To supplement our annual Day of Dancer Health event, happening on December 7, 2023 at Hunter Dance Center, the Dancer Wellness Series provides dance artists with resources to support their mental and physical health through in-person and on-demand sessions. The series features workshops on a range of health topics presented by medical professionals and movement classes led by artists from a mind-body perspective. All sessions are free and open to all.

Begun in the fall of 2020, the series was launched to support the needs of danceworkers outside of those that the Day of Dancer Health screening addresses.

2023 Dancer Wellness Series Schedule

African Dance Fusion | Ren Hall | October 18 | 12-1pm | Institute of Contemporary Dance

In this class movers will experience a colorful choice of tribal music, filled with the beats of the culture. Starting with a warmup and progressions, (some across the floor) then concluding with a phrase that incorporates all the movement from the class and encapsulates the whole experience.

Ren Hall is a professional dancer and dance instructor from San Antonio, Texas. He got his start in classical ballet training at age 11 eventually performing in shows such as Snow White, Cinderella, Blanca Flor, and The Nutcracker & Scheherazade. In addition to ballet, Ren has trained in modern, contemporary, and even commercial-style dances in off-broadway shows and on cruise ships. He is new to the Houston area and just accepted a position with the Houston Contemporary Dance Company.

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Alexander Technique and Self-care for Movers | Adele Nickel | October 25 | 12-1pm | Uptown Dance Center

This class will introduce the basics of the Alexander Technique through the lens of the dancing body! We will learn and practice applying principles of the technique to help calm the nervous system, heighten self-awareness, and find more ease, efficiency, and freedom in how we move through the world. Come and learn how the AT can support your self-care, grow your mind-body connection, and improve your overall health and wellbeing!

Adele is an AmSAT-certified teacher of the Alexander Technique; she received her 1600-hour training at Riverside Initiative for the Alexander Technique (RIAT) in New York City and currently teaches dance, somatics and anatomy as an Assistant Professor at Sam Houston State University. Adele has an MFA from the University of Washington and has taught somatics on faculty at Movement Research and the American Academy of Dramatic Arts. She is currently studying to become a Craniosacral therapist. www.adelenickel.com

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Veil Dancing | Y.E. Torres | November 1 | 12-1pm | Houston Met Dance

In this workshop you will explore mindfulness and connection to the element of air through an introduction to dancing with silk veils. Beginning with a yoga-based warm-up to connect our mind to breath and body, we will explore a series of movements to help you experience a dancing meditation in flow with the veil. A limited number of props will be available for use.

Y. E. Torres (ms. YET) is an interdisciplinary performance artist and specialty entertainer, specializing in performance installations and portraits using fire manipulation. She holds dual BFAs in Drawing & Painting and Fashion Design from the University of North Texas and multiple dance and yoga-based certifications. Torres is an arts educator, movement instructor, and Public Programs and CAMHLAB Manager at Contemporary Art Museum Houston. She has been named one of Houston’s Top 100 Creatives by the Houston Press (2011), inaugurated into the Houston Music and Arts Hall of Fame (2016), and awarded 2nd place for Best of Sideshow Arts at the ABurlQ! Burlesque & Sideshow Spectacular (2019). Torres is also a Flame Effects Operator, licensed by the state of Texas, and an appointed Principal on the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) Special Effects (SPE-AAA) Committee.

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Partner Massage for Movers | Rivkah French | November 8 | 12-1pm | Frame Dance

This session will provide movers of all types with a healing and rejuvenating massage experience. Rivkah French (Registered Massage Therapist) will guide participants to give and receive therapeutic massage with a partner. Attendees will leave the workshop with massage skills they can take into their daily well-being regimen.
*No oils will be used. Please wear comfortable, stretchy clothing.

Rivkah French is an award-winning queer contemporary choreographer and community leader based in Houston, Texas. French embodies freedom in movement by breaking dance, gender and societal norms–merging multiple dance styles, powerful themes, and innovative technologies. Rivkah engages audiences and participants in a journey of transformational discovery and expression through both performance and social practice events. French is the winner of Outsmart Magazine’s Favorite Dancer award and named Houston’s Top Choreographer by Houston Press. Throughout their twenty-five year career, French has created 37 full-length dance and multimedia performances, founded and directed the non-profit dance theater FrenetiCore, built and managed the organization’s black box theatrical venue, founded and produced the Houston Fringe Festival, and taught movement arts to at-risk children and adults, as well as homeless and incarcerated teens. Rivkah is currently focused on developing both spaces and experiences that foster healing and empowerment through self-expression for the LGBTQ+ community; expanding the field of Queer Dance Theory, and creating new movement techniques that fuse global dance styles with contemporary Western dance. French’s career exemplifies their belief in the revolutionary power of art on individuals and society at large. French is the winner of Outsmart Magazine’s Favorite Dancer award and named Houston’s Top Choreographer by Houston Press.

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Bey-kinesis | Amy Ell | November 15 | 12-1pm | Hunter Dance Center

Bey-kinesis – musical Gyrokinesis done to music by Beyoncé, those who influenced her, and those she influenced. GYROKINESIS® classes can be adapted to fit anyone’s ability. People from all walks of life take Gyrokinesis classes, including accomplished athletes, fitness enthusiasts, senior citizens and people recovering from an injury or dealing with a disability. By the end of a Gyrokinesis session, one’s entire system is awakened and brought into greater balance. Focus on the breath stimulates the parasympathetic nervous system resulting in a sense of calm, well-being and mental clarity.

Amy is a movement specialist professional currently working in fitness and rehabilitation. Her areas of expertise include Pilates, Garuda, Gyrotonic, Gyrokinesis, Thai massage, contemporary dance, choreography, aerial dance, