As the world shut down in the wake of COVD-19, the performing arts world changed. Shows were cancelled, rehearsals suspended and training took on a different form. Many began dancing - and even rehearsing - indoors. Hallways became dance floors, mantle pieces became ballet barres, and somehow we kept going. Due to space constraints, hard floors and a multitude of other factors, many were unable to train as vigorously as they had pre-pandemic. Now as dance studios, schools and companies begin to ...
Sep 16, 2020•49 min
In 2020, dancers all around the world experienced a new phenomenon, virtual class. In Episode 71, Caitlin Trainor, MFA and Danelle Dickson, DPT discuss the potential risks and limitations to this educational structure, as well as the potential benefits and advantages. Ultimately, we all conclude that while virtual dance class is no replacement for live instruction, it's also not going away anytime soon. Learn about Caitlin Trainor: http://www.trainordance.org Learn more about Dancio: http://www....
Sep 09, 2020•1 hr 3 min
Perhaps while quarantined, you or a dancer you know, was anxious about maintaining jump skills, then came across people hopping on and off boxes on Instagram and thought, “Should I do that?” Enter, plyometrics. In this episode, I speak to Rob Tsai, DPT, about plyometrics and he explains the relevance and value of this form of resistance training for dancers. Learn more about Rob Tsai at: www.danceprehab.com Follow Rob on Instagram: @danceprehab Host: Ellie Kusner Co-Hosts: Ellie Kusner and Maris...
Sep 07, 2020•51 min
Does the sacrum move and get stuck? Why might I feel pain at my sacroiliac joint (SIJ)? These are questions we’ve asked ourselves before, but maybe never gotten the answer to. Join us on this episode as Dr. Liz Henry PT, DSc, OCS, COMT, FAAOMPT, CCTT brings her wisdom and four decades of clinical practice to help us understand this complex joint. Get in touch with Dr. Henry by visiting her practice website (LifeForcePT.com) or by sending her an email at Liz@lifeforcept.com. You can also learn mo...
Jun 03, 2020•49 min
Imagery is a free and accessible form of mental practice that can be used to enhance performance, confidence, skills and more. In Episode 68: Motor Imagery, Betsy Coker EdD, explains what motor imagery is and how it works, as well as why, when, and how dancers use imagery. She talks about applying her research on imagery to her teaching practice, and suggests that perhaps some day, imagery could contribute to a very different, possibly more inclusive understanding of what dance is and who gets t...
May 20, 2020•55 min
Joint hypermobility, whether it affects few or many joints, falls under the umbrella of hypermobility disorders. On episode 67: More on Hypermobiltiy - Common Presentations of EDS, we invite Dr. Linda Bluestein, the hypermobility MD, to discuss Ehlers Danlos Syndrome (EDS), a particular type of hypermobility disorder with some unique characteristics. Dr. Bluestein explains some of the common medical presentations of the syndrome and helps clinicians and patients alike with resources to build a s...
May 06, 2020•1 hr 4 min
Trauma is a complex experience that varies from individual to individual. Research suggests that dancers experience PTSD at higher rates than athletes or the general population. In this episode, dance-movement therapist, Erica Hornthal, explains a bit about her field, and we discuss ways in which the body houses trauma as well as how dance can be both problematic and curative to people who are living with trauma. Learn more about Erica Hornthal at: www.ericahornthal.com Contact Erica at: erica@h...
Apr 23, 2020•56 min
We open this episode with a question: You’re injured. You know that performing certain steps or dancing full-out will make your injury worse and will prolong healing. Do you feel comfortable advocating for yourself in the studio and speaking up for your injury? In episode 65, we chat candidly with three groups -two pre-professional dancers, two seasoned professional dancers and two teachers/choreographers - about the difficulties and anxieties that come up around injuries. Want to contribute to ...
Apr 08, 2020•1 hr 1 min
Everyone around the world is thinking about the pandemic, covid-19, and dancers have been affected by this crisis in unique and specific ways. Exploring how this complex situation is manifesting in the dance community, Episode 64: Dancing through covid-19, includes interviews with five different practitioners: Dr. Selina Shah (physician), Amanda Donahue (certified athletic trainer), Jennifer Milner (pilates teacher and ballet coach), Kristin Koskinen (registered dietitian nutritionist), and Dr. ...
Mar 25, 2020•1 hr 8 min
Finding the right pointe shoe is a dynamic process that depends on a number of factors. Fitters look at the shape of your foot, your technique, your strength and consider your personal preferences and feedback from your dance teachers and medical providers. All of these elements can evolve with time and affect your shoe choice. Pointe shoe fitter, Josephine Lee, joins us on episode 63 of DanceWell Podcast for a lively discussion about how she synthesizes all these factors and collaborates with e...
