It's All Relative
The podcast for dance teachers and studio owners who are looking to go behind the scenes in the dance industry and discover strategy and success in everything from studio to stageÂ
Ep 40: Relationship vs Hard Feedback
In this episode, I’m unpacking something I witnessed in real time, dancers who looked average throughout class, then suddenly performed at a completely different level on the final run.
The problem is, in auditions and professional settings, that “last run” might never come.
We dive into why dancers hold back during the learning process, how that habit impacts their ability to stand out, and what needs to shift in training. This conversation also explores the disconnect between technique and artistry, and why dancers need to be trained as both from the very beginning, not treate...
Ep 39: The Power Behind Your Why
In this episode, I’m diving into something that every teacher needs but often overlooks, defining your why on a deeper level.
This conversation was inspired by a moment inside Total Technique Academy where teachers realized they felt stuck trying to define their why. Not because they didn’t care, but because their answers stayed at the surface.
I walk through why a shallow why like “I want my dancers to improve” isn’t enough to carry you through the hard seasons — the burnout, the pressure, the attitude, the exhaustion. And how going back to your...
Ep 38: The Fight For Fundamentals
In this episode, Cara breaks down what it really means to fight for fundamentals in today’s dance industry and why it matters now more than ever. With dancers constantly exposed to advanced tricks on social media, the pressure to move faster is real. But skipping steps comes at a cost.
Cara shares why true progress isn’t about doing more, it’s about doing the basics so well that they become second nature. From parent expectations to dancer impatience, she unpacks the real challenges teachers face and how staying committed to fundamentals protects dancers, builds confidence, and cr...
Ep 37: The Greatest Chronic Injury Lesson
In this episode, Cara dives into a major gap in dancer training that shows up in auditions, competitions, and even class settings. Dancers often wait until the last run to fully perform, but in real opportunities, that moment may never come.
This conversation unpacks how performance is not something dancers turn on at the end. It is something they build from the very first rep. Cara also explores the powerful connection between technique and artistry, and why separating the two is one of the biggest mistakes in dance training today.
From warmups to combinations, transitions...
Ep 36: The Recipe For Success with Kenny Borchard | Part 2
In this continuation of the conversation, the focus shifts from what dancers do to how they do it and why that difference is everything.
The discussion highlights a common gap in training: dancers often wait until the last run to fully perform. But in real-world settings like auditions, that “final moment” might never come. The takeaway is simple. Performance is not a switch. It is a habit.
This episode dives into the powerful idea that dancers are not half artist and half athlete, but 100% both at all times. From warmups to full...
Ep 35: The Recipe For Success with Kenny Borchard | Part 1
What Does It Really Take to Build a Successful Dancer?
What separates a dancer who plateaus from one who keeps growing? According to Kenny Borchard, executive director of the Joffrey Workshops and artistic director of the Joffrey Ballet School's Dallas Summer Intensive, it comes down to three ingredients. And if even one is missing, the whole recipe falls flat.
In Part 1 of this conversation, Cara sits down with Kenny to unpack what he's observed traveling to over 50 schools across the U.S., Switzerland, and Australia, and what it's taught him about the state...
Ep 34: The Injury Process
In this deeply personal episode, Cara shares the unexpected story of tearing her ACL while teaching, and the powerful lessons that unfolded in the weeks that followed.
What began as a physical injury quickly became a real-time study in mindset, belief, and leadership. From the initial diagnosis to the emotional spiral that followed the MRI results, Cara walks through how quickly the mind can either weaken or strengthen the body.
But this episode isn’t just about an ACL tear.
 It’s about what we fuel our dancers with every single day.
Becau...
Ep 33: Leading Well Through Stress
You can’t lead calm, confident dancers if you’re running on empty.
This episode is a real conversation for dance teachers and studio owners who are deep in the busiest stretch of the season. Competition weekends, recital preparation, teaching schedules, family life, it all stacks up quickly. Cara pulls the focus back to the one thing most educators forget during stressful seasons: taking care of themselves first.
Instead of adding another overwhelming checklist, Cara shares practical mindset shifts and habits that help teachers regulate stress, protect their energy, and model healthy leadership for...
Ep 32: Getting Dancers to Leave It All On The Floor
Dancers can’t leave it all on the floor if they’ve never given it in the studio first.
In this episode, Cara breaks down what it really means to ask dancers to “leave it all on the floor.” She challenges dance teachers and studio owners to rethink performance expectations, rehearsal habits, choreography choices, and technique training. If you want your competitive dancers to perform with confidence, control, and passion, this conversation is essential.
