Dancewell Podcast

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 to Kyle to unleash your inner weirdo and join "The Weirdo's Way: The Eccentric Performers Guide to Crazy Artistic Success." (Don't forget to mention that you heard him on DanceWell Podcast!) Visit DanceWell 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 Website: www.dancewellpodcast.com DanceWell email: dancewellpodcast@gmail.com

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 explore and challenge these dance norms. The result? Well, you’ll have to listen to find out!

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: Marissa Schaeffer DanceWell Founders: Ellie Kusner and Marissa Schaeffer DanceWell Website: www.dancewellpodcast.com DanceWell email: dancewellpodcast@gmail.com

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-fundraiser Host: Ellie Kusner DanceWell Founders: Ellie Kusner and Marissa Schaeffer DanceWell Website: www.dancewellpodcast.com DanceWell email: dancewellpodcast@gmail.com

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-podcast-fundraiser Host: Ellie Kusner DanceWell Founders: Ellie Kusner and Marissa Schaeffer DanceWell Website: www.dancewellpodcast.com DanceWell email: dancewellpodcast@gmail.com

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 by following this link: www.gofundme.com/dancewell-podcast-fundraiser Host: Ellie Kusner DanceWell Founders: Ellie Kusner and Marissa Schaeffer DanceWell Website: www.dancewellpodcast.com DanceWell email: dancewellpodcast@gmail.com

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 up for Rachel’s online course at https://www.dancenutrition.com/ Visit DanceWelll Podcast’s GoFundMe campaign by following this link: www.gofundme.com/dancewell-podcast-fundraiser Host: Ellie Kusner DanceWell Founders: Ellie Kusner and Marissa Schaeffer DanceWell Website: www.dancewellpodcast.com DanceWell email: dancewellpodcast@gmail.com

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 Kusner and Marissa Schaeffer DanceWell Website: www.dancewellpodcast.com DanceWell email: dancewellpodcast@gmail.com

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 & Repeat Photography for the Modern Dancer www.rinceandrepeat.com Visit DanceWell 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 Website: www.dancewellpodcast.com DanceWell email: dancewellpodcast@gmail.com

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-podcast-fundraiser Host: Ellie Kusner DanceWell Founders: Ellie Kusner and Marissa Schaeffer DanceWell Website: www.dancewellpodcast.com DanceWell email: dancewellpodcast@gmail.com

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/our-dance-medicine-team Visit DanceWell 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 Website: www.dancewellpodcast.com DanceWell email: dancewellpodcast@gmail.com

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 DanceWelll Podcast’s GoFundMe campaign by following this link: www.gofundme.com/dancewell-podcast-fundraiser Host: Ellie Kusner DanceWell Founders: Ellie Kusner and Marissa Schaeffer DanceWell Website: www.dancewellpodcast.com DanceWell email: dancewellpodcast@gmail.com

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 DanceWelll Podcast’s GoFundMe campaign by following this link: www.gofundme.com/dancewell-podcast-fundraiser Host: Ellie Kusner DanceWell Founders: Ellie Kusner and Marissa Schaeffer DanceWell Website: www.dancewellpodcast.com DanceWell email: dancewellpodcast@gmail.com

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 Website: www.dancewellpodcast.com DanceWell email: dancewellpodcast@gmail.com

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/; Twitter: https://twitter.com/drcarrieskony; or Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drcarrieskony/ 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 Website: www.dancewellpodcast.com DanceWell email: dancewellpodcast@gmail.com

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.

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 to Dr. Phillip Bauman MD, FAAOS and Mr. Doug Jamison of Hale.Life and Michelle Fleet and Dr. Madelyn Ho MD of Paul Taylor Dance Company discuss a study that is taking fitness tracking - using the Whoop wearable device - to a whole new level. To learn more about Hale.Life, visit: http://www.hale.life/ Photos for this episode courtesy of the personal collection of Laura Halzack, in collaboration with the Moss Arts Center Visit DanceWelll Podcast’s GoFundMe campaign by following this link: www.gofundme.com/dancewell

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 dancers can prepare themselves for this exciting genre as well as what healthcare providers should consider when treating aerial artists. Photo of aerialist Jody Poth by photographer Danny Boulet of Witty Pixel.

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 by following this link: https://www.gofundme.com/dancewell-podcast-fundraiser Host: Marissa Schaeffer DanceWell Founders: Ellie Kusner and Marissa Schaeffer DanceWell Website: www.dancewellpodcast.com DanceWell email: dancewellpodcast@gmail.com

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.