Ballet Science

Caroline Simpkins, Ph.D.

The Ballet Science podcast is hosted by Caroline Simpkins, Ph.D., a former ballerina turned researcher. This podcast brings science into the studio to help dancers of all ages and abilities give their best performance both onstage and off, and reveals how the science of ballet can benefit anyone who moves. Each week, we explore the intersection of science and ballet... from injury prevention and biomechanics to nutrition, mindset, and everything in between.

  1. 6 GG FA

    How Ballet Changes the Way You Walk | New Biomechanics Research

    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 dancersOlder recreational ballet dancersYoung non-dancersOlder non-dancers Using 3D motion capture and force plates, we analyzed: Walking speedStep length & cadenceStep widthGround reaction forcesPropulsive powerDynamic gait stabilitySo what does that mean for aging, fall risk, and long-term mobility?As a former professional ballerina and PhD in biomechanics, my goal is to bridge the gap between art and science, showing how ballet training influences movement far beyond the studio. Join the Ballet Science E-mail List⁠⁠⁠ ⁠Watch This Video On YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠ Connect With Ballet Science: ⁠⁠Website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠X⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Amazon Storefront⁠⁠⁠⁠E-mail: caroline@ballet.science Hosted by Caroline Simpkins, Ph.D., the Ballet Science podcast brings science into the studio to help dancers of all ages and abilities give their best performances both onstage and off, and reveals how the science of ballet can benefit anyone who moves. Each week, we explore the intersection of science and ballet... from injury prevention and biomechanics to nutrition, mindset, and everything in between. If you enjoyed this episode, please hit the subscribe button, leave a review, and share it with your friends and dance community. You can also follow Ballet Science on social media and visit our website for additional information. Filming Equipment Affiliate Links: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Microphone⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Pop Filter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Mic Stand⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Prompter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Large Key Light⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Small Key Light⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Eve Flare Light⁠⁠⁠⁠

    14 min

  2. 10 FEB

    Reinventing The Ballet Slipper | Seth & Sarah Orza

    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 doing the same, he asked a simple question: Why hasn’t the ballet slipper evolved? That question led to the creation of ORZA Pro, a ballet shoe designed with integrated shock absorption and support, built to meet the demands of today’s dancers. What started as a personal solution is now helping dancers move more comfortably from class to rehearsal to performance. We discuss: How the Orza brand was born from real injury + performance needsHow their shoe integrates shock-absorbing tech without changing the ballet aestheticWhat testing they’ve done so far (including biomechanics + survey data)Why ballet footwear has stayed so traditional for so long Shop Orza: Use code BALLETSCIENCE10 at checkout for 10% off your order! Connect with Orza: Instagram Join the Ballet Science E-mail List⁠⁠ Watch This Video On YouTube⁠⁠⁠ Connect With Ballet Science: ⁠Website⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠Facebook ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠X⁠⁠⁠Amazon Storefront⁠⁠⁠E-mail: caroline@ballet.science Hosted by Caroline Simpkins, Ph.D., the Ballet Science podcast brings science into the studio to help dancers of all ages and abilities give their best performances both onstage and off, and reveals how the science of ballet can benefit anyone who moves. Each week, we explore the intersection of science and ballet... from injury prevention and biomechanics to nutrition, mindset, and everything in between. If you enjoyed this episode, please hit the subscribe button, leave a review, and share it with your friends and dance community. You can also follow Ballet Science on social media and visit our website for additional information. Filming Equipment Affiliate Links: ⁠⁠⁠⁠Microphone⁠⁠⁠⁠Pop Filter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Mic Stand⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Prompter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Large Key Light⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Small Key Light⁠⁠⁠⁠Eve Flare Light⁠⁠⁠⁠