Cara Talked About:
Ep 31: Crushing the Season as a Competition Mom with Kate Pagano
In this episode, Cara is joined again by physical therapy assistant Kate Pagano to unpack what true competition mom success actually looks like, and why so much competition-season stress has nothing to do with a dancer’s performance. Together, they explore the emotional patterns, boundaries, and communication habits that can unintentionally add pressure, and how parents can support their dancers in ways that build confidence, resilience, and long-term success. This conversation brings clarity for studios, educators, and families navigating high-stakes competition environments.
Cara and Kate talked about:
Why competition stress is...Ep 30: Pinpointing Technique 'Symptoms' vs Diagnosing Injuries with kate Pagano
In this episode, Cara is joined again by physical therapy assistant Kate Pagano to break down a critical distinction every dance teacher needs to understand: the difference between technique symptoms, root causes, and actual injuries. Together, they unpack why repeating surface-level corrections doesn’t create change, how misreading pain can lead to injury, and where the teacher’s responsibility must end. This conversation brings clarity, boundaries, and smarter strategy to technique training, especially during competition season.
Cara talked about:
Ep 29: When Competition Judges Get It 'Wrong'
When competition results don’t match what you saw on stage, here’s why it happens and how to win anyway.
In this episode, Cara breaks down one of the most frustrating moments for dance teachers and studio owners: when competition results don’t align with what was performed. Instead of reacting emotionally or placing blame, Cara walks listeners through the real mechanics of judging, the human limitations behind the table, and the systems that influence scores. This conversation reframes competition results as data, not definitions, and gives educators a grounded way to support dancers while still pushin...
Ep 28: Building A Positive Studio Culture
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.
Ep 27: Crushing Your Competitive Season
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...
Ep 26: The ABCs of a New Year
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 directio...
Ep 25: 3 Steps To Your Best Year Yet
As the year comes to a close, Cara shares a simple but powerful framework to help teachers, studio owners, and creatives move forward with purpose. This episode focuses on reflection without regret, celebrating progress without pressure, and preparing intentionally for the year ahead. Instead of rushing into new goals, Cara guides listeners through the mindset shifts and planning strategies that create sustainable growth and meaningful momentum.
This episode is rich in goal-setting strategy, teacher mindset, studio owner reflection, intentional planning, and year-end preparation, making it highly relevant for educators looking to reset and refocus
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Ep 24: Symptom vs. Strategy in Teaching Technique
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...
Ep 23: Alignment Over EVERYTHING
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.
Ep 22: The Vertical Learning Ladder
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 ah...
Ep 21: Overcoming Imposter Syndrome
In this empowering episode, Cara opens up a deeply needed conversation about overcoming imposter syndrome in the dance world, as dancers, teachers, and studio owners. She shares the mindset shifts, practical reflections, and real-life examples that help us break out of comparison, step into our next level, and move forward with confidence. Through personal stories, reframed beliefs, and grounded reminders, this episode gives you the tools to recognize imposter syndrome, overcome it, and reconnect with your purpose.
This episode uses essential keywords such as overcoming imposter syndrome, comparison in dance, confidence for dancers, growth mindset for teachers...
Ep 20: Desirable VS. Unhireable
In this episode, Cara breaks down the real behaviors that make a dancer desirable vs. unhirable in class, auditions, and professional environments. After teaching across studios and conventions nationwide, she’s sharing the patterns she sees over and over again, the habits that make dancers stand out and the mistakes that cost them opportunities. This episode gives teachers and dancers a clear strategy to transform class behavior, improve professionalism, and become more desirable to choreographers, casting directors, and educators.
This description intentionally includes the episode’s main keyword — desirable vs unhirable — multiple times, along with supporting keywords like dan...
Ep 19: Training Through Body Awareness with Kelsey Nelson
What if the biggest technique breakthrough your dancers need has nothing to do with more hours… and everything to do with deeper body awareness?
In this episode, Cara sits down with educator and movement strategist Kelsey Nelson, whose Pilates-inspired, mind–body conditioning approach has helped dancers strengthen smarter, train safely, and unlock technique they’ve been chasing for years.
This conversation is packed with practical strategy, alignment insight, and simple shifts you can bring straight into your classes, starting today. If you want more intentional, effective, and strategic training for your dancers, this episode is a must...
Ep 18: The Hidden Issue - Pinpointing Musclular Imbalances
In this episode, Cara uncovers one of the most overlooked obstacles in dance training: muscular imbalances. These hidden issues often disguise themselves as lack of flexibility or mobility, but in reality, they’re what’s holding dancers back from reaching their true potential.
Cara breaks down how to recognize, assess, and correct muscular imbalances — so you can unlock cleaner lines, better extensions, stronger turns, and injury-free training. This conversation blends anatomy, alignment, and artistry into a practical framework that every dance teacher can use in class today.
