We cannot talk about recovering from an injury in full without addressing the importance of maintaining good mental health or discussing some of the psychological hurdles that appear during this process. A negative outlook, increased stress and decreased motivation can slow recovery. Feelings of isolation and depression can have the same effect. That’s why we thought it was imperative to have a mental health care practitioner on DanceWell this month to talk about recovering from injury. Join us ...
May 15, 2019•36 min
I'm injured...now what? Join us on this episode of DanceWell Podcast as physical therapist Katrina Lee, DPT, OCS and New York City Ballet soloist, Sara Adams, discuss the physiological process of recovering from an injury including stages of healing, what you can expect during the rehabilitation process, how to make the most of your rehab, and returning to dance. Photo by Danica Paulos @lens_of_the_heart Visit DanceWell Podcast's GoFundMe campaign by following this link: https://www.gofundme.com...
May 08, 2019•32 min
Dancer/actor/singer Mikey Winslow was born with hip dysplasia on his left side. After years of dancing with mounting pain, Mikey made the decision to have a total hip replacement. Now, a little more than a year later, he is back dancing on Broadway! Listen to Mikey's story about his injury and recovery including how and why he decided to go through with surgery, his rehabilitation process, and his incredible perspective gained through this experience. Get in touch with Mikey by finding him on In...
Apr 30, 2019•41 min
In Episode 40: Performance Enhancement, professional ballet dancer, fitness expert, and dance performance coach, Tanya Trombly, explains how her Bulletproof Ballerina method helps elite performers meet their full potential. We discuss different components that contribute to peak performance, how to optimize your physical training, current trends in dance conditioning, burnout, and much more. We even touch on the hotly debated idea of...taking less dance class! Don't let her petite stature and qu...
Apr 24, 2019•46 min
Every performer learns the skills of their craft, but not every performer brings their own flair to their skills. What is it that makes you uniquely you? Join us on Episode 39: Unleashing Your Inner Weirdo to hear what broadway veteran and life coach, Kyle Post, has to say about the interplay between going beyond the technique and finding yourself, changing your relationship to fear, and reaching your dreams! Learn more about Kyle and his coaching by visiting: www.kylepostcoaching.com. Reach out...
Apr 10, 2019•50 min
In many dance forms, physical contact is considered an essential part of the experience and consent to touch is often assumed rather than explicitly given. However, consent is nuanced and without an open dialogue, dancers risk getting involved in more than feels comfortable or safe. But unfortunately, an open dialogue often isn’t part of dance classes, rehearsals, or auditions. While teaching a partnering class in the midst of the MeToo movement, Sarah Wilcoxon and Brittney Banaei set out to exp...
Mar 27, 2019•39 min
Tendon research has come a long way in the past decade. There is a lot we know and plenty still to learn. Join us on this episode as Paul Ochoa, PT, DPT, OCS, COMT, LMT discusses current concepts in tendon pathology and how it relates to dancers. Get in touch with Paul on Instagram at @f2pt or via his website at www.f2pt.com. Photo by Danica Paulos @lens_of_the_heart Visit DanceWell Podcast's GoFundMe campaign by following this link: https://www.gofundme.com/dancewell-podcast-fundraiser. Host: M...
Mar 13, 2019•30 min
As Dr. Morray says, it’s not a matter of if, but rather when a studio, school, or company will face a dancer in crisis so it's essential to have a plan for how to deal with this sensitive issue. Learn what to say (and not say) and which professionals should be in your contact list to help support a healthy dance environment. To contact Dr. Elisabeth Morray, email her at: morray@gmail.com Visit DanceWelll Podcast’s GoFundMe campaign by following this link: www.gofundme.com/dancewell-podcast-fundr...
Mar 01, 2019•48 min
Though she was studying exercise science and knew the importance of rest and recuperation, dancer and yoga teacher, Leslie Ann Ellingburg, was unable to take her own advice. Intellectually, she knew the risks associated with overtraining, but disordered thinking led her to compulsive exercise. Hear her experience and how she manages today. Learn more about Leslie at: http://leslieannellingburg.com/ Visit DanceWelll Podcast’s GoFundMe campaign by following this link: www.gofundme.com/dancewell-po...
Feb 28, 2019•48 min
It seems like everywhere we turn these days, there's information about what we should and shouldn't eat, what's suddenly healthy, or what foods we should never eat. Heidi Skolnik, MS, CDN, FACSM, who advises dancers at The School of American Ballet and The Juilliard School, provides insights on how to navigate all the complicated messages we continuously encounter about food and health. Learn more about Heidi at: http://www.nutritionconditioning.net/ Visit DanceWelll Podcast’s GoFundMe campaign ...
