Céline Dion ‘physically challenged’ by her new show following health hiatus

LEAVE A COMMENT Céline Dion is on a roll.

Amid a sold-out run of concerts in the French capital, the 58-year-old took to the runway during Paris Fashion Week, giving supermodels a run for their money as she stormed the catwalk at a L'Oreal Paris show, singing I'm Alive, under the glittering lights of the Eiffel Tower.

Alive indeed, Dion's stamina is remarkable when you consider that this is the first time she's been on stage since 2020, with the vocalist taking a hiatus from performing due to her stiff person syndrome diagnosis in 2022.

The incredibly rare neurological disorder impacts "one in a million people," according to Dion, with symptoms including muscle rigidity in the trunk and arms, often triggered by noise, touch and emotional distress.

Her dynamic performances show no sign of the debilitating condition (Dion doesn't like to call it a disease), which left her muscles spasming. Motion is lotion for stiff person syndrome, so to be fighting fit for her Paris residency, which runs until May 2027, Dion worked hard with personal performance coach, Naomi Stikeman, engaging in a weekly routine of weights, treadmill sessions, barre and Pilates.

Keen for an insight into the regimen that helped Dion prepare for her two-hour 30-minute show, HELLO! spoke exclusively to Stikeman about the vocalist's rigorous pre-residency routine.

"My goal is for Céline to feel empowered inside and out, so she can enjoy her time on stage and perform at her best," says Stikeman, who also worked with Dion ahead of her Las Vegas residency, A New Day.

"When we first spoke several years ago, it was clear she wanted to stretch and strengthen her body and to be artistically inspired. I offered to train her as if she were a professional dancer, and her eyes lit up. The idea resonated with her, and that approach became part of her path to peak performance."

Stikeman's background is in ballet, performing with the National Ballet of Canada, and this grounding shapes her work as a physical performance coach.

"Professional dancers draw on many disciplines, so [Dion's] sessions are varied. They often include Pilates, yoga, classical ballet, contemporary dance, stretching techniques, and sequences I've developed for her over the years to support her well-being."

On the challenging sessions, Naomi says: "I aim to create a space where she is physically challenged and also free to engage artistically. Céline doesn’t set any limitations for herself, and her progress has been incredible to witness."

Pressed on Dion's exact routine, Stikeman shared: "Depending on Céline’s schedule, our sessions might be 30 minutes, or several hours if we're including dance improvisation and a partner.

"We always start with a slow warm-up lying on the mat, checking in with each body part, connecting with the core, making sure the spine and all joints are aligned and moving freely.

"Our sessions might be 30 minutes, or several hours"

"Once standing, we progress to exercises that bear weight on two legs and then one leg, building strength and balance simultaneously. From that point onwards, the exercises vary each day and can flow between disciplines. Céline absorbs information at lightning speed and the variety in our work reflects her appetite to learn and grow. Music is a key component that frames our work together."

Alongside training the star, Stikeman also worked as the Stage Director for the Céline Dion Paris 2026 / 2027 shows, and Movement Director for Screen & Stage, calling the collaboration "thrilling" and "larger than life".

"Céline has a phenomenal and ever-evolving journey that I’m grateful to be part of," Naomi concludes.

With the residency hailed as "legendary, energetic and unforgettable" by Dion herself and "magic" and "incredible" by fans, it seems all the hard work she and Stikeman have put in has paid off…

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