Mar 11, 2020•42 min
Even in a largely taciturn art form, language is everywhere and it influences how we see and experience the world. In this episode, Monika Saigal, MS, RD, CEDRD-S, CDN, enlightens us on how the words we choose can influence eating behaviors and mindsets. She explains how some conversations that may seem commonplace in a dance setting, are in fact problematic and she offers suggestions for how to create climates that support a positive body image. Learn more about Monika Saigal: www.msnutrition.c...
Feb 26, 2020•54 min
Flexibility can feel like a constant struggle. Sometimes we feel like it's because we don't stretch enough, or because our bone structure is off, or because we've been dealt a bad genetic hand. But what if there are other factors that we didn't even know to consider? Join us on this episode of DanceWell Podcast as Dr. Alexis Sams, PT, DPT helps to broaden our perspective and challenge our views in this arena. Get in touch with Dr. Alexis Sams by visiting her website: https://azdancemed.com, send...
Feb 12, 2020•31 min
From bulging discs, to os trigonum, to labral tears, research is showing that surgery isn't always the best answer. However, there are still times when the miracle of modern medicine is necessary, or at minimum, advantageous. How do we know if we need surgery? What are the risks, and who should we see if we're hoping to avoid an invasive procedure? And what's the root of our cultural fixation on surgical solutions? Former dancer, Dr. Jason Lam, is the Crichton Dance Medicine Fellow at The Austra...
Jan 29, 2020•41 min
On this episode of DanceWell Podcast, we are joined by Elizabeth Barchi, MD. Dr. Barchi shares her wealth of knowledge about imaging like x-rays, MRIs, CT scans and more. Have you ever wondered what different types of imaging can tell us or why your doctor may or may not order imaging for your injury or condition? If so, join us! This episode is for you. Get in touch with Dr. Barchi by calling NYU Langone's Harkness Center for Dance Injuries (212)-598-6054. Want to contribute to DanceWell podcas...
Jan 13, 2020•32 min
Many dancers worry about money, no news there. However, despite living with this powerful stressor, it seems like a lot dancers are unaware of how to improve their financial outlook, or feel that a life of debt and poverty is just inevitable. In this episode, Rebecca Selkowe, a financial counselor at The Actors Fund, explains that these mindsets and feelings about money affect your financial wellbeing. Rebecca also offers heaps of valuable information about budgeting, freelancing, advocating for...
Jan 01, 2020•56 min
It’s been shown in a smattering of conditions that healthy individuals have access to a greater variety of movement patterns and have superior control of their bodies. As conditioning specialists and health care professionals it should therefore be our duty to coach movement variety. Yet when it comes down to it, we often find ourselves looking for movement that is just so. Is it possible that in our quest for wellness and ‘good’ movement we over-coach movement patterns and limit our pupil’s var...
Dec 11, 2019•32 min
In Episode 56: Shame, Dr. Paula Thomson shares research that she and Dr. Victoria Jacque have conducted on shame, a complex emotion that dancers appear to experience more than the average population. Dr. Thomson explains why dancers might be particularly vulnerable to shame as well as how to leverage shame into functional outcomes and avoid downward spirals into rumination and emotional (or physical) self-harm. We also discuss strategies to avoid eliciting shame in the studio, classroom, or othe...
Dec 01, 2019•49 min
In the 1970s, Dr. Kenzo Kase invented Kinesio Tape as a way to facilitate the body’s natural healing process and prolong the benefits of his treatment. On this episode, Kinesio tape certified practitioner Dr. Dionne Vernon illustrates some of this modalities incredible uses from facilitating muscle function, to decreasing swelling, and inhibiting that which is overused. Get in touch with Dionne by emailing her at DVernon31@yahoo.com or follow her on Instagram @healingcompass. Want to contribute ...
Nov 13, 2019•27 min
Marissa and I went to Montreal for the annual meeting of the International Association of Dance Medicine and Science (IADMS). We presented our recent research on dancers' perceptions of their own well-being and connected with tons of friends and colleagues. We also got to meet some of our past guests face-to-face for the first time, as well as several fans of DanceWell! For Episode 54: Reflecting on IADMS, I completed my first stint as a roving reporter. You'll hear reflections and insights from...
Oct 30, 2019•45 min
Janine Cappello-Bryant's PhD has focused on the aging process and how it affects dancers' spinal range of motion. While professional dance is often considered the domaine of the young and fit, the truth is that many people dance in a variety of capacities at all stages of life. However, very little research has been done on the topic of how dancers age, which is ironic given the absolute inevitability of getting older! In this episode, Janine shares some of what she's learned through her researc...
