What happens when life throws you a curveball and you meet it with resilience and a little bit of ballet? In this episode, we're joined by Natalie, who discovered her passion for ballet after being diagnosed with a rare brain tumor that required her to give up surfing. We talk about the joy (and challenges) of starting ballet as an adult, the power of dance to bring purpose to our lives, and how she’s learned to embrace challenges, both on and off the dance floor. Whether you’re an adult ballet dancer, curious about starting ballet, or just need a dose of inspiration, this episode is for you. So grab your coffee and let's get into it!

Connect with Natalie on Instagram @natty_walsh_da_silva

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Check out more resources here:
youtube.com/@balletforall
onlineballetclasses.com
thebusybunhead.com

Podcast produced by Mission Bridge Media.
www.MissionBridgeMedia.com

See you next time after class! ♥

Feeling discouraged in your ballet journey? You're not alone. In this episode, we get real about the emotional ups and downs that come with being an adult ballet dancer — especially when progress feels slow or you're just plain burnt out. With guest co-host, Stacy Santos, we dig into practical tips on how to manage seasons of discouragement and reconnect with the joy of dancing. So if you've been in a rough patch (like we have) this conversation is for you... So grab your coffee and let's get into it!

Connect with Stacy on Instagram @hey_stacee

Listen to Stacy's inspiring story here:

Part One (episode #9)

Part Two (episode #10)

Try a new style with Steps on Broadway Zoom Class Schedule!

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Follow Hannah @thebusybunhead

Check out more resources here:
youtube.com/@balletforall
onlineballetclasses.com
thebusybunhead.com

Podcast produced by Mission Bridge Media.
www.MissionBridgeMedia.com

See you next time after class! ♥

Have you ever found yourself standing in a dance store, surrounded by tiny skirts that will never work for your adult ballerina body? In this episode, Chelsea shares her inspiring journey from beginner ballet dancer to founder of Dianne Dancewear, a brand creating beautiful, size-inclusive ballet skirts made specifically for adults. We talk about finding confidence in the studio through dancewear, the power of inclusive design, and what it takes to turn a personal frustration into a mission that resonates with dancers everywhere. Grab a coffee and let's get into it!

Connect with Chelsea: @chelsea_hhf

Shop Dianne Dancewear:

Etsy shop: www.etsy.com/shop/DianneDancewear

Instagram: @dianne.dancewear

Follow Yelena @ballet_for_all
Follow Hannah @thebusybunhead

Check out more resources here:
youtube.com/@balletforall
onlineballetclasses.com
thebusybunhead.com

Podcast produced by Mission Bridge Media.
www.MissionBridgeMedia.com

See you next time after class! ♥

With summer intensives approaching, you might be wondering: How can I make sure my body is prepared for the demands of long days in the studio? What can I do now to set myself up for success at a ballet intensive? Luckily, there's A LOT you can do before, during and even after your intensive to take care of your body and set yourself up for long-term success! In this episode, Allie Christensen (owner of Align Fitness & founder of the Dancer Strong platform) is giving us her best advice gleaned from years of training dancers and teaching at intensives all over the US. From what to focus on leading up to the event, to how to care for your body during the intensive, to how to implement your corrections when you get home... She breaks down all of it! So whether you've got an intensive on the calendar or just want to level up your own training, this is a PACKED episode you're going to love. Let's get into it!

CONNECT WITH ALLIE:
Dancer Strong Platform (Use code HANNAHJENNINGS5295 for $5 off!)

Instagram: @alignfitnessbyallie
YouTube: @alignfitnessbyallie
Email: [email protected]

Follow Yelena @ballet_for_all
Follow Hannah @thebusybunhead

Check out more resources here:
youtube.com/@balletforall
onlineballetclasses.com
thebusybunhead.com

Podcast produced by Mission Bridge Media.
www.MissionBridgeMedia.com

See you next time after class! ♥

Most of us have been personally victimized by a dancewear size chart at some point... Whether it's limited size ranges or leotards with effectively no butt-coverage, we understand how hard it can be for adult dancers to cultivate a ballet wardrobe that makes you feel GREAT. That's why we're so excited to have Maggie Watson (a true ballet-style icon) co-hosting this episode! In it she shares her secrets for sourcing beautiful & comfortable dancewear (spoiler: it's often NOT from dancewear brands) and for styling outfits in a way that compliments and celebrates your curves. If you're an adult dancer who doesn't feel seen by traditional dancewear options, this episode is for you... So grab your coffee and let's get into it!

