Movement Toward Change

By Rachel

What's Movement Toward Change about?

A podcast that uses dance as a means to cultivate community and start conversations. Hosted by friends and dancers Rachel Marchica and Nicole Testa.

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Movement Toward Change episodes:

05.10.2023
Emily Schweitzer: Franklin Method as a tool for embodiment.
“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...
04.10.2023
Elizabeth Mochizuki: Creation of Asian American Ballet Project
"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...
03.22.2023
Sarah Parker: Finding passion through dancing, writting, and choreographing.
“If you are really passionate about doing something, look up the options, and see what is available to you, and go for it!"In this episode we speak with Sarah Parker. We discuss her path to becoming a dance writer, ...
02.07.2023
Leslie Frye Maietta: Dance making and mothering.
“Becoming a mother has made me more aware of the range of what you can feel as a human.”In this episode we speak with Leslie Frye Maietta. We discuss finding the balance between work and being a mother, the creation...
01.16.2023
Kate Daley: Fueling for dance performance and finding food freedom!
"Eat foods that are good for your body and also good for your soul."In this episode we speak with Kate Daley. We discuss finding food freedom as an athlete, fueling to meet nutrient needs, meal prepping/grocery shopping tips while living...
01.02.2023
Amane Takaishi: Finding balance as a professional dancer, college educator, and choreographer.
"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...
12.23.2022
David Lobenstine: Massage therapy, at home muscular skeletal relief, and theraputic applications of breathwork for dancers.
“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...
12.12.2022
Emily Relyea-Spivack: Creating a sustainable Pilates practice.
"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...
11.07.2022
Megan Guinta: The Gyrotonic ® Method, finding balance, inclusivity in movement practices, and more!
“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...
10.24.2022
Lauren Cox: The Journey from Freelance Dancer to Jazz Professor
“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...
02.01.2022
Kurt Douglas: Bringing our life experiences to our dance practices
“When you are at a place of your lowest point, that is when you have the most choices available to you, that is where you can look around and see, because there is no other way to go but up."...
12.06.2021
Samantha Daly: All things Gyrotonic ® and Gyrokinesis ®
"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.”...
11.23.2021
Thomas Vacanti: SAFE BARRE ® technique and the importance of training in an anatomically safe manner.
“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...
09.13.2021
Shannon Lee Jones: Benefits of the Alexander Technique for dancers.
"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...
07.12.2021
Becca Scott: Holistic health and wellness for dancers.
“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...
05.31.2021
Daisy Kate Jacobson: Transitioning from Juilliard to a professional career in dance.
“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...
04.12.2021
Taylor Cocco: Building confidence and female empowerment in and outside of the dance studio.
“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...
03.23.2021
Fritha Pengelly: Integration of the Feldenkrais Method® within our dance practices.
“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...
03.03.2021
Tai Jimenez: Yoga, meditation, and spirituality within dance and beyond
“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...
02.22.2021
Dominique Dempsey: Dismantling White Supremacy within Dance Communities
“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...
02.02.2021
Gianni Di Marco: Teaching adaptive dance and creating opportunities to diversify the ballet community.
“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, ...
01.26.2021
Catherine Drury, LCSW: Eating disorders within the dancer population.
“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...
01.11.2021
Leal Zielińska: Supporting Mental Health In The Dance Community
"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...
11.26.2020
Dr. Miriam Rowan: Creating space for the being mind and present moment focus.
"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,...
11.10.2020
Jess Spinner: Prioritizing our mental and physical health to support our best dancing.
“When a dancer has support, she is much more likely to move forward into a career in dance that is sustainable, positive, joyful, and happy." In this episode we speak with Jess Spinner. We discuss creating a balanced lifestyle that...
11.02.2020
Marie Scioscia: Balanced fueling for dance performance and opting out of diet culture.
“How we approach dance with regularity and consistency, we want to approach health that way, and especially our diet. We need consistent energy.” In this episode we speak with Marie Scioscia. We speak about the reasons to seek the help...
10.27.2020
Kirsten Kemp: Shifting the mindset for optimal performance
“If you can be fascinated by your own technique, your own artistry, the different tones of the music you are hearing…your mind will naturally go to that zone of focus." In this episode we speak with Kirsten Kemp. We...
10.12.2020
Marcus Schulkind: Acupunture and Chinese Medicine for Dancers
“You have so much power to be healthy, every human being, that is your birthright.”In this episode we speak with Marcus Schulkind. We discuss the fundamental concepts of acupuncture, meridians of the body, lifestyle changes to keep the qi in...
10.06.2020
Kelsey Griffith: Mental skills and performance enhancement for dancers.
“It is not failure if it doesn’t work, it just means that the game plan was not set up in a way that created a path to success” In this episode we speak with Kelsey Griffith. We discuss the importance...
09.28.2020
Brian McGinnis: Massage therapy, self care, and injury prevention for dancers.
“As soon as we feel comfortable that this is what my body does now, we get to actually experience it and do it” In this episode we speak with Brian McGinnis. We discuss the benefits of massage therapy for dancers,...
09.22.2020
Elizabeth Sullivan: Harnessing Intuition as a Dancer
“The mind is your greatest ally in the studio or your biggest enemy…Success comes down to, is your mind on your side, is it supporting you, is it working for you?” In this episode we speak with Elizabeth Sullivan. We...
09.14.2020
Adriana Suarez: Benefits of Gyrotonic ® as a Cross Training Mechanism for Dancers.
“Gyrotonic ® is three-dimensional so you are moving in circles and you are spiraling your spine and you are spiraling your head and you are spiraling your fingers and you are spiraling your arms and your legs and your feet,...
09.07.2020
Michelina Cassella Kulak, PT: Dance injury prevention and cross training.
“Stop worrying about what your neighbor is doing, and just think about yourself. Think about the positive goals you are achieving. Dance training is training, and you are never going to be perfect”In this episode we speak with Michelina...
08.15.2020
Kate Hamilton, PT, DPT: Insights into dealing with dance injuries.
"At Girl Fit Physical Therapy, it's really important to us to teach you how to take care of your own body, to understand your own pain or injury, and to know how to prevent that injury from happening."In this episode...

