After months (or maybe even years) of practice, do your pirouettes still feel inconsistent, shaky, or unstable?

In this episode, I’m joined by Allie Christensen, founder of Dancer Strong, to break down what actually makes a pirouette successful, and why adult dancers often struggle with turns even after years of training.

Allie explains the most common reasons dancers wobble or fall out of pirouettes, how to build strength in the standing leg, and what cues are helpful to think about while turning.

We also talk through a realistic progression for going from messy singles to clean singles (and eventually multiples) along with practical exercises adult dancers can start using right away to improve stability and control.

If pirouettes have ever left you feeling frustrated or defeated after class, this episode will help you understand what’s really going on and how to start building stronger, more stable turns from the ground up. 

Check out Allie's favorite pirouette drill here. 

Connect with Allie 👇🏼

Website: dancerstrongprograms.com

Instagram: @alignfitnessbyallie

✨ This Episode is Sponsored By:

Jule Dancewear
Beautiful, thoughtfully designed dancewear that supports and celebrates adult ballet bodies.
Use code JULEBUNHEAD15 for 15% off your order.
Shop here: juledancewear.com

LABL Active
Hosts of the 2026 Adult Ballet Retreat. Come dance with us in Seattle from June 21–26! The deadline to register is April 15th.
Learn more here: lablactive.com
Use code: AFTERCLASS100 for $100 off your registration!

March 15th: Half-day ticket options open!

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

Have you ever wished there was an adult ballet program that felt both serious and supportive, where you could train with intention, but without sacrificing your health, confidence, or sense of belonging?

In this episode, I’m joined by Lisa, adult dancer and founder of The Ballet Project — a growing adult ballet community in the UK created to give dancers a space where they can pursue real progress through high-quality, science-backed instruction while feeling encouraged, respected, and safe.

In this conversation, we talk about:

• Reframing sensitivity to toxic studio environments
• Processing grief over childhood ballet dreams
• Why adult dancers deserve serious training 
• How The Ballet Project was built and what makes it different

Lisa is the ballet big sister we all want, and this episode is such a beautiful reminder that adult dancers deserve spaces where they can grow and belong.

Connect with Lisa & The Ballet Project:

Website: www.theballetproject.co.uk

Instagram: @the.ballet.project

Emma Watson Interview (timestamped approx 34:22)

✨ This Episode is Sponsored By:

Apolla Performance
Compression socks designed for support, recovery, and injury prevention for dancers. Use code AFTERCLASS10 for 10% off your first pair until March 31st.
Shop here: apollaperformance.com

LABL Active
Hosts of the 2026 Adult Ballet Retreat. Come dance with us in Seattle from June 21–26! The deadline to register is April 15th.
Learn more here: lablactive.com
Use code: AFTERCLASS100 for $100 off your registration!

February 28th is the last day to enroll in the monthly payment plan ($360/month for 5 months).
March 15th: Half-day ticket options open!

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

Have you ever left ballet class with hip or low back pain and wondered… Is this normal?

In this episode, I’m joined by Dr. Sebastian Gonzales, D.C., a licensed chiropractor specializing in sports injuries and rehabilitation, to talk about one of the most common concerns adult dancers experience: hip pain and discomfort.

This conversation is based directly on listener-submitted questions, and we cover:

• How the hips, pelvis, and low back actually work together
• What different types of hip pain can feel like in day-to-day life
• Why piriformis tightness is so common in dancers
• Pinching in extensions (looking at YOU, developpe a la seconde) 🧐
• How to know when something should be evaluated by a professional

Whether you’ve been dealing with a lingering ache or just want to better understand how your body functions, this episode will help you think more clearly about what might be happening in your body. 

⚠️ PLEASE NOTE: This episode is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. If you are experiencing persistent pain or symptoms, please consult a licensed medical professional. 

🔗 Connect with Dr. Sebastian Gonzales, D.C. below!

Website: Performance Place Sports Chiropractor

Youtube channel

Podcast episode on RED's

✨ This Episode is Sponsored By:

Apolla Performance:
Compression socks designed for support, recovery, and injury prevention for dancers. Use code AFTERCLASS10 for 10% off your first pair until March 31st.

