Ballet Science

Can being too flexible actually increase your risk of injury? Many dancers are praised for their flexibility, but hypermobility isn't always an advantage. In this episode of the Ballet Science Podcast, I sit down with Dr. Linda Bluestein , physician, former ballet dancer, and internationally recognized expert in hypermobility disorders, to discuss what every dancer, teacher, and parent should...

Kathryn Morgan is one of the most recognizable names in ballet education, but behind her successful career lies a story of resilience, advocacy, and overcoming a life-changing health diagnosis. In this episode of the Ballet Science Podcast, Kathryn shares her journey from New York City Ballet to becoming one of the world's leading online ballet educators. We discuss how thyroid disease affected he...

Have you ever wondered what is actually happening inside a pointe shoe? In this episode of the Ballet Science Podcast, I sit down with Christine Fernandez and Kaitlyn Kumar, co-founders of PointeSense , a wearable technology designed to provide real-time feedback during pointe work. Using pressure sensors and motion tracking technology, PointeSense aims to help dancers, teachers, fitters, and heal...

Can hypermobility help ballet dancers... or increase injury risk? In this episode, we explore the science of hypermobility and its role in ballet training. Learn the difference between flexibility and hypermobility, why hypermobile dancers are often drawn to ballet, how conditions such as Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS) fit into the conversation, and why strength and stability may be even more import...

Can dance improve mental and physical health during menopause? In this episode, we explore a 2025 systematic review and meta-analysis examining the effects of dance interventions on perimenopausal, menopausal, and postmenopausal women. Researchers analyzed multiple studies involving dance styles such as Zumba, jazz dance, traditional cultural dances, sports dance, and dance movement therapy. The r...

Why do ballerinas destroy brand new pointe shoes before dancing in them? In this episode, we explore the fascinating science, biomechanics, and artistry behind breaking in pointe shoes. From bending the shank and crushing the box to darning, rosin, jet glue, and sewing ribbons with dental floss, professional ballet dancers completely customize their shoes to match their feet and performance needs....

What is it really like to train at one of the most prestigious ballet schools in the world? In this video, I sit down with Joy Womack (the first American woman to graduate from the Bolshoi Ballet Academy) to discuss the realities of elite ballet training, injury, mental health, body image, performance pressure, and the physical demands of professional dance. Joy shares her incredible journey from...

Have you ever watched a ballerina perform a flawless pirouette and wondered how it’s even possible? In this episode, we break down the fascinating physics behind ballet turns... from angular momentum and torque to spotting, balance, friction, and fouettés. You’ll learn how dancers use the same physical principles that govern figure skaters, tornadoes, and spinning planets to create speed, control,...

Why are ballet dancers so flexible? Is it genetics… or training? In this video, we break down the real science behind flexibility. Learn how dancers develop incredible range of motion, why the nervous system plays such a major role in stretching, and how strength and flexibility work together in ballet training. This episode covers: The science of flexibility Static vs. dynamic flexibility Why dan...

What if one of the biggest predictors of injury in ballet isn’t weak ankles or poor technique... but your brain? In this episode, we dive into the science of mental fatigue in ballet dancers and how it impacts performance, learning, and injury risk. Based on recent research on professional ballet dancers, this episode explores how cognitive overload, choreography demands, and sustained focus contr...

Ballet looks effortless... but if you’ve ever tried it, you know that’s far from the truth. So why is ballet so hard… and why is it harder than it looks? In this video, we break down the science behind ballet technique, including biomechanics, balance, motor control, and strength. From controlling your center of mass to managing a high cognitive load, ballet challenges both your body and your brai...

How do ballet dancers balance on their toes in pointe shoes? Learn the science and anatomy of pointe work, including ballet biomechanics, pointe shoe mechanics, and how dancers safely balance their center of mass on their toes in ballet technique. If you’ve ever tried standing on your toes, you know it feels impossible. But the truth is, it’s not just strong feet or natural talent... it’s physics,...

What if dance could do more than build technique… what if it could change how we connect with others? In this video, we break down scientific research examining how dance impacts individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). We explore: 👉 Whether dance improves overall ASD symptoms 👉 The powerful effects on social interaction and communication 👉 Why empathy did not significantly change 👉 Th...

What if dance could actually help people with Parkinson’s disease improve their balance... and potentially reduce their risk of falling? In this episode, I break down one of my own research studies: a systematic review and meta-analysis of 14 randomized controlled trials (612 participants) examining how dance impacts balance in Parkinson’s disease... and the results might surprise you. We’ll cover...

What if dance could actually change your brain? Not just how you feel... but how your brain functions over time. In this video we break down a systematic review and meta-analysis (one of the highest levels of scientific evidence) to answer a powerful question: Can dance improve cognitive function and help protect against decline as we age? We’ll cover: What the research says about memory, attentio...

What actually happens to your feet after a long day of ballet… and can recovery shoes really help? I sit down with Kunal Moudgil, co-founder of Ance Recovery Sneakers , to break down the science behind recovery footwear, and what it means for dancers. We talk about: What “recovery” actually means for the body Why your feet feel so sore after class or rehearsal The role of compression, acupressure,...

Recently, a comment circulated online from actor Timothée Chalamet claiming that “no one cares about ballet.” Whether the remark was serious or joking, it sparked a lot of conversation in the dance world. Instead of debating the comment itself, this video asks a deeper question: Why should people care about ballet? When you look at ballet through the lenses of art, science, culture, and human move...

Have you ever left ballet class feeling mentally exhausted... even if it wasn’t the most physically intense class? That’s not random! In this episode, we discuss the neuroscience behind ballet training and why your brain thrives on it. We explore: How the motor cortex initiates every movement The cerebellum’s role in balance and precision How the basal ganglia automate choreography Neuroplasticity...

What if ballet class is training more than your turnout? In this episode, Dr. Caroline Simpkins (former professional ballerina and PhD in biomechanics) breaks down the cardiovascular physiology of ballet. We explore: What happens to your heart during barre, center, adagio, and allegro Why ballet counts as intermittent cardiovascular training How stroke volume and cardiac output adapt over time Why...

A commercial airline pilot… and an adult ballet student! In today’s episode, I’m joined by Captain Christopher Marici to talk about his life in aviation, how he discovered adult ballet, and why he believes ballet is one of the most powerful long-term investments you can make for your body and brain. We discuss: What a pilot’s day-to-day is really like The mental load of the job What it’s like to b...

What if the way you walk down the street could reveal whether you trained in ballet? In this episode, I break down my published research from the journal Gait & Posture, examining how ballet training influences walking biomechanics across the lifespan. Read the full publication here: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gaitpost.2026.110097 We compared: Young professional ballet dancers Older recreationa...

What makes Orza ballet shoes different from a traditional ballet slipper? In this episode of the Ballet Science Podcast, I’m joined by Seth and Sarah Orza (Pacific Northwest Ballet, New York City Ballet, School of American Ballet). After suffering an injury while dancing with New York City Ballet (NYCB), Seth Orza began adding padding to his ballet shoes to stay onstage. Noticing many dancers doin...

Pilates is everywhere in the dance world… but what actually makes it so effective for ballet dancers? In this episode, I’m joined by Kerry Shea , Pilates instructor at the School of American Ballet (NYC), to break down how Pilates supports alignment, core control, coordination, injury prevention, and performance... from young pre-professionals to seasoned pros. We cover: What is Pilates? What “the...

If you are a dancer, chances are you’ve been told you have a bunion, you’re going to get a bunion, or you’ve spent way too much time staring at your big toe, wondering if that bump is “normal.” In this episode of the Ballet Science Podcast, we take a biomechanics-based look at bunions in ballet dancers. You will learn: What is a bunion? Why are bunions so common in ballet dancers? The difference b...

Have you ever thought, “I’ve always wanted to try ballet, but I’m too old” ... or “I didn’t start as a kid, so what’s the point now?” This episode is for you. In this Ballet Science Podcast episode, former professional ballerina and biomechanics PhD Caroline Simpkins breaks down how to start ballet as an adult from a science-based, body-respectful perspective. We cover: 📌 Why ballet is absolutely...