After Class: The Adult Ballet Podcast

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