Professional ballet careers are incredibly rewarding… but they are also short. What happens when the curtain finally closes? In this episode of the Ballet Science Podcast, I sit down with Aurora Dickie, soloist with Staatsballett Berlin and graduate student in dance science, to discuss one of the most important (and often overlooked) topics in ballet:…

Can being too flexible actually increase your risk of injury? Many dancers are praised for their flexibility, but hypermobility isn’t always an advantage. In this episode of the Ballet Science Podcast, I sit down with Dr. Linda Bluestein (Hypermobility MD and Bendy Bodies Podcast), physician, former ballet dancer, and internationally recognized expert in hypermobility disorders,…

Kathryn Morgan is one of the most recognizable names in ballet education, but behind her successful career lies a story of resilience, advocacy, and overcoming a life-changing health diagnosis. In this episode of the Ballet Science Podcast, Kathryn shares her journey from New York City Ballet to becoming one of the world’s leading online ballet…

Have you ever wondered what is actually happening inside a pointe shoe? In this video, I sit down with Christine Fernandez and Kaitlyn Kumar, engineering students from Johns Hopkins University and co-founders of PointeSense, a wearable technology designed to provide real-time feedback during pointe work. Using pressure sensors and motion tracking technology, PointeSense aims to…

Can hypermobility help ballet dancers… or increase injury risk? In this episode, we explore the science of hypermobility and its role in ballet training. Learn the difference between flexibility and hypermobility, why hypermobile dancers are often drawn to ballet, how conditions such as Ehlers-Danlos Syndromes (EDS) fit into the conversation, and why strength and stability…

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…