Here’s how interesting and fun cross-training exercises have propelled me forward in my goals of stabilization, strength, stamina and emotional support.

Between social media posts of ballerinas balancing on BOSUs and fitness influencers doing push-up challenges, dancers are inundated with new cross-training regimens on a daily basis. There’s an endless amount of exercises that could be valuable, but do we need to do them all? How do we create a cross-training budget that leaves us with […]

I want to help dancers when I retire from performing. Can you tell me what jobs might work? —Julian, Washington, DC Dancers often excel at a variety of careers because of their amazing work ethic. Many go on to become physical therapists, doctors, social workers, Pilates instructors, acupuncturists or massage therapists. Obviously, each vocation has […]

My hypermobility used to cause me a lot of trouble, but I’ve gained confidence and strength after reading about it in one of your columns. I now have a Pilates instructor who’s retraining my body and helping me dance in a consistent way. Thank you! —No Longer Anxious, Philadelphia, PA As you’ve discovered, addressing hypermobility […]

Every dancer knows deep in their heart that dance is only a temporary profession, yet we devote our lives to it anyway. We feel called to it. I never felt like I had a choice; I could not imagine doing anything else with my life. I started training at 3, and became immediately obsessed, grand […]

Many of today’s savvy dance students are accruing practical skills alongside their bachelor’s degrees. In particular, some pursue Pilates certifications to gain a deeper understanding of anatomy and kinesiology as well as the opportunity to earn high wages and work flexible hours. (New Pilates teachers make about $35 per mat class, and master trainers can […]

Dancers know they need to cross-train. But sometimes the last thing you want to do is trek to the gym, or throw down 30 bucks for another Pilates class. That’s where YouTube comes to the rescue. Of course, an online video can’t offer the specialized guidance of an in-person instructor. But with virtually no equipment […]

Ever wonder why some dancers’ port de bras appears to be disconnected from their body? It typically comes down to how they stabilize their shoulder blades, says Marimba Gold-Watts, Pilates instructor to dancers like Robert Fairchild. “Dancers often hear the cue to pull down on their latissimus,”—the biggest muscle in the back—”which doesn’t allow the […]