dance

In this episode, I’m joined by Dr. Brooke Winder, physical therapist and Associate Professor at California State University Long Beach, where she leads the Dance Science program and mentors young dancers on optimizing their health and performance. Brooke’s practice supports artistic athletes—dancers, aerialists, and circus performers—with orthopedic, pelvic floor, and hypermobility needs.

We dive into her research on pelvic floor function in performing artists, explore the unique physical demands of dance and aerial work, and unpack how hypermobility, high-tone pelvic floors, and systemic conditions like POTS and MCAS intersect in this population. Brooke also shares insights on pregnancy, postpartum, and staying strong and resilient across a lifetime of movement.

We Talk About:

-Systemic issues with hypermobility

-Support and stability at end ranges of motion

-Pelvic floor challenges in dancers and circus artists

-High tone pelvic floor and strategies for management

-Staying active and moving through all stages of life

Time Stamps

1:00 Introduction

6:04 hypermobility in the dance community

9:00 mobility after dance

13:10 the pelvic floor and dance

27:06 circus performers and aerialists

30:32 hypermobility explained

34:38 POTS and MCAS

42:06 neurodivergence and hypermobility

46:08 dancers in pregnancy and postpartum

50:48 looking at a survey study

60:28 rapid fire questions

CONNECT WITH CARRIE

IG: https://www.instagram.com/carriepagliano/

Website: https://carriepagliano.com

CONNECT WITH BROOKE

Website: www.renewmotionpt.com

IG: https://www.instagram.com/drbrookewinderpt/

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