Cara talked about:
What muscular imbalances are, and wh...Ep 17: Strategy: The Secret to Real Success
Discover how to stop “winging it” and start building real, lasting success with strategy that aligns with your creative mind.
In this episode, Cara dives deep into what truly drives long-term growth — strategy. As creatives, it’s easy to lean into spontaneity and “go with the flow,” but real success in your studio, your teaching, and your artistry comes when you build intentional strategy that works with your creativity, not against it.
Cara shares the behind-the-scenes story of Total Technique Academy — a 12-week digital course that blends structured planning with creative flexibility. She unpacks why most people ne...
Ep 16: Top Training Without Top Injuries (Part 2) with Kate Pagano
How can dance teachers recognize early signs of injury before it happens? In this second part of our injury prevention series, we uncover the timing, science, and simple in-class techniques that keep dancers strong and safe.
Welcome to Episode 16 of It’s All Relative — the continuation of last week’s powerful conversation with Kate Pano, licensed Physical Therapy Assistant, dance educator, and member of the Relative Motion team.
In Part 2, Cara and Kate pick up where they left off in Episode 15, going even deeper into injury prevention and dancer awareness. Together, they break down how timing...
Ep 15: Top Training Without Top Injuries (Part 1) with Kate Pagano
How can dance teachers train dancers to their highest potential while preventing injury? This episode uncovers the science behind safe, powerful, and sustainable training.
In Episode 15 of It’s All Relative, Cara Dixon welcomes back her teammate and friend Kate Pano, an experienced dance teacher, performer, and licensed Physical Therapy Assistant. Together, they kick off Relative Motion’s new monthly series on injury reduction, where science meets artistry. Cara and Kate discuss how understanding both the physical and psychological factors behind injuries can completely transform how teachers train their dancers.Â
This episode, Part 1 of 2...
Ep 14: The Top 3 Responsibilities of Dance Teachers
What are the top three responsibilities every dance teacher should carry? This episode breaks them down with clarity, purpose, and heart.
In Episode 14 of It’s All Relative, Cara Dixon unpacks the top three responsibilities of dance teachers: to train, teach, and protect. These three pillars form the foundation of great dance education and lasting impact. Cara explains how teachers can build strong technique, create safe learning environments, and foster discipline and character in their students. Whether you’re leading a room full of beginners or mentoring advanced dancers, this episode will help you elevate your purpose as a...
Ep 13: The Timing of Purpose with Gina Pero (Part 2)
How do you build a mindset strong enough to support your purpose? This episode continues the powerful conversation on aligning with the right season of your life.
In Episode 13 of It’s All Relative, Cara Dixon continues her conversation from Episode 12 with special guest Gina Pero, author of Lipstick Lashes and God. Picking up where the last episode left off, Cara and Gina dive deeper into how perspective, coaching, and empowered choices help dancers, teachers, and leaders step fully into their purpose. This episode is packed with wisdom for anyone seeking clarity, confidence, and alignment in both da...
Ep 12: The Timing of Purpose with Gina Pero (Part 1)
What if the delays in your journey weren’t setbacks, but part of the exact timing of your purpose?
In Episode 12 of It’s All Relative, Cara Dixon sits down with special guest Gina Pero to talk about purpose, timing, and how delays often lead to deeper alignment. Drawing from Gina's book and her own experiences, the two unpack what it means to walk through seasons where progress feels slow, yet preparation is happening behind the scenes. This episode encourages dancers, teachers, and leaders to reframe waiting as growth and to recognize that the right doors open at t...
Ep 11: The Wasted Moments
How much time is wasted in your dance classes without you even realizing it? This episode shows you how to turn those wasted moments into powerful opportunities for growth.
In Episode 11 of It’s All Relative, Cara Dixon digs into the “wasted moments” inside the studio, those times when dancers are present but not progressing. From marking choreography incorrectly to standing in line without engagement, Cara explains how to flip those moments into vital training opportunities. She shares practical ways teachers can maximize class time, improve dancer focus, and build alignment, strength, and confidence even in stillness. This e...
Ep 10: The Secret to Spotting
What’s the real secret behind clean turns? It all comes down to mastering spotting — and teaching dancers to focus with precision.
In Episode 10 of It’s All Relative, Cara Dixon reveals the secret to spotting and why it’s the foundation of higher-level dance training. Spotting isn’t just about whipping the head — it’s about mechanics, rhythm, and focus. Cara breaks down the MR Method (Mechanics and Rhythm) that helps dancers spot with accuracy, improve their turns, and build stronger alignment. She also shares how spotting teaches dancers to develop laser-sharp focus in both the studio and lif...
