Ask someone to picture a ballet dancer, and posture is probably the first thing that comes to mind — that effortless, upright poise that reads as ballerina the second you see it. But if you've ever felt like you struggle to achieve it as an adult dancer, you're not alone!

In this episode, I'm joined again by Chelsea Weidmann for the next installment in our ongoing series on the elements of artistry, as she defined & unpacked them in her thesis on artistry in ballet. This time we're digging into the fundamentals of ballet posture: what it actually is, how to work on it, and what it allows us to accomplish technically that we couldn't otherwise.

We also talk about the difference between posture that's technically correct but reads as flat, and posture that reads as intentional and alive. And for anyone who performs, Chelsea breaks down how a character's posture can shift over the course of a ballet (hello, Giselle) and how you can use those shifts to support your own artistry both onstage and in the studio. 

If you've ever wanted your posture to look more confident and effortless, or wondered how to use it to support your artistry, this episode is for you! ✨

CONNECT WITH CHELSEA 👇🏼

 Website: geekyballerina.com 

Book: Artistry Inside Ballet Technique (affiliate link) 

Instagram: @geekyballerina

Follow Hannah on Instagram @thebusybunhead

Explore blog posts, merchandise & resources for adult ballet dancers like you at thebusybunhead.com

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

If you’ve ever walked out of ballet class replaying every mistake in your head — the turn you fell out of, the combination you messed up, the step that just won’t click — you’re not alone...

As adult dancers, we often hold ourselves to incredibly high standards. And while that drive can be a powerful motivator, it can also quietly take the joy out of dancing, and even sabotage our progress.

In this episode, I’m joined by Kirsten Kemp, a high-performance mindset coach who works specifically with dancers, to talk about how perfectionism shows up in ballet training and what to do instead.

We talk about why perfectionism can derail your class experience, what’s happening in your brain when you spiral after messing up, and simple tools you can use in the moment to reset and stay engaged.

Kirsten also shares her perspective on “mentally budgeting” for mistakes, how to set realistic expectations without lowering your standards, and how to stay motivated even during seasons of slow progress.

If you’re someone who cares deeply about improving but often find yourself  frustrated, discouraged, or defeated, this episode is your road map to renewed confidence and joy!

👉🏼 Connect with Kirsten: 

Website: kirstenkemp.com

Instagram: @kirsten_theconfidentdancer

✨ This Episode is Sponsored By:

Apolla Performance:
Compression socks designed for support, recovery, and injury prevention for dancers. 
Shop here: https://rstr.co/apollaperformance/thebusybunhead

Follow Hannah on Instagram @thebusybunhead

Explore blog posts, merchandise & resources for adult ballet dancers like you at thebusybunhead.com

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

In this episode, I'm sharing some of my favorite ballet hacks. The tips, tricks, and discoveries that have made my life as an adult dancer easier and more comfortable.😄

Some I figured out on my own, some were passed along by teachers or fellow dancers, and all of them are just too good not to share, like:

• The game-changing nipple cover option for those who want a little extra coverage
• Using toe spacers in your ballet slippers (NOT just for pointe shoes) to reduce bunion discomfort
• The waistband modifications that will change how you feel in your tights 
• How to turn convertible tights into stirrup tights so you can wear the brands you actually love
• A simple spray that fixes heel slippage in pointe shoe (plus a bonus tip that makes it even more effective)
• A hack for healthier, happier hair (while you dance) 

PRODUCTS MENTIONED 🔗

Nipple Covers by Cakes (grippy version)

Toe Spacers by Russian Pointe (size medium)

Spray Rosin by Bloch

Hair Mask by RCA Skincare (use code AFTERCLASS10 for 10% off your order!)

EPISODE SPONSOR ✨

Frenchies Hairpins
The official brand for ballerinas who love a good hair moment! Shop premium hairpins and new luxury scrunchies in real silk and luxurious velvet.
https://frenchieshairpins.com | Code AFTERCLASS10 for 10% off!

Follow Hannah on Instagram @thebusybunhead

Explore blog posts, merchandise & resources for adult ballet dancers like you at thebusybunhead.com

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

You've conquered the basics en pointe.... So now what? This is the final episode in my three-part series on the adult pointe journey with Julie of Broche Ballet, who has coached hundreds of adult dancers (myself included) through their pointe journeys.

In this episode, we talk about how to build a sustainable, realistic training plan around a busy adult life, why short frequent practice sessions are so effective, the recovery habits that will support your body for the long haul, how to work through the fear of learning new steps, and why play might be the single most important ingredient you're missing.

