by Madeline Schrock | May 31, 2014 | Company Life
5-Minute Pilates Pilates has long been a go-to warm-up for ballet dancers, promising longer, stronger muscles and a more powerful, connected core. Experienced practitioners can even whiz through the beginning mat series—a group of 18 exercises—in just 10...
by Madeline Schrock | Mar 27, 2014 | Cross-Training, Health & Body
It’s no secret dancers have special fitness needs, so it may seem surprising that new research from Walnut Hill School for the Arts recommends a workout developed not by a ballerina, but a Navy SEAL. With the help of doctors from Boston Children’s Hospital, Walnut...
by Madeline Schrock | Jan 26, 2014 | Health & Body, Wellness
If you’re feeling fatigued after class and still have a day of rehearsal ahead, a nap may be your best bet. But just how many winks should you get? Experts say the length of the nap depends on what you’re doing next. If you’re heading into technique class: 10–20...
by Lauren Kay | Nov 21, 2013 | Company Life
Dancers strive to be as healthy as possible. They’ll look into almost any piece of nutrition advice they think might help them perform better onstage. But, despite good intentions, sometimes the guidance we get is simply wrong, or we misunderstand information....
by Amy Brandt | Sep 24, 2013 | Company Life
When it comes to jumping, dancers could learn a thing or two from athletes. While dancers typically practice their jumps by, well, practicing jumps, high jumpers and hurdlers cross-train with exercises called plyometrics. These drills are specifically designed to...
by Jennifer Heimlich | Sep 12, 2013 | Company Life
Got Nutcracker auditions coming up? You might want to avoid texting right before you take your place at the barre. Fascinating new research from Harvard Business School found that people who spent a few minutes typing on a small, handheld gadget were only half...
by Jennifer Heimlich | Aug 28, 2013 | Company Life
It’s a question every dancer asks herself: If I want to perform my best, should I eat before or after rehearsal? The answer: Both. According to an article in The New York Times, it turns out that eating easily digestible carbohydrates (think white bread...
by Jennifer Heimlich | Aug 20, 2013 | Health & Body, Nutrition, Profiles
It’s rare to find a ballet dancer without a sweet tooth—after hours of rehearsing, sometimes you just need a little sugar! Next time a craving hits, try this healthy chocolate pudding recipe from San Francisco Ballet corps member Luke Willis. He makes it...