    55 min

  3. 3 FEB

    Pilates For Ballet Dancers | Kerry Shea, School of American Ballet

    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 core” means for dancersWhy Pilates is especially helpful for hypermobilityHow SAB integrates Pilates into a holistic health + wellness modelCommon dancer patterns Pilates helps fixWhy “just doing more ballet” can reinforce dysfunctional patternsHow to start Pilates safely + what certifications to look for in an instructor 🎧 Subscribe to the Ballet Science Podcast (YouTube, Apple, Spotify) for weekly episodes on biomechanics, injury prevention, adult ballet, anatomy, mindset, and the science behind dance. 💬 Have more questions about Pilates? Leave them in the comments! Affiliate Links: Magic Circle ⁠Join the Ballet Science E-mail List⁠ ⁠Watch This Video On YouTube⁠⁠ Connect With Ballet Science: ⁠⁠Website⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook ⁠⁠⁠⁠X⁠⁠⁠⁠Amazon Storefront⁠⁠E-mail: caroline@ballet.science Hosted by Caroline Simpkins, Ph.D., the Ballet Science podcast brings science into the studio to help dancers of all ages and abilities give their best performances both onstage and off, and reveals how the science of ballet can benefit anyone who moves. Each week, we explore the intersection of science and ballet... from injury prevention and biomechanics to nutrition, mindset, and everything in between. If you enjoyed this episode, please hit the subscribe button, leave a review, and share it with your friends and dance community. You can also follow Ballet Science on social media and visit our website for additional information. Filming Equipment Affiliate Links: ⁠⁠⁠Microphone⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Pop Filter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Mic Stand⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Prompter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Large Key Light⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Small Key Light⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Eve Flare Light⁠⁠⁠ Logo Photo: Richard Calmes

    41 min
  4. Backstage: Adult Beginner Ballet Tips | 5 Common Mistakes

    29 GEN · CONTENUTI EXTRA

    Backstage: Adult Beginner Ballet Tips | 5 Common Mistakes

    Backstage is a Ballet Science bonus series featuring short reflections on lessons learned as a professional ballerina and ballet teacher, and how biomechanics and research later helped explain them. Quick insights at the intersection of studio experience and science. If you’ve ever wanted to try ballet as an adult... or you’ve started but something feels harder than it should... this video is for you. In this Ballet Science: Backstage episode, I break down five of the most common mistakes adult ballet students make. These are not failures... they’re completely normal patterns I see again and again as someone who teaches adult ballet and studies movement science. We talk about: Why intimidation keeps so many adults from ever startingHow the wrong class or teacher can make ballet feel impossibleWhy adult dancers often feel “behind” (and why that’s not true)The risks of forcing turnout, flexibility, or ballet “shape”Why ballet progress is not linear, especially for adultsFrom a biomechanics and motor learning perspective, adult dancers bring unique strengths to ballet: focus, body awareness, and the ability to understand complex movement concepts. Ballet doesn’t have to hurt, overwhelm you, or feel discouraging to be effective. 🩰 Adult ballet is about working with your body, not against it. You don’t need to feel ready. You just need to begin. 💬 If you’re on your own adult ballet journey, I’d love to hear your story in the comments. 📌 And if there’s an adult ballet topic you want me to cover next, let me know! Watch This Video On YouTube⁠⁠ Connect With Ballet Science: ⁠⁠Website⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook ⁠⁠⁠⁠X⁠⁠⁠⁠Amazon Storefront⁠⁠E-mail: caroline@ballet.science Hosted by Caroline Simpkins, Ph.D., the Ballet Science podcast brings science into the studio to help dancers of all ages and abilities give their best performances both onstage and off, and reveals how the science of ballet can benefit anyone who moves. Each week, we explore the intersection of science and ballet... from injury prevention and biomechanics to nutrition, mindset, and everything in between. If you enjoyed this episode, please hit the subscribe button, leave a review, and share it with your friends and dance community. You can also follow Ballet Science on social media and visit our website for additional information. Filming Equipment Affiliate Links: ⁠⁠⁠Microphone⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Pop Filter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Mic Stand⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Prompter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Large Key Light⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Small Key Light⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Eve Flare Light⁠⁠⁠ Logo Photo: Richard Calmes

