WSJ - How a NYC Ballet Dancer Is Relieving Stress During the Coronavirus Shutdown

Professional ballerina Tiler Peck says ‘We don’t know when it will end so we just have to do the best we can.’

In a series called How I Cope, we speak to people across the country about the things they are doing to relieve stress in these uncertain times due to the coronavirus pandemic. Tiler Peck, 31, is a principal dancer with the New York City Ballet. She’s currently in Bakersfield, Calif., with her parents, sister and grandmother.

Teach ballet online

As a professional ballerina, I normally do class every day—for me it’s like going to church. Even though my normal routine is on pause, I still have to put on my pointe shoes as often as possible so that once the pandemic is over, my feet and muscles are ready for the impact of dancing again.

That’s why, when quarantine started, I decided to live stream classes on Instagram as a way to give myself—and anyone who wanted to join in—some daily structure. I use the kitchen counter as my barre and my parents have moved the couch so that I have space when I put my leg back in arabesque. It’s informal but it’s better than nothing. I have everyone from accomplished dancers to little 6-year-olds tuning in, so the routines have to be accessible, and I give advanced and basic combinations for each exercise. I’m so grateful to everyone who’s taking part; we’re keeping each other motivated and carving out an hour of normality in each day.

Read the full article here.