With two weeks of the Fit Feb 28 challenge already under wraps its time for a hit of ballerina motivation! The half way mark of any challenge seems to inevitably the hardest. It almost seems easier to roll right back down the hill than to push ourselves over it. But the beauty of this challenge […]
Blog
Dealing with injuries
A professional dance career is always marred with injuries. It is an inevitability that every dancer must deal with. It can be incredibly frustrating to deal with injuries and the recovery thereafter. Most dancers struggle to cope with the swath of free time that they are left with. The psychological implication of an injury can […]
Coping with burnout
Burnout is understood to be a universal, innate, and prevalent human condition. Nonetheless, the stressful panorama of the competitive dance world puts dancers at a higher risk of burnout than the general population. Traits of competitive anxiety and burnout are significantly high among ballet dancers. It has become an occupational hazard. The clinical condition of […]
Q&A with the incredible Katie Boren
What inspired you to start dancing? I was inspired to start dancing after seeing a performance of The Nutcracker when I was very young. I wasn’t even three years old, and my mom took me to see Texas Ballet Theatre’s production of the Nutcracker. Apparently, I started crying after the first act because I thought […]
Ballet and body image… Why do so many dancers struggle with body dysmorphia and eating disorders?
Ballet is a splendid celebration of visual arts… A perfect illustration of dance, music, storytelling, and athleticism. Those perfect pirouettes, chaînés, and attitude is the outcome of tremendous dedication to rigorous training and practice. What the audience sees is beautiful artistry, but behind the curtains, the reality is pretty grim. Elite ballet dancers are vulnerable […]
The Relevé guide to overcome pandemic fatigue: Part 2
Mental & Physical Health The urgency to return to normalcy, to the pre-covid life, is a mutual feeling amongst all. But, health experts across the world have warned that premature return to ‘business as usual’ can be disastrous. Public health campaigns now are not only promoting safety measures but also addressing the implications of the […]
A Dietitian’s top tips to help you keep on track this silly season.
It is officially that time of year! As much as we all love Christmas, it can be a tricky time, where routines are broken and we put a lot of unnecessary pressure on ourselves to buy the perfect gift, make the perfect meal and stay in ‘perfect shape’. With Christmas fast approaching let’s take some […]
The evolution of ballet through the centuries
The origins of ballet are rooted in the extravagant royal court commemorations of 15th century Renaissance Italy. The word ballet is derived from the Italian word ‘ballare’ which means ‘to dance, to jump about’. Aristocratic families enjoyed lavish celebrations such as weddings and parties with grandeur; dance and music were always part of these celebrations. […]
The Relevé guide to overcome pandemic fatigue
Part 1: Meditation & morning habits to overcome pandemic fatigue What a year it has been… A pandemic, the threat of World War III, global recession, political turmoil, millions infected, and millions of loved ones lost. Want to overcome pandemic fatigue? The toll of this pandemic on human health (and the collateral damage incurred) has been […]
The importance of good posture
All dance performances require technical skills, flexibility, and physical strength. In ballet, dancers focus on postural stability to execute different techniques. Ballerinas require a higher level of control of their muscles to perform intricate movements with precision and hold positions for extended periods, all while looking incredibly elegant and graceful. Correct posture and body alignment […]