Ballet Science

Ballet Science Caroline Simpkins, PhD
Helping dancers train smarter through science.
đź©° Former Professional Ballerina
🎓 PhD in Biomechanics
🎙 Ballet Science Podcast

06/23/2026

What if your pointe shoes could tell you what’s happening inside them? 🩰📊

In this episode of the Ballet Science Podcast, I sit down with Christine Fernandez and Kaitlyn Kumar, the co-founders of PointeSense, a wearable technology designed to provide real-time feedback during pointe work.

We discuss:
✨ How PointeSense works
✨ What pressure sensors can reveal about pointe technique
✨ Potential applications for pointe shoe fitting
✨ Injury prevention and dancer health
✨ The future of wearable technology in ballet
✨ Their journey as young women in STEM and entrepreneurship

As a biomechanics researcher, I was fascinated by the potential of this technology to help dancers, teachers, fitters, and healthcare professionals better understand what is actually happening inside a pointe shoe.

🎧 Watch or listen to full full interview now on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts. Links are below in the comments!

Would you try a “smart” pointe shoe fitting? Let me know in the comments! 👇

Behind so many dancers is someone quietly making it all possible.The early mornings.The long drives.The costume racks.Th...
06/21/2026

Behind so many dancers is someone quietly making it all possible.

The early mornings.
The long drives.
The costume racks.
The rehearsals.
The standing ovations from the audience.

Dance dads often become chauffeurs, problem solvers, equipment movers, financial supporters, and some of the biggest fans a dancer could ever have.

Dance may happen on stage, but so much of it is built behind the scenes.

To all the ballet dads and father figures: thank you for the support, sacrifices, encouragement, and love that help dancers keep going year after year.

Happy Father’s Day!

06/20/2026

Learn how to improve your pirouette!

In this Ballet Dissection video, we break down one of ballet's most iconic (and frustrating!) skills: the pirouette.

Whether you're learning your first pirouette or trying to make your turns more consistent, this video covers the fundamentals of pirouettes from both fifth position and fourth position, including common mistakes I frequently see in beginner, intermediate, pre-professional, and adult ballet dancers.

Full video available on my YouTube channel! Link is in the comments below.

06/20/2026

Is your knee hyperextension actually hurting your dance technique?

While hyper-mobile legs might look aesthetic, relying on locked joints often kills the muscular engagement needed for power and stability. This breakdown explains why controlling your knee alignment is safer than letting it collapse backward. Learn to prioritize functional strength over a temporary visual line to keep your joints healthy for the long haul.

Want to learn more about hypermobility and ballet? Watch the full video now on my YouTube channel! Link is in the comments below!

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06/19/2026

đź©° Struggling with pirouettes?

You’re not alone. Pirouettes are one of the most requested topics I’ve ever received, and one of the most frustrating skills for many dancers to master.

In this new Ballet Dissection video, I break down:
✔️ Pirouettes from fifth position
✔️ Pirouettes from fourth position
✔️ En dehors vs. en dedans
✔️ Common mistakes I see in class
✔️ Weight placement and balance
✔️ Why your heels matter
✔️ The physics behind turning

One of the biggest mistakes I see is dancers trying to turn before they’ve fully shifted their weight over the standing leg. If your weight is still between both legs (or sitting too far back) you’re already fighting your balance before the turn even begins.

Whether you’re a beginner, adult ballet student, or pre-professional dancer, understanding these fundamentals can make your turns more consistent and controlled.

🎥 Watch the full Ballet Dissection: Pirouettes video now on YouTube. The link is in the comments below!

What’s your biggest pirouette challenge? Spotting? Balance? Getting enough rotation? Let me know! ⬇️

Ballet Term of the Week 🩰Tombé - from French, meaning “to fall.”In ballet, tombé refers to a movement where the dancer t...
06/19/2026

Ballet Term of the Week đź©°
Tombé - from French, meaning “to fall.”

In ballet, tombé refers to a movement where the dancer transfers weight onto the working leg, essentially “falling” into the next step with control.

While the word may sound dramatic, tombé isn’t about losing balance… it’s about managing it. From a biomechanics perspective, tombé trains weight transfer, balance control, and the ability to move the body’s center of mass smoothly from one base of support to another.

Every traveling movement requires a controlled “fall.”

Save this for class and follow Caroline Simpkins, Ph.D. | Ballet Science for more technique + science!

Summer intensive season is here… and this research offers an important reminder. 🩰Researchers interviewed 12 pre-profess...
06/17/2026

Summer intensive season is here… and this research offers an important reminder. 🩰

Researchers interviewed 12 pre-professional ballet dancers (ages 11–19) attending a summer intensive program to better understand their experiences with pain, injury, and the culture of ballet.

Five key themes emerged:

• Ignoring injuries and making risky choices
• The expectation to persevere through pain
• Pressure related to the “ideal” ballet body
• Self-assessment and self-management of injuries
• The influence of teachers, parents, peers, and healthcare providers

One of the most concerning findings? Many dancers described making decisions that prioritized dancing over their health, often managing injuries themselves rather than seeking professional support.

For dancers attending summer intensives this year, remember: pain is information, not a personal weakness. While hard work, discipline, and perseverance are valuable qualities in ballet, they should not come at the expense of your long-term health.

Summer intensives can be incredible opportunities for growth, but they can also mean increased training loads, fatigue, and pressure to prove yourself. Listening to your body, communicating concerns early, and seeking appropriate support when something doesn’t feel right are all signs of a smart and sustainable dancer.

The goal isn’t just to dance well this summer… it’s to still be dancing years from now! 🩰

06/16/2026

Balance isn’t just about strong muscles… it’s controlled by your nervous system. 🧠

Your brain is constantly integrating input from:
đź‘€ Your eyes
🦶 Proprioceptors in your joints
đź‘‚ Your inner ear

That’s how you stay upright, turn without wobbling, and land jumps with control.

For dancers, this means balance isn’t just a strength issue… it’s a coordination and motor control skill. What's the good news? It’s trainable!

Want to learn more? Check out the Ballet Science Podcast on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts! Links are in the comments below.

NEW PODCAST EPISODE! Can hypermobility help ballet dancers... or increase injury risk?In this episode, we explore the sc...
06/16/2026

NEW PODCAST EPISODE! Can hypermobility help ballet dancers... or increase injury risk?

In this episode, we explore the science of hypermobility and its role in ballet training. Learn the difference between flexibility and hypermobility, why hypermobile dancers are often drawn to ballet, how conditions such as Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS) fit into the conversation, and why strength and stability may be even more important than flexibility.

Whether you've been told you're "double-jointed," struggle with hyperextended knees, or simply want to better understand how hypermobility affects ballet technique and injury prevention, this video is for you.

Watch or listen now on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, or Spotify. Links are in the comments below!

06/15/2026

Tight quads can limit everything from comfortable walking and stair climbing to lunges, squats, and dance movements.

One of my favorite stretches for the front of the thigh is this simple quad stretch. The key? Don't rush it. Breathe, stay relaxed, and hold the stretch long enough for your body to adapt (30 seconds!).

Remember: flexibility isn't about forcing your body into extreme positions. It's about gradually improving your available range of motion over time.

Looking for more stretches? My full-length Full Body Stretching Routine is available now on Ballet Science YouTube. Link is in the comments below!

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