Ballet Science

Ballet is synonymous with grace, elegance, and extreme discipline... but what does classical ballet training actually do for your physical and mental health? In this episode, we take an evidence-based look at ballet as a form of physical activity and tackles the big question: Is ballet healthy?We move beyond treating ballet as either inherently beneficial or damaging. Discover the science behind how ballet challenges balance, postural control, muscular endurance, and active mobility... and why attending class alone may not satisfy all your cardiovascular or progressive strength needs.Hosted by Dr. Caroline Simpkins (Ph.D.), the Ballet Science podcast brings science into the studio to help dancers of all ages and abilities optimize performance on and offstage, and shows how ballet science benefits anyone who moves.✨ JOIN THE BALLET SCIENCE COMMUNITYPatreon: Get ad-free episodes, exclusive workouts, stretching guides, educational videos & digital downloads: ⁠https://www.patreon.com/balletscience⁠Email List: Get updates delivered directly to your inbox: ⁠https://mailchi.mp/ballet/sign-up-for-ballet-science-e-mails⁠🌐 CONNECT WITH MEWebsite: ⁠https://ballet.science/⁠Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/ballet.science⁠Facebook: ⁠https://facebook.com/ballet.science⁠X: ⁠https://x.com/ballet_science⁠Amazon Storefront: ⁠https://www.amazon.com/shop/ballet.science⁠Contact: [email protected] Photo: Richard Calmes

Does ballet really ruin your feet for life? In this episode, we break down the latest research on ballet foot injuries, pointe shoe biomechanics, bunions, and long-term foot health. Discover how pointe work affects foot structure, the hidden dangers of forcing turnout from the feet, and 5 evidence-based injury prevention strategies to protect your feet throughout your dancing career... whether you're a dancer, parent, teacher, or healthcare provider.Hosted by Dr. Caroline Simpkins (Ph.D.), the Ballet Science podcast brings science into the studio to help dancers of all ages and abilities optimize performance on and offstage, and shows how ballet science benefits anyone who moves.✨ JOIN THE BALLET SCIENCE COMMUNITYPatreon: Get ad-free episodes, exclusive workouts, stretching guides, educational videos & digital downloads: https://www.patreon.com/balletscienceEmail List: Get updates delivered directly to your inbox: https://mailchi.mp/ballet/sign-up-for-ballet-science-e-mails🌐 CONNECT WITH MEWebsite: https://ballet.science/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ballet.scienceFacebook: https://facebook.com/ballet.scienceX: https://x.com/ballet_scienceAmazon Storefront: https://www.amazon.com/shop/ballet.scienceContact: [email protected] Photo: Richard Calmes

Is ballet a sport, an art form, or both? In this episode, we examine the debate through the lens of science, comparing the physical demands of ballet (strength, power, endurance, and motor control) to the formal definition of a sport.We take a broader look at athleticism, artistry, and competition, addressing the most important question: Are we properly preparing dancers' bodies for the extreme physical demands placed on them?💬 Join the conversation: Do you consider ballet a sport, an art form, or both? Leave your thoughts below!Hosted by Dr. Caroline Simpkins (Ph.D.), the Ballet Science podcast brings science into the studio to help dancers of all ages and abilities optimize performance on and offstage, and shows how ballet science benefits anyone who moves.✨ JOIN THE BALLET SCIENCE COMMUNITYPatreon: Get ad-free episodes, exclusive workouts, stretching guides, educational videos & digital downloads: ⁠https://www.patreon.com/balletscience⁠Email List: Get updates delivered directly to your inbox: ⁠https://mailchi.mp/ballet/sign-up-for-ballet-science-e-mails⁠🌐 CONNECT WITH MEWebsite: ⁠https://ballet.science/⁠Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/ballet.science⁠Facebook: ⁠https://facebook.com/ballet.science⁠X: ⁠https://x.com/ballet_science⁠Amazon Storefront: ⁠https://www.amazon.com/shop/ballet.science⁠Contact: [email protected] Photo: Richard Calmes

Ballet is physically demanding, but what about the mental side of dance? How can dancers manage performance anxiety, perfectionism, and the psychological challenges of injury and career transitions?In this Ballet Science Encore, I'm revisiting my conversation with Lauren Ostrander McArdle, a former professional ballerina with a master's degree in sport and performance psychology and expertise in mental performance consulting.Lauren shares how her experience as a professional dancer shaped her interest in performance psychology and explains practical strategies dancers can use to build confidence, develop resilience, and navigate the mental challenges of a ballet career.Ballet Science Encore: Every so often, I revisit one of the most informative conversations from the Ballet Science archives. These Encore episodes feature timeless advice that remains just as relevant today, often in a shorter, curated highlights format.Watch the full-length original interview with Lauren Ostrander McArdle here.Go behind the scenes with Ballet Science Backstage! Join me on Patreon for ad-free access to Ballet Science podcast episodes, educational videos, workouts, stretching content, digital downloads, and more... all in one place. ⁠⁠⁠Join Now!⁠⁠⁠Want Ballet Science updates sent to your inbox? ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Join My E-mail List⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Connect With Ballet Science:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠X⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Amazon Storefront⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠E-mail: [email protected] with Lauren Ostrander McArdle:InstagramHosted by Caroline Simpkins, Ph.D., the Ballet Science podcast brings science into the studio to help dancers of all ages and abilities give their best performances both onstage and off, and reveals how the science of ballet can benefit anyone who moves. Filming Equipment Affiliate Links:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Microphone⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Pop Filter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Mic Stand⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Prompter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Large Key Light⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Small Key Light⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Eve Flare Light⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Logo photo: Richard CalmesPlease note that some links may be affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. All proceeds are reinvested back into Ballet Science.

What does it really take to build a successful career as a professional dancer? It's about more than technique, auditions, and getting hired.In this episode, I'm joined by Caitlin Sloan, founder of The Brainy Ballerina, to discuss how aspiring professional dancers can navigate the transition from training to a sustainable dance career.After nine years as a professional dancer, Caitlin now helps dancers develop the career-planning skills, mindset, and strategies they need to pursue professional opportunities with confidence.Whether you're a pre-professional dancer preparing for auditions, a dance student planning your future, or a teacher helping students navigate their next steps, this conversation offers practical advice for approaching a dance career more intentionally.Join Ballet Science Backstage on Patreon for ad-free access to podcast episodes, educational videos, workouts, stretching content, digital downloads, and more... all in one place. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Join Now!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Want Ballet Science updates sent to your inbox? ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Join My E-mail List⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Connect With Ballet Science:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠X⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Amazon Storefront⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠E-mail: [email protected] with Caitlin Sloan:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Website⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠FacebookHosted by Caroline Simpkins, Ph.D., the Ballet Science podcast brings science into the studio to help dancers of all ages and abilities give their best performances both onstage and off, and reveals how the science of ballet can benefit anyone who moves. Each week, we explore the intersection of science and ballet... from injury prevention and biomechanics to nutrition, mindset, and everything in between. If you enjoyed this episode, please hit the subscribe button, leave a review, and share it with your friends and dance community. You can also follow Ballet Science on social media and visit our website for additional information.Filming Equipment Affiliate Links:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Microphone⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Pop Filter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Mic Stand⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Prompter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Large Key Light⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Small Key Light⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Eve Flare Light⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Logo Photo: Richard CalmesAdditional Photos Provided By: Caitlin SloanPlease note that some links may be affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. All proceeds are reinvested back into Ballet Science.