Shop here: apollaperformance.com

LABL Active
Hosts of the 2026 Adult Ballet Retreat. Come dance with us in Seattle from June 21–26! The deadline to register is April 15th.
Learn more here: lablactive.com
Use code: AFTERCLASS100 for $100 off your registration!

*February 28th is the last day to enroll in the monthly payment plan ($360/month for 5 months).
 *March 15th: Half-day ticket options open!

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

Jealousy isn’t something most of us want to admit, especially as adults.

But if you’ve ever found yourself genuinely happy for another dancer while quietly feeling that ache of comparison… you’re not alone.

In this solo episode, I’m talking honestly about jealousy in adult ballet — why it feels so complicated, why ballet seems to intensify it, and how to handle it without letting comparison drain your motivation.

If you’ve ever struggled with feelings of jealousy, whether in the studio or online, this conversation is for you.

✨ This Episode is Sponsored By:

Jule Dancewear
Dancewear thoughtfully designed to flatter and support real adult ballet bodies.
Shop here: www.juledancewear.com
Use code: JULEBUNHEAD15 for 15% off your order!

LABL Active
Hosts of the 2026 Adult Ballet Retreat. Come dance with us in Seattle from June 21–26! The deadline to register is April 15th.
Learn more here: lablactive.com
Use code: AFTERCLASS100 for $100 off your registration!

*February 28th is the last day to enroll in the monthly payment plan ($360/month for 5 months).
*March 15th: Half-day ticket options open!

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

There’s something about pointe shoes that makes them almost impossible to throw away once we’re finished dancing in them. Which is why I LOVE what my guest in this episode is doing...

Meet Emily Thorpe, a fellow adult dancer and the founder of PointeReve, a small business that transforms used pointe shoes into beautiful works of art.

We reflect on what pointe shoes represent for us as adult ballerinas, the significance and memories they carry, and how turning them into art can feel like a way of honoring the journey rather than throwing it out.

If you love pointe shoes — for their symbolism, their craftsmanship, or the stories they hold — you're going to love this conversation with Emily. Let’s get into episode 100!

🎁 SPECIAL GIFT: Mention code AFTERCLASS for 15% off any listing or $25 off a custom commission by PointeReve! (links below)

🩰 Connect with Emily & PointeReve:

Instagram: @shoppointereve
Email: [email protected]
Etsy: www.etsy.com/shop/pointereve
Inspiration account: @recovering_enpointe

✨ This Episode is Sponsored By:

Apolla Performance
Compression socks designed for support, recovery, and injury prevention for dancers. Use code AFTERCLASS10 for 10% off your first pair until March 31st.

Frenchies Hairpins
Velvet-coated hair pins for ballet buns and French twists that don't budge! Use code AFTERCLASS10 for 10% off your order.

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

Breathing is something we all do, but most of us were never really taught how to use it as an intentional part of our ballet technique and artistry.

In this episode, I’m joined by recurring guest Chelsea Weidmann (The Geeky Ballerina) as we explore breath as one of the core elements of artistry in ballet. Instead of treating breath as an add-on or a reminder, we talk about breath as part of coordination — supporting how we initiate movement, find lightness or groundedness, and shape musical phrasing.

Together, we discuss how breath supports plié, why so many of us hold our breath without realizing it, and how chronic breath-holding can lead to fatigue, tension, and dancing that looks technically correct but still feels flat. We also dig into one of the most searched questions among adult dancers: when to inhale versus exhale — offering guiding principles and exercises to try in your own practice.

This episode is the beginning of an ongoing series on the nine elements of artistry in ballet, which we’ll be returning to throughout the year.

Check out these YouTube videos that showcase musicians' use of breath: 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GRLeTziFsHs

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9GnJBLwOjFo

Connect with Chelsea:

Website: www.geekyballerina.com 

Instagram: @geekyballerina

Purchase her book: Artistry Inside Ballet Technique (vol 1)

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 January didn’t go as planned, this episode is for you.

