Everyone has a Taja Riley story. Janet Jackson has a Taja story. (When Taja was just 17 and was hired to perform alongside her, Janet Jackson picked Taja up in a limo and they spent a day—seven hours, to be exact—together at a hair salon.) Rihanna has a Taja story. (She hand-selected Taja for her […]
Though candid conversations about eating disorders are (thankfully) becoming more common in the dance world, one struggle continues to plague dancers at an alarming rate: Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD). In an industry centered on physical appearance, BDD—more commonly known as body dysmorphia—can sometimes feel hard to avoid. But there’s hope, and help, for those in […]
A few years ago, friends Laney* and Kate,* along with two other fellow dancers, were called into a meeting with their studio’s owner and manager. “They started yelling at us, saying they were going to take away our solos,” Laney recalls. “They said we didn’t deserve what we’d been given, and that we needed to […]
When the world began isolating as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, the dance community sprang into action. Social media was flooded with virtual classes, and at any given moment you could easily find a dozen free options on Instagram. But the novelty of our Zoom-based reality is beginning to wear off—and dancers are feeling […]
Grace Campbell was supposed to be onstage this week. Selected for the Kansas City Ballet School’s invitation-only Kansas City Youth Ballet, her performance was meant to be the highlight of her senior year. “I was going to be Queen of the Dryads in Don Quixote, and also dance in a couple of contemporary pieces, so […]
Kathryn Morgan is on a mission to change the dance field. The Miami City Ballet soloist and Dance Spirit advice columnist appeared on the “Today” Show on February 27 where she openly discussed the challenges of body image and mental health in dance. Two days later, Morgan took to her own YouTube channel to dig […]
Tackling an exercise regimen with focus and dedication can really pay off in your dance career, and there’s a definite thrill associated with seeing your technique, strength, and stamina improve. But what happens when your drive morphs into something that’s driving you? That’s what exercise addiction feels like: a sense that you have to do […]
If you haven’t followed through on your New Year’s resolution to practice more self-care, then Valentine’s Day is the perfect time to start. Below, we rounded up the best ways to pamper, indulge, and heal everything from your muscles, to your skin, to your mind. Your body (and your dancing) will thank you. Mind Write […]