National Dance Institute (NDI) was founded in 1976 by former NYCB principle dancer Jaques D’Ambrois with the mission to "use dance as a catalyst to engage children and motivate them toward excellence" (http://nationaldance.org/NDI_at_a_Glance.pdf). Nearly 50 years later, NDI serves thousands of children each week, hosts teacher trainings and workshops both nationally and internationally to further this mission. In this episode of DanceWell Podcast, Emily Meisner, Director of NDI Collaborative for Teaching & Learning, talks about how NDI can help every dancer teacher to bring positivity, empowerment and collaboration into the dance classroom. Learn more about NDI by visiting www.nationaldance.org or www.NDIcollaborative.org Host: Marissa Schaeffer Co-Hosts: Ellie Kusner and Marissa Schaeffer Website: www.dancewellpodcast.com Email: DanceWellPodcast@gmail.com Introduction Soundscape: Brendan Berry and Dylan Ezzie Visual Image: Katie Dean

DanceWell Podcast

Episode 91: NDI: Bringing positivity, empowerment and collaboration into every studio

Resilience is a bit of a buzz word in the popular media, but what does it really mean, how can we acquire it, and why do dancers need it? On Episode 90: Resilience, Michelle Dwarka answers these questions and many others. We discuss the existing literature and ideas for future research. Contact Michelle at: Host: Ellie Kusner Co-Hosts: Ellie Kusner and Marissa Schaeffer Website: www.dancewellpodcast.com Email: DanceWellPodcast@gmail.com Introduction Soundscape: Brendan Berry and Dylan Ezzie Visual Image: Katie Dean

Episode 90: Resilience

Leaving dance is often a complicated process. There are many many concerns and questions that can arise. For some, managing the transition from expert to novice may be one of the complicated experiences that materializes. Having achieved a high level of skill, the mere thought of shifting focus to anything else can be scary, sad, frustrating, and discouraging, but it can also be revitalizing, promising, exciting, and thrilling. In Episode 89: Quitting Dance, Transitioning from Expert to Novice, Leigh Svarla shares her insights on the nuances of mastery and the value of connecting to a beginners’ mind. Contact Dr. Leigh Skvarla at leigh.skvarla@gmail.com Want to contribute to DanceWell Podcast? Follow this link to donate: www.gofundme.com/dancewell-podcas…son-4-fundraiser Host: Ellie Kusner Co-Hosts: Ellie Kusner and Marissa Schaeffer Website: www.dancewellpodcast.com Email: DanceWellPodcast@gmail.com Introduction Soundscape: Brendan Berry and Dylan Ezzie

Episode 89: Quitting Dance, Transitioning from Expert to Novice

Did you know that: - Pain is not biomedical, it is biopsychosocial. - Tissue damage and pain aren’t correlated. - Critical to pain management is getting in touch with bodies and emotions. - Mental health practitioners are an integral part of a patient’s pain management team. Learn this and so much more on DanceWell Podcast’s 88th Episode: On Pain with pain psychologist, Dr. Rachel Zoffness, PhD. Get in touch with Dr. Zoffness: The Pain Management Workbook: https://www.amazon.com/Pain-Management-Workbook-Powerful-Mindfulness-ebook/dp/B084JJ926N/ref=nodl_ Website: www.Zoffness.com Twitter: @drzoffness Instagram: @therealdoczoff Support DanceWell Podcast by donating - gf.me/u/yxv25p Host: Marissa Schaeffer Co-Hosts: Ellie Kusner and Marissa Schaeffer Website: www.dancewellpodcast.com Email: DanceWellPodcast@gmail.com Introduction Soundscape: Brendan Berry and Dylan Ezzie

Episode 88: On Pain

All people experience a range of emotions in life, including dancers. However, training and professional practice often ask dancers to be hardworking, perseverant, and positive—sometimes even demanding that they smile no matter how they feel. As Kate Wilson LICSW and Miriam Rowan PsyD explain, dancers can become emotionally disoriented when they don’t acknowledge their true feelings. Our guests explain the risks that come from repressing difficult feelings, and they offer insights on how to reconnect to your emotional compass. Contact Kate Wilson LICSW at kate@bostonbmedicine.com And Dr. Miriam Rowan, PsyD at dr.miriamrowan@gmail.com Want to contribute to DanceWell Podcast? Follow this link to donate: www.gofundme.com/dancewell-podcas…son-4-fundraiser Host: Ellie Kusner Co-Hosts: Ellie Kusner and Marissa Schaeffer Website: www.dancewellpodcast.com Email: DanceWellPodcast@gmail.com Introduction Soundscape: Brendan Berry and Dylan Ezzie