If you've ever felt like you're stuck in a rut, wondering how to actually reach your goals, this is the episode for you. It's the perfect way to close out this series, and I think it's going to change how you think about your own pointe journey. 🩰

Disclaimer: This episode is NOT a substitute for an individual evaluation, so make sure you're approved by a qualified teacher and fitted by a professional before going on pointe. It's also not medical advice, so please consult a licensed medical professional about any injuries or pain.

CONNECT WITH JULIE & BROCHE BALLET👇🏼 

Instagram: @brocheballet 

Website: brocheballet.com 

Free Pointe Readiness Self-Assessment: https://app.brocheballetonline.com/pointe/self-assessment

Follow Hannah on Instagram @thebusybunhead

Explore blog posts, merchandise & resources for adult ballet dancers like you at thebusybunhead.com

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

You've got your pointe shoes and you've survived the first few months, but now you're in that weird in-between phase: still clutching the barre but dreaming of center, wondering if what you're feeling is normal or if you should be further along by now. If that sounds familiar, this episode is for you. 

I'm back with Julie of Broche Ballet for part two of our three-part series on the adult pointe journey, and this episode digs into the messy middle: what those first few months in pointe shoes actually feel like, how to finally let go of the barre, and how to tell if a problem is your strength or your shoes. I also ask Julie how to know when a pair of pointe shoes is really dead, why she's an advocate for a dedicated pointe barre, and what "banana feet" versus "biscuit feet" means for getting over the box.

If you've been feeling discouraged by lack of progress in pointe journey, you're not alone! But there is a way through it.... Ready to push past the plateau? Let's get into it. ☺️

EPISODE SPONSOR ✨ 

O'Mara Sprung Floors | A family-owned business building sprung floors for dancers for over 30 years. Featuring a Marley non-slip surface over a professionally engineered sprung floor with 70% shock absorption, they're designed to protect your body so you can dance safely from the comfort of home! 

Shop at sprungfloors.com | Use code AFTERCLASS10 for 10% off your ballet practice floor!

CONNECT WITH JULIE & BROCHE BALLET👇🏼

Instagram: @brocheballet
Website: brocheballet.com
Free Pointe Readiness Self Assessment 

Disclaimer: This episode is NOT a substitute for an individual evaluation, so make sure you're approved by a qualified teacher and fitted by a professional before going on pointe. It's also not medical advice, so please consult a licensed medical professional about any injuries or pain.

Follow Hannah on Instagram @thebusybunhead

Explore blog posts, merchandise & resources for adult ballet dancers like you at thebusybunhead.com

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

For so many adult dancers, pointe is the dream, whether you're returning to it after years away or dreaming about it for the very first time. But how do you actually know if you're ready? And if your teacher says not yet, what does that actually mean?

This is part one of a three part series on the entire adult pointe journey, and I'm joined by Julie of Broche Ballet, who has coached hundreds of adult dancers (myself included) through the process of going en pointe.

We get into adult pointe readiness in detail: whether adults are even "allowed" to go on pointe, the four different types of adult dancers who approach pointe (you'll probably recognize yourself in one), the four indicators of pointe readiness, what's actually going on when a teacher says "not yet", why pointe might be safer than you think, and Julie's honest take on demi pointe shoes.

If you've been quietly dreaming about pointe shoes for years, or you're already en pointe and want to understand your own journey better, you're going to LOVE this conversation with Julie. 🩰

Disclaimer: This episode is NOT a substitute for an individual evaluation, so make sure you're approved by a qualified teacher and fitted by a professional before going on pointe. It's also not medical advice, so please consult a licensed medical professional about any injuries or pain.

Connect with Julie & Broche Ballet👇🏼

Instagram: @brocheballet

Website: brocheballet.com

Free Pointe Readiness Self-Assessment: https://app.brocheballetonline.com/pointe/self-assessment

Follow Hannah on Instagram @thebusybunhead

Explore blog posts, merchandise & resources for adult ballet dancers like you at thebusybunhead.com

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

Saving money on ballet doesn't have to mean cutting corners on your training, and that's exactly what this episode is about. Where I live, the cost of everything has gone up, and ballet is no exception. Classes are more expensive, dancewear is more expensive, and don't even get me started on pointe shoes.

I'm sharing all my favorite ways to save money as an adult dancer, how to use YouTube strategically, how to get more studio classes for less money, maximize private private lessons, ways to save on dancewear, how to make your shoes and tights last longer, and how building a simple budget can make your ballet needs (and wants) less overwhelming and more attainable. 

If the cost of training has been stressing you out, this episode is for you!

💸 Buy & sell secondhand dancewear at Tutulist.com

💌 Sign up for my monthly all-things-adult-ballet newsletter at thebusybunhead.com

Follow Hannah on Instagram @thebusybunhead

Explore blog posts, merchandise & resources for adult ballet dancers like you at thebusybunhead.com

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

You can have clean technique, beautiful lines, and perfect musicality and still leave an audience completely cold. The missing ingredient? Acting. And for most of us, it's the element of artistry we've spent the least amount of time developing.