Feb 27, 2019•31 min
While they may not meet the diagnosis of an eating disorder, many dancers engage in thoughts and behaviors surrounding food and body image that are disordered. Clinical Registered Dietitian Nutritionist and owner of To The Pointe Nutrition, Rachel Fine, MS, RDN, CDN, CSSD believes that these "grey area" issues are on the rise. She explains why that might be and why it's a problem. She also enlightens us on the term, Orthorexia. Learn more about Rachel Fine at https://www.pointenutrition.com Sign...
Feb 26, 2019•47 min
Dr. Elisabeth Morray, psychologist and eating disorder specialist, kicks off our conversations by explaining all the basics. What are eating disorders? Who is vulnerable to developing them? How are eating disorders treated? What do we need look for to help keep dancers healthy? How can someone get help? We'll discuss all of this and more. Visit DanceWelll Podcast’s GoFundMe campaign by following this link: www.gofundme.com/dancewell-podcast-fundraiser Host: Ellie Kusner DanceWell Founders: Ellie...
Feb 25, 2019•38 min
Ellen G. Waller, MSc, NASM-CPT, has carved a niche for herself training Irish Dancers. In episode 31 Ellen discusses the technical elements of Irish dancing that set it apart from other forms of Western dance, the muscular imbalances she witnesses as a cross-training coach, and the cross-training principles she employs with her dancers. Get in touch with Ellen by emailing her at: info@targettrainingdance.com or visiting her website: https://www.targettrainingdance.com/ Photo by: Rince & Repe...
Feb 13, 2019•31 min
Doctors of Osteopathy (DO’s) are fully licensed physicians who favor preventative medicine and minimally invasive treatments. Additionally, all DO’s are taught how to treat ailments with their hands. In Episode 30: Hands on Medicine, Dr. Stasia Blyskal, DO, explains how she uses her hands to help dancers and why sometimes, less is more. Learn more about Dr. Blyskal at https://www.stasiablyskaldo.com/ Visit DanceWelll Podcast’s GoFundMe campaign by following this link: www.gofundme.com/dancewell-...
Jan 30, 2019•34 min
Concussions in dance do happen and are not to be taken lightly. Join us as athletic trainer Lauren McIntyre ATC discusses causes of concussions in dance, symptoms, what to do if you suspect you’ve sustained a concussion, and rehabilitation and management. Lauren McIntyre ATC is a clinical specialist and emergency management liaison at Harkness Center for Dance Injuries at NYU Langone. Learn more about her and the HCDI team at: https://nyulangone.org/locations/harkness-center-for-dance-injuries/o...
Jan 16, 2019•22 min
Dance is an artistic art form, but of course, it's also highly athletic. And yet, dancers typically receive little training in how to prepare themselves for the cardiorespiratory demands of their craft. In Episode 28: Fit to Dance, Sarah Needham-Beck, PhD, explains the basics of exercise physiology, why "running the piece" isn't necessarily the best approach to dance fitness, and what strategies might better enhance health and performance. Reach out to Sarah by tweeting her @SarahCBeck Visit Dan...
Jan 02, 2019•37 min
Acupuncture can help speed healing, improve sleep, ameliorate anxiety, reduce inflammation and so much more. Learn how this ancient, eastern form of medicine can help dancers enhance their wellbeing and performance in Episode 27: What is Acupuncture. Megan Richardson, MS, Dip Ac, LAc, ATC has been treating dancers for almost two decades and currently works at Harkness Center for Dance Injury at NYU Langone Health. Get in contact with Megan: https://www.meganrichardsonwellness.com/ Visit DanceWel...
Dec 19, 2018•35 min
Welcome to our first ever bonus episode! On this episode, Dr. Carrie Skony returns to discusses self-manipulation. Tune in to learn about the dangers of repetitively cracking your own joints and to learn about what your body might actually be needing if you feel the urge to continually crack. Visit DanceWelll Podcast’s GoFundMe campaign by following this link: www.gofundme.com/dancewell-podcast-fundraiser Host: Marissa Schaeffer DanceWell Founders: Ellie Kusner and Marissa Schaeffer DanceWell We...
Dec 07, 2018•12 min
On episode 26, we talk do Dr. Carrie Skony DC, CCSP on chiropractics for dancers. We discuss high-velocity, low-amplitude thrusts - or joint manipulations - common injuries seen in younger dancers, the importance of a collaborative effort between health-care practitioner and dance teacher, and what sets chiropractors apart from other health-care professionals. Get in touch with Dr. Carrie Skony by visiting her website: www.DrCarrieSkony.com; Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/drcarrieskony/; Twi...
