Mind | Body | Health

Ballet is a total body workout. Regardless of age or ability, every student experiences a degree of fatigue or discomfort as a result of their training. If you’ve developed a chronic problem spot, or maybe class just has you wiped, consider four alternative therapies to help you feel better.

Different sports and athletic activities engage different muscles in the body. Since ballet requires immense lower body strength, ballet dancers tend to develop problem spots and injuries from the waist down. Consider five common hot spots that affect dancers and how to cope with them.

You should never go to class on an empty stomach; you should also never go to class with a gut full of the wrong stuff. Selecting healthy meals and snacks from a wide range of whole foods will give you the energy and nourishment you need to get through class.

It’s just part of being a woman. But most women don’t have to deal with their period while wearing a leotard. Concentrating on your technique and performance is challenging enough without having to worry if your period is putting you in any unnecessary spotlight….

Ballet requires intense effort, and as a result, no dancer goes unscathed. While some students suffer from a preexisting condition, ballet can definitely cause aches and pains for others. Here are 4 common health conditions that affect dancers, and how to address them…

Clearly, ballet is not just for kids. But did you know that there are options for parents and children to enjoy ballet together? Discover 3 ways to incorporate ballet into your family routine. 1. Take “Mommy and Me” classes. If your little one is in the age range of…

As an adult ballet student, you typically do not have the schedule of a professional. For those aspiring to carve their niche in the professional world, the following signs of burnout may ring true. Regardless of your training program, life’s circumstances, its…

Everyone feels insecure about themselves at some point, and dancers are no exception. Maybe you’re struggling with body image, your technique is not up to par, or you’re in an artistic rut. Have no fear – there are 3 things you can do to instantly boost your spirits….

Ballet is hard work. Follow these 4 tips to make sure you’re performing at your optimum level. 1. Hydration Water, water, water. Stay hydrated during all those kicks, turns, and jumps. Some metal and plastics have an aftertaste, so invest in a high-quality glass…

“Ballerina” is almost synonymous with “thin”. Adult ballet students, however, come in all shapes and sizes. If you’re plus-size, you should never be shamed or self-conscious about joining adult ballet. Here’s 3 reasons why: 1. You challenge the norm. Since there is so…

Adult ballet students have different lifestyles and schedules. Between work, family, and other activities that may consume their time, keeping track of one more thing can be overwhelming. Whether your goal is . . .

It may look beautiful, but ballet technique definitely has the potential to produce aches and pains, or at least aggravate existing ones. Whichever area of your body is giving you trouble, consider . . .

All of us at some point has envied one of our classmates. Maybe they had perfect feet. Maybe they had amazing extension, or the teacher seemed to pay more attention to them . . .

It happens. With all that squatting, kicking, and jumping, we’re bound to get funky from time to time. Youths don’t always understand why they need to take care of themselves . . .

We all have an image in our heads of what a ballerina looks like: tall, rail-thin, hair in a bun, perfect feet etc. And while that may be the status quo in the professional world, it’s an almost impossible standard . . .

Injuries are unfortunately a common feature in ballet. Do your best to avoid these accidents by taking certain precautions before and after class. We all . . .

Brutal weather has been hitting the nation. So has the flu. Unfortunately, ballet class can be the perfect place to pick up a nasty cold. Taking precautions and being aware of . . .

What’s great about adult ballet classes is the flexible schedule. In efforts to appeal to a broader demographic, schools and studios are offering classes from morning ’til dinnertime. So, what’s the best . . .

Adults avoid going to class for a number of reasons: financial, commute, scheduling conflicts etc. But most of the time, their hesitancy stems from personal insecurities. Here are the top five reasons . . .

Studies abound on integrative health, considering the whole person when making lifestyle changes. The benefits that come from dancing are not exempt from this. Ballet is the foundation of all dance, and it can . . .

Proper nutrition is vital if you want to have a great class. You should never take class on an empty stomach, but you also want to eat good, wholesome snacks to give your body the fuel it needs. Here are some . . .

Ballet can be intimidating. Many of the movements are difficult and unnatural, but adult dancers don’t have to master ballet technique to build confidence. Everyone has the tendency to be hard on themselves in ballet class, but there’s . . .

Some say the ballet world has perpetuated an unrealistic ideal. As a result, many adults are reluctant to try ballet because they are self-conscious about their body. ‘I don’t want to be seen in spandex!’, along with countless other . . .