Pointe shoes can transform even the simplest steps into ethereal movements of elegance and beauty as anyone who’s ever seen a ballerina bourree on pointe can attest. It’s no wonder that young dancers long for the day when they too may don a pair of pink satin shoes. But there are a ton of misconceptions—even […]
More studio time = more improvement? Not always, according to Roman Zhurbin, American Ballet Theatre soloist and certified personal trainer. “It’s absolutely necessary to take rest days so your body can reset and you stay motivated,” says Zhurbin. “Seven days a week of hard training is just unhealthy.” What is healthy: letting your body recover […]
Strong, stable, sufficiently stretched quads are the secret ingredient to everything from straighter knees to fully extended arabesques. But what are the most effective ways to get them? Dance Spirit turned to Michael Gernold, a personal trainer with Progressive Personal Training in NYC, for a crash course on lengthening and strengthening your quads. Photos by […]
Knee pain is, unfortunately, just one of those things that happens when you’re a dancer. But how can you be sure that an annoying pinch here or a crunch there isn’t something more serious? Dance Spirit turned to Marijeanne Liederbach, PhD, PT, ATC, CSCS—who is also director of the Harkness Center for Dance Injuries at […]
Can my tampon get lost up there after one too many rehearsals? Should I skip cross-training in the pool during Aunt Flo’s visit? Does missing a period mean I’m dangerously underweight? When it comes to menstruation, everybody has an opinion—but few have the facts. We asked the experts to debunk common myths about that time […]
Twenty-five-year-old Sydney Magruder Washington had dreams of auditioning for ballet companies and Broadway shows when she moved to NYC four years ago, as a recent graduate of Skidmore College. But after completing an apprenticeship with Connecticut Ballet in 2015, her anxiety and depression became so severe that she could barely leave her apartment—let alone go […]
Turmeric, cayenne pepper, ginger, and garlic: They’re spice cabinet staples that double as performance-boosters. Dance Spirit turned to Emily Cook Harrison, a registered dietitian at Nutrition for Great Performances in Atlanta, GA, for a breakdown of their benefits, and the most effective ways to incorporate them into your diet. Turmeric Thinkstock “Turmeric is most commonly […]
Every dancer has learned—probably the hard way—that healthy feet are the foundation of a productive and happy day in the studio. As dancers, our most important asset has to carry the weight (literally) of everything we do. So it’s not surprising that most professional dancers have foot care down to an art. Three dancers shared […]