Follow Maggie @_maggiavellian

FREE pdf of styling tips to guide you as you shop!

Non-dancewear brands to checkout:
Samantha Pleet
Nooworks
Fashion Brand Company

Size-inclusive dance brands:
Capezio
LuckyLeo Dancewear
Jule Dancewear - Meshies

Red lipstick by Pat McGrath 

Follow Yelena @ballet_for_all
Follow Hannah @thebusybunhead

Check out more resources here:
youtube.com/@balletforall
onlineballetclasses.com
thebusybunhead.com

Podcast produced by Mission Bridge Media.
www.MissionBridgeMedia.com

See you next time after class! ♥

Oh the world of ballet terminology... It's fancy, its frustrating, it's French... 😳  So what's a dancer to do? Start by listening to this episode! In it, we're breaking down the most commonly used terms in ballet class and explaining what they actually mean and how they're used. We know how overwhelming a class can be, but if you understand these words, you'll be dancing with confidence and clarity. Ready to level up your game? Let's get into it!

Download your FREE guide to essential ballet terms!

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Follow Hannah @thebusybunhead

Check out more resources here:
youtube.com/@balletforall
onlineballetclasses.com
thebusybunhead.com

Podcast produced by Mission Bridge Media.
www.MissionBridgeMedia.com

See you next time after class! ♥

Are you struggling to reach the next level in your ballet training? The secret to improving might be in your linking steps... Linking steps (also referred to as "transition steps" or "connecting steps") are often not broken down in adult ballet classes, which can leave us feeling like we're just fumbling through the choreography. If you want to feel like you're thriving in class instead of just surviving, we're here to help! In this episode we're breaking down what exactly linking steps are, and how you can conquer them. It's an episode you don't want to miss if you're craving some progress in your ballet training...

YouTube tutorials below for learning & practice!

Pas de Bourrée

Piqué

Tombé Pas de Bourrée

Glissade & Failli

Chassé 

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Follow Hannah @thebusybunhead

Check out more resources here:
youtube.com/@balletforall
onlineballetclasses.com
thebusybunhead.com

Podcast produced by Mission Bridge Media.
www.MissionBridgeMedia.com

See you next time after class! ♥

Join us for a short, chatty episode about the most random items in our dance bags... And don't forget to head over to Instagram this week to vote on our poll (to wash or not wash your ballet slippers) and answer the question, "What's the strangest thing in YOUR dance bag?" It's a short and light-hearted one, so grab your beverage of choice and let's get into it!

Follow Yelena @ballet_for_all
Follow Hannah @thebusybunhead

Check out more resources here:
youtube.com/@balletforall
onlineballetclasses.com
thebusybunhead.com

Podcast produced by Mission Bridge Media.
www.MissionBridgeMedia.com

See you next time after class! ♥

Do you ever feel like it's either all or nothing when it comes to making your ballet training worthwhile? I mean, if you can't make it to an hour+ technique class, what's the point - right?  In this episode we talk about how to fit ballet into your busy schedule, even if you only have 5 minutes! Join us as we dive into practical tips and strategies for managing your time as an adult dancer—whether you're juggling work, family, or just life in general. Small but consistent steps can lead to BIG progress in your dance journey... Let's get into it!

Follow Yelena @ballet_for_all
Follow Hannah @thebusybunhead

Check out more resources here:
youtube.com/@balletforall
onlineballetclasses.com
thebusybunhead.com

Podcast produced by Mission Bridge Media.
www.MissionBridgeMedia.com

See you next time after class! ♥

In this (possibly controversial) episode, we're diving into the topic of artistry. In modern ballet culture, it's often overshadowed by the more physical and technical elements, but is that a good thing? What makes a dancer truly captivating to watch? What makes a performance memorable? Artistry is a hallmark of every great dancer, and lucky for us adults, it's possible at any age and any level. ◡̈ Grab your coffee and let's get into it!

Dancers to Study:

Fonteyn & Nureyev

Alicia Alonso (dancing here at 58 yrs old!)

Follow Yelena @ballet_for_all
Follow Hannah @thebusybunhead

Check out more resources here:
youtube.com/@balletforall
onlineballetclasses.com
thebusybunhead.com

Podcast produced by Mission Bridge Media.
www.MissionBridgeMedia.com

See you next time after class! ♥