There’s a common misconception among dancers that lifting weights makes you bulky and should be avoided at all costs. But that couldn’t be further from the truth, especially if you’re trying to build strength in specific areas. Dance Spirit turned to Chelsey Wilkens, a personal trainer at SoHo Strength Lab in NYC, for her top […]
In our “Dear Katie” series, former NYCB soloist Kathryn Morgan answers your pressing dance questions. Have something you want to ask Katie? Email [email protected] for a chance to be featured! Dear Katie, What are good cross-training exercises for dancers? I’m taking lots of dance classes, but I’ve heard that cross-training can bring your dancing to […]
Chances are, you’ve done planks, push-ups, squats, and crunches for so long, you could whip them out in your sleep. But there’s a fine—and critical—line between executing these moves and executing them properly. Dance Spirit turned to Anna Acciarino, PT, DPT, ATC, from Manhattan Physio Group in NYC, for a breakdown of the subtle yet […]
We’ve all seen the videos on Instagram: a professional ballerina, casually perched atop a BOSU ball, développé-ing like it’s no big deal. When done properly, BOSU ball exercises are both insanely impressive and incredibly effective for strengthening your core, ankles, and overall stability. Dance Spirit turned to Joel Prouty, a NYC-based personal trainer and injury […]
You turned out the light hours ago, but you’re still tossing and turning in bed. Every time you’re about to doze off, the corrections you got in class today pop into your mind—and just like that, you’re wide awake again. If you have trouble falling or staying asleep, and you often wake up feeling less […]
If you’re one of the lucky dancers #blessed with hyperextended knees, you know that while they’re super-pretty to look at, they’re also super-prone to injury. Dance Spirit asked Sean P. Gallagher, BFA, PT, CFT, CPT, MS, and founder of Performing Arts Physical Therapy in NYC, about the most effective strengthening moves for hyperextension. Photos by […]
It’s almost the new year, which means resolution-making will be a “thing” for at least the next week. And while making goals (especially fitness-related ones) is an important part of progressing as a dancer, more times than not, New Year’s resolutions end up as forgotten promises. But resolutions don’t always have to result in guilt […]
Safe partner-work demands you put in some time at the gym. Peter Frame—former principal dancer with New York City Ballet and founder of the School of American Ballet’s strength training program—says, “Even advanced dancers forget about placement once they’re lifting. They’re doing the work, but you’ll see shoulders and weight distribution out of whack.” Want […]