When Rachel Kreiling first walked into New York City Dance Alliance as a young student in 1995, she couldn’t have anticipated the lifelong connections she was about to make. Following a performing career that took her around the world, Kreiling found herself back at NYCDA as an assistant at the invitation of founder Joe Lanteri. […]
Dancers are famous (notorious?) for pushing themselves to the limit. We’re always trying for more, so it can be difficult to figure out just when, where and—honestly—why we should take time to care for our bodies. The truth is, dancers can put off necessary care if they’re afraid it might mean taking a break. So […]
We’re reaching the time of year when the fatigue of Nutcracker, regionals and school haven’t quite been replaced by late-season stamina and the mercy of winter vacation. But guess what? You’re almost there, and we’ve got your back. Here are a ton of tried-and-true ways to stay motivated and healthy through the tough winter season. Food Don’t […]
Dancers need more than balance at the barre to be successful—they need it in life, too. That’s where Jessica Spinner’s online program The Whole Dancer comes in, making professional nutrition and wellness counseling available to dancers everywhere. “There’s only so much your teachers can impart on you in the studio, and they’re mostly focused on […]
With winter on its way out and glorious spring days in sight, it’s natural to want your body to feel as fresh as the weather. A detox can seem like a logical choice—but it’s important to understand how they can affect your body. ” ‘Detox’ has become a buzzword,” says Peggy Swistak, MS, RDN, CD, […]
Timing’s everything when it comes to dancing—right down to the timing of your breathing. And when the choreo you’re performing calls for one quick, demanding sequence after another, you need to be sure you’ve caught your breath before you take the stage again. But that’s easier said than done! Dance Spirit spoke with Alexis Robbins, […]
We all know that pursuing a professional dance career comes with a dose of healthy competition. But sometimes that competition isn’t so healthy. Whether it’s against others, or against yourself, it can feel too easy for a positive drive to spiral into a negative fixation. Enter, The Whole Dancer Program. Designed by health coach and […]
(Photo courtesy Wavebreakermedia LTD/Thinkstock) Excellence > Perfection The annual post-holiday self-help craze is upon us—cue the gym memberships, health books, relationship advice columns and extra pointe classes. While committing to a New Year’s resolution can be a positive choice for many, it starts being harmful when taken too far. Perfectionism “becomes destructive striving when the […]