with Madeleine Purcell

Madeleine Purcell trained at Connecticut Dance School before being accepted to ABT’s JKO School, where she trained for three years. She spent a final year training in the Balanchine style at Ballet Academy East. Upon graduating she accepted a contract with the Sarasota Ballet, where she danced for two seasons.

After a season spent as a freelance dancer in NYC, she was invited to perform with Tivoli Ballet Theatre in Copenhagen for their world-premiere production of Yuri Possokhov’s The Snow Queen. She split her time this season between Copenhagen and Oklahoma City Ballet, where she will be returning next season.

Of course there are some things we’re all collectively experiencing but what have been the most major life changes for you?

Well, our season in Oklahoma ended abruptly in March, and at that point I had only been back in the States for three months. Since my boyfriend and I had a lease that didn’t end until May, we decided to stick it out in quarantine until the lease finished. His family is in LA and mine is in Connecticut so it was safer at the time in Oklahoma than either location. We planned on moving to a different rental for next season, as I had a job teaching over the summer in OK, but that plan got put on hold.

How are you staying positive and motivated dancing at home?

Giving myself permission to not force myself to take class every day. It makes the days I feel inspired to dance that much more rewarding. I would rather move to enjoy moving and creating, than worry too much about losing my technique. I’ve had injuries where I didn’t dance for longer than the time we’ve been in quarantine. I’m confident that I’ll be able to regain what technique I “lost.”

For me it’s usually stamina that’s hardest to recoup, and I try to get my heart rate up by either choreographing or playing around with phrases from variations. I end up sweating and out of breath, but exhilarated!

Have you made any adjustments to your meal plan? Any favorite quarantine meals or snacks?

Not really– we need to fuel our brains as much as our bodies. Trying to compensate for not having a full day of dance by not eating as much, is a surefire way for me to feel grumpy, groggy, and I end up with wicked headaches. At home in Oklahoma I got really into making gnocchi from scratch– it was very soothing and satisfying to make a delicious meal from a potato, an egg and some flour!

These days tzatziki has been having a moment in my lunches– whether it’s with vegetables or pita bread. I find that the protein in the yogurt keeps me full, and the garlic and dill make it tasty. I’ve also been drinking a lot more water! When you don’t have to stand and dance in rehearsals for more than 3 hours, it’s a lot easier to fit in bathroom breaks.

Are you coping with any anxiety or more challenging emotions? What are you doing to work through them?

Oh completely. It’s nerve-wracking not to be able to plan for the future, whether that’s finding housing for next season, deciding how to get back to Oklahoma, or if we will even start back in 2020. But for me, worrying about things I can’t control is unhealthy and relatively useless. I have to remind myself that there’s still around three months before our pushed back start date. Before October, I can’t worry too much about the what-ifs.

Are you worried about staying in shape? What would you say to dancers who are concerned about losing technique or “getting out of shape”

I think everyone has that fear in the back of their mind. It might seem like an impossible task, but I’ve found that forcing yourself to take class in either an undesirable or unsafe area will lead to burnout. We are absolutely all in the same boat!

Keep moving and stay active, even if it’s not ballet. Honestly you’re probably missing the rush of endorphins from dance, and that can make you feel totally different. I usually end up feeling pretty sad if I don’t move every day.

How are you filling your extra time?

Well, at the moment I don’t have any extra time! I’ve taught a couple of privates on Zoom, and donated two master classes to schools from Brooklyn to Brazil.

Since June, I’ve been teaching four classes a week virtually to 3-7 year olds, a variations class for advanced students, finding time to take class myself, and balancing three university courses (I’m a student at Johnson & Wales online). I’m pretty busy! I even have the opportunity to teach a few limited in-person classes through my first dance school’s summer program in August. I’m also choreographing for the first time for one of the levels to perform, hopefully at the end of next Spring.

I’ve been able to teach more and more, because it’s something I find really rewarding and enjoyable. I miss in-person classes, of course, but I’ve found that connecting through Zoom can be beneficial. I made my own group of fellow professionals and friends that I give a class to once a week. It’s open to whoever wants to join and it’s a good way for me to feel that community to motivate me to keep on dancing!

The post OKC Dancer Madeleine Purcell “Healthy at Home” appeared first on The Whole Dancer.

They can coexist.

When it comes to food, there’s always something buzzy or popular going around. Oftentimes, the food suggestions you’ll find are about eating less or dieting in some way. Intuitive eating is not about either of those things.

Instead, intuitive eating is about just what it sounds like: listening to your body and giving it what it needs and wants.

For dancers, intuitive eating is essential. You also have to consider making food choices that will enhance and support athletic performance. Coupling those two priorities is possible but requires some intentionality.