    5 min

  5. 27 GEN

    Bunions in Ballet Dancers | Causes & How To Manage Them

    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 between having a bunion and having bunion painHow ballet shoe and pointe shoe fit influences symptomsWhat dancers can realistically do to manage bunions and reduce irritation We also talk about turnout mechanics, loading through the big toe, toe spacers, and why no single product or exercise can “fix” a bunion... but many strategies can help dancers stay comfortable and dancing longer. 🎧 Subscribe to the Ballet Science Podcast (YouTube, Apple, Spotify) for weekly episodes on biomechanics, injury prevention, adult ballet, anatomy, mindset, and the science behind dance. 💬 Have more questions about bunions? Leave them in the comments... your questions may shape future episodes. Toe Spacer Affiliate Links: https://amzn.to/49CHt73https://amzn.to/4qDqHe3https://amzn.to/3YZ7AyT Join the Ballet Science E-mail List Watch This Video On YouTube⁠ Connect With Ballet Science: ⁠Website⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠Facebook ⁠⁠X⁠⁠Amazon Storefront⁠E-mail: caroline@ballet.science Hosted by Caroline Simpkins, Ph.D., the Ballet Science podcast brings science into the studio to help dancers of all ages and abilities give their best performances both onstage and off, and reveals how the science of ballet can benefit anyone who moves. Each week, we explore the intersection of science and ballet... from injury prevention and biomechanics to nutrition, mindset, and everything in between. If you enjoyed this episode, please hit the subscribe button, leave a review, and share it with your friends and dance community. You can also follow Ballet Science on social media and visit our website for additional information. Filming Equipment Affiliate Links: ⁠⁠Microphone⁠⁠⁠⁠Pop Filter⁠⁠⁠⁠Mic Stand⁠⁠⁠⁠Prompter⁠⁠⁠⁠Large Key Light⁠⁠⁠⁠Small Key Light⁠⁠⁠⁠Eve Flare Light⁠⁠ Logo Photo: Richard Calmes

    11 min
  6. Backstage: 5 Things I Wish I Knew Before Starting a PhD After Ballet

    23 GEN · CONTENUTI EXTRA

    Backstage: 5 Things I Wish I Knew Before Starting a PhD After Ballet

    Backstage is a Ballet Science bonus series featuring short reflections on lessons learned as a professional ballerina and ballet teacher, and how biomechanics and research later helped explain them. Quick insights at the intersection of studio experience and science. What happens when a professional ballet dancer starts a PhD? When I transitioned from a professional ballet career into a PhD in biomechanics, I expected the hardest part to be learning the science. What surprised me most was how different the pace, feedback, identity, and emotional experience of academia felt... and how little of that transition had to do with intelligence. In this Backstage episode, I share five things I wish I had known before starting my PhD after ballet, especially for dancers considering careers in science, research, or academia. You’ll learn: Why academic feedback feels painfully slow compared to balletHow identity shifts can feel unsettling, but aren’t failuresWhy dancers don’t need to “prove” they belong in academiaWhy missing the studio doesn’t mean you made the wrong choiceHow ballet training prepares you for research more than you realize If you’re a dancer navigating a nonlinear career path, transitioning out of the studio, or wondering whether science or graduate school is “for you,” this video is for you.💬 Have you made a transition from dance into academia or another field? I’d love to hear your story in the comments. Watch This Video On YouTube⁠ Connect With Ballet Science: ⁠Website⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠Facebook ⁠⁠X⁠⁠Amazon Storefront⁠E-mail: caroline@ballet.science Hosted by Caroline Simpkins, Ph.D., the Ballet Science podcast brings science into the studio to help dancers of all ages and abilities give their best performances both onstage and off, and reveals how the science of ballet can benefit anyone who moves. Each week, we will explore the intersection of science and ballet... from injury prevention and biomechanics to nutrition, mindset, and everything in between. If you enjoyed this episode, please hit the subscribe button, leave a review, and share it with your friends and dance community. You can also follow Ballet Science on social media and visit our website for additional information. Filming Equipment Affiliate Links: ⁠⁠Microphone⁠⁠⁠⁠Pop Filter⁠⁠⁠⁠Mic Stand⁠⁠⁠⁠Prompter⁠⁠⁠⁠Large Key Light⁠⁠⁠⁠Small Key Light⁠⁠⁠⁠Eve Flare Light⁠⁠ Logo Photo: Richard Calmes

