by Madeline Schrock | May 25, 2019 | Career, Company Life, Wellness
When the curtain falls, your work isn’t over: That’s exactly when post-show recovery begins. According to Carina Nasrallah, Houston Methodist athletic trainer for Houston Ballet, timing is everything. The 30 minutes after a performance is the optimal...
by Madeline Schrock | Apr 26, 2019 | Health & Body, Wellness
Female ballet dancers are often plagued by lower-extremity injuries. But why? Researchers in the U.S. and Australia recently analyzed studies published in the last 11 years to determine common risk factors for hip, knee, ankle and foot injuries in elite-level dancers....
by Madeline Schrock | Mar 19, 2019 | Wellness
Some days, your to-do list might seem like it’s a mile long: On top of your dance commitments, do you really have time to sew new pointe shoes, squeeze in cross-training, tweak your resumé for audition season, meal-prep and clean your apartment? Trying to stuff...
by Madeline Schrock | Mar 12, 2019 | Dance Teacher, Health & Body, Wellness
We get it: Ballet is exhausting, and sometimes all you want to do during a quick break between rehearsals is, well, nothing. Bill Evans, director of the Evans Somatic Dance Institute, recommends the following options, which are both relaxing and recuperative for the...
by Madeline Schrock | Dec 6, 2018 | Everything Nutcracker, Health & Body
Battling sore muscles during a lengthy Nutcracker run? Add these three items to your grocery list for easier recovery between shows. These protein superstars contain all the essential amino acids, making them helpful for building and repairing muscle.Danielle MacInnes...
by Anna Maples | Nov 26, 2018 | Health & Body
Do dancers’ brains react differently to music than other people’s, including those of serious musicians? In a recent study at the University of Helsinki, researchers observed the brain functions of 20 professional dancers, 20 professional musicians and 20...
by Madeline Schrock | Nov 19, 2018 | Cross-Training, Technique
A shallow plié can be frustrating for any dancer. But even if you think you’ve reached your limit, a deeper, juicier plié may be achievable, says Karen Clippinger, professor at California State University, Long Beach, and author of Dance Anatomy and Kinesiology....
by Madeline Schrock | Aug 8, 2018 | Cross-Training, Health & Body
Planks are one of the most popular exercises for core strength, but they’re not just about flat abs. Julie O’Connell, physical therapist and performing arts program manager at Chicago’s Athletico Physical Therapy, says that dancers can use them to...