Ep 9: Called Higher - Stepping Into Your Highest Purpose
What does it really mean to be called higher? This episode explores how to step into your highest purpose with clarity, courage, and peace.
In Episode 9 of It’s All Relative, Cara Dixon shares three powerful elements that help dancers, teachers, and leaders step into their highest calling. Through a mix of personal reflection, studio parallels, and spiritual insight, Cara encourages listeners to stop judging others, surround themselves with high achievers, and release the pressure of carrying everything alone. This episode is a guide to finding peace, joy, and fulfillment while pursuing growth in both dance and li...
Ep 8: The Real ROI
What if the true return on investment in your studio has less to do with money and more to do with impact, culture, and service?
Today, Cara redefines ROI for studio owners, teachers, and dancers. While most people think ROI is about financial return, Cara reveals that the real ROI is about return on investment and rate of impact. From the way parents experience your studio the moment they walk through the door, to the cultures you create among teachers, dancers, and families, this episode unpacks how studios can measure success through transformation rather than just tuition...
Ep 7: Building a Feedback Culture
How do you balance nurturing dancers while still pushing them to their highest potential? This episode shows you how to build a feedback culture that does both.
Cara unpacks the idea of building a feedback culture inside the studio. A feedback culture is more than just giving dance corrections, it’s creating an environment where dancers expect feedback, look forward to it, and grow from it. Cara shares her process for assessing dancers, challenging them to reach their potential, and nurturing them with belief so feedback feels empowering rather than discouraging.
Cara talked about:
Wh...Ep 6: The Technique Treadmill
Do you ever feel like your dancers are working hard but not moving forward? This episode reveals why — and how to break free from the technique treadmill.
The “technique treadmill” that dancers, teachers, and studio owners often experience. It’s the cycle of endless effort without real results, running hard but staying in the same spot. Cara explains why this happens, how to spot the patterns that keep dancers stuck, and what strategies can transform the way training seasons, classes, and even generations of dancers approach technique. If you’ve ever wondered why progress stalls, this conversation shows you...
Ep 5: The Greatest Gift
What if the hardest day in the studio turned out to be the greatest gift in your dancer’s journey?
In Episode 5 of It’s All Relative, Cara Dixon shares a deeply personal story that reshaped how she viewed hard corrections, emotional moments, and teacher feedback. Through a powerful experience with her ballet teacher, and the wise response from her mother — Cara unpacks how trust, belief, and perspective can completely transform the way young dancers receive corrections. This episode is a must-listen for dance teachers, parents, and studio owners who want to build trust-based relationships that empower dancer...
Ep 4: Transform the Correction Cycle
Cara Dixon takes you into the heart of one of the most overlooked challenges in dance training: how dance corrections are received, processed, and repeated. This isn’t just about saying it louder or more often. It’s about transforming how corrections are communicated and understood so that dancers not only hear them, but truly integrate them into their movement. If you've ever felt stuck in a loop of repeating cues without lasting change, this episode offers real, applicable insight to finally move forward.
Cara talked about:
What the correction cycle is and why it stalls danc...Ep 3: The Demands of Delay with Kate Pagano
Are we rushing dancers too soon and delaying the development that truly matters?Â
In Episode 3 of It’s All Relative, Cara Dixon is joined by longtime friend and fellow Relative Motion team member, Kate Pagano, to talk about the physical and developmental cost of rushing dance training. With Kate’s extensive experience in physical therapy and dance education, the two dive deep into what happens when dancers skip fundamentals for the sake of fast results. They discuss the demands of delay, the long-term risks of early technical shortcuts, and how intentional, anatomy-based training builds stronger, more durable dance...
Ep 2: Does Talent Really Matter?
Is natural talent the biggest factor in a dancer's success? This episode uncovers the deeper layers of what talent really means and how teachers can unlock the potential in every dancer.
In Episode 2 of It’s All Relative, Cara unpacks the complex topic of talent in dance training. Does talent really matter? Absolutely. But what we often label as “talent” goes far beyond leg extensions and clean turns. Cara explores the different types of natural talent — from technical skill to resilience, work ethic, and drive — and how each plays a unique role in a dancer’s long-term success. Thi...
Ep 1: The Foundation Formula
Is your dancer's technique built to last or to fall apart? In this debut episode, Cara Dixon uncovers the powerful truth behind "The Foundation Formula" — a strategic approach to building technical excellence in dancers that’s built to endure. Whether you’re a dance educator, studio owner, or busy parent juggling life and business, this episode gives you more than just steps and stretches. It equips you with mindset shifts, proven analogies, and actionable movement strategies to develop dancers who don’t just perform well, but thrive long-term.
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The importance of building a dancer’s...