Maybe you started the year motivated and consistent… and then got sick, missed class, or lost momentum. Maybe your ballet routine didn’t restart the way you hoped it would.

In this short, encouraging episode, we’re reframing the idea that you’re “behind” and talking about why losing momentum isn’t a personal failure, especially for adult ballet dancers. We’ll explore why consistency matters more than intensity, why your body doesn’t forget everything when you take a break, and how to move forward without pressure or shame.

This is a gentle reset you can take with you — a reminder that you didn’t miss your moment, and you’re allowed to begin again.

✨ Thank you Frenchies Hairpins for sponsoring this episode! Get your velvet coated hairpins (my go-to product for French twists and ballet buns) at frenchieshairpins.com and use code AFTERCLASS10 for 10% off your order!

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

Adult dancer, does pas de deux feel out of reach or like a long-lost dream? Many of us have been telling ourselves that partnering is only for pre-professionals or company dancers, and that if we didn’t start early, we somehow “missed our chance.” Sound familiar?

I’m joined in this episode by Lester and Laurence, founders of Pas De Deux Workshops & Coaching, for an honest, approachable conversation about pas de deux for adult dancers.

✨But first, thank you Jule Dancewear for sponsoring this episode! If you're looking for a supportive new leo, flattering tights, or soft legwarmers, look no further. Use code JULEBUNHEAD15 for 15% off your order at juledancewear.com 

In this episode, we break down why pas de deux is more accessible than you might think, how partnering can be taught safely and thoughtfully, and what adult dancers truly need (and don’t need) before trying it for the first time.

In this episode, we cover:

• What makes pas de deux so special
• Why adult dancers often feel intimidated by partnering
• How workshops create physical and emotional safety
• Common technical challenges (balance, coordination, weight sharing)
• How much ballet technique is recommended before trying pas de deux
• Ways adult dancers can prepare to feel more confident
• Encouragement for dancers navigating fear or imposter syndrome

If you’ve ever been curious about pas de deux but told yourself, “I’m not ready,” this episode is for you. Let's get into it!

Connect with Pas De Deux Workshops:

Website: pasdedeuxworkshops.com

Instagram: @pasdedeuxworkshops

Join the After Class Corps de Ballet below 👇🏼

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

This episode builds on last week's episode about building strong, stable jumps at the barre, so if you haven’t listened yet, start there for the full benefit of the conversation.

✨ But first, thank you Frenchies Hairpins for sponsoring this episode! Get your velvet coated hairpins (my go-to product for French twists and ballet buns) at frenchieshairpins.com and use code AFTERCLASS10 for 10% off your order!

In this episode, we continue the conversation with Christina Krigolson, former professional dancer and founder of Face the Barre, a ballet coaching platform for dancers who want to build strong, sustainable technique.

We move fully into the center and talk about how to apply jump technique to petite and grande allegro, how to modify choreography when you feel overwhelmed, and the game-changing hack for effortless-looking jumps (regardless of your level). 

This episode is for the adult dancers who want their jumps to feel lighter, more controlled, and more powerful. If that's you, let's get started....

👉🏼 Connect with Christina:

Instagram @face_thebarre

Website: face-thebarre.com

📚 Join the January session of The Bunhead Book Club here. 

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

Great jumps don’t start in the air, they start at the barre!

In part one of this two-part conversation, I’m joined by Christina Krigolson, founder of Face the Barre, to address some of the most common challenges adult dancers experience in petite & grande allegro, and break down how adult dancers can build stronger, more confident jumps starting at the barre. 

We talk about how plié, tendu, and dégagé prepare your body for jumping, common habits that make jumps feel heavy or unstable, and how to start training jump mechanics in a way that feels doable, not overwhelming.

If jumps have ever felt intimidating, or out of reach, this episode is for you

✨ Come back next week for part two, where we take everything into the center! 

👉🏼 Connect with Christina:

Instagram @face_thebarre

Website: face-thebarre.com

📚 Join the January session of The Bunhead Book Club here. 

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