Dec 05, 2018•39 min
What do we mean when we say someone is gifted, and how does it feel be to identified as gifted? Ellie speaks about these concerns and more with Dr. William Buse, head of counseling services at The Juilliard School, an institution long associated with the gifted. From his anthropological background and over 20 years of experience at Juilliard, Bill offers insight on the cultural histories of this term and practitioner wisdom for how to work with gifted individuals.
Nov 21, 2018•34 min
We’ve all used fitness trackers like Fitbits, iPhone step counters, and Nike Fuel bands to count our steps and to get a general idea of our overall activity for the day. Maybe we’ve even used this type of wearable to track our sleep cycles so we can gleam whether or not we are well-rested. But at the end of the day, how are these tidbits of information really impacting our health and wellness? And more specifically, how can they help dancers? Tune in to this episode of DanceWell Podcast to hear ...
Nov 07, 2018•33 min
Aerial techniques, from trapeze to silks, were once relegated to circus acts but are becoming more mainstream in dance. As Emily Scherb, DPT, explains in this episode, a ballet dancer might be asked to take flight to fulfill a piece in the company's repertoire, or a freelancer might train in aerial arts to expand and diversify their skill set. However, moving off the ground involves unique mechanics and requires exceptional strength, particularly in the upper extremity. Dr. Scherb describes how ...
Oct 21, 2018•36 min
We all know we should warm up, but do we really know how? Join us as Jenni Green PT, MS, CFMT walks us through what a warm up and cool down should (and should not) look like. She’ll discuss topics like why we should warm up and cool down, what type of stretching and exercises to include, and how much one should exert oneself pre and post show. Get in touch with Jenni by visiting the PhysioArts website or by sending her an email at info@physioarts.com Visit DanceWelll Podcast’s GoFundMe campaign ...
Oct 10, 2018•23 min
After explaining why ice is a dubios treatment for injury in part one of this episode, Rebecca Dietzel now discusses alternative ways that dancers can reduce their stress and quiet inflammation. Episode 21_Part 2: Self-Care Alternatives to Ice, explores lifestyle and dietary choices as well as NSAIDS.
Sep 26, 2018•24 min
One of our most universal first aid treatments for injury is ice, but Rebecca Dietzel M.S. suggests that we avoid using ice to treat inflammation. Along with her colleague, Jennifer Denys, she has created an alternative to the traditional (P)RICE protocol, it's called BE CALM, and it's yielded positive results at Canada's National Ballet School. Find out why in Episode 21_Part 1: Think Twice Before You Ice.
Sep 26, 2018•27 min
Pre-season screens for dancers provide an opportunity to establish rapport with new students, collect baseline data, potentially prevent injury, identify red flags, educate dancers and more. Listen in as co-host Marissa Schaeffer talks to veteran screener, physical therapist and researcher Shaw Bronner PhD, PT, OCS about the tools she uses in her screens, her injury surveillance system and the true definition of injury. Get in touch with Shaw by visiting: http://www.adamcenter.net/ Take a look a...
Sep 12, 2018•39 min
Pain is disruptive and sometimes debilitating to a dancer's career and meanwhile, our broader culture's dependency on pharmaceutical therapies for managing pain has led to an opioid crisis. Pain is problematic to say the least, and though we've all experienced pain, few of us understand it. However, there's research suggesting that if we knew a little more about pain, we'd actually feel less of it! In Episode 19, Therapeutic Pain Education, dance medicine expert-extraordinaire, Dr. Marshal Hagin...
Jul 25, 2018•46 min
Originally called Yoga for Dancers, The Gyrotonic Expansion System® was started by Juliu Horvath in the late 1980s. Today, it is practiced by dancers across the world both on and off equipment. Join us on this episode of DanceWell Podcast as California-based Gyrotonic trainer Allie Christensen discusses how The Gyrotonic Expansion System® can help dancers improve alignment and neuromuscular control as well as aid in their recovery from injury. Get in touch with Allie via her website: https://www...
Jul 11, 2018•25 min
In this episode, fitness expert, Lindsay Fisher Viatori discusses the importance of resistance training for dancers. She chats about how dancers can lift a lot more than they realize, the value of old fashioned moves like squats and deadlifts, plus how to avoid overtraining. Lindsay encourages listeners to explore strength training, an activity that was once considered off-limits for dancers, and suggests you just might feel stronger, look leaner, and dance better, all while maintaining mobility...
Jun 28, 2018•32 min
We've all heard the adage 'you are what you eat,' but did you ever stop to think what that really means? In this information-dense episode, Emily C Harrison MS, RD, LD, discusses just how our body uses macronutrients to support our body's physiologic processes and perform at its best. She also delves into the importance of preparing food, timing meals, and what to eat to prepare your body for class and aid in recovery. Get in touch with Emily via her website: www.dancernutrition.com or www.nutri...
Jun 13, 2018•58 min
