Dancing on an empty stomach is like skipping a warm-up before class or going onstage with no rehearsal: It might seem like a shortcut, but it’ll seriously mess with your performance. There are some valid reasons why dancers get into this habit. For starters, it can be uncomfortable or nauseating to work out at a […]

You’re standing backstage, and your mind won’t stop racing. What if, after weeks of rehearsal, you suddenly forget the choreography? What if that terrible critic gives you yet another embarrassing review? Did you remember to sew your pointe shoes correctly? Why won’t your partner stop cracking his darn hip joint? Why can’t you stop freaking […]

When dancers get injured, they often think they should eat less. The thought process goes something like, Since I’m not able to move as much as I usually do, I’m not burning enough calories to justify the portions I’m used to. But the truth is, scaling back your meals could actually be detrimental to your […]

Dance Magazine has been writing about fitness and nutrition for dancers since before the phrase dance medicine existed. For our 90th anniversary, we took a look through our archives to find out how we’ve advised readers through the years. It turns out, some of our health coverage stands the test of time better than others. […]

Summertime, and the living is…steamy. Studios can be hot. Outdoor festivals can be grueling—especially once those stage lights turn on. When the temperatures rise, movement feels harder and your body fatigues faster. What’s a dancer to do? Follow these steps to make the heat less taxing on your body so that it doesn’t keep you […]

Let’s face it: The demands of a dancing life are extraordinary, and sometimes we would just rather not. “We all know those days where you have to wrench yourself out of bed and you’re shuffling to the shower because you’re so tired and it’s about all the effort that you can muster,” admits Pittsburgh Ballet […]