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 dancers
Why Pilates is especially helpful for hypermobility
How SAB integrates Pilates into a holistic health + wellness model
Common dancer patterns Pilates helps fix
Why “just doing more ballet” can reinforce dysfunctional patterns
How 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!

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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.

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