Can dance improve mental and physical health during menopause? In this episode, we explore research examining the effects of dance interventions on perimenopausal, menopausal, and postmenopausal women. Researchers analyzed multiple studies involving dance styles such as Zumba, jazz dance, traditional cultural dances, sports dance, and dance movement therapy. Whether you’re a dancer, healthcare professional, teacher,…

Why do ballerinas destroy brand new pointe shoes before dancing in them? In this video, we explore the fascinating science, biomechanics, and artistry behind breaking in pointe shoes. From bending the shank and crushing the box to darning, rosin, jet glue, and sewing ribbons with dental floss, professional ballet dancers completely customize their shoes to…

What is it really like to train at one of the most prestigious ballet schools in the world? In this episode, I sit down with Joy Womack (the first American woman to graduate from the Bolshoi Ballet Academy) to discuss the realities of elite ballet training, injury, mental health, body image, performance pressure, and the…

Have you ever watched a ballet dancer perform a flawless pirouette and wondered how it’s possible? In this video, we break down the fascinating physics behind ballet turns… from angular momentum and torque to spotting, balance, friction, and fouettés. You’ll learn how dancers use the same physical principles that govern figure skaters, tornadoes, and spinning…

Why are ballet dancers so flexible? Is it genetics… or training? In this video, we break down the real science behind flexibility. Learn how dancers develop incredible range of motion, why the nervous system plays such a major role in stretching, and how strength and flexibility work together in ballet training. This video covers:🩰 The…

What if one of the biggest predictors of injury in ballet isn’t weak ankles or poor technique… but your brain? In this video, we dive into the science of mental fatigue in ballet dancers and how it impacts performance, learning, and injury risk. Based on recent research on professional ballet dancers, this video explores how…

How do ballet dancers balance on their toes in pointe shoes? Learn the science and anatomy of pointe work, including ballet biomechanics, pointe shoe mechanics, and how dancers safely balance their center of mass on their toes in ballet technique. If you’ve ever tried standing on your toes, you know it feels impossible. But the…

What if dance could do more than build technique… what if it could change how we connect with others? In this video, we break down scientific research examining how dance impacts individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). We explore:

Learn whether dance actually improves balance in people with Parkinson’s disease and if certain dance styles work better than others. Discover why dance training duration matters, and what these findings mean for real-world fall risk and independence. I break down one of my own research studies: a systematic review and meta-analysis of 14 randomized controlled…

What if dance could actually change your brain? Not just how you feel… but how your brain functions over time. In this video, we break down a systematic review and meta-analysis (one of the highest levels of scientific evidence) to answer a powerful question: Can dance improve cognitive function and help protect against decline as…