Jennifer Stahl's blog

Ballet and modern dance constantly steal from each other. The styles sometimes become so closely entwined that labeling a piece as just one or the other doesn't even make sense. But there's still so much more we could learn from one another. Watching Pina Bausch's Tanztheater Wuppertal at the Brooklyn Academy of Music last night, I couldn't stop thinking, Ballet could use a little more of this. Here's why:

He may be British, but Christopher Wheeldon was just given one of America's oldest honors. Earlier this month, the choreographer was inducted into the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, founded in 1780. He joins a list of such notables as Thomas Jefferson, Washington Irving, Duke Ellington, Mark Morris and thousands of others. Congrats!

Some days, it seems like however much I eat, my stomach just won't fill up. One possible culprit? A lack of Zzzs.

A recent study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine found that four nights of sleep deprivation reduced insulin sensitivity in fat cells by 30 percent—which means the body's producing that much less leptin, a hormone that inhibits our appetite. On top of that, previous research has also shown that getting only four hours of sleep a night slows our metabolism. Double oof.

It turns out that Queen Elizabeth was quite a fan—and friend—of Sir Frederick Ashton. A new book is publishing many of her private letters, including the one at right to the Royal Ballet choreographer. Check out her sketch of "ballet on a pinnacle"!

To celebrate the 70th anniversary of Rodeo, Agnes de Mille's landmark Western Ballet, dancers from American Ballet Theatre have taken the ballet to the New York City streets—and rivers. On Wednesday, a New York Water Taxi filled with the costumed cast took off from 44th street, made a pit stop at the Statue of Liberty, and then headed to the South Street Seaport to give a tap lesson for 100 New York City public school kids.

Want to work out á la the Scottish Ballet? The company recently put out a pair of fitness videos that have been blowing up online. Although the 15–20 minute clips are aimed at a non-dance population, the exercises make nice cross-training routines for bunheads' upper bodies as well. One focuses on the core, the other on the arms. A third video is scheduled for release soon.

I know what I'm doing tonight!

Start spreading the news: Valentina Kozlova is moving her competition to New York City. The Valentina Kozlova International Ballet Competition, formerly known as the Boston International Ballet Competition, will take place in June 2013 in Manhattan. The event is open to professional and pre-preprofessional entrants aged 13–25.

The level of ballet training offered at the college level seems to be rising every year. Just take a look through the programs in our higher education guide, and you'll find dozens of schools with quality classical programs.

It's the end of the week, and if you're like most dancers I know, your body is sore and achy all over. Well-meaning friends and teachers will probably tell you to hop in an Epsom salt bath. But will that actually help? Maybe, but most of the benefit comes from the bath, not the salt.

Heads up Angelenos: Los Angeles Ballet is launching a new outreach program, led by principal ballerina Allynne Noelle, along with dancer Christopher McDaniel. Their two-pronged goal is to enrich their community and bring awareness to the company. On one Sunday each month, they’ll offer a community day full of classes, lectures and events.