Ahead of her highly anticipated return to the stage following a 2022 diagnosis of stiff-person syndrome (SPS), Céline Dion has revealed the workout routine helping her prepare for life back on tour.
The singer, who begins a five-week residency in Paris later this month, told Harper’s Bazaar that she currently does 90-minute Pilates sessions three times a week, alongside two weekly ballet classes with a local dance company.
What is stiff-person syndrome?
Stiff-person syndrome is an extremely rare progressive autoimmune neurological disorder, thought to affect around one or two people per million people, according to Johns Hopkins Medicine.
The condition most commonly causes muscle stiffness and painful spasms that come and go, often worsening over time.
‘Although there is no treatment that cures stiff person syndrome, working with a specialist and maintaining symptom control can make it easier to live with the condition,’ the organisation explains.
The Stiff Person Syndrome UK and Ireland Support Group and Charity notes that people with the condition are often initially misdiagnosed with anxiety or depression, and that women appear to be affected more often than men.
According to Harper’s Bazaar, Dion has undergone physical therapy, vocal therapy and immunotherapy since her diagnosis, alongside taking medication. In 2024, her foundation also donated $2 million towards research into autoimmune neurological disorders.
Why Céline Dion’s workout routine makes sense
Dion’s current routine combines Pilates and ballet five days a week, placing an emphasis on strength, mobility, balance and control.
While exercise won’t be appropriate in the same way for everyone living with stiff-person syndrome, there is some evidence that carefully supervised movement can help with symptom management.
A case report found that therapeutic exercise improved muscle flexibility, balance and functional ability in a woman with the condition.
Meanwhile, another case report found that a clinical Pilates programme had ‘positive effects on many physical and functional parameters’ in a patient with stiff-person syndrome.
More broadly, Pilates has well-established benefits for many women during midlife.
‘Pilates emphasises correct postural alignment, core strength and muscle balance. It is great for ironing out muscular imbalances, injury rehabilitation and injury prevention,’ Aimee Victoria Long, PT and founder of Body Beautiful Method, previously told Women’s Health.
Ballet offers similar benefits. A 2024 study found that a 10-week classical ballet programme improved strength and balance in women over 50.
And, as Céline Dion demonstrates, it’s never too late to begin. She only took up ballet as an adult, yet it has become a key part of the training helping her prepare for her return to performing.
Hannah Bradfield is a Senior Health and Fitness Writer for Women’s Health UK. An NCTJ-accredited journalist, Hannah graduated from Loughborough University with a BA in English and Sport Science and an MA in Media and Cultural Analysis. She has been covering sports, health and fitness for the last five years and has created content for outlets including BBC Sport, BBC Sounds, Runner’s World and Stylist. She especially enjoys interviewing those working within the community to improve access to sport, exercise and wellness. Hannah is a 2024 John Schofield Trust Fellow and was also named a 2022 Rising Star in Journalism by The Printing Charity. A keen runner, Hannah was firmly a sprinter growing up (also dabbling in long jump) but has since transitioned to longer-distance running. While 10K is her favoured race distance, she loves running or volunteering at parkrun every Saturday, followed, of course, by pastries. She’s always looking for fun new runs and races to do and brunch spots to try.