What actually happens to your feet after a long day of ballet… and can recovery shoes really help? I sit down with Kunal Moudgil, co-founder of Ance Recovery Sneakers, to break down the science behind recovery footwear, and what it means for dancers. We talk about:📌 What “recovery” actually means for the body📌 Why your…

Recently, a comment circulated online from actor Timothée Chalamet claiming that “no one cares about ballet.” Whether the remark was serious or joking, it sparked a lot of conversation in the dance world. Instead of debating the comment itself, this video asks a deeper question: Why should people care about ballet? When you look at…

March is Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Awareness Month. Can ballet help improve balance and coordination in people with MS? In this video, former professional ballerina and biomechanics researcher Caroline Simpkins, PhD, explores a fascinating 2018 study investigating how a targeted ballet training program may help reduce ataxia and improve balance in individuals with mild to moderate…

Have you ever left ballet class feeling mentally exhausted… even if it wasn’t the most physically intense class? That’s not random! In this episode of the Ballet Science Podcast, Dr. Caroline Simpkins (former professional ballerina and PhD in biomechanics) explains the neuroscience behind ballet training and why your brain thrives on it. We explore: Ballet…

A commercial airline pilot… and an adult ballet student! In today’s episode, I’m joined by Captain Christopher Marici to talk about his life in aviation, how he discovered adult ballet, and why he believes ballet is one of the most powerful long-term investments you can make for your body and brain. We discuss:

What if the way you walk down the street could reveal whether you trained in ballet? In this episode of the Ballet Science Podcast, I break down my published research from the journal Gait & Posture, examining how ballet training influences walking biomechanics across the lifespan.

What makes Orza ballet shoes different from a traditional ballet slipper? In this episode of the Ballet Science Podcast, I’m joined by Seth and Sarah Orza (Pacific Northwest Ballet, New York City Ballet, School of American Ballet). After suffering an injury while dancing with New York City Ballet (NYCB), Seth Orza began adding padding to…

Pilates is everywhere in the dance world… but what actually makes it so effective for ballet dancers? In this Ballet Science Podcast episode, I’m joined by Kerry Shea, Pilates instructor at the School of American Ballet (NYC), to break down how Pilates supports alignment, core control, coordination, injury prevention, and performance… from young pre-professionals to…

If you are a dancer, chances are you’ve been told you have a bunion, you’re going to get a bunion, or you’ve spent way too much time staring at your big toe, wondering if that bump is “normal.” In this episode of the Ballet Science Podcast, we take a biomechanics-based look at bunions in ballet…

Have you ever thought, “I’ve always wanted to try ballet, but I’m too old” … or “I didn’t start as a kid, so what’s the point now?” This episode is for you. In this Ballet Science Podcast episode, former professional ballerina and biomechanics PhD Caroline Simpkins breaks down how to start ballet as an adult…