Ballet Science

Caroline Simpkins, Ph.D.

The Ballet Science Podcast is hosted by Caroline Simpkins, Ph.D., a former professional ballerina turned biomechanics researcher. Each week, the podcast brings science into the ballet studio, exploring the intersection of ballet, dance science, and human movement. Topics include injury prevention, biomechanics, strength, nutrition, mindset, and performance. Discover how the science of ballet can help dancers (and anyone who moves) perform and feel their best.

  1. 3 DAYS AGO

    Why Your Brain Loves Ballet | The Neuroscience Of Dance

    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 movementThe cerebellum’s role in balance and precisionHow the basal ganglia automate choreographyNeuroplasticity and motor learning in actionWhy ballet is high-level cognitive multitaskingThe connection between dance, executive function, and healthy aging Ballet isn’t just muscle training. It’s neural pathway training. From coordination and rhythm to memory and spatial awareness, ballet challenges multiple brain systems simultaneously, which is exactly why it can feel so mentally demanding.And across the lifespan? That complexity matters! 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

    6 min
  2. Backstage: Why Dance Science Exists

    5 MAR · BONUS

    Backstage: Why Dance Science Exists

    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 ballet obviously improves balance… why do we need to study it in research? This is a question I receive often, especially when discussing research on ballet, balance, and fall prevention. Honestly, I understand the reaction. If you’ve trained in ballet or watched dancers move, the benefits can feel self-evident. In this episode, I explain why “obvious” isn’t the same as evidence... and why dance science research is essential if we want ballet to be respected in healthcare, injury prevention, aging research, and beyond. We cover: Why common sense isn’t scientific proofWhat research reveals about how ballet improves balanceWhy data matters in medicine and public healthHow research protects dancers from myths and injuryWhy ballet needs measurable evidence to scale its impact As both a former professional ballerina and a PhD in biomechanics, I’ve lived on both sides... the studio and the lab. I truly believe ballet deserves a seat at the scientific table. 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

    6 min

  3. 3 MAR

    Why Your Heart Loves Ballet | The Cardiovascular Science

    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 allegroWhy ballet counts as intermittent cardiovascular trainingHow stroke volume and cardiac output adapt over timeWhy even slow combinations increase heart demandThe connection between ballet, fall prevention, and healthy agingHow breath, posture, and emotion influence your cardiovascular system Ballet isn’t just aesthetic training. It challenges the musculoskeletal, neuromuscular, and cardiovascular systems simultaneously. Whether you're 16 or 60, your heart is adapting every time you step into class. 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

    6 min

  4. 24 FEB

    Airline Pilot Learns Ballet as an Adult | Christopher Marici

    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 likeThe mental load of the jobWhat it’s like to be a true beginner as an adultWhy adult ballet can be a “reset” after high-stress work If you enjoyed this episode, please like, subscribe, and share with an adult dancer (or someone who’s been thinking about trying ballet)! ⁠Join the Ballet Science E-mail List⁠⁠⁠ ⁠Watch This Video On YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠ Connect With Ballet Science: ⁠⁠Website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠X⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Amazon Storefront⁠⁠⁠⁠E-mail: caroline@ballet.science Connect with Christopher Marici: Instagram⁠ 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

    35 min

  5. 17 FEB

    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 stability So 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

  6. 10 FEB

    Reinventing Ballet Slippers | 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

  7. 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
  8. Backstage: Adult Beginner Ballet Tips | 5 Common Mistakes

    29 JAN · BONUS

    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 adults From 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
See All (48)

Trailer

About

The Ballet Science Podcast is hosted by Caroline Simpkins, Ph.D., a former professional ballerina turned biomechanics researcher. Each week, the podcast brings science into the ballet studio, exploring the intersection of ballet, dance science, and human movement. Topics include injury prevention, biomechanics, strength, nutrition, mindset, and performance. Discover how the science of ballet can help dancers (and anyone who moves) perform and feel their best.

Information

  • Creator
    Caroline Simpkins, Ph.D.
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    48
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Caroline Simpkins, Ph.D.
  • Show Website
    Ballet Science

You Might Also Like