Train with Kendall

A strong, clean passé is the foundation for stable, consistent turns. In this video, I break down how to improve your passé position with a few simple technique cues you can apply right away.

What you’ll learn:
• What a correct passé position should look and feel like
• How to place your toes at the knee without losing alignment
• How engaging your inner thighs improves stability
• How to lift through your body without holding your breath

Small adjustments in your passé can make a big difference in your balance, control, and overall technique. This is one of the most important positions to master if you want cleaner turns.

If you’re working on improving your turns, check out my All About Turns 6-week training plan: comment TURNS on this post!

If you wanna watch the full video on our YouTube channel, comment CHANNEL!

I like to test calf endurance for 2 reasons. One - it gives me a good idea of your balance and ankle and foot endurance. Two - it shows me how hard you can mentally push through a challenging exercise… do you keep going, or do you give up as soon as it gets hard?

It also exposes any differences between the right and left side - which is usually a sign that we could see weaknesses throughout that same side on the rest of the body too.

Try this test with me on each side! Let me know in the comments what your numbers were on the right and left.

If balance and ankle and foot strength is something you want to work on, check out my 6-week online training plan called “Ankle & Foot Foundations! Comment ANKLES on this post to get the link to check it out. This could be the perfect plan to work on this summer at home.

How to Improve Your Jazz Kicks | Technique + Strength Tips for Dancers

Want higher, stronger jazz kicks? In this video, I break down proper jazz kick technique and the key muscles you need to strengthen to improve height, control, and consistency.

What you’ll learn:
• A quick breakdown of clean jazz kick technique
• Why hip flexors and quads are essential for higher kicks
• 2 targeted exercises to build strength (banded battements, elevated lunge)
• How to apply strength work directly to your kicks
If your kicks feel stuck or inconsistent, it’s usually not a flexibility issue. Building strength in the right areas is what allows you to lift and control your leg with ease.

Comment CHANNEL on this post to watch the full video on our YouTube channel!

One of my FAVES when the lower back feels tight. With increased demands of lower back mobility and strength in the dance world today (hello acro tricks), we have to make sure we’re getting our spine into enough flexion (rounding) to counterbalance all that extension.

In order to do that, I recommend doing at least one spinal flexion exercises (or lower back stretch) after your acro or tumbling classes.

This exercises is a good place to start.

If you’re looking for more exercises to help you gain flexibility, I have an online training plan for you! It’s a 6-week long program called, “Flexibility Fusion.”

- 2 workouts per week
- Minimal equipment
- Multiple methods of flexibility training (not just static stretches)

This is the kind of training you want to include in your schedule when you’re serious about improving flexibility. Comment the word “FUSION” on this post and I’ll send you a link to learn more!

This is just what I noticed! Calling out no one dancer or studio in particular. And it’s not just at one competition either - I’m hearing similar feedback from my friends who are judges and teachers who attend competitions.

What do you think? Anything else to add?

The best dance educators aren’t just teaching steps - they’re shaping bodies, minds, and futures.

And in a field where tradition often outweighs science, it takes real courage to evolve how we teach.

If you’ve ever felt unsure about how to build strength without creating tension…
If you’ve questioned how to stretch safely or prevent burnout in your students…
If you know there has to be a better way to support long-term growth—you’re not alone.

This summer, I’m offering a 2-day Virtual Dance Science Teacher Intensive designed for educators who want more than just tips - they want tools, clarity, and real understanding of how the body works in the studio.

It’s for teachers who want to lead with both heart and evidence.

Because when you know better, you teach better, and your dancers feel the difference.

🗓 August 1-2nd, 2026
📍 100% online | 9am-12pm PST

Space is limited. If you’re ready to grow with your students, comment INTENSIVE and I’ll send you the details. Recordings will be available for 30 days to teachers who are registered.

Save $100 when you register before May 31st! If you have a group of 5 or more teachers and want to sign up together, comment GROUP on this post and I’ll send you the link to the group discount page!

Let’s build the future of dance education together with science-backed knowledge and teaching practices!