In this episode, I'm back with Chelsea Weidmann, The Geeky Ballerina, for the next installment in our ongoing series on the essential elements of artistry in ballet. Chelsea breaks down what acting in the context of ballet actually entails, why it's historically been neglected, and how to start developing this element of artistry, whether you're performing or just trying to bring more expressiveness to your class work!

In this episode we cover:
- How Chelsea defines acting in the context of ballet
- The historical reason acting often gets left out of classical ballet training
- The other layers of acting beyond the face: posture, gesture, weight placement, and more
- Practical strategies for moving past self-consciousness
- Tips for stepping into a character role
- How to bring acting into your class work
- What to do in the moment on stage to stay grounded and commit to the performance

If you've ever felt like your dancing lacked depth or expressiveness (on stage or in the studio), this episode will give you tools to start exploring acting as an essential element of artistry. ✨

CONNECT WITH CHELSEA 👇🏼
Website & newsletter: www.geekyballerina.com
Chelsea's Book | Artistry Inside Ballet Technique: https://amzn.to/3SUFjto (Amazon Affiliate link)

EPISODE SPONSOR ✨
O'Mara Sprung Floors
A family-owned business building sprung floors for dancers for over 30 years. Featuring a Marley non-slip surface over a professionally engineered sprung floor with 70% shock absorption, they're designed to protect your body so you can dance safely from the comfort of home!
Shop at sprungfloors.com | Use code AFTERCLASS10 for 10% off your ballet practice floor!

Follow Hannah on Instagram @thebusybunhead

Explore blog posts, merchandise & resources for adult ballet dancers like you at thebusybunhead.com

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

If you've ever felt like ballet is the first thing to get dropped when life gets busy, this episode is for you.

I'm joined by Rebecca Holden, a fellow adult dancer who is also a wife, a mom to a son with autism, and a full-time manager  and someone who has figured out how to make ballet a consistent, guilt-free part of her life. We get into the real,  stuff: how she protects her training days when everything else is competing for that time, how she deals with burnout, and how she navigates taking breaks.

Rebecca is also someone who dances at the same studio as her son who participates in an inclusive movement program there, and that part of the conversation is so special. 🥹

In this episode:
- The difference between balance and juggling and why it matters
- How to plan your week so that class actually happens
- Why lowering the barrier to show up is the key to consistency
- How to protect your training time without guilt when you're a parent or caregiver
- Communicating with your family so that your training feels supported
- Why over-training can be just as much of a problem as under-training, and how to find your sustainable middle
- The unexpected gift of dancing alongside your child

If your life is full and ballet keeps getting pushed to the bottom of the list, Rebecca's perspective might be exactly what you need to hear. ☺️

CONNECT WITH REBECCA 👇🏼
Instagram: @rebeccavholden
TikTok: @rebeccavholden

Follow Hannah on Instagram @thebusybunhead

Explore blog posts, merchandise & resources for adult ballet dancers like you at thebusybunhead.com

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

If you have a ballet intensive coming up (or you're thinking about doing one) this episode is your complete guide to showing up prepared, taking care of your body, and getting the absolute most out of the experience.

I'm walking you through everything: what to do in the week before (including how much to train, and my best tips for rest, fueling and hydrating), how to pack strategically, choosing your footwear, and how to actually navigate the week itself — the social side, the logistics, the evening recovery, and the mindset stuff. Whether it's your first intensive or your tenth, there's something in here for you.🩷

🧳 Download your free packing checklist HERE so you don't forget anything! 

TOPICS COVERED:
- How to think about your training in the week before (and why cramming doesn't work)
- Sleep, hydration, and fueling strategies to arrive feeling your best
- Outfit planning and exactly how many leotards and tights to pack
- Recovery products you'll be glad you didn't leave at home
- How to think strategically about your pointe shoes 
- How to be the friendly one (and why it matters more than you think)
- Recovery tips for the week (including the hotel trash can ice bath trick)
- Releasing the pressure to be perfect (and why that's actually when you learn the most)

✨EPISODE SPONSOR
ORZA – Ballet Slippers
Designed by a professional dancer, ORZA slippers feature patented shock-absorbing technology to help reduce fatigue, improve stamina, and prevent injuries.
Shop at orzabrand.com and use code AFTERCLASS5 for $5 off your order!

🔗 OTHER PRODUCTS MENTIONED
Ance Recovery Sneakers
Mini foam roller (Amazon affiliate link)
Electrolyte Packets (Amazon affiliate link)

Follow Hannah on Instagram @thebusybunhead

Explore blog posts, merchandise & resources for adult ballet dancers like you at thebusybunhead.com

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