Skip to main content

Dance! Ballet for Bone Health

Dance! Ballet for Bone Health

Original Air Date : November 15, 2022

Original Air Date : November 15, 2022

Osteoporosis Canada together with Canada’s National Ballet School brings you Dance! Ballet for Bone Health. This virtual adult ballet class is a great way to learn the basics of ballet and to discover the joy of dance.

Exercise is an important step towards protecting your bones at every age, as it helps protect the spine, slows the rate of bone loss, and builds muscle strength, which can prevent falls.

Dance, including ballet, is an aerobic exercise that also assists with balance and posture awareness and is a benefit to physical and mental health.

Speak with your healthcare provider prior to engaging in any exercise program.

What to expect?

This class, based on Canada’s National Ballet School’s much-loved Adult Ballet Program, will provide participants with an introduction to ballet in a safe and supportive environment. With live musical accompaniment, this class will allow participants to explore their artistry while being introduced to foundations of classical ballet.

Class will begin with exercises at the barre, followed by dance combinations away from the barre. Participants can use the back of a chair or a countertop as an at-home barre.

Exercises will be modified to include seated options for those who prefer to dance in a seated position.


PRESENTERS

Caitlin McArthur

Caitlin McArthur

PhD
Dr. Caitlin McArthur is a registered physiotherapist and Assistant Professor at Dalhousie University in the School of Physiotherapy. She completed her PhD in the Kinesiology department at the University of Waterloo with a specialization in Aging, Health and Well-being. Dr. McArthur’s research focuses on falls, fractures and functional mobility in home and long-term care. She also has expertise in bone health, exercise and physical activity. Dr. McArthur is the recipient of several awards including a CIHR Fellowship and the Canadian Physiotherapy Association’s Silver Quill Award.
Rachel Bar

Rachel Bar

Rachel Bar is Director, Research and Health at Canada’s National Ballet School (NBS). She completed her PhD in Psychology at Toronto Metropolitan University (formerly Ryerson University) and her Post-Doctoral Fellowship at Trent University’s Trent Centre for Aging & Society. As a dance artist, she has been part of the multidisciplinary team that developed NBS’ approach to dance programming for older adults. As a researcher, she has been involved in several projects investigating how and why older adults can benefit from accessible dance innovations, including older adults living with Parkinson’s disease and dementia.
Robert McCollum

Robert McCollum

Robert McCollum (Ballet Bob) trained in New York City and went on to dance professionally in both the US and Canada. Acclaimed for his expertise in teaching adults, Robert holds a Cecchetti Associate teaching qualification (with Distinction) and is a graduate of our Teacher Training Program. Mr. McCollum is currently the coordinator of our Adult Ballet Program and also teaches for the Professional Program at the School of Toronto Dance Theatre, Teachers’ Seminar at NBS, and George Brown Theatre School. In 2006, he was invited by Christopher House to teach company class for the award-winning Toronto Dance Theatre and has most recently been offered the opportunity to teach there on a regular basis.

MODERATORS

Kerry Grady

Kerry Grady

MHSC, Senior Manager, Scientific and Clinical Programs, Osteoporosis Canada

STAY INFORMED

Get Osteoporosis updates, news and stories. We also inform you of upcoming events and live webinars, don’t miss out, join today!

OC REPLAY WEBINARS – RECENT ITEMS

X-Linked Hypophosphatemia (XLH): Healthcare Provider Webinar

X-linked hypophosphatemia (XLH) is a rare genetic disorder that affects bone and dental health. It is characterized by low levels of the mineral phosphorus (sometimes referred to as “phosphate”) in the blood due to abnormal processing by the kidneys. Join Dr. Angela Cheung as she will discusses what XLH is, the cause…

Protein and Fragility: What You Need To Know

In Partnership with Canada Beef Osteoporosis Canada To stay healthy and independent as we grow older, it’s important to tackle common challenges like chronic illnesses, broken bones, muscle loss, frailty, and falls, all of which can be improved with good nutrition. Join Dr. Wendy Ward and Dr. Tyler Churchward-Venne…

Eat Well On A Budget

In Partnership with Canada Beef Tips and strategies on how to get the nutrients we need from nourishing foods. Osteoporosis Canada recommends that whenever possible to get bone building nutrients through food sources. But that may be a challenge as grocery prices continue to rise making it more difficult to access…
© Osteoporosis Canada, 2025
Charitable Registration No. 89551 0931 RR 0001