Episode 87: Competition, Jealousy, and Rejection

We know well that turnout is an integral part of the Western dance aesthetic. This month, we dedicate an episode to taking a deep dive on the very subject. Join us as physiotherapist Lisa Howell discusses where turnout comes from and what can limit it, the repercussions of forcing turnout, the subtleties of maximizing the range that you inherently have and much more. To learn more about Lisa or to see her class offerings, visit: www.theballetblog.com Support DanceWell Podcast by donating - gf.me/u/yxv25p Host: Marissa Schaeffer Co-Hosts: Ellie Kusner and Marissa Schaeffer Website: www.dancewellpodcast.com Email: DanceWellPodcast@gmail.com Introduction Soundscape: Brendan Berry and Dylan Ezzie

Episode 86: Turnout

Historically, screenings were a method of gate keeping, and in many places today, they still are. Early selection for flexibility and certain proportions was used to determine who could dance at the Kirov and who could not, for example. In this already exclusive field, how many potentially great careers were dismissed too early on in a screening process? How many creative, innovations of dusty traditions were discouraged? In addition to thinking about who gets to wear pointe shoes, we also touch on who constitutes a “Dance Educator”. And of course, we also talk about the missing data in screenings, the importance of lower leg strength and a lot more that you may or may not expect!! Contact Jacqui Greene Haas: jacquigh5954@gmail.com Want to contribute to DanceWell Podcast? Follow this link to donate: www.gofundme.com/dancewell-podcas…son-4-fundraiser Host: Ellie Kusner Co-Hosts: Ellie Kusner and Marissa Schaeffer Website: www.dancewellpodcast.com Email: DanceWellPodcast@gmail.com Introduction Soundscape: Brendan Berry and Dylan Ezzie

Episode 85: Who can dance en pointe?

In January 2021, Mirriam-Webster Dictionary added a handful of new words to its pages. Among them was the new definition for the word 'bubble.' Thanks to the pandemic, a bubble can be 'an area within which sports teams stay isolated from the general public... so as to prevent exposure to disease and that includes accommodations, amenities, and the location at which the games are held'. Bubbles, and the generous foundations and donors who support them, have been partially responsible for keeping dance companies creating and dancing. Logistically, there's a lot that goes into forming a bubble and to keeping it air-tight. On this episode of DanceWell Podcast, we invited Alison Delegate, MS, ATC and Will Zinser, MS, ATC of NYU Langone's Harkness Center for Dance Injuries to tell us all about what it takes to form a successful bubble. Support DanceWell Podcast by donating - gf.me/u/yxv25p Host: Marissa Schaeffer Co-Hosts: Ellie Kusner and Marissa Schaeffer Website: www.dancewellpodcast.com Email: DanceWellPodcast@gmail.com Introduction Soundscape: Brendan Berry and Dylan Ezzie

Episode 84: Dance Bubbles

In this episode, Dr Antonio Ocana discusses addiction in dance. He shares information about the rates of addiction in our field, the nature of these addictions, and their causes—at both a biochemical level and a cultural level. To learn more about Dr Ocana: https://www.epiphany360.io/about-us-1 Contact him: aocana@epiphany360.io Want to contribute to DanceWell Podcast? Follow this link to donate: https://www.gofundme.com/dancewell-podcast-season-4-fundraiser Host: Ellie Kusner Co-Hosts: Ellie Kusner and Marissa Schaeffer Website: www.dancewellpodcast.com Email: DanceWellPodcast@gmail.com Introduction Soundscape: Brendan Berry and Dylan Ezzie

Episode 83: Addiction in Dance

We've heard from the dance medicine and science community on a variety of topics related to the COVID-19 pandemic. On this episode, we turn our attention to our dancers to ask how they've been doing during this past year as the dance world has been put on pause. Thank you to Alexandra Carter @alliegcarter, Jennifer Sydor @jensydor, Sofia Blasco @thedancermovement & www.thedancermovement.com, and Alexa Torres for sharing your experiences on this episode of DanceWell! Support DanceWell Podcast by donating - gf.me/u/yxv25p Host: Marissa Schaeffer Co-Hosts: Ellie Kusner and Marissa Schaeffer Website: www.dancewellpodcast.com Email: DanceWellPodcast@gmail.com Introduction Soundscape: Brendan Berry and Dylan Ezzie

Episode 82: COVID-19: The Dancer's Perspective

We've heard from the dance medicine and science community on a variety of topics related to the COVID-19 pandemic. On this episode, we turn our attention to our dancers to ask how they've been doing during this past year as the dance world has been put on pause. Thank you to Alexandra Carter @alligcarter, Jennifer Sydor @jensydor, Sofia Blasco @thedancermovement & www.thedancermovement.com, and Alexa Torres for sharing your experiences on this episode of DanceWell! Support DanceWell Podcast by donating - gf.me/u/yxv25p Host: Marissa Schaeffer Co-Hosts: Ellie Kusner and Marissa Schaeffer Website: www.dancewellpodcast.com Email: DanceWellPodcast@gmail.com Introduction Soundscape: Brendan Berry and Dylan Ezzie