    5 min

  7. 20 GEN

    Starting Ballet As An Adult | Beginner Tips Backed by Science

    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 accessible for adults 📌 The neurological, balance, and strength benefits of ballet 📌 How ballet supports health across the lifespan 📌 How to choose the right adult beginner ballet class 📌 What to wear (and what you don’t need) 📌 What to expect in your very first ballet class 📌 Why ballet is for all bodies (including men) 📌 How often should adult beginners take class Whether you’re starting ballet for the very first time, returning after childhood training, or just ballet-curious, this episode will help you approach ballet in a way that supports your body instead of fighting it. 🎧 Subscribe to the Ballet Science Podcast for weekly episodes on biomechanics, injury prevention, adult ballet, anatomy, mindset, and the science behind dance. 💬 Have questions about adult ballet? Leave them in the comments... your questions may shape future episodes. Affiliate Links:🩰 Adult Ballet Clothing Ideas Watch This Video On YouTube Connect With Ballet Science: WebsiteInstagramFacebook XAmazon StorefrontE-mail: caroline@ballet.science Hosted by Caroline Simpkins, Ph.D., the Ballet Science podcast brings science into the studio to help dancers of all ages and abilities give their best performances both onstage and off, and reveals how the science of ballet can benefit anyone who moves. Each week, we will explore the intersection of science and ballet... from injury prevention and biomechanics to nutrition, mindset, and everything in between. If you enjoyed this episode, please hit the subscribe button, leave a review, and share it with your friends and dance community. You can also follow Ballet Science on social media and visit our website for additional information. Filming Equipment Affiliate Links: ⁠Microphone⁠⁠Pop Filter⁠⁠Mic Stand⁠⁠Prompter⁠⁠Large Key Light⁠⁠Small Key Light⁠⁠Eve Flare Light⁠ Logo Photo: Richard Calmes

    17 min
  8. Backstage: What Being a Professional Ballerina Taught Me That Helped Me Earn a PhD

    15 GEN · CONTENUTI EXTRA

    Backstage: What Being a Professional Ballerina Taught Me That Helped Me Earn a PhD

    Backstage is a Ballet Science bonus series featuring short reflections on lessons learned as a professional ballerina, and how biomechanics and research later helped explain them. Quick insights at the intersection of studio experience and science. When people hear that I was a professional ballerina and later earned a PhD in biomechanics, they often assume those worlds couldn’t be more different. But the truth is, many of the skills that helped me succeed in academia were forged long before I ever stepped into a research lab. In this video, I share five powerful lessons ballet taught me... from discipline and feedback to patience, attention to detail, and resilience... and how those same skills translated directly into surviving and thriving in higher education. I’m Caroline Simpkins, a former professional ballerina with a PhD in biomechanics and the creator of Ballet Science, where I help bring science into the studio for dancers of all ages and abilities. Whether you’re a dancer considering an academic path, a performer transitioning careers, or someone navigating a nonlinear journey, this video is a reminder that your past experiences are not a liability... they’re an asset. Follow Ballet Science: ⁠Website⁠ ⁠Instagram⁠ ⁠Facebook⁠ ⁠X

    4 min
Elenco completo (44)

Trailer

Descrizione

The Ballet Science podcast is hosted by Caroline Simpkins, Ph.D., a former ballerina turned researcher. This podcast brings science into the studio to help dancers of all ages and abilities give their best performance both onstage and off, and reveals how the science of ballet can benefit anyone who moves. Each week, we explore the intersection of science and ballet... from injury prevention and biomechanics to nutrition, mindset, and everything in between.

Informazioni

  • Creatore
    Caroline Simpkins, Ph.D.
  • Anni di attività
    2025 - 2026
  • Puntate
    44
  • Classificazione
    Contenuti adatti a tutti
  • Copyright
    © Caroline Simpkins, Ph.D.
  • Sito web del podcast
    Ballet Science

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