Stephen M. Apatow's instructional programs are accredited by the International Dance Council (UNESCO).  Learn more about specialized dance, sports and Olympic development programs: Humanitarian University Consortium: Humanitarian Resource Institute (UN:NGO:DESA) Humanitarian University Consortium Graduate Studies Center for Medicine, Veterinary Medicine & Law. Connecting Colleges and Universities in 193 UN Member Countries. LinkedIn Pulse. Pathobiologics International: Distance Education Courses. United Nations Arts Initiative:  Connecting the global arts and entertainment industry, reaching the household level in 193 UN member countries, promoting youth leadership and community development through Arts Integration Into Education to impact prioritized humanitarian emergencies and relief operations across the globe.

Introduction

Classical ballet training represents the most advanced technical movement mechanics training in the world. The mechanical alignment ideal in classical ballet training represents the most stable, functionally integrate relationship of the spine and extremities.

An understanding of mechanical ideal is crucial for optimum control of the human frame in space, strength, leverage mechanics and economical movement. This foundation established in conjunction with sports specific movement mechanics is the key to successful Olympic development programs.

A correct understanding of the classical ballet mechanical ideal provides the physician, therapist, coach or student a reference point for alignment deviation as it corresponds to the mechanism of joint stress and injury of the spine and extremities.

According to the Merck Manual of Medical Information for Sports Injuries: "More than 10 million sports injuries are treated each year in the United States."  The seriousness of this problem points to the need for education initiatives which target injury prevention.

Scholarship at Nutmeg Conservatory for the Arts

In conjunction, with scholarships to study classical ballet training at the Nutmeg Conservatory for the Arts in the late 80's, Stephen Michael Apatow was asked by artistic director Sharon Dante (YouTube: PM Magazine, 1984)  to incorporate a specialized program to optimize classical ballet based alignment mechanics.  

The challenge encompassed the differences between participants that were the result of a "one out of a thousand selection process" and opportunities in the United States that allow all children to participate despite their physical limitations.  The focus encompassed an accentuated stretch and flexibility emphasis, for all developmental levels (pre-ballet through professional) to better enable the dancer in their progression toward the mechanical ideal of the development program.

The advanced level of this developmental focus was intensive spine and extremity analysis, correction, retraining and coaching with dancers preparing for international competitions and professional careers.  This intensive work resulted in an immediate functional change in technical performance within a 4-6 week period, facilitating progress that was impossible through the classical ballet development program alone.

In 2002, the Sports Medicine and Science Institute was formed to advance  applications for sports and Olympic development programs, orthopedic analysis and injury prevention.

Biomechanical Analysis, Correction and Retraining consultation with Student Emily Patterson, Joffrey Ballet, IMDB, The Company (2003),  Save the Last Dance (2001).

In The Spotlight:

• Biomechanical Analysis, Correction and Retraining: Reaching the Next Level of Performance in Classical Ballet and Olympic Development Programs: Sports Medicine & Science Institute, 4 December 2004: Last Updated November 2012.
• SMSI:UNArts: Confronting the Epidemic of Injuries in Dance: Sports Medicine & Science Institute, United Nations Arts Initiative, International Dancescience Development Program, 1 May 2012. See also: Nutmeg Nuggets: Staying in peak condition: Register Citizen, Torrington, Connecticut, 13 June 2012.
• Classical Ballet Based Biomechanics and Orthopedic Analysis Level 1: Distance education course on classical ballet based biomechanics for physicians, physical therapists, instructors, parents and students .Humanitarian University Consortium Continuing Education.