In case you’re not familiar with intuitive eating, here are the 10 Principles of Intuitive Eating:

1. Reject the Diet Mentality
2. Honor your Hunger
3. Make Peace with Food
4. Challenge the Food Police
5. Discover the Satisfaction Factor
6. Feel your Fullness
7. Cope with your Emotions with Kindness
8. Respect your Body
9. Movement — Feel the Difference
10. Honor your Health — Gentle Nutrition

This is a beautiful and likely aspirational way to approach food for some of you. Dancers tend to have a lot of guilt and shame around food; you might even experience guilt when you’ve eaten a “normal” or “reasonable” amount of something. Embracing the tenants of intuitive eating (above) will likely help you release some of the guilt around food.

If you’re struggling to incorporate these principles into your approach to food, start small. Take some time to tune into your body. Calorie counting and dieting intrinsically lead to ignoring your body’s cues.

If you’re tracking your calories every day, make your step #1 to stop.

That one simple action combined with tuning back into your body can help with making peace with food, honoring your hunger, discovering the satisfaction factor, and respecting your body.

Since you’re using your body at such a high level, it’s essential that you pay attention to #10 and honor your health through gentle nutrition. In order to ensure that you’re not focusing on “healthy” food and ignoring all the other elements of intuitive eating, you have to make sure you’re creating health-focused meals you love.

When you eat something that you might consider “unhealthy,” let your goal be to have a neutral response to it. So often we think the foods we eat make us good or bad. It’s all just food, and when you can release any strong emotions around it, you’ll have a much easier time considering how it made you feel physically and then move on.

Make adjustments over time.

When you first start eating intuitively, you might go overboard. You might end up eating foods that were off limits for years, and at times, you might have a hard time stopping when you’re full or choosing the foods that make you feel your best.

Diving into intuitive eating requires that you give yourself lots of love, grace, and understanding.

The Whole Dancer approach to food and healthy eating for dancers encompasses so many Intuitive Eating Principles. At the same time, it acknowledges that you might have aesthetic- or performance-focused body goals, and those goals can in fact come from a healthy place.

You can bring Intuitive Eating into your life and still think about how the food you choose is impacting performance. Identify the foods you love eating that also give you sustained energy. When you find foods that support your strength and help you achieve and maintain your personal best body, following your body’s cues becomes so much easier.

Photo by Nate Johnston on Unsplash

The post For Dancers: Intuitive Eating + Eating for Performance appeared first on The Whole Dancer.

with Carolyn Lippert

Carolyn Lippert was born in Boston, Massachusetts and trained at Severance Ballet Conservatory with her mother, Carla Stallings-Lippert, and at the American Ballet Theatre Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis School.  

Lippert joined the ABT Studio Company in September 2011 and performed with American Ballet Theatre at the Metropolitan Opera House in 2013.  She went on to dance with The Washington Ballet for their 2013-2014 season and San Francisco Ballet for their 2014-2015 season. 

She joined American Ballet Theatre as a member of the corps de ballet in December 2015. 

Here’s how Carolyn is staying Healthy at Home:

Of course there are some things we’re all collectively experiencing but what have been the most major life changes for you?

I’d say one of the biggest life changes for me right now has been the lack of physically seeing people. I know that’s something everyone is collectively experiencing, but I feel like not seeing anyone (besides my boyfriend) in person deeply effects me. I miss connecting with people. 

How are you staying positive and motivated dancing at home?

It’s honestly really hard for me. I’ve been stuck in a 450 square foot apartment the entire quarantine, and doing class in my tiny kitchen is far from inspiring.

I’ve been trying to stay motivated and positive, but there are some days that not taking class is better for my mentality than struggling through yet another class with my kitchen table as a barre and constantly kicking walls. 

Have you made any adjustments to your meal plan? Any favorite quarantine meals or snacks?

I haven’t made many changes to my eating, I’ve always just eaten when I’m hungry. I naturally eat pretty healthy, but if I crave something I go for it!

I’ve started cooking more during quarantine and have pushed myself out of my comfort box as a chef (it didn’t take much!).

I’ve also rekindled my love for hummus after overeating it a few years back, so I’ve been dipping whatever I have (veggies, pretzels, etc) in hummus for a snack. And of course all the amazing summer fruit! 

Are you coping with any anxiety or more challenging emotions? What are you doing to work through them?

I have days every now and then that are difficult emotionally, but I’ve found keeping moving and busy helps. On my harder days I’ve found that long walks with my dog help. Just letting myself breathe and enjoy the world around me, like the nature in the park, can help me reset and remember that things will be ok. 

Are you worried about staying in shape? What would you say to dancers who are concerned about losing technique or “getting out of shape”?

I am, and at the same time I’m not. It’s so easy to let the fear of getting out of shape cause unneeded anxiety. I think dancers right now need to realize that it’s ok to relax, it’s ok to not always be doing something to “stay in shape”.

There’s a lot going on in the world, and putting extra stress on ourselves (something dancers, or at least myself, are very good at doing) is the last thing anyone needs right now. There will be time to get back into shape. Do what you can/want every day, but only do what you mentally and physically should. 

