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Erika Mayall, Physiotherapist

@dancephysioerika

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💃🏻Physiotherapy + Education for dancers & teachers
🎙️Host of The Dance Physio Podcast
📍Vancouver 🇨🇦
⬇️Work with me!

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Dancers are a unique combination of artist and athlete who not only need to physically perform at the highest level, but do so whilst making it look beautiful and effortless.

Historically, dancers have been an underserved population when it comes to healthcare. Being seen as an artist, or ‘just a dancer’ means that all too often dancer’s healthcare needs aren’t being met. Combine that with a culture of ‘the show must go on’ and ‘no pain no gain’ and it’s no wonder dancers have one of the highest rates of injury among athletes.

As a young dancer, I experienced first hand the lack of knowledge that healthcare professionals around me had when it came to dance specific care. This was the spark that motivated me to pursue a career in physiotherapy and specifically in dance physiotherapy.

This is also why I’m so deeply passionate about what we do here at Allegro Performance + Wellness. Dancers deserve access to high quality, dance specific care with someone who not only understands their unique needs, but also speaks their language.

Our goal is to raise the barre on dancer health and wellness, and change the landscape of the dance industry for the better 💜

🎥: @jfen
📸: @kezianphotography by @dancephysioerika

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2 years ago

✨The Dance Physio Podcast✨

Episode 153: Creating Healthy Team Culture with Dr. Chelsea Pierotti

We spend so much time thinking about and training our physical skills as dancers, but what about our mental skills? What skills can we draw on when something goes wrong in the first 8 counts of a dance?

I absolutely LOVED getting to sit down and chat with @dr.chelsea.pierotti about how mental skills can benefit our dancers, as well as help to contribute to healthy dance cultures.

This is a must listen to episode for every teacher, studio owner and parent! I can’t wait to hear what you think!

Episode 153 is out now wherever you get your podcasts🎙️ by @dancephysioerika

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2 days ago

One of my mentors often uses the phrase “have expectations of effort, not outcome” and that is exactly what @dr.chelsea.pierotti and I discuss in terms of defining success within your studio or dance team to create healthy culture.

I cannot wait for you to hear our whole conversation, coming out tomorrow on Episode 153 of The Dance Physio Podcast 💜 Make sure you’re subscribed on your favourite podcast platform so you don’t miss the episode! by @dancephysioerika

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3 days ago

✨The Dance Physio Podcast✨

Episode 152: The Benefits of Dance for Adult Populations

Dance has powerful health benefits, especially for adult populations. In this week’s podcast episode, we dive into the physical benefits, the mental & cognitive benefits and the social & emotional benefits of dance and how they stack up against other physical activities when it comes to preventative health.

I know I may be biased, but I think dance is pretty great when it comes to staying active and healthy through the lifespan.

Episode 152 is out now wherever you get your podcasts🎙️ Don’t forget to like, subscribe and share with a friend 💜 by @dancephysioerika

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6 days ago

If you’ve ever had to suppress more than the occasional yawn during technique class, you’re not alone. Dancers work hard, both mentally and physically, and busy periods can make tiredness feel like the new normal. But when your eyelids get droopy at dance, that’s not something to ignore.

From sleep habits to nutrition, risks, and more, here’s what to keep in mind if you’re feeling a little less than on-pointe. Learn more at the link in our bio. 💤

📝: @kirouette
📸: @dancephysioerika working with a client. Photo by @kezianphotography, courtesy Mayall/Allegro Performance.
📸: @gracederocha (standing) leading a dance nutrition seminar. Photo courtesy Derocha.

#dancers #dancetraining #dancemajor #sleep #nutrition

Descriptions
1) Text: Hey dancers, are you feeling sleepy in class? Here’s what to know.
2) Text in caption.
3) A physiotherapist stands behind a dancer at the barre. The dancer stands on relevé in cou de pied devant, and the physiotherapist places a hand on the dancer’s outside hip to test placement. Text: “Everything feels harder when you’re tired. It’s probably not the time to be really pushing yourself or trying to learn new tricks or skills.”—Erika Mayall, physiotherapist and former dancer, on the risks of dancing while sleepy
4) In a dance studio, a large group of young dancers sit on the floor as a registered dietitian stands at the front, next to a monitor, and presents about nutrition. Text: “Feeling weak or dizzy, or experiencing headaches—those are all signs something bigger could be going on.”
—Grace Derocha, registered dietitian, recommends keeping an eye on persistent tiredness
5) Text in caption. by @dancephysioerika

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13 days ago

September snaps 📸 by @dancephysioerika

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14 days ago

✨The Dance Physio Podcast✨

Episode 151: Strength Training vs Dance Specific Conditioning for Dancers

Is what you’re doing actually strength training, or is it more likely to be dance specific conditioning? A lot of dancers think they’re strength training but when we look at their program and break things down, it’s more likely it falls into the category of dance specific conditioning.

In this episode, we explore the difference between the two, and when we might consider using one over the other.

Episode 151 is out now wherever you get your podcasts🎙️ Don’t forget to like, subscribe and share with a friend 💜 by @dancephysioerika

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16 days ago

✨The Dance Physio Podcast✨

Episode 150: Knee Meniscus Injuries in Dancers

Have you heard about the meniscus but aren’t sure exactly what it is or why it’s important? Then this episode is for you!

In addition to the above, you’ll also learn common ways that dancers can injure their meniscus (and how to avoid it!), different types of meniscus injuries, how we diagnose and treat them.

Episode 150 is out now wherever you get your podcasts🎙️ Don’t forget to like, subscribe and share with a friend 💜 by @dancephysioerika

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23 days ago

Building up bigger jumps means building up the strength, power, and control for jumps as well! Here are a few exercises I like to include in training that focus on improving the different elements involved in takeoff and landings for jumps, using only a box :)

Save this for your next jump training day!!!

#dancephysio #physiotherapy #strongdancers #danceconditioning #bigjumps by @dancephysioerika

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23 days ago

Last days of summer….better late than never!

Lots of friends, footie, ice cream and cabin time - with a bit of work thrown in 💜 by @dancephysioerika

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24 days ago

✨The Dance Physio Podcast✨

Episode 149: Pathways into Dance Medicine

More and more dancers are interested in careers in and around dance medicine, but relatively little information exists about pathways into these careers.

In this episode, I discuss some of the options and resources available for dancers who are interested in pursuing dance medicine and science pathways.

Episode 149 is out now wherever you get your podcasts🎙️ Don’t forget to like, subscribe and share with a friend 💜 by @dancephysioerika

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25 days ago

Research Rundown 📚

The start of a new dance year is the perfect time for another research rundown!

‘Ideal’ turnout in ballet is often considered to be 180 degrees, but the reality is that most dancers do not have that range available to them. Functional turnout (the range anatomically available) is often substantially less than 180 degrees.

Striving for unrealistic ideals, means that dancers can ‘cheat’ or compensate their turnout to try and achieve more turnout, leaving them susceptible to injury. This study looked at the most common injuries seen with compensated turnout and at what point dancers are at increased risk of injury.

Focusing on how turnout is created rather than what it looks like is the key to ensuring safe dance practice.

Comment TURNOUT for a link to learn more about improving strength and range for turnout.

Reference: Ota, H., Ogura, A., Kanejima, Y., Hidekuma, T., & Izawa, K. P. (2026). Relationship between compensated turnout and lower extremity injuries in ballet dancers: A systematic review. Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies. doi: 10.1016/j.jbmt.2026.05.006 by @dancephysioerika

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