ABOUT PROPS
The PROPS Method of Training
Promotes well-being, improves
Resilience, and
Optimises self-awareness, with
Psychological
Skills
WHY PSYCHOLOGICAL
SKILLS IN BALLET?
Psychological Skills are “a proficiency that uses psychological knowledge and skills to address optimal performance and well-being of athletes...”
- American Psychological Association, 2016.
Psychological Skills work “behind the scenes” to support the development of technical and artistic individuality. Dancers become aware of the thoughts, feelings, and emotions that assist them to fulfil their potential.
THE STRATEGIES
Psychological Skills can make a difference in the ways in which students can cope with their ballet training.
What goes on in the minds of students cannot be seen, however, psychological skills can support students during their training just as the ribbon dance from La Fille Mal Gardée supports the central dancer in a way that is largely unnoticed by the observer.
The hard work that went into this magnificent feat in dance can be compared with the mental work that is required for ballet dancers to achieve their full potential. PROPS offers strategies that help dancers to acquire the type of mental fortitude needed to perform consistently well, like this dancer.
Carolyn Carattini, DCI
As founder of the PROPS method of training in ballet, I am thrilled to present practical strategies for including psychological skills in ballet classes. My background as a professional dancer affords me the knowledge and understanding of the complexities experienced while working towards dance excellence.
My mission is to create excellence in ballet through holistic teaching. A method that invites individualism and empowers dancers to reach their fullest potential emotionally and physically.
- Dr. Carolyn Carattini
I started ballet training in Sydney, Australia, at the age of 11 and danced professionally in Australia, Germany and the USA.
While performing overseas, I studied ballet pedagogy under several well-known teachers. They instilled in me a life-long love of learning and impressed upon me the value of teachers who take responsibility for the learning experiences of students in their ballet classes.
After many years of performing, teaching, and research, I have created “Psychological Skills in Ballet Training: Strategies for Ballet Teachers”. This Practical Resource and Workbook addresses how psychological skills can be incorporated into ballet training.
The Resource and Workbook offers a clear, step by step approach to teaching strategies that make a difference to the well-being of dancers. The Resource and Workbook guides teachers through transformative teaching practices that provide students with the skills to succeed.
RESEARCH BACKGROUND
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20 Years training teachers.
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18 years teaching psychological skills in ballet classes.
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BPhil Honours (2001) in Ballet and Contextual Studies research: An Investigation into the value of psychological skills training as a step towards emotional preparation for the attainment of optimal performance in classical ballet.
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Master of Arts in Dance Education (2003) research: Educating Dancers for Life: An Advocacy Paper and Practical Guide.
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Doctor of Creative Industries (2021) research: Psychological Skills in Ballet Training: An Approach to Pedagogy for the Fulfilment of Student Potential.