How are you filling your extra time?

I’m one of those people who would rather be too busy than not, so I’ve really tried to fill my time. In the beginning of the quarantine I took really long walks with Chloe (my pup), did workouts, “company class” every day via Zoom, and read a lot.

I think I went through something like five books in the first month of quarantine! Once the summer term began on June 1 I’ve had college classes (I’m a student at CUNY). They are definitely filling my time! 

What does your transition plan look like? Have you gotten word as to when you’ll be getting back into the studio? How do you think the structure you’ve created at home will translate back to company life?

Technically, my company is scheduled to start back in September and prepare for our fall season. However, I’m not sure if that will realistically happen. I really hope so!

I plan to go home to California at some point before we start back. While there, my mom will whip me back into shape. (Fun fact: she trained me and was a soloist at ABT and principle dancer at Boston Ballet!)

The post ABT Dancer Carolyn Lippert “Healthy at Home” appeared first on The Whole Dancer.

with Betsy Mcbride

Betsy Mcbride and I met at the Kaatsbaan Summer Intensive many years ago. She was still a teen but already dancing professionally with Texas Ballet Theatre, I was one of her RA’s.

She was and is a beautiful dancer and after rising through the ranks to Principal at Texas Ballet Theatre, Betsy took the leap to American Ballet Theatre joining the corps de ballet in 2015.

I asked her to share a bit about her experience dancing from home during quarantine. Her words will hopefully make you feel less alone and inspire you to keep going!

Of course there are some things we’re all collectively experiencing but what have been the most major life changes for you?

For me the biggest change has been not having a schedule that’s packed full. This is usually my busiest time of year traveling for multiple tours domestically and internationally and rehearsing/performing most hours of the day.

It has definitely been an adjustment period not having scheduled routine but I’ve found that creating a new routine and schedule has helped keep my sanity. I also had to postpone my wedding that was scheduled for this August so that has been a big curveball trying to plan for our new date and wedding.

How are you staying positive and motivated dancing at home?

It’s definitely challenging because obviously there’s a lot less space and capability to do everything but I try to stay positive by keeping a routine of taking daily ballet class.

I love doing zoom classes with ABT, organized by ballet master Carlos Lopez. That way, I get to consistently see my friends and feel a little more normal.

I’m also trying to be less critical of myself than I would be in the studio because honestly there’s only so much you can expect from yourself when taking class at home.

Have you made any adjustments to your meal plan? Any favorite quarantine meals or snacks?

When we first went into quarantine I was definitely emotionally eating ha! So now I’m trying to reel it in and eat more nutritiously and cut out sugar (not entirely though).

I find that since I’m not training as hard, I’m not wanting to eat as much meat. I’ve definitely been leaning towards plant based meals. I’ve been enjoying making smoothies in the morning. My quarantine guilty pleasure snacks have been chocolate chip cookies and goldfish.

Are you coping with any anxiety or more challenging emotions? What are you doing to work through them?

Yes, I think most people are on some level with all of this uncertainty. Keeping a schedule and focusing on what I can do now rather than thinking about the future helps calm my mind.

Definitely staying active and busy helps too. I also took an Ayurvedic workshop, led by ABT ballet master Nancy Raffa. I’ve tried applying some Ayurvedic methods to my day to help reduce stress.

Are you worried about staying in shape? What would you say to dancers who are concerned about losing technique or “getting out of shape”?

I am a little worried about that, mostly because it’s so much harder to stay motivated on my own and in an environment with lots of distractions. However, there are so many resources available for people to stay in shape that it’s definitely doable with self discipline.

To dancers worried about this: there are plenty of ways to keep working on your technique. Taking many different ballet and other styles of dance online, doing pilates/yoga/ and other cross training exercises as well. It’s also a great time to focus on things you feel you want to improve and really work towards whatever that may be.

How are you filling your extra time?

I try to take ballet class daily. I’ve been going on runs a few times a week with my fiancé and taking some yoga, pilates, and conditioning classes.

I did the National Training Curriculum and got ABT’s teaching certification and I did a choreographic workshop with Jessica Lang for ABT.

I’ve been working on my athletic wear company, Rezonance Athletics, and I’ve taught a few virtual ballet classes. I’ve also been very busy trying to reschedule my wedding and deal with all that comes with that. For fun I’ve been reading a lot, watching Netflix, and learning to play the ukulele. Also, FaceTiming!

Will you share more about your activewear company? I’d love to hear more about how that got started.

Yes! Our company, Rezonance Athletics, was founded by my fiancé Simon Wexler, his sister Marina Hutto, his brother Brian Wexler, and myself.

We knew there were no fully eco-friendly and sustainable dance wear lines out there and we wanted to change that. After about two years of research and development, we came up with the first all eco friendly line of dance and athletic clothes for both men and women.

A lot of our products are made from recycled polyester which is made up from water bottles. One of my favorite leos of ours uses 7 water bottles!

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