As a dancer you have very specific needs and goals from a physical and training standpoint. It’s becoming much more popular to seek out a trainer to help you with cross – training. I’m hoping it’s also becoming more popular to find a Health Coach (like me!) to help you with nutrition and mindset around food and your body.

I’ve heard from many dancers that they’ve worked with nutritionists before who didn’t have a dance background. They felt like those nutrition professionals weren’t understanding of their goals as dancers. Non – dancer’s are not going to fully understand the demands of the dance world.

This applies to trainers as well. If you find any run of the mill trainer who has no knowledge or background in dance then they’re not going to understand your goals. Check out this video or read on for more!

Utilize the internet.

We no longer have to find someone who lives within driving distance to work with them. Trainers can work with you by skype or video call – they can still assess your alignment and how you’re working.

You already have body awareness so you shouldn’t need someone checking and manipulating your body into proper form.

Get specific needs met by specific people.

Personal trainers often have a specific way of eating that they promote to clients. Eat this “high-fat, low carb” style and you’ll definitely reach your goals. However, when you work with someone who is focused only on the nutrition perspective they’ll usually help you work through different eating styles and support you in finding what works for your personal needs.

Have a team of people that you work with.

You have the technical and training aspect down (if you don’t, seek out better dance training). If you need physical therapy for injury prevention then seek it out. If you aren’t sure how to address your weaknesses in dance with your cross training, find a trainer to help. If you’re looking for support in fueling yourself and maintaining a positive lifestyle, seek out a Health + Lifestyle Coach to support your goals.

Athletes work with a host of different professionals and you’re putting the same (if not more) pressure on your body to perform. Why wouldn’t you need and benefit from the same support?

Is this an investment? Yes. So think about how you can make it work for you. Maybe choose 1 professional to work with at a time. Find a trainer, have them help you develop training plans for a few months, then move on to a nutrition professional. You might find that you need to or want to spend more time with one person to really work deeply on one area.

Think about the area that you think needs the most immediate attention. Maybe set up a free chat or session with different people who might be able to help! Interested in exploring Health/Lifestyle Coaching? Set up a clarity session with me! Fill out this form:

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If I think we’re a good fit, I’ll reach out to set up a FREE Clarity Session!

A personal trainer should…

See you dance. If they have a dance background and danced professionally, they’ll see what you might be able to work from and how you’ll benefit from personal training. They should be able to provide you with a clear plan of action and detail what changes you’ll see in your body and dancing from your working together.

If it’s not clear how things can change or improve, they might not be a good fit for you. If you need trainer suggestions, reach out to me and I’ll refer you to someone!

The post What to Look for in a Personal Trainer appeared first on The Whole Dancer.

The question of proper diet for dancers comes up quite often. What exactly should you be eating? The answer is unfortunately quite complex as the same foods do not work for all dancers.

One way to learn from other dancers is to hear how they’ve discovered their own best eating plans. Don’t copy what they’re doing but find out how they got there. Natasha Sheehan is a great example of a dancer who got here in a healthful and smart way. She has some smart food tips that can help you start on a path towards healthier eating.

She didn’t simply start eating how she thought she should eat. She read books and researched healthy eating for athletes. She also consulted with her doctors and took their advice into account.

In addition to the external research and gathering of advice, it’s important to listen to your body and follow its cues. Make it a goal to become an expert on your body.

Don’t ignore digestive disturbances or discomfort. If you’re constipated or experiencing painful cramping or diarrhea, these signs are likely connected to what you’re eating. If you’re feeling sluggish or tired, this could have to do with your food or beverage choices – caffeinated or sugary beverages will lead to spikes and crashes in energy.

During my interview with Natasha Sheehan she shares the process she went through to find the best eating plan for her needs. At The Whole Dancer, it’s one of my goals to support you in finding the eating plan and balanced mindset around food that will get you to your personal best body.

That’s where The Dancer’s Best Body Program comes in – it’s enrolling this month for a limited time! To get the details and to join the wait list (as limited spaces are available) click here.

Have thoughts on Natasha’s approach to healthy eating or how you can get there yourself? Comment below or reach out by email : jess@thewholedancer.com

Photo of Natasha by Erik Tomasson

The post Diet for Dancers – Food Tips with San Francisco Ballet’s Natasha Sheehan appeared first on The Whole Dancer.