When Seattle-based journalist Haley Shapley signed up for a bodybuilding show, she was met with mixed reactions. Some people were excited for her, though not everyone was supportive. “Some were really concerned that I might be changing my body in a way that was not pleasing, or lifting too heavy and doing something that might […]

Throughout the dance field, artists are proving that early retirement is no longer an inevitability. “The myth that you have to stop dancing once you hit your 30s is pretty much gone,” says Julia Iafrate, founder of the Columbia Dance Medicine clinic in New York City. However, staying healthy requires consistency and hard work. Caring […]

The clean slate of a new year makes January prime time for big plans, dreams and, of course, resolutions. But jotting down a bunch of far-fetched goals probably isn’t going to keep you motivated throughout the year. Here, experts sound off on four common dancer resolutions, and how to make each more effective. The Resolution: […]

There are few things more satisfying than a good back crack. But rumors say it can have negative effects on your body—and your dancing. In truth, research has shown that spinal manipulation done by a practitioner can provide short-term pain relief and better recruitment of your deep spinal muscles. Jessica Davis, a physical therapist in […]

It can take a full team of experts to keep a dancer dancing—from masseuses and acupuncturists to yoga teachers and personal trainers. But, that comes at a cost, literally. When do you really need to invest in pricier options, and when can you take the more budget-friendly route? We broke it down for the most […]