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© 2023 Movement Toward Change
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A podcast that uses dance as a means to cultivate community and start conversations. Hosted by friends and dancers Rachel Marchica and Nicole Testa.
34 Episodes
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“The clearer the image we have of our body, the more easeful and effective we can move.”In this episode we speak Emily Schweitzer on all things Franklin Method. We discuss her journey of healing her own injury, key concepts behind the Franklin Method, what embodiment means to her, and more! About our Guest: Emily is a Social Work Fellow at the Danielsen Institute, a psychodynamically oriented clinic with a focus on spirituality and religion. She holds a masters in social work from Boston...
"The company I am starting is the company I wish there had been.” In this episode we speak with Elizabeth Mochizuki. We discuss her path as a professional freelance ballet dancer and dance educator, inspirations for starting an Asian American ballet company, challenges faced in this new endeavor, and more! Elizabeth is a dance educator and artistic director based in Boston, MA. She received her Bachelor of Arts degree in American Studies from Tufts University. Elizabeth has danced for a...
"See the bigger picture of where you are in your life, and then I think everything kind of makes sense." In this episode we speak with Amane Takaishi. We discuss her path to becoming a choreographer, teaching at the collegiate level, specific challenges faced during her career, and finding balance through prioritization. About Amane: Amane Takaishi is a dancer, educator, choreographer, and Pilates instructor based in Boston, Massachusetts. She is currently a company member with City Ballet of...
“I feel incredibly lucky to be on this journey with people as they inhabit their bodies a little more easily.” In this episode we speak with David Lobenstine. We discuss the various benefits of massage therapy for dancers, finding a mindful approach to at home muscular skeletal relief, therapeutic applications of breath work, and more. About David: David Lobenstine is a licensed massage therapist, continuing education teacher, freelance writer, and course creator based in NYC. He ...
"Giving people agency is what I feel like is the power in a somatic teaching experience.” In this interview we speak with Emily Relyea-Spivack. We discuss how a series of injuries led her to begin a Pilates practice, challenges faced as a freelance artist, the creation of her online Pilates platform, and more!About Emily: Emily is a professional Dancer and Pilates Instructor currently based in the greater Albany area. Emily was introduced to the Pilates method as a means of rehabilitati...
“I would like to see a lot of these healing modalities as part of our healthcare system. I would like see healthcare being more accessible.” In this episode we speak with Megan Guinta. We discuss the benefits of the Gyrotonic ® method for both dancers and athletes, self care practices, how we can make movement more accessible, and goals for both the future of movement and healthcare. We also dive into finding balance and overcoming challenges as a dancer and fitness professional. About Megan:...
“Dance has always been something I have gravitated to, to understand the world around me.” In this episode we speak with Lauren Cox. We discuss what inspired her to begin a career in commercial dance, how she built a schedule as a freelance dance artist, and cultivating healthy relationships in the field. We also talk about her transition from freelance artist to jazz professor. About Lauren: Lauren is an accomplished poet, story-teller, and professor of Jazz Dance at the University of Massac...
"I think that Gyrotonic ® and Gyrokinesis ® really appeals to dancers because it utilizes the body in a similar way that dance does. So it allows the body to move fluidity through all ranges and directions in non-linear patters.” In this episode we speak with Samantha Daly all things Gyrotonic ® and Gyrokinesis ® including the path to becoming an instructor, various types of courses offered, making the shift to virtual teaching, how the method can be a form of rehabilitation for dancers, and ...
“Your dance career depends on your kindness with yourself.”In this episode we speak with Thomas Vacanti. We discuss the principles of the safe barre technique, finding a cross training routine that connects to our dance practice, carving out time for rest, finding mindfulness practices that bring us inward, and more. About Thomas: Tom is the dance program director and an associate professor of dance at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. He has a BS in Dance from Skidmore College, ...
"You learn to recognize patterns and habits that are interfering with your ability to move and think." In this episode we speak with Shannon Lee Jones. We speak about the importance of staying present and slowing down, techniques to calm the nervous system through awareness and connection, distributing tension in the body, and noticing inefficient movement patterns. We also discuss how one can distribute tension in the body, and take care of themselves in order to help others. About Shannon: ...