Episode 82: COVID-19: The dancer's perspective

What is hormone health? How do you know when your hormones are not in balance? What can we do to support hormone health? These are the introductory questions Dr. Nicky Keay answers in this episode. We then move on to specifics like, hormone fluctuations throughout life, calcium, Vitamin D, cortisol, RED-D, and a bit more. To learn more about Dr Keay and contact her: https://nickykeayfitness.com/ Want to contribute to DanceWell Podcast? Follow this link to donate: https://www.gofundme.com/dancewell-podcast-season-4-fundraiser Host: Ellie Kusner Co-Hosts: Ellie Kusner and Marissa Schaeffer Website: www.dancewellpodcast.com Email: DanceWellPodcast@gmail.com Introduction Soundscape: Brendan Berry and Dylan Ezzie

Episode 81: Hormone Health

Senior career counselor Patch Schwadron says that, prior to covid, dancers used to come in to her office at the Career Center at the Actors Fund only after getting the idea in their head that it was time to move on from dance. Now though, the pandemic has given her a chance to change that paradigm. She wants dancers to come in at all stages of their career, not to think about moving on, but instead to think about how they can expand their function within the art form. Get in touch with Patch at: pschwadron@actorsfund.org Dancers interested in taking advantage of The Career Center programs should start by registering for and attending a Career Center Orientation, offered on Mondays https://actorsfund.org/workshops/career-center-orientation-et and Thursdays: https://actorsfund.org/workshops/career-center-orientation-pt-1. Also available to dancers is a bi-monthly National Dancer Info Session: https://actorsfund.org/workshops/national-dancer-info-session Dancers can access The Dancers’ Resource Center at The Actors Fund, led by social worker and former performer Mario Ismael Espinoza (they, them, theirs), mespinoza@actorsfund.org , who helps dancers navigate the range of health, financial, and housing challenges they are facing at this time. Also, New York area dancers should know about Dr. Joey Fernandez (he. him, his), joey.fernancez@mtsinai.org , who has recently joined The Friedman Health Center, located in mid-town Manhattan. Before going into medicine, Dr. Fernandez studied music and dance, and has since developed his specialty in sports and performing arts medicine. More information about the range of programs and service can be found on The Actors Fund website, www.actorsfund.org Support DanceWell Podcast by donating - gf.me/u/yxv25p Host: Marissa Schaeffer Co-Hosts: Ellie Kusner and Marissa Schaeffer Website: www.dancewellpodcast.com Email: DanceWellPodcast@gmail.com Introduction Soundscape: Brendan Berry and Dylan Ezzie

Episode 80: Career Management

In Episode 79, Jess Spinner talks to us about motivation. In the midst of this pandemic, dancers globally are faced with very unfamiliar training practices and uncertain futures, and for many, it’s hard to connect with their passion and remember why they're dancing. How can dancers stay motivated under these stressful and restrictive circumstances and even in the best of times, when it can still be challenging to stay motivated to train, practice, take care of themselves at the highest level, as dancers often feel they must? To learn more about Jess: https://www.thewholedancer.com/ Want to contribute to DanceWell podcast? Follow this link to donate: https://www.gofundme.com/dancewell-podcast-season-4-fundraiser Host: Ellie Kusner Co-Hosts: Ellie Kusner and Marissa Schaeffer Website: www.dancewellpodcast.com Email: DanceWellPodcast@gmail.com Introduction Soundscape: Brendan Berry and Dylan Ezzie

Episode 79: Motivation

Effective attention and focus are known components of a successful artistic performance. As audience members, we know how powerful it can be to see a dancer who is supremely focused in the present moment. And as dancers, we know that an inability to maintain our attention on the task at hand can result in poor performance or even yield disastrous outcomes. In Episode 77: Attention and Focus, Clare Guss-West explains more about this important topic. She shares a bit of the existing research on attentional focus and explains the many ways in which certain attentional strategies enhance performance as well as offering practical ideas for improving attentional focus. To learn more about Clare or to contact her, visit: https://www.attentionfocusindance.com/ Find her on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/clare.gusswest Or connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/clare-guss-west-952b937/ Buy her book here: https://www.attentionfocusindance.com/order-book/ Want to contribute to DanceWell podcast? Follow this link to donate: https://www.gofundme.com/dancewell-podcast-season-4-fundraiser Host: Ellie Kusner Co-Hosts: Ellie Kusner and Marissa Schaeffer Website: www.dancewellpodcast.com Email: DanceWellPodcast@gmail.com Introduction Soundscape: Brendan Berry and Dylan Ezzie

Episode 77: Attention and Focus

DanceWell Podcast is dedicated to exploring 360-degrees of health and wellness for dancers. We believe that health and wellness isn’t just about physical well-being, but encompasses the whole self. From this belief, we bring you bi-monthly episodes in which we talk with all sorts of practitioners including: dietitians, body-workers, medical doctors, athletic trainers, physical therapists, conditioning experts, psychologists and more. We hope these conversations bring you enhanced understanding of health and wellness to support fulfilling experiences in dance!

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DanceWell Podcast

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