In this episode, Cara dives into one of the most important, and most overlooked, foundations of a successful dance studio: positive studio culture. From teachers and dancers to parents and staff, Cara explains how culture is created through daily behavior, language, and leadership. She also addresses how to recognize toxic patterns early and why protecting your studio’s culture is essential for long-term growth, trust, and impact.

This episode is especially relevant for dance studio owners, dance teachers, and leaders navigating competition season, when stress, exhaustion, and pressure can easily expose cracks in studio culture.

Cara talked about:

• Why studio culture starts with leadership behavior, not rules or policies.
• How unaddressed negativity spreads quickly and affects dancers, teachers, and families.
• The responsibility studio owners have to protect the culture, even when it’s uncomfortable.
• Why dancers mirror what they see from teachers and leadership.
• The difference between constructive feedback and toxic criticism.

Key Tips:

• Model the behavior you expect at all times.
  Address issues early before they become patterns.
• Stay approachable and present with dancers and families.
• Protect your studio vision, even when it requires hard conversations.

This episode is a powerful reminder that positive culture is leadership in action. When culture is protected, everything else, technique, teamwork, confidence, and community, grows more freely and authentically.

If you want help strengthening your studio leadership, teaching strategy, and long-term impact, explore Total Technique Academy at: therelativemotionexperience.com/technique

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

Competition season is here, and with long weekends, travel, pressure, and high expectations, it can either elevate your dancers or completely drain them. In this episode, Cara breaks down how to crush competitive season with intention by supporting dancers physically, mentally, and emotionally, without burning out your students or your staff.

This episode is packed with competition season strategy for dance studios, injury prevention in dancers, mental performance coaching, and smart scheduling for teachers, giving studio owners and educators a clear roadmap for navigating the busiest time of year with confidence and clarity.

Cara talked about:

• Why competition season must be approached with strategy, not survival mode.
• How overloading dancers physically during competition season leads to burnout and injury.
• The importance of separating technique class from rehearsal time.
• Why technique, not more choreography, is what actually improves competition performance.
• How emotional support is just as critical as physical training during long competition weekends.
• The role studio owners play in supporting teachers through the busiest season of the year.
• How studio culture during competition season directly affects dancer confidence and resilience.

Tips for Crushing Competitive Season:

• Schedule recovery-based classes after competition weekends.
• Use competition adjudications to guide technique goals, not punish mistakes.
• Teach dancers competition and convention etiquette so they feel prepared and confident.
• Build in rest and realistic expectations to prevent mental and physical overload.
• Check in with dancers before and after performances to support mindset and confidence.
• Support teachers with clear communication and appreciation, especially during peak weeks.
• Focus on long-term dancer development, not just short-term placements.

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

A simple framework that changes how dancers, teachers, and leaders approach an entire year — mentally and physically.

In this episode, Cara breaks down The ABCs of a New Year, a powerful mindset and movement framework designed for dance teachers, studio owners, and dancers who want real growth — not burnout. Instead of “new year, new you,” Cara focuses on refining what already works, strengthening belief, and aligning training with how the body actually functions. This episode blends dance mindset training, movement alignment strategy, and intentional technique development to help you step into the year with clarity, confidence, and direction.

Cara and Kate talked about:

Mental ABCs (Mindset & Leadership)

• Attitude — how energy, perspective, and emotional tone shape class culture and personal growth
• Belief — building trust in yourself and learning how to bridge belief gaps for your dancers
• Curiosity — replacing frustration and judgment with questions that unlock faster learning

Physical ABCs (Movement & Technique)

• Alignment — why proper alignment is the foundation of safe, efficient technique
• Breath — how breathing supports control, transitions, and performance quality
• Clarity — moving beyond “knowing steps” to executing movement with intention and precision

If you’re a dance teacher, studio owner, or serious dancer, this episode reframes dance technique training, mental performance skills, and audition readiness through a lens that’s sustainable and effective. The ABC framework gives you a shared language you can immediately apply in class, rehearsals, conventions, and auditions, creating stronger dancers and healthier training environments.

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Connect with us! 🎧

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