BALLET SCIENCE PODCAST: EPISODE 65 What does great ballet training look like… and how should dancers develop from their earliest classes through pre-professional training? In this episode of the Ballet Science Podcast, I’m joined by legendary ballet educator Darla Hoover (Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet, School of American Ballet, New York City Ballet, Ballet Academy East)…
BALLET SCIENCE PODCAST: EPISODE 51 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…
BALLET SCIENCE PODCAST: EPISODE 41 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, I explain the neuroscience behind ballet training and why your brain thrives on it. We explore: Ballet isn’t just muscle training. It’s neural pathway training. From…
BALLET SCIENCE PODCAST: EPISODE 40 Did you know that every ballet class is a full-body ballet workout that also trains your heart? We dive into the cardiovascular physiology of ballet, explaining how this elegant art form serves as a powerful cardio workout. Discover why ballet deserves recognition as a serious training modality and how it…
BALLET SCIENCE PODCAST: EPISODE 34 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 episode, I break down how to start ballet as an adult from a science-based, body-respectful perspective….
BALLET SCIENCE PODCAST: EPISODE 33 Blisters are often treated like a rite of passage in ballet… but from a biomechanics perspective, they’re actually important feedback about how your foot is interacting with your shoe. If you’ve ever tried to dance with a painful blister, you know how much it can affect balance, confidence, and technique….
BALLET SCIENCE PODCAST: EPISODE 31 A herniated disc can sound terrifying for dancers, but it is not a career-ender. In this final episode of the Ballet Science spine series, Dr. Caroline Simpkins (former professional ballerina, PhD in biomechanics) breaks down what a herniated disc actually is, why it often develops gradually rather than from one…
BALLET SCIENCE PODCAST: EPISODE 30 Your spine doesn’t move on its own. An entire team of muscles, tendons, and ligaments makes ballet possible, and most dancers are only using half of them. In Part 2 of the Ballet Science spine series, Dr. Caroline Simpkins (former professional ballerina, PhD in biomechanics) breaks down how the spinal…
BALLET SCIENCE PODCAST: EPISODE 29 Your spine isn’t meant to be stiff, straight, or locked in place. It’s designed to move, absorb load, and adapt, and understanding its natural curves can instantly change your ballet technique. In this episode, former professional ballerina and biomechanics Ph.D. Caroline Simpkins breaks down the bones of the spine and…
BALLET SCIENCE PODCAST: EPISODE 27 Unlock what it really takes to build strong, resilient male ballet dancers, without “bulking up” or losing artistry. In this episode, Caroline Simpkins sits down with Shane Wuerthner (former principal dancer and founder of Athletistry) to talk all things strength training for male dancers and students. We break down the…
