Dancers are famous (notorious?) for pushing themselves to the limit. We’re always trying for more, so it can be difficult to figure out just when, where and—honestly—why we should take time to care for our bodies. The truth is, dancers can put off necessary care if they’re afraid it might mean taking a break. So […]
Thanksgiving dinner is one of those moments where it’s more than okay to help yourself to everything. And you shouldn’t feel guilty, either—your dinner plate is packed with nutritional goodness that’ll keep your body in tip-top dancing shape. Dance Spirit spoke with Peggy Swistak, MS, RDN, CD, of Pacific Northwest Ballet, about the bountiful benefits […]
Running from school to the studio then home can leave little time for dinner—but that shouldn’t mean skipping it altogether. If you’re coming home at 10 pm with an empty stomach, don’t head straight to bed. Dance Spirit has you covered with three options to tide you over till the morning, without filling you up […]
Sore muscles and stiff joints are par for the course when you’re a dancer. But sometimes persistent (and painful) pinches appear—and stick around. Never pain is a common occurrence, but it requires more work than a quick rollout and dose of over-the-counter pain reliever. We broke down a few of the most prevalent types and […]
We all know that girl who basically lives in crop tops and sports bras to show off her insanely chiseled abs. But strong stomach muscles aren’t just amazing fashion accessories—they’re also the key to everything from powerful jumps to proper technique. Dance Spirit spoke with Jessica Sander, a personal trainer in NYC, about the most […]
Dancers need more than balance at the barre to be successful—they need it in life, too. That’s where Jessica Spinner’s online program The Whole Dancer comes in, making professional nutrition and wellness counseling available to dancers everywhere. “There’s only so much your teachers can impart on you in the studio, and they’re mostly focused on […]
It’s finally farmers’ market season! Every table is full of produce that looks perfectly delectable. But before grabbing one of everything, it’s important to know that even at farmer’s markets, certain fruits and veggies are fresher this time of year than others. We took the guesswork out of it and rounded up some of the […]
Dancers are rightfully proud of the battle wounds on their feet! But not all bad-looking things are good. Case in point: ingrown toenails, which can be debilitating for dancers. DS spoke with podiatrist Dr. Bryan Hersh, DPM, of the Center for Podiatric Medicine in Chicago, IL, about this all-too-common condition. What are ingrown toenails? An […]