the same patterns.

Through real studio examples, Cara explains why symptom vs. strategy in teaching technique matters more than ever, and how learning to diagnose alignment, muscular imbalance, and root causes can dramatically accelerate dancer progress. This episode is essential listening for educators who want smarter training, better results, and more effective use of limited class time.

This description intentionally emphasizes symptom vs. strategy in teaching technique multiple times, alongside supporting keywords such as dance technique strategy, diagnosing technique issues, alignment-based teaching, injury prevention in dance, and teacher training for dance educators.

Cara talked about:

• The difference between symptom-based teaching and strategy-based teaching
• Why “stop gripping your quads” doesn’t work
• Understanding root cause vs visible correction
• A real studio example: knees that won’t straighten
• How teachers unintentionally waste class time
• Symptom corrections dancers hear every day
• Why alignment-based strategy solves symptoms naturally
• The danger of repeating the same corrections year after year
• How teachers can sharpen their diagnostic eye
• Ending the year with intention

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Relative Motion: https://www.instagram.com/relativemotiondance/
Youtube Relative Motion: https://www.youtube.com/@relative_motion

In this episode, Cara breaks down why alignment over everything isn’t just a philosophy — it’s the fastest path to real technique growth. She challenges the belief that moving faster, adding more layers, or piling on props creates better dancers. Instead, Cara explains how prioritizing alignment, slowing down, and simplifying movement leads to stronger technique, safer training, and faster breakthroughs.

This episode dives deep into dance alignment, proper placement, pelvic alignment, intentional training, and injury-preventive dance technique, giving dance teachers and studio owners a clear framework for building dancers correctly from the inside out.

Cara talked about:

• Why “alignment over everything” must come before speed, tricks, or difficulty
• Why slowing down is a teaching superpower
• The hidden cost of pushing through misalignment
• Pelvic alignment as the foundation of all technique
• Cueing smarter, not louder
• Gripping vs. functional muscle engagement
• Using props strategically — not as crutches
• Why slow control exposes real technique
• The slow → strong → powerful training formula
• How teachers can maximize limited class time

This episode is a must-listen for dance teachers, studio owners, and serious dancers who want better results without burnout, injury, or wasted training time. If you’re ready to stop chasing speed and start building dancers who move with control, clarity, and confidence — this episode will change how you teach.

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Connect with us! 🎧

Relative Motion: https://www.instagram.com/relativemotiondance/
Youtube Relative Motion: https://www.youtube.com/@relative_motion

In this episode, Cara introduces the transformative concept of the vertical learning ladder — a framework that helps teachers, dancers, and studio owners shift from comfortable, parallel learning to elevated, intentional vertical learning. Instead of repeating the same level of knowledge year after year, the vertical learning ladder unlocks growth, mastery, and deeper understanding in technique, strategy, and teaching.

Cara breaks down the four knowledge blocks, explains why parallel learning leads to plateaus, and reveals how the vertical learning ladder dramatically accelerates progress for both dancers and educators. This conversation is filled with practical insight, strategic clarity, and aha-moments to help you uplevel your work in the studio and beyond.

• What the vertical learning ladder actually is
• The four blocks of knowledge
• Parallel learning vs. vertical learning for dance teachers
• Why dancers also need the vertical learning ladder
• How Relative Motion structures true vertical training
• The “I didn’t even know I didn’t know it” breakthrough zone
• Why outside perspective accelerates vertical learning
• How coaching, community, and mentorship keep you in levels 3 and 4
• How Total Technique Academy is built on the vertical learning ladder
• Encouragement to step into your next level

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Connect with us! 🎧

Relative Motion: https://www.instagram.com/relativemotiondance/
Youtube Relative Motion: https://www.youtube.com/@relative_motion