Oct 16, 2019•51 min
“Our life expectancy from the 20s to the current day increased by over 50 years for three reasons: public health, toilets and vaccines.” - Dr. Vincent Racaniello Ph.D The subject of vaccination can be a touchy one to say the least. Join us as Columbia Professor and virologist, Dr. Vincent Racaniello, teaches us about how vaccines work, discusses some common fallacies about vaccination, and gives our listeners some well vetted, valuable resources on the subject of vaccination. Get in touch with V...
Oct 02, 2019•56 min
Gayanne Grossman PT, BFA, MEd, FIADMS is a dancer, a dance medicine expert, and a dance educator, all in quite equal parts, which uniquely positions her to reflect on the multifaceted field of dance science--its research and its application--with keen judgement and critical thought. In Episode 51: Dance with the body that you have--Bringing kinesiology into the studio, we discuss the variability of human anatomy, how to best transfer science knowledge into the art of dance, and where the field o...
Sep 18, 2019•50 min
Emergencies happen whether or not you’re ready for them. They happen in otherwise safe situations to healthy individuals. They happen both on- and off-stage and can range from heat stroke to broken bones to cardiac arrest. Are you ready to respond to emergencies in your space? Tune in to listen to Lauren McIntyre, ATC, clinical specialist and emergency management liaison at NYU Langone’s Harkness Center for Dance Injures talk about emergency protocols on DanceWell Podcast’s 50th episode. Get in ...
Sep 04, 2019•34 min
We end DanceWell's second season by chatting with two former ballerinas turned mental health practitioners: Dr. Miriam Rowan, PsyD and Katherine (Kate) Wilson, LICSW. These women discuss identity development in the young pre-professional ballet dancer, the importance of maintaining a diversity of relationships, finding a voice and unique identity, and creating spaces to open up and self-express. Get in touch with Dr. Miriam Rowan, PSyD or Kate Wilson LICSW by emailing them at dr.miriamrowan@gmai...
Aug 03, 2019•47 min
DanceWell has a few projects in the making! Want to participate in our IRB approved research on dancer well-being? Click here: https://hofstra.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_eDNl3AGhnHDjUKp. Do you love DanceWell as much as well do? Show your support by contributing to our 3rd season. Click here to donate: https://www.gofundme.com/f/dancewell-season-three-fundraiser?utm_source=customer&utm_medium=copy_link&utm_campaign=p_cp+share-sheet. Host: Marissa Schaeffer Co-Hosts: Ellie Kusner and M...
Jul 18, 2019•3 min
Posture is an interesting topic that is addressed in wide-spanning areas from etiquette, to aesthetics, to science. A dancer’s posture is often revered, but it can also present some complicated inefficiencies and risks. In Episode 48: Posture of Choice, Adele Nickel, MFA, introduces the Alexander Technique and illuminates the unique phenomenon of a dancer's posture. You can follow Adele on Instagram as @kingdellers and contact her via her dance website: www.adelenickel.com or AT website: www.ale...
Jul 10, 2019•53 min
On this episode, Leigh Schanfein, M.S. will help us to understand balance. We'll start by discussing the different components of balance and the systems that contribute to helping us maintain an upright position and conclude by talking about how balance pertains to dancers in specific. Visit Leigh on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=13736282 Visit DanceWell Podcast's GoFundMe campaign by following this link: https://www.gofundme.com/dancewell-podcast-fundraiser. Host: Marissa Sc...
Jun 26, 2019•39 min
Episode 46: Ins and Outs of the Pelvic Floor, provides detailed information about this essential and oft-overlooked region of a dancer's anatomy. Pelvic floor rehabilitation specialist and dance expert, Brooke Winder, DPT, PT, OCS, explains the anatomy of the region, what can go wrong, how dysfunction is experienced, how dance challenges this area, how healthy nutrition interacts with pelvic function, postpartum considerations, and more! A warning to our listeners, particularly those who have ex...
Jun 12, 2019•1 hr 8 min
On our final episode of this month's recovering from injury series, we showcase two more unique perspectives. Join us as Marissa speaks to ballet dancers and co-hosts of Conversations on Dance Podcast, Michael Sean Breeden and Rebecca King Ferraro, about the challenges they faced when healing from injury. Visit Michael Sean Breeden and Rebecca King Ferraro on Conversations on Dance Podcast by visiting: https://conversationsondancepod.com. You can also check them out on Facebook (https://www.face...
May 29, 2019•39 min
On this episode of DanceWell Podcast, educator, creator, mover, and motivator, Hope Boykin, talks about her road to recovery after a recent ankle injury. Photo credit: Hope Boykin - Self Portrait Get in touch with Hope at: www.hopeboykindance.com or on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/HopeBoykinDance/), Twitter (https://twitter.com/hbdance) or Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/hbdance/). Visit DanceWell Podcast's GoFundMe campaign by following this link: https://www.gofundme.com/dancewell-p...
May 22, 2019•46 min