What's Movement Toward Change about?

Download our free app to listen on your phone

Movement Toward Change episodes:

Emily Schweitzer: Franklin Method as a tool for embodiment.

Elizabeth Mochizuki: Creation of Asian American Ballet Project

Sarah Parker: Finding passion through dancing, writting, and choreographing.

Leslie Frye Maietta: Dance making and mothering.

Kate Daley: Fueling for dance performance and finding food freedom!

Amane Takaishi: Finding balance as a professional dancer, college educator, and choreographer.

David Lobenstine: Massage therapy, at home muscular skeletal relief, and theraputic applications of breathwork for dancers.

Emily Relyea-Spivack: Creating a sustainable Pilates practice.

Megan Guinta: The Gyrotonic ® Method, finding balance, inclusivity in movement practices, and more!

Lauren Cox: The Journey from Freelance Dancer to Jazz Professor

Kurt Douglas: Bringing our life experiences to our dance practices

Samantha Daly: All things Gyrotonic ® and Gyrokinesis ®

Thomas Vacanti: SAFE BARRE ® technique and the importance of training in an anatomically safe manner.

Shannon Lee Jones: Benefits of the Alexander Technique for dancers.

Becca Scott: Holistic health and wellness for dancers.

Daisy Kate Jacobson: Transitioning from Juilliard to a professional career in dance.

Taylor Cocco: Building confidence and female empowerment in and outside of the dance studio.

Fritha Pengelly: Integration of the Feldenkrais Method® within our dance practices.

Tai Jimenez: Yoga, meditation, and spirituality within dance and beyond

Dominique Dempsey: Dismantling White Supremacy within Dance Communities

Gianni Di Marco: Teaching adaptive dance and creating opportunities to diversify the ballet community.

Catherine Drury, LCSW: Eating disorders within the dancer population.

Leal Zielińska: Supporting Mental Health In The Dance Community

Dr. Miriam Rowan: Creating space for the being mind and present moment focus.

Jess Spinner: Prioritizing our mental and physical health to support our best dancing.

Marie Scioscia: Balanced fueling for dance performance and opting out of diet culture.

Kirsten Kemp: Shifting the mindset for optimal performance

Marcus Schulkind: Acupunture and Chinese Medicine for Dancers

Kelsey Griffith: Mental skills and performance enhancement for dancers.

Brian McGinnis: Massage therapy, self care, and injury prevention for dancers.

Elizabeth Sullivan: Harnessing Intuition as a Dancer

Adriana Suarez: Benefits of Gyrotonic ® as a Cross Training Mechanism for Dancers.

Michelina Cassella Kulak, PT: Dance injury prevention and cross training.

Kate Hamilton, PT, DPT: Insights into dealing with dance injuries.