Health
Performing Artist's Health Program
For more information on physical assessments, classes, and private and semi-private training, please see our Upcoming Events.
Want to schedule an appointment? Contact us!
Available Services
What Makes Us Different
Unlike a personal trainer at your average “globo-gym,” Dr. Kabbas’ program is geared towards the specific needs and concerns that are unique to musicians and other performing artists. Each session is specialized for the client on an individual basis, and takes into consideration:
*Each session also includes a personalized plan for continued work, which can be done on-site, at-home, or at another location of your choosing!*
Unlike a personal trainer at your average “globo-gym,” Dr. Kabbas’ program is geared towards the specific needs and concerns that are unique to musicians and other performing artists. Each session is specialized for the client on an individual basis, and takes into consideration:
• The performer’s primary modality (ex. specific instrument, voice, conducting, dance, theater, etc.)
• The client’s physical history as it relates to his/her modality
• Common risks and injuries related to the performer’s modality
• The performance season (ex. summer “off-season” preparation needs versus the demands of the December “in-season.”)
• Common fears or concerns about physical activity as a performing artist, coupled with appropriate modifications on an individual basis
• Focus on progress that is most beneficial to the client’s performance and overall well-being, rather than on accomplishing a set number of reps or pushing for solely visual results
Private Training
1-hour private training sessions are ideal for those in need of specialized and/or individualized coaching, and are scheduled on a one-on-one basis.
Each training session includes a personalized plan for progress that can be done on-site or at a location of your choosing.
Ready to schedule an appointment? Contact us!
Semi-Private Training
1-hour semi-private sessions are designed for 2 to 4 clients at a time. These small-group sessions are ideal for clients with similar goals, and are both cost-effective and goal-oriented.
Semi-private sessions include a group plan for progress that can be done on-site or at a location of your choosing.
Ready to schedule an appointment? Contact us!
1-on-1 Physical Assessment
90-minute personal assessments are designed for performing artists who need a more in-depth evaluation to identify areas of weakness, imbalance, and deficiency.
Assessments are ideal for those experiencing recurring muscular discomfort, dysfunction, or pain in spite of clearance from medical professionals.
Each assessment includes a personalized plan to improve problem musculature. Plans can be done on-site or at a location of your choosing.
Ready to schedule an appointment? Contact us!
Online Coaching
Not in Tallahassee? Prefer to train at home? Then our Custom Online Coaching is the right fit for you!
Our online option gives you custom coaching and feedback regardless of your location!
As with our other services, training still focuses on the individual's needs and creative modality to optimize his/her capabilities as both a performer and as a person.
Interested in learning more? Contact us!
Performing Arts Health Clinics
Have a performing arts group? Want to book a customized Health Clinic?
Contact us
today to schedule a lecture or clinic with Dr. Jen Kabbas! She can customize a clinic, lecture, or workshop to best serve your needs!
Sample Topics Include, but are not limited to:
-Introduction to Strength and Health for Performing Artists
- Health Considerations for Marching Band Directors
- Strength and Technique for Ballet Dancers
- "Ease in Upright" and Vocal Projection for Vocalists and Actors
- "Posture: Why is it difficult, and what can we do?" for Educators
- Post-Performance Recovery and Pre-Performance Preparation (for all performing artists)
About
In addition to her work as a performing artist and educator, Dr. Kabbas devotes a significant portion of her time to work in the area of musician’s and performing artist’s health. In 2003, she first began to experience performance-related pain; by 2009, in spite of repeated visits to numerous medical professionals, her pain had developed into a full-blown injury that prevented her from touching the clarinet in any capacity for three months. After rigorous physical therapy, chiropractic work, and massage therapy, Dr. Kabbas was able to return to performing. However, she began to realize that there was a significant gap between the point where she completed her physical therapy (what she describes as “not broken”) and where she needed to be as a professional musician (“competitive and performance-ready”). This gap, compounded by the realization that she struggled to help other musicians and students when asked about preventing and recovering from injury, spurred her to study alternative methods of recovery and self-use.
