About this Event
Harkness Center for Dance Injuries proudly offers in-person and virtual Harkness Center Saturday Series workshops for the dance community.
Our educational theme for 2026 is BODIES—A deep dive into our anatomy.
Throughout the year, our community programming will focus on functional anatomy through a biopsychosocial lens specific to anyone who identifies as a dancer.
OCTOBER 2026 WORKSHOP
Topic: Menstruation to Menopause
When: Saturday, October 24, 2026 at 11:00 AM EDT
Format: VIRTUAL - this event is on ZOOM only
Description: In this 2-part, virtual Saturday Series workshop, we will connect the menstrual cycle, perimenopause, and menopause in the context of dancers, performing artists, and active individuals.
The menstrual cycle is considered an essential measure of health and has a significant impact on a female dancer's wellbeing and performance. Ella Otto will review the three phases of the menstrual cycle; associated physiological changes that occur; and strategies to optimize sleep, nutrition, training, and stress management within each phase.
Becca Kesting will review physiological markers of perimenopause and menopause, specifically in the cardiovascular system, autonomic nervous system, urogenital system, and musculoskeletal system. She will then discuss changes that individuals can make in their workouts, training, and nutrition to address and support these changes, as well as when to seek out care from a professional.
Instructors:
Athletic trainer Ella Otto, MS, LAT, ATC received a bachelor’s degree in movement science and a master’s degree in athletic training from Winona State University, where she also earned a minor in dance. An athletic training student intern with The Harkness Center for Dance Injuries in 2022, she has experience as a choreographer, dancer, and strength and conditioning coach for sports teams. She holds certifications in Graston Technique and personal training and as a corrective exercise specialist.
Physical therapist Becca Kesting, PT, DPT received a bachelor’s degree in dance and kinesiology from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and a doctorate in physical therapy from Columbia University. She completed her orthopedic physical therapy residency at NYU Steinhardt with clinical hours at Harkness Center for Dance Injuries and specializes in performing arts and pelvic floor rehabiliation.
UPCOMING SATURDAY SERIES WORKSHOPS
Virtual workshops are marked with (v) and run 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM ET. All other workshops are in-person and run 11:30 AM - 1:00 PM ET. Registration for each event, once open, can be found at https://linktr.ee/harknesscenterfordanceinjuries.
November 21: Joints for Longevity with Glenn De Kler, MS, LAT, ATC
December 12: Balance Across our Lives: Vestibular System with Meg Schiffer, PT, DPT
Saturday Series workshops are led by our clinical staff and feature various topics on dancer wellness and injury prevention. All members of the dance community are welcome. Please note whether format is in-person or virtual.
- We strongly encourage participants under 16 years of age to attend with a parent/guardian.
- Liability waiver: for workshops that include movement, participants will be required to sign a liability waiver.
- Refund policy: we cannot provide refunds after the event has taken place.
- Virtual workshops: unless noted, recordings of virtual workshops are not provided, so please plan to attend in real time.
- Questions: Contact Kristen Stevens, program manager, [email protected]
About the Harkness Center for Dance Injuries: NYU Langone's Harkness Center for Dance Injuries (www.DanceInjury.org) is dedicated to enhancing the health and well-being of dance professionals through clinical services, education programming, and research. Founded in 1989 through a partnership between the Harkness Foundation for Dance and the Hospital for Joint Diseases (now NYU Langone Orthopedic Hospital), the Harkness Center provides care for dancers of all ages, genres, and levels as well as for musicians, actors, figure skaters, aerialists, and more.
In addition to caring for injuries, an integral part of the Harkness Center’s mission is providing education. For the dance community, Harkness offers injury prevention workshops, online courses, and screenings, including its long-running, free Injury Prevention Assessment (IPA) program. For dance medicine professionals, Harkness offers live and online continuing education courses. DanceMedU, the Harkness Center's digital learning platform (www.DanceMedU.org), offers over 20 lectures on dance medicine and dancer health for the dance and healthcare communitities.
Event venue & nearby stays
On ZOOM through NYU Langone's Harkness Center for Dance Injuries, 614 2nd Avenue 2G, New York, United States
Concerts, fests, parties, meetups — all the happenings, one place.