Pilates and Pointe: An Interview with Rachel and Essie Crompton
For Rachel Crompton, seeing her daughter Essie build a career in ballet has been a unique experience. As Elixr’s Head of Pilates and a former dancer, Rachel has understood the physical demands of dance from the beginning, introducing Essie to Pilates when she was young and helping her build the strength and conditioning that have supported her training.
Essie’s connection to Elixr goes back to her childhood, when she would rehearse dance solos in the studios and attend Pilates sessions with Rachel during school holidays. Now a corps de ballet member with The Australian Ballet, Pilates remains part of her daily routine as a professional dancer. Elixr has also been The Australian Ballet’s long-standing Sydney health club partner for more than 10 years, making the connection between the two especially fitting. We sat down with Rachel and Essie to talk about Essie’s journey into professional ballet, the realities of life as a dancer and the role Pilates has played along the way.
You’ve watched Essie dance for most of her life. When did you first realise this was going to be more than just something she enjoyed?
RACHEL: I think I always knew there was something very special about Essie and dancing. Even when she was very young, she would dance around the house with such poise, elegance and musicality, it was incredible. As she got older she started doing very well in the bigger dance competitions, and when she was offered a place at The Australian Ballet School, I realised she had the determination and discipline to make it a career. Watching her go from a little girl dancing around the house to becoming a professional dancer with The Australian Ballet has been one of the greatest privileges of my life.
What’s it like having your mum as someone who understands movement, training, and the demands of your career better than most?
ESSIE: It’s a huge advantage. Mum understands the dance world because she was also a dancer, so she gets it in a way most people don’t. Injuries happen to everyone, and learning to make the most of the recovery time without getting down about it is a hard lesson to learn. There’s also the rejection that comes with this industry. Not getting a part you auditioned for, or missing out on a role you really wanted. Mum has been through all of that herself, so she knows exactly what to say when I’m disappointed. She never brushes it off or tells me to just get over it. She lets me feel it, but she also reminds me that it doesn’t define me as a dancer.
What are some of your earliest memories of Elixr? What’s it like coming into Elixr now as a member, rather than just being Rachel’s daughter?
ESSIE: Some of my earliest memories, from around 7 years old, are of coming into Elixr on the weekends with Mum, rehearsing my eisteddfod solos in the studios when no one was around. Mum also introduced me to Pilates when I was very young and she used to give me private lessons in school holidays to keep my strength and conditioning . Now, being able to come in and do Pilates myself as a member feels really special. I’m so addicted to Pilates that it’s become part of my warm-up every day.
How has Pilates supported you throughout your ballet training and now as a professional dancer?
ESSIE: It centres me. I’ve been a professional dancer for a year now, and I start my day with a reformer class before I go to work. I find it therapeutic, it helps me feel my muscles correctly without overdoing it. I now understand how important strength and conditioning is for preventing injuries. I really notice the difference when I’m consistent with it.
What do you both notice in your body when you haven’t been doing Pilates regularly?
RACHEL: I’m not good at keeping still, I always need to be moving. I hate feeling stiff and sluggish, and if I don’t move regularly, I get grumpy too. Pilates always makes me feel better, both physically and mentally.
ESSIE: I notice it particularly through my core and stability. Pilates gives me a sense of control and strength that carries over into my dancing.
Having spent so many years teaching Pilates, what do you think dancers sometimes misunderstand about strength and conditioning?
RACHEL: The right strength training makes for better dancers. Strength is about control, stability, resilience and being able to produce movement efficiently. Pilates complements their dancing and supports the demands placed on their bodies.
When you’re having a difficult day physically or mentally, what helps you reset?
RACHEL: For me, it’s usually movement. getting outside, going for a walk, looking at the ocean, or listening to music. I also think stepping away from whatever is stressing you and giving yourself a bit of perspective helps enormously.
ESSIE: For me, it depends on the day. Sometimes I need to move and do something physical, and other times I need to completely switch off. Going for a walk, listening to music, spending time with friends, or just having some quiet time can help me reset.
What’s the part of being a professional dancer that people probably don’t see?
ESSIE: I think people see the performance, but they don’t see everything that goes into getting to that point. The hours of training, rehearsals, conditioning, physio and recovery, and looking after your body. There are also difficult days when you’re tired or sore, the blisters on our feet from pointe shoes are just part of it. But you still have to show up and do your job. It takes a lot of discipline and resilience behind the scenes.
RACHEL: As her mum, I think the biggest thing I see is how much mental strength it takes. People see the beautiful part of ballet, but they don’t always see the work, pressure and sacrifices behind it.
What’s one piece of advice your mum has given you that has actually stuck with you?
ESSIE: Mum has always said to me: dance from the inside out and shine bright. She’s also very good at reminding me that the dancers with the highest legs and best pirouettes aren’t always the better dancer. Artistry is what matters most.
Is there a particular class, instructor, or part of Elixr that has become part of your own routine?
RACHEL: Pilates will always be a huge part of my routine, obviously! After teaching for so many years, I still love being in a class and feeling what Pilates does for my own body. I also love the community at Elixr, seeing familiar faces and being part of people’s fitness journeys is one of the things I’ve enjoyed most about being here for so long.
ESSIE: I love coming into Elixr for Pilates, especially doing mum’s reformer class before a big day of dancing. It’s a different kind of training and gives my body something it really needs. I also love that I can walk into Elixr and feel completely comfortable. It’s always felt like home to me because of Mum, but now, when we perform in Sydney, it’s become part of my own routine too.
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This September | Elixr Health Clubs
Try Pilates at Elixr Bondi Junction with unlimited access to our Pilates timetable for two weeks.
And because Pilates is only part of Elixr, your pass also includes access to our pool, recovery classes, yoga, breathwork, steam rooms and gym.
