Ballet training and education do not start and stop when you leave the studio! One of the greatest developments of today's age is the amount of information accessible at our fingertips. YouTube is an amazing tool that many dancers use to add to their training outside their classes, find at-home exercises to sharpen their skills for the classroom, learn mental and physical techniques from experts, and feed their love for this art form.
Brooke, Roeh, and Madeline are 3 Ballet Theatre San Luis Obispo Company Dancers. They have shared their favorite YouTube Channels to help you get stronger and more inspired for your next dance class or performance!
KATHRYN MORGAN
About Channel: Former soloist with the New York City Ballet and Miami City Ballet who shares insights into the ballet world and how to improve my dancing as well as beauty and lifestyle tips. She has different kinds of videos including ballet classes, workouts, Q&A sessions, life advice, performances, beauty tutorials, technique tips, and more.
Recommended By: Brooke (second-ed and third-ed by Madeline and Roeh)
Why Brooke Loves Them: She has some really amazing ballet barre and center videos for when you are traveling or the studio is on break and you want to get some extra classes in. She also has some quicker-paced warm-ups for flat or pointe that I really like to use before a rehearsal if I have to self-warm up.
Brooke's Favorite Videos:
Quick pre-rehearsal warm-up: https://youtu.be/PGJUcwv0K1A
Intermediate ballet barre workout: https://youtu.be/ZSIfgTOowYk
THE CONFIDENT DANCER
About Channel: Kirsten is a professional ballet dancer helping dancers break through the mental challenges that block them from dancing and feeling their best. She speaks to the specific mental, physical, and strategic challenges that dancers encounter in their training. She is now a professional mindset coach who provides thought-provoking questions and insights that call dancers to a healthier, more objective perspective about themselves.
Recommended by: Roeh
Why Roeh Loves Them: Ballet, for many, is a mental game as much as a physical one. Kirsten really hits the mental hurdles we all face as dancers. I wish I had her when I was younger to help me learn how to believe in myself, calm my nerves so I can enjoy performing, manage my self-doubt and negative self-talk, and work the mindset needed to tackle ballet while feeling my best.
Roeh's Favorite Videos:
Steps to ACTUALLY start believing in yourself as a dancer at any skill level (+ why you should): https://youtu.be/jP0TA1TIu_4
Most ballet dancers don't know they're doing this. [revealing the #1 self-sabotage move I see]: https://youtu.be/eop11I_T7mA
TRAIN LIKE A BALLERINA
About Channel: Louisa is an ex-professional ballerina turned certified master trainer and the founder of Train Like a Ballerina. She is on a mission to help ballerinas and ballet enthusiasts of all levels and ages through correct strength & flexibility training, healthy eating, and the sharing of some seriously supreme knowledge.
Recommended By: Madeline
Why Madeline Loves Them: It is awesome conditioning for ballet dancers. Her videos allow you to choose what part of the body you want to focus on and the level of intensity.
Madeline's Favorite Videos:
Advanced mobility flow: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lj1VqN70wsE
Advanced floor barre: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wMD29CtNTA8
ROYAL OPERA HOUSE
About Channel: The official channel for the Royal Opera House - the home of The Royal Ballet and The Royal Opera.
Recommended by: Brooke
Why Brooke Loves Them: They have great warm-up classes and video clips of ballets to be inspired by. I love watching their variation clips!
Brooke's Favorite Videos:
The Rose fairy from the nutcracker: https://youtu.be/eqNJkorD2Yw
Ballet class: https://youtu.be/7ZboDD28qxU
YOGA WITH ADRIENE
About Channel: Adriene's mission is to connect as many people as possible through high-quality free yoga videos. They welcome all levels, all bodies, all genders, all souls!
Recommended By: Roeh (+ Brooke and Madeline)
Why Roeh Loves Them: I religiously do an Adriene yoga video before every performance and throughout my dance training because it gets me mentally prepared, slows my breathing, and gives my hard-working muscles the stretching they need. It's awesome she has videos as short as 10-20mins so I can squeeze a video into my busy day. Her 30-Day Yoga series are also super fun.
Roeh's Favorite Videos:
Yoga To Feel Your Best: https://youtu.be/BPK9WNtpBgk
Morning Yoga Flow: https://youtu.be/LqXZ628YNj4
CLAUDIA DEAN WORLD
About Channel: Claudia used to be a Royal Ballet dancer and now has her own studio. She has great tips for strengthening and technique on Instagram and YouTube. She also has a podcast called Stage Chats where she gives advice.
Recommended by: Madeline
Why Madeline Loves Them: Great content that focuses on stretching AND strengthening! She mostly uses Instagram for quick and easily accessible tips so check her out there too.
Madeline's Favorite Videos:
Foot flexibility and strength: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L326fAVvtTI
How to get flat splits: https://www.instagram.com/p/Cm0fsfyjhwi/?hl=en
MEET THE DANCERS
Meet Brooke
College Student & Company Dancer at BT-SLO
Meet Roeh
Working Professional and Company Dancer + Leadership at BT-SLO
Meet Madeline
Company Dancer at BT-SLO
This article DOES NOT include affiliate links or sponsored content. Ballet Theatre San Luis Obispo does not own any of the content on the YouTube Channels listed. The above recommendations are purely recommendations for resources enjoyed by these dancers. If you choose to visit these sites, do so at your own risk; seek medical guidance before participating in exercises or activities.