Are you an Irish dancer who is...
- Ready to take your dancing to the next level?
- Not happy with your competition results?
- Keeps getting the same comments on their competition results?
- AND WANTS TO TAKE ACTION?
Target Training is here to help.
Target Training's Online Institute offers specially designed programming to increase the strength, stability, mobility and flexibility you need to overcome obstacles and take yourself to that next level.
Your Instructor
About Ellen
Long time competitive and professional Irish dancer and instructor, Ellen G. Waller, has dedicated her life to Irish dance. Her talent as a dancer has lead her to perform for thousands across the world and her passion as an Irish dance instructor has influenced innumerable young dancers.
As a young dancer, Ellen recognized the unique physical and mental challenges encountered by elite dancers and athletes. Determined to learn more about supporting young dancers and athletes, she returned to school to complete her Masters of Science in Exercise Science.
Coupling her in-depth experience as an Irish dancer/instructor with her expansive knowledge of kinesiology, Ellen developed the innovative Target Training program; a series of courses and training methods that condition the specific muscles Irish dancers need to
- optimize performance;
- improve technique;
- prevent injuries;
- overcome physical and mental challenges;
- perform and compete at an elite level.
How strength & conditioning propelled Ellen's dance career
I was in junior high and my dancing had already hit a wall. I had great ambitions but didn't know the steps I needed to take to reach my goals.
Does this sound familiar?
Around this time, my dance teacher started exposing us to a variety of complimentary training. We began working with the "Queen Bee" of Dance Medicine and injury prevention, Jacqui Haas, and accomplished trainer, Peg Hofmann. We learned about proper body mechanics and how to strengthen the dance specific muscles we needed to improve our technique and form. This training became an integral part of our weekly routine. Then….
I remember the exact moment where I could feel the effects of their training. I stepped out to do a step for my teacher and in the first jump I felt in control, I felt strong, and I felt powerful.
I became obsessed with the cause and effect relationship between this type of training and the positive effect it had on my dance technique. It propelled my dancing career and drove me to realize my goals of competing at the World Championships and tour the world as a professional Irish dancer. I spent over 25 years living my dream as a world class competitor and instructor with the McGing Irish dancers and professional dancer with the Trinity Irish Dance Company and instructor with the Trinity Academy.
While I was teaching, I began noticing my own dancers hitting plateaus, needing an extra push, and struggling to fully realize their goals. I knew just what they needed - targeted physical and cognitive training specific to Irish dancers.
My fire was ignited and I wanted to learn everything I could to help dancers accelerate their training and reach their full potential. I returned to school to complete my Masters in Exercise Science and the rest is history.
Course Curriculum
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StartIntermediate Full Body Workout (19:54)
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StartAdvanced Full Body Workout (23:23)
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StartFoundational Strength (28:55)
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StartInjury Prevention (23:53)
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StartStrength Training with an Ankle or Foot Injury (15:20)
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Start10 Minute Full Body Blast (12:01)
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Start20 Minute Endurance Training - Audio Guide
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Start45 Minute Class (44:44)
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StartCore - 5 Minute QB (5:47)
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StartCrossover - 5 Minute QB (5:41)
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StartFlexibility - 5 Minute QB (5:30)
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StartPointing - 5 Minute QB (5:42)
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StartPosture - 5 Minute QB (5:28)
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StartShoulders Back - 5 Minute QB (6:16)
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StartStraight Legs - 5 Minute QB (6:05)
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StartToe Height - 5 Minute QB (5:58)
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StartTurnout - 5 Minute QB (7:04)
"Thank you, thank you, THANK YOU for offering an online training program for Irish dancers! I ordered it last night and my dancer was so incredibly excited! We are excited to have this option where she can do this at home in conjunction with her practicing. This helps us out so much and allows her to cross train in a more manageable way for our family. THANK YOU!"
- Kim S., dance parent
"Target Training has made such a difference in her dancing. She definitely works harder in the studio this year, but your training has made her stronger and has helped with the things she was struggling with, like turnout. She went from last place in prelim to qualifying for opens in a year, and from no recall at Nationals to a recall! Thank you!"
- Sarah P., dance parent
"Thank you for your program! I started dancing 3 years ago as an adult, after many many years off for college and grad school, and I basically had to start back at the beginning for technique, strength, and stamina. I've been doing your online program for about a year now, and since then I have seen huge improvements in all areas of my dancing! I competed at the WIDA nationals a few weeks ago, and for the first time ever I didn't get any comments about needing to fix my toe height, point, turnout, or extension, which were all comments I got at most every competition and that I've been working hard to improve using your videos. It was a huge achievement for me and gave me a huge confidence boost in my dancing, and it wouldn't have happened without your program!"
- Megan S., dancer