Movement Toward Change

“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 technique. He founded the Adaptive Dance program with Michelina Cassella, a program for children with Down syndrome and autism, at Boston Ballet Center for Dance Education. He then started the Step by Step! Program for children with autism at the Berklee College of Music Institute for Arts Education and Special Needs. Gianni has danced professionally with many ballet companies, including the Royal Winnipeg Ballet, Boston Ballet, and Festival Ballet Providence.

If you have further questions for Gianni, you can contact him through our website.

Support our podcast: https://www.patreon.com/movementtowardchange

Movementtowardchange.org
Instagram: @movementtowardchange

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit marchicamovement.substack.com

“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 York. She has her Masters of Science in Social Work from Columbia University and has additional training in Enhanced Cognitive Behavior Therapy for Eating Disorders, Behavioral Activation Therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, and Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavior Therapy. Catherine specializes in supporting dancers and has given workshops and lectures to many dance institutions throughout New York such as the American Ballet Theater Studio company, The Ailey School, Princeton Ballet School, Gibney Dance, and Harkness Center for Dance Injuries.

Contact Info: http://www.catherinedrury.com

Support our podcast: https://www.patreon.com/movementtowardchange

Movementtowardchange.org
Instagram: @movementtowardchange 

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit marchicamovement.substack.com

"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 Independent Program at the Ailey School in New York City. She has danced professionally with Sidra Bell Dance New York and was featured on the cover of Dance Magazine in January 2018. Leal is currently an Artistic Associate at the Gibney Company where she is the founder of the Okay, Let’s Unpack This Initiative, working to normalize the conversation of mental health within the dance community.

Contact Info: okayokayokay.org

Support our podcast: https://www.patreon.com/movementtowardchange

Movementtowardchange.org
Instagram: @movementtowardchange 

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit marchicamovement.substack.com

"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 dancer with the San Francisco ballet. She is currently a licensed clinical psychologist specializing in performing artists and athletes. Dr. Rowan is an instructor of psychology at Harvard Medical School and practices at both McLean hospital and through private practice.

Contact Info: https://www.miriamrowan.com

Additional Resources:
https://actorsfund.org/services-and-programs/dancers-resource
https://www.iadms.org/default.aspx
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1.800.273.8255
National Sexual Assault Hotline: 1.800.656.4673
The Emily Program Eating Disorder Hotline: 1.888.364.5977
insighttimer.com
calm.com

Support our podcast: https://www.patreon.com/movementtowardchange

Movementtowardchange.org
Instagram: @movementtowardchange 

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit marchicamovement.substack.com

“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 supports our dancing, developing a healthy body image, creating time for self care, fueling during busy dance days, and being an advocate for our own health and well-being.

About Jess: Jess studied dance and arts administration at Butler University. She danced with The Louisville Ballet and freelanced throughout the Boston Area. Jess is a certified Health Coach through the Institute of Integrative Nutrition and has a Precision Nutrition Certification with a focus in Sports Nutrition. She is the founder of The Whole Dancer where she is a health and lifestyle coach for dancers.

The Whole Dancer Instagram: @thewholedancer
The Whole Dancer Website: thewholedancer.com
Best Body Program Waitlist: thewholedancer.com/waitlist

Support our podcast: https://www.patreon.com/movementtowardchange

Movementtowardchange.org
Instagram: @movementtowardchange 

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit marchicamovement.substack.com

“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 of a dietician, importance of a balanced diet for sustainable energy, intuitive eating, opting out of diet culture, possible indications of an eating disorder, avoiding the influences of social media on diet and exercise and more.

Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics: https://www.eatright.org/

About Marie:
Marie is registered dietician based in New York City and former Luigi trained dancer. She has her masters in clinical nutrition and is a certified personal trainer through the American Council on exercise. Marie is currently the nutritionist for the Alvin Ailey School and has worked with the New York City Ballet wellness group. She has lectured for the Complexions Contemporary Ballet and Martha Graham School and has written for both Dance Spirit and Pointe Magazine. Marie has a private practice for dancers and non-dancers in both New York and New Jersey. Additionally, Marie has recently published a handbook for dancers titled “Eat Right, Dance Right” based on her continuous work in the dance world.

Contact Info:  https://www.cinchnutrition.com

Link to purchase Marie's handbook "Eat Right, Dance Right": https://www.cinchnutrition.com/store.html#!/c/0

Support our podcast: https://www.patreon.com/movementtowardchange

Movementtowardchange.org
Instagram: @movementtowardchange 

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit marchicamovement.substack.com

“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 discuss shifting the mindset for optimal performance, transitioning to a career outside of dance, redefining success, creating achievable goals, connecting to the joy of dance, and more.

About Kirsten: Kirsten is a mindset coach for ballet dancers based in Austin, Texas. She has a variety of certifications from the International Board of Coaches and Practitioners and a BFA in Ballet from the University of Utah. Kirsten is a former professional dancer with the Oklahoma City Ballet and the creator of TwinTalkBallet, an online community of over 20,000 dancers. She is also a ballet instructor on faculty at Balance Dance Studios, in addition to guest teaching across the US, and instructing many students privately.

Website: https://kirstenkemp.com/
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/twintalksballet
Instagram: @twintalksballet

Support our podcast: https://www.patreon.com/movementtowardchange

Movementtowardchange.org
Instagram: @movementtowardchange 

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit marchicamovement.substack.com

“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 balance, being proactive about our health, and more.

About Marcus: Marcus has been a dancer, teacher, and choreographer for over 50 years. He is currently a professor of dance at the Boston Conservatory teaching ballet and rehabilitation classes. Marcus is also an acupuncturist based in Brookline, Massachusetts and a former clinical supervisor at New England Acupuncture School. He is one of the founders of Green Street studios in Cambridge, MA and has led his own dance company in both New York and Cambridge.

Contact Info:  www.marcusschulkind.org

Support our podcast: https://www.patreon.com/movementtowardchange

Movementtowardchange.org
Instagram: @movementtowardchange 

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit marchicamovement.substack.com

“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 of strengthening the mind as a dancer, an approach to realistic goal setting, strategies to deal with performance anxiety, using mental imagery to improve our performance, and more.

About Kelsey: Kelsey is a Performance Enhancement & Rehab Specialist at The Micheli Center for Sports Injury Prevention, an affiliate of Boston Children’s Hospital–Division of Sports Medicine in Waltham, MA. She received her Bachelors of Arts in Dance from Muhlenberg College, a masters in sport and exercise psychology from Springfield College, and has been a dancer her whole life. She has worked with the NCAA Division III collegiate level, Massachusetts Olympic Development elite soccer program, and with Broadway performers.

Contact Info:
www.themichelicenter.com
Instagram: @michelicenter

Support our podcast: https://www.patreon.com/movementtowardchange

Movementtowardchange.org
Instagram: @movementtowardchange 

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit marchicamovement.substack.com

“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, establishing a self care routine, shifting the paradigm in our view of stretching, the mind/body connection, allowing space for personal change and more.

About Brian: Brian is a massage therapist in Boston, Massachusetts and Professor of Dance at the Boston Conservatory. He has a BFA in Dance from the Juilliard school and a Masters in Dance from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. Brian has danced with a variety of companies including Lar Lubovitch, Elisa Monte, David Parsons and Jacqueline Buglisi.

Contact Info: [email protected]

Support our podcast: https://www.patreon.com/movementtowardchange

Movementtowardchange.org
Instagram: @movementtowardchange 

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit marchicamovement.substack.com