In the 2026–2027 season, we continue our journey, grounded in curiosity, openness, and risk, creating works with courage while never losing sight of who we are.
From 26 March, NDT 2 presents I dreamt, it was. Featuring a world premiere by associate choreographers Imre van Opstal and Marne van Opstal, alongside the groovy SAABA (2021) by Sharon Eyal and Gai Behar in a version specially adapted for NDT 2. Irresistible!
Sadly, injuries are a part of the life of a dancer. But whenever that happens at NDT, our dancers are in great hands, literally and figuratively speaking, because of our specialised medical staff. We’ve asked physiotherapist Laszlo Gèleng about his work, what happens when an NDT dancer gets injured, and if he has any tips to prevent injuries as a non-dancer.
“I joined NDT in 2008 as a massage therapist, and in the years that followed, I completed my studies in physiotherapy and manual therapy. So, within NDT I have a dual role, working both as a manual therapist and a massage therapist. My first degree was in Italy, where I studied dance and theatre history. In a way, it feels like things have come full circle, now that I’m working so closely with dancers.”
“Naturally, a dancer wants to know as quickly as possible: what is the injury, and what does it mean in the short and long term? We aim to provide that clarity as soon as possible.
We work with a large health team and take a truly holistic approach to the dancers’ wellbeing, looking at the full picture, including the mental aspect. When an injury occurs, we first carry out an analysis with our team of specialised physiotherapists. From there, we develop a concrete treatment plan that also takes mental wellbeing into account. We have clear protocols in place for this. We also work with trainers who specialise in areas such as injury prevention, Pilates, strengthening ‘weaker’ areas, and developing maintenance programmes. We use manual therapy and massage therapy, and when necessary, we collaborate with external doctors and specialists. Everything is based on Evidence-Based Practice (EBP) and tailored specifically to dancers.”
“If you look at drawings from Ancient Egypt, you can already see forms of therapeutic touch. Throughout history there have been many examples of this. Scientific research over the past decades has also proven that touch triggers a physiological response, stimulating the autonomic nervous system and the subconscious. Massage improves blood circulation in the muscles, which supports the body’s recovery processes and allows for more targeted muscle recovery. There are many different types of massages. For dancers, for example, it can be very beneficial to receive a more activating massage in the morning, helping them prepare for a full day of dancing. In the evening, the focus is often more on releasing tension in the muscles, overall relaxation, and supporting recovery for the next working day. But every dancer is different and, as a team, we adapt everything we do to their bodies and needs.”
“Ideally, you want to go through life without injuries, but of course things can happen. You might simply trip and land awkwardly. It can happen to anyone, no matter how fit you are. If you’ve never exercised before, and let’s take running as an example, you wouldn’t start by running a marathon straight away. However, many people think running is easy: you don’t need a gym, you buy a pair of running shoes and head out the door. That’s it. In reality, that is often the perfect recipe for an injury.
Whatever type of sport you choose, and whatever your level, it is important to understand what your body can realistically handle. Your muscles, tendons, and cartilage. and joints all play a role. Take time to explore how your body responds when you introduce a new type of exercise. Build up gradually and listen carefully to the signals your body gives you, both during and after exercise. Also, avoid starting multiple types of training at once. Give your body time to adapt, and also time to recover.”
“People respond to pain in different ways. Some know their bodies well and recognise when they need to take it easy for a few days or weeks, after which they often recover well. But if you are in doubt, or are experiencing significant pain, it is always recommended to consult a physiotherapist. If pain persists for more than three weeks, it is important to seek professional advice.”
