Jenn Edwards has crafted a multifaceted career: She performs with Le Patin Libre, a contemporary skating company, dances, teaches, and choreographs for gymnasts and dancers, and plays in a band. Though her breadth of work is impressive, she’s also struggled with periods of self-doubt, questioning whether she truly belonged in any of her chosen fields. […]
When Crystal Nicholls was a dancer in The Lion King on London’s West End, she noticed herself feeling more irritable and unhappy during the fall and winter months. Simultaneously, she was dancing more than usual because of extra shows added during the holiday season. “Our Christmas schedule was really packed, but I felt like the thing I […]
When interventional spine doctor and Kuchipudi dancer Pranamya Suri was doing her medical residency, she had less time to dance than usual. When she did get the chance to practice, she noticed a persistent pain developing around and behind her kneecap. Suri identified this pain as a warning sign of patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFPS) and […]
Amber Tacy, a personal trainer and the founder of Dancers Who Lift, an online strength training and nutrition program geared toward dancers, first experienced plantar fasciitis when she was in college. “I remember my feet screaming at 8 in the morning, and I was supposed to go through a 90-minute barre, and then modern and […]
After a dance-packed day, it’s not uncommon for your lower body to be swollen. This phenomenon isn’t anything to worry about, but it can be uncomfortable. Luckily, there are a number of easy fixes—and ways to prevent swelling altogether. Dance Spirit turned to Jessica Lassiter, DPT, OCS, ATC, CMPT, a physical therapist and certified athletic […]
You know what unfortunately goes hand in hand with the greatest time of year? The dreaded cold and flu season. But, never fear—you can stay ahead of the curve this year by keeping your immune system working smoothly before the sniffles set in. We’ve rounded up our best tips and tricks to help you stay […]
You and your phone have more in common than you might guess, says Dr. Rafael Pelayo, pediatrician and clinical professor at the Stanford Center for Sleep Sciences and Medicine. “If you charge your phone halfway, it works for a few hours,” he explains. “But it’s not performing at its full potential, and you have to […]
From lattes to jack-o’-lanterns, pumpkins and October go hand in hand. But this super squash is way more than just a spooky staircase addition—it’s a performance-boosting powerhouse and a dancer’s best friend. Here are a few ways to reap the health benefits of this fall staple. In Your Food Thinkstock There are lots of delicious—and […]