In 2014, Dr. Kabbas began her first Dynamic Integration class with Professor Eva Amsler at Florida State University. This experience led her to research, study, and write on the subjects of Alexander Technique, Feldenkrais, and Body Mapping as applied to daily instrumental practice. In 2018, she began her study of strength and fitness under the StrongFit principles, and began to experience how the parasympathetic and sympathetic nervous systems can work together to benefit performing artists in a holistic manner. These combined experiences led her to pursue certifications in order to share her knowledge with other performing artists to help them reach their fullest performance potential.
Dr. Kabbas offers assessments, as well as private, semi-private, and group training for performing artists at Big Bend Strength & Conditioning. She also holds specialty clinics on performance- and teaching-related topics. For more information, please see Upcoming Events.
Dr. Kabbas holds certification from the National Council on Strength and Fitness as a Certified Strength Coach and as a Certified Personal Trainer. She is a Teacher Trainee member of Alexander Technique International, and an Andover Educators Affiliate Trainee.
In 2014, Dr. Kabbas began her first Dynamic Integration class with Professor Eva Amsler at Florida State University. This experience led her to research, study, and write on the subjects of Alexander Technique, Feldenkrais, and Body Mapping as applied to daily instrumental practice. In 2018, she began her study of strength and fitness under the StrongFit principles, and began to experience how the parasympathetic and sympathetic nervous systems can work together to benefit performing artists in a holistic manner. These combined experiences led her to pursue certifications in order to share her knowledge with other performing artists to help them reach their fullest performance potential.
Training with Dr. Kabbas involves:
- Highly-functional, low-risk movements aimed at identifying and addressing imbalances in a way that reduces risk of injury and dysfunction while striving towards optimal performance.
- Movements that are simple without being simplistic
- Movements can be modified appropriately on an individual basis for performers of all fitness and experience levels
- Instruction is always kind and gentle, while still maintaining focus on physical improvements as well as striving towards balance and overall health.
Dr. Kabbas offers assessments, as well as private, semi-private, and group training for performing artists at Big Bend Strength & Conditioning. She also holds specialty clinics on performance- and teaching-related topics. For more information, please see Upcoming Events.
Dr. Kabbas holds certification from the National Council on Strength and Fitness as a Certified Strength Coach and as a Certified Personal Trainer. She is a Teacher Trainee member of Alexander Technique International, and an Andover Educators Affiliate Trainee.
Big Bend Strength & Conditioning
Located in Tallahassee, FL, Big Bend Strength & Conditioning (BBSC) is the home of Dr. Kabbas’ performing artist’s health program. BBSC is a 1600 square-foot facility with a “return to basics” and “simple, not simplistic” approach to training that minimizes injury and maximizes performance.
For more information on Big Bend Strength & Conditioning, visit their website at https://www.bigbendsc.com, or follow them on Instagram: @bigbendstrengthandconditioning
Or, stop by and visit!
2500 Allen Rd., Tallahassee, FL, 32312
Additional Resources
The following resources are methodologies or groups that I have studied to various degrees, and that I believe can be helpful to those seeking assistance with performance-related health concerns. I am not endorsing any particular methodology over another, nor am I sponsored by any organization; I am simply providing these as potentially useful links.
Alexander Technique International
https://alexandertechniqueinternational.com
Feldenkrais Method
https://feldenkrais.com
Andover Educators (Home of Body Mapping)
Think an organization should be added to this list? Let us know! Contact Us
StrongFit: Principles of Movement
https://www.strongfit.com/
Alexander Technique International
https://alexandertechniqueinternational.com
Feldenkrais Method
https://feldenkrais.com
Andover Educators (Home of Body Mapping)
Performing Arts Medicine Association
Think an organization should be added to this list? Let us know! Contact Us
