Before Hannah Emory was diagnosed with generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), she says that, despite her passion for dance, she felt like she just wasn’t cut out for it. After receiving her diagnosis and finding treatment that worked for her, Emory has connected with her dancing in a new way, and is now pursuing a dance degree at the University of Limerick in Ireland, in addition to performing with Ohr Dance Company and developing her own choreographic projects.

Miami City Ballet principal Steven Loch had been dealing with anxiety and intrusive thoughts since his teens. But when he was a corps member at Pacific Northwest Ballet, they became intense enough to make it difficult for him to manage his daily schedule of company class, rehearsals and performances. These feelings were a result of obsessive-compulsive disorder, a chronic mental health condition that, when left untreated, can become extremely debilitating.

When they’re not supported properly with enough energy from food, dancers run the risk of developing RED-S, or relative energy deficiency in sport. Though the term wasn’t introduced until 2014, it’s a broadening of an older condition you may have heard of: the female athlete triad, which deals with menstrual irregularities, bone health issues and disordered eating.

Understanding how fascia contributes to movement—and restriction—in the body can help dancers improve flexibility and potentially reduce pain.

Think traditional Thanksgiving foods are just empty calories? Think again. The Thanksgiving table is full of nutritious foods that you can savor, enjoy and even use to enhance your performance. 

Feet are the foundation for movement in dance, aligning our direction,­ grounding our positions and setting up everything from pirouettes to six-steps and backflips. Take the health of your feet into your own hands with a combination of strength work and soft-tissue care.

Nutrients provide the power behind your dancing, and leafy greens are a versatile way to get many of the vitamins and minerals you need to maximize your performance, recovery and overall health.

While flexibility is beautiful onstage and is often a source of pride for dancers, it’s important to safeguard your lower back—and pay attention to aches and pains early—to ensure a long, healthy career.