Supporting Dancer Wellness: The Artistic Health Department

Our one-of-a-kind Artistic Health Department supports all aspects of our students' health and wellbeing. We are committed to developing confident, self-aware dancers capable of fully exploring their artistic potential.

Canada’s National Ballet School (NBS) has a long history of supporting dancer wellness. As far back as the 1980s, NBS explored initiatives with the understanding that, as an arts education and training organization, we have the responsibility of supporting student health and wellness, especially given all the demands of Olympic-calibre training. A formal Artistic Health department was formed in 2020 and, building on evidence-based practices, NBS continues to evolve how we support students/dancers in mind, body and spirit.

In 2023-24, we implemented periodization training and a robust healthy dancer screening that includes follow up supports to optimize each dancer’s potential and to prevent injury. NBS students have access to a comprehensive health support system. This full-circle of support enables each student to thrive as a dancer by receiving tailored treatments and exercises suited to their individual needs.

NBS’ Artistic Health Department offers opportunities to share their expertise with the wider community. Our expert staff are available to facilitate workshops or speak on a variety of topics related to dancer health and wellbeing, including:

• Visualization as a tool for dancers: Learn how mental imagery practice can benefit dancers as part of their day-to-day work and in preparation for performances.

• Eating disorder prevention for dancers: Understand the risks associated with involvement in dance and explore ways to actively aid in eating disorder prevention.

• Preparing for performance: The work that happens outside the studio: Learn how to optimize performance preparation by taking intentional steps in the weeks, days, and hours before dancers step onto the stage.

• Preparing mentally for the audition process: Learn strategies to support dancers through the audition process—from preparation, to process, to navigating outcomes.

• Perfectionism in dancers: Explore how dancers can learn to differentiate between striving to reach their full potential as an athlete and artist, and persistent concerns about not being good enough.

• Anatomy for dancers.

• Injury Prevention for dancers.

Please contact info@nbs-enb.ca for more information about workshop opportunities, including availability and fees.