Tag: stretching

How Foam Rolling Can Make You a Better Dancer

Foam rolling before and after class is basically the dancer version of a highly aspirational morning wellness routine. Both take serious discipline, and the benefits may not be obvious at first glance. But striving to be #ThatGirl only improves your aesthetic. Foam rolling on the regular can actually improve your dancing pretty much immediately. Here’s […]

Addison Ector leaps in a tilted à la seconde position

Flexibility 101: Way More Than Just Stretching

Some of our favorite dancers have the flexibility of a thousand rubber bands, and we won’t deny that some of their gorgeous extensions have us so deep in awe that they’ve easily become #DancerGoals. But despite knowing the importance of stretching—and the ongoing joke in the dance world about wanting to become flexible without stretching—we […]

Dear Katie: What Can I Do to Get More Flexible?

In our “Dear Katie” series, Miami City Ballet 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, I’m a strong dancer, but I don’t have a lot of flexibility. I stretch every day, but it feels like I’m getting […]

A Bit (Too Much) of a Stretch: The Risks of Overstretching

If you’ve seen it once, you’ve seen it a million times: a pic or vid of an über-flexible dancer stretching her enviably limber limbs. She’s got her banana feet jammed between a portable barre and the floor, or a Gumby-esque leg propped impossibly high on a dresser. You’ve probably felt jealous of her wow-worthy flexibility. […]

She's a Ballerina. And a Quantum Physicist. And Maybe an Astronaut.

For the past decade, Merritt Moore has been living a double life as both a professional ballerina and a quantum physicist. While dancing with Zurich Ballet and Boston Ballet, she received her undergrad degree from Harvard in physics, and she’s currently pursuing a PhD in quantum physics at Oxford while performing with English National Ballet […]

Are You Guilty?

Let’s face it: Nobody’s perfect. Most dancers are guilty of some bad health habit, whether it’s late-night snacking or not taking the time to warm up properly. We asked you about your worst habits and sought easy-to-manage solutions from health professionals. See if your problem made our Top 10 list—and learn what you can do […]

Breathing Exercises

Need a Breather? Do you get nervous or overwhelmed when auditioning, performing or taking an intimidating class? Relax! Stress can hinder your performance and even cause injury. DS asked Rebecca Dietzel, an anatomist and former dancer who teaches for The Ailey/Fordham BFA program, for some simple breathing exercises that will help you control your nerves […]