“What can I do to make sure I feel good, and I feel nourished, and I feel strong?”In this episode we speak with holistic health coach Becca Scott. We discuss what it means to look at your life from a holistic viewpoint, focusing on how one feels instead of appearance, checking in to see if your goals are serving you, and more. About Becca: Becca received her BFA in Dance from the University of Massachusetts Amherst and her certification in holistic health & nutrition from the Institute of...
“I can be a human who dances and not just a dancer who happens to be a human” In this episode we speak with Daisy Kate Jacobson. We discuss her journey from dancing at Juilliard to a professional career in dance, the importance of listening to our bodies, navigating injuries, discovering a work/life balance and more. About Daisy: Daisy grew up in Manhattan Beach, CA where she trained at South Bay Ballet. She received her BFA in Dance from The Juilliard School in 2017 and joined LA Dance Proje...
“I want each kid to leave the workshops feelings invincible and amazing”In this episode we speak Boston-based dance and fitness instructor, Taylor Cocco. We discuss the importance of creating a safe space within the classroom, helping students to navigate the pressures and aesthetic norms within dance, exercising for strength instead of appearance goals, and encouraging dancers to trust their bodies. Taylor also shares with us a new female empowerment workshop she has created, “U-CAN.” About ...
“It's about learning how to improve our function which has to do with how to function as a whole person.”In this episode we speak with Fritha Pengelly. We discuses what the Feldenkrais method is, the various ways in which it can be beneficial for dancers, working with instead of against ourselves, creating more ease in our actions, finding awareness in are movement patterns, and more. About Fritha Pengelly: Fritha received her M.F.A. in dance with a focus on anatomy and physiology from ...
“Like a musician understands the importance of silence, a dancer must understand the importance of stillness, and yoga can open us up to that aspect of dance.” In this episode we speak with Tai Jimenez. We discuss the benefits of yoga for dancers, beginning a meditation practice, reaching a flow state of movement, and finding happiness within limitations. Tai also shares challenges that she has faced during her professional career and the creation of a movement meditation called soft pop. ...
“The pursuit of being anti-racist is a living state of being.”In this episode we speak with Dominque Dempsey. We discuss dance as a means of cross-cultural communications, embodied knowledge, and a soft-power. We also speak about ways to create a level playing field in dance classrooms, the importance of understanding the history of dance forms, and not placing an emphasis on any one style being the foundation of all dance. About Dominque: Dominique also known as the dancing diplomat is a stu...
“Life is about staying in the flow, regardless of how the wave comes and hits you.” In this episode we speak with Gianni Di Marco. We discuses his experience teaching adaptive dance to children with down syndrome and autism, challenging and rewarding aspects when teaching the adaptive population, shifting norms within ballet, letting life lead us, finding motivation during challenging times and more. About Gianni: Gianni is a professor of dance at the Boston Conservatory teaching ballet...
“Being in control of your eating, actually means being able to eat flexibly and spontaneously without denying yourself certain foods, without feeling guilty after eating.” In this episode we speak with Catherine Drury, LCSW. We discuss common causes of eating disorders and various treatment modalities, how and when to seek help for an eating disorder, working towards a more positive body image, and more. About Catherine: Catherine is a licensed clinical social worker in the state of New...
"My original mission was to make people feel less alone in their experiences, and I love the fact that it does that for me as I am creating this project.” In this episode we speak with Leal Zielińska. We discuss removing the stigma around mental health, self care practices, addressing mental health within dance schools and companies, resources for mental health support, and more. About Leal Zielińska: Leal studied at the Codarts Rotterdam Dance Academy and is a graduate of the Independ...
"Part of the growth of an artist is tolerating the uncertainties and letting there be a little more flow” In this episode we speak with Dr. Miriam Rowan. We discuss common mental health concerns in dancers, entering the flow state, being mind over doing mind, and finding your own self direction. Additionally, we speak about how to know if a therapist is a good fit, indications to reach out for support, and mental health resources. About Dr. Miriam Rowan: Dr. Rowan is a former professional dan...
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