Science of Slink: The Evidence Based Pole Podcast with Dr. Rosy Boa

In this episode of 'Science of Slink,' Dr. Rosy Boa addresses common misconceptions about the role of the Latissimus Dorsi (lats) muscles in pole dancing. She explains the anatomy and function of the lats, debunks myths about their role in overhead movements, and offers tips on when and how to effectively train these muscles. Essential for pole dancers, the episode also covers related topi...

In this special anniversary episode of the Science of Slink podcast, host Dr. Rosy Boa celebrates the studio's third year by sharing personal reflections, milestones, and statistics. She discusses the inspiration behind founding the studio, emphasizing evidence-based practice and the joy of freestyle movement. Dr. Boa also talks about the evolution of the studio's offerings, including the shift to...

In this episode of 'Science of Slink,' Dr. Rosy Boa delves into what every pole dancer should know about exercising in extreme heat. Key topics include the physiological adaptations to heat acclimatization that typically occur within two weeks, the symptoms and handling of heat exhaustion versus heat stroke, and specific risk factors such as dehydration and medications. She also shares pra...

In this episode of 'Science of Slink,' hosted by Dr. Rosy Boa, the focus is on the details of dancing in pole heels, a theme for June 2025. Dr. Boa outlines essential tips for choosing the right shoes, including the benefits of platforms, the significance of a sturdy stiletto, and the importance of proper shoe fit. She delves into the mechanics of balance, the challenges posed by the addit...

In this episode of the Science of Slink podcast, Dr. Rosy Boa explores the question, 'What is the hardest pole dance move?' She explains that the answer depends on various factors such as individual physiology, training background, and specific adaptations. Dr. Boa discusses different challenging pole moves categorized by flexibility, strength, and athleticism, emphasizing the importance o...

In this episode of the Science of Slink podcast, Dr. Rosy Boa delves into the intricacies of learning pole dance at home. With a background in pole dance since 2012 and instruction since 2018, she brings extensive experience and scientific insights to the discussion. The episode covers the effectiveness of home-based exercise supported by recent research, methods to maintain motivation, and strate...

In this episode of 'Science of Slink,' host Rosy is joined by Dr. Olivia Walch, CEO of Arcascope and author of 'Sleep Groove,' to discuss the importance of circadian rhythms and sleep hygiene. Olivia shares her journey from being a 'sleep gremlin' in college to becoming a researcher focused on sleep regularity. They explore how light exposure affects circadian rhythms, the...

In this episode of 'Science of Slink,' Dr. Rosy Boa offers an evidence-based guide to mastering spin pole. Covering crucial topics such as pole safety, spin control, body mechanics, spin directions, and managing dizziness, this episode is designed to benefit both beginners and experienced pole dancers. Dr. Boa also introduces the Science of Slink membership for those seeking comprehensive...

Follow-along five minute pole warm up on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1GAP_7LDgo8 In this episode of Science of Slink, Dr. Rosy Boa delves into the importance of warmups for pole dancers. She explains that warming up is crucial for reducing injury and enhancing performance. The discussion covers the types of activities to include in a warmup, such as increasing body temperature, improv...

In this Q&A episode of the Science of Slink podcast, Dr. Rosy Boa addresses listener questions about pole dancing, injury recovery, proper nutrition, the impact of environmental factors on performance, and the evolution of pole equipment. Key topics include self myofascial release and its effect on hamstring flexibility, optimal eating times for performance, new injury recovery guidelines emph...

In this episode of 'Science of Slink,' Dr. Rosy Boa delves into the neuroscience behind pleasure, particularly in the context of dance. She explains the hedonic system, how pleasure systems function, and the specific attributes that make dance so enjoyable. Dr. Boa also shares practical takeaways for dancers to enhance their pleasure in dancing, and announces upcoming Q&A episodes. Cha...

Welcome to 'Science of Slink,' the evidence-based pole podcast with Dr. Rosy Boa. In this episode, Dr. Boa explores the concept of distributed creativity and its implications for improvisational dance. She shares personal experiences from her dance journey and the impacts of dancing with others versus dancing alone. Dr. Boa discusses foundational theories of distributed cognition and creat...

In this episode of 'Science of Slink,' host Dr. Rosy Boa explores the evidence-based research surrounding the question 'Can pole dance help you de-stress?' Dr. Boa reviews various studies on how exercise, particularly aerobic activities like freestyle pole dancing, interact with the body’s stress systems to reduce stress. Topics include the physiological mechanisms like the HPA axis, recommendatio...

On this episode we're joined by Lauren McIntyre, a certified athletic trainer & clinical specialist at the NYU Langone Medical Center’s Harkness Center for Dance Injuries . (IG: @harknesscenterfordanceinjuries) In this episode, we talk about:  What concussions are, how often they happen in dance & why they can be so ard to catch What to do if you think you might have one The revolution...

Are you struggling to stay consistent in your pole practice? In this episode, Dr. Rosy Boa explores the science of habits and goals and how they can help you build a sustainable routine. Learn why habits happen automatically, how cues play a role, and why nearly half of your daily actions are driven by routine. Discover how goals can support habit formation and how to create systems that stick. Pl...

Welcome back to another episode of Science of Slink!  This week Dr. Rosy Boa sits down with Dr. Marcia Dernie and talks about all things movement, play, and pole. Dr. Marcia is a DPT, yoga teacher, powerlifter, and strongwoman. Marcia and Rosy discuss how embracing play fosters emotional regulation, social connection, and self-expression. They highlight the importance of community in movement prac...

Welcome back to another episode of Science of Slink!  This week Dr. Rosy Boa explores the science and social aspects of pole dancing, focusing on how the practice can be inclusive for all body types. She discusses why it’s essential to find supportive instructors and environments that uplift, not shame, and acknowledge that experiences may differ for polers in larger bodies. She looks at the diffe...

Dr. Rosy Boa dives into the science behind pole dancing, discussing the physical adaptations required for the sport. She clarifies the specific strength requirements for pole dancers, emphasizing the importance of specialized training over general fitness. Through examining recent studies, she highlights how pole dancing improves core, upper body strength, and grip strength, while identifying the...

Welcome back to another episode of Science of Slink! Today we are talking about how to stay motivated as a home poler. In this episode I talk about the most common motivation that men and women have for exercising, how home based exercise programs compare to center based programs, and how motivation can change depending on your age. I also talk through how to build self-efficacy as you are learnin...

In this episode, Rosy discusses three important tips for those who are either new to pole dance or returning after a long break. The episode covers the importance of easing into the practice gently, understanding realistic timelines for bodily adaptations, and exercising with friends or a virtual buddy to stay motivated. Link to the warm up video she mentioned: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1GAP...

Welcome back to another episode of Science of Slink! Today we are talking about a very important topic for furthering pole success, how to do spin pole without getting dizzy. Disclaimer: performance advice, NOT medical advice--if you're suffering from vertigo or dizziness talk to the other kind of doctor. We will discuss what the vestibular system is, things that can affect nausea, what is vestibu...

Welcome back pole dancer to Science of Slink. In this episode we are touching on an important topic, 5 Exercise Science Insights EVERY Pole Dancer Should Know.  I also wanted to start by including the link to Slinker’s delight show tickets: https://slinkthroughstrength.as.me/?appointmentType=60959877 Click the link above to join this awesome opportunity to see pole tricks.  As pole dancers 5 super...

Welcome back pole dancers to Science of Slink! Today we have a guest I’m very excited for, Dr. Melissa Koehl, a DPT and Pilates Instructor - Specialist in Hypermobility, EDS/HSD, POTS, MCAS and co. This episode is packed with valuable insights into hypermobility and its unique challenges, especially for dancers like those in the pole dance community. Dr. Melissa Koehl's personal experience wit...

Welcome back pole dancers to the Science of Slink Podcast. This week we are going to discuss mental blockages and how to overcome them. We will define mental blocks, contributing factors, and techniques to try to help overcome mental blocks. So what is a mental blockage? When the obstacle keeping you from your desired movement goal is emotional and/or mental rather than physical. Mental blockages...

Trigger Warning: Mention of Eating Disorders and mental Illness Welcome back pole dancers to this episode of Science of Slink! This week we are touching on how perfection harms people’s movement, progress, and mental states. To wrap up the video I’m including recommendations for how to avoid perfectionism influences and how to rework patterns of our internal perfectionism.  Let’s start by defining...