Sunday Edition: Melissa Hamilton on Dance & the Power of Scent
This week in the Sunday Edition, we speak with Melissa Hamilton, Principal Ballerina at the Royal Ballet, as she reflects on the daily rituals, movement, and mindset that support her, both on stage and beyond. From daily ballet class to scent-led performance preparation and reimagined sleep routines, Melissa shares how wellness has evolved into a deeply intentional practice across every part of her life.
We explore how she recovers after the stage lights dim, the emotions guiding her this season, and how she stays grounded while living at full velocity.
Read the full interview and discover how Melissa finds clarity, recovery, and energy through movement, ritual, and scent.
SUNDAY EDITION | MELISSA HAMILTON
1. How does movement shape the way you feel; physically, mentally, and emotionally?
Being a Principal ballerina with the Royal Ballet Company in London the movement of my body directly impacts my being. It is part of what makes me, me.How I move my body enables me to speak or communicate with an audience, so it is very important to me.The physicality of my profession keeps my body in a constant state of fitness and I enjoy, and feel at my best when my body is "active".
TRAINING + PERFORMANCE
2. Ballet is both an art form and a discipline. What daily rituals help you prepare your body and mind for the intensity of training and performance?
Navigating, understanding and regulating the demands that are placed on my body and mind has become a way of living for me. For me the key thing is consistency - to always “show up.” Daily ballet class for me is a must - 1hr15mins of exercises, starting with holding on to a barre and then moving on to exercises without it, building towards turns and jumps. I like to have time to do an individual warm up before class, easing my body and mind gently into the demands of the day.
WELLBEING
Has your relationship with sleep and unwinding evolved or shifted over the course of your career?
In recent years my sleeping patterns have changed significantly. I co-founded a production company Hamilton Christou Productions with my husband Michael Christou. Being a producer entails a lot more administrative work than that of a dancer, so I try to get up and do a couple of hours on this before getting into the Royal Opera House. This has meant I go to bed earlier as I feel much better if I get around 8 hours of sleep a night. If I don’t have rehearsals in the afternoon on a performance day I will usually take a nap. This helps me be able to physically and mentally kick start my system for performance mode usually taking place between 7.30pm and 10.30pm.
what does wellness mean to you at this point in your life, both as a dancer and as a woman moving through the world?
"For me, wellness is my ability to balance and stabilise my mind and body remaining open to all that life brings my way."
RECOVERY & SLEEP
Recovery and sleep are essential pillars at anatomē. How do you prioritise rest and restoration after a performance or an especially demanding day in rehearsal?
Falling asleep straight away after a show is usually impossible for me. During a performance my body will be filled with a lot of adrenaline, so although I may have been performing in a ballet over three hours, I won’t necessarily feel instantly tired. It is normally the following day that I will try to reset my system. Being gentler in that day’s morning ballet class and rehearsals and getting an early night to catch up on sleep help with recovery. A hard rehearsal day will leave me feeling more tired and in need of a rest. I also like to go to the sauna or take a long bath to unwind the body and muscles which in turn helps slow and calm my mind.
Having explored our Discovery Set featuring Balance, Energy, and Expression, is there a scent you feel particularly drawn to?
"For me right now it is the Energy scent !"
FUNCTIONAL FRAGRANCE
At anatomē, we believe in scent as a tool for emotional intention. Do fragrances or essential oils play a role in how you prepare for a performance—or recover from one?
I often change my scent depending on what role or repertoire I am dancing. If I am playing a character such as Manon or Juliet I will not wear my day-to-day fragrance. I find it easier to fall into character when I don't have my scent making me feel like myself. Different scents can evoke such different feelings and, for example, I could never choose a floral scent when dancing strong and physical contemporary repertoire. I would choose something with a bit more power or punch.
EMOTIONAL INTENTION
Which emotional state are you most drawn to this summer, and how do you hope to feel, both in body and mind?
Excitement and hope. Although my season with the Royal Ballet has finished for our summer break, I am still busy with outside projects. I am very excited to be producing “Melissa Hamilton’s Ballet Stars Gala” for the Bord Gáis Energy Theatre, Dublin Sept 17th and 18th. Originally from Ireland, these performances will be very special. They mark the first performance I will make as the only ever Irish Principal dancer of the Royal Ballet Company, having been promoted to this position in Dec 2024. I feel enthusiastic and hopeful as I prepare to bring inspiration through showcasing world-class ballet to dance lovers in Ireland. Alongside this, I will be travelling to make guest appearances in performances in Osaka, Rome and Verona dancing as partner to Roberto Bolle in Roberto Bolle and Friends which always brings so much joy.
PERFORMANCE RITUALS
As a performer, shifting into your stage presence is essential. Do you have any rituals or habits you return to before stepping on stage or beginning rehearsal that help you feel grounded, focused, and fully prepared?
I will often listen to the music of the piece of repertoire I am due to perform whilst getting into hair and makeup and warming up. I like to visualise myself doing the steps in the way that I wish to perform them. I find this helps to focus my mind and intentions.
POWER OF SCENT
Have you integrated your chosen scent into your rehearsal or performance routine, and noticed any shifts in focus or emotional state?
I have just had a very swift trip to Osaka, performing in Expo 2025, Japan. With having to cope and overcome jet lag, “Energy” was the scent that I was drawn to. I was able to fully enjoy the performance and my days there without feeling too exhausted.
DISCOVER MELISSA'S SCENT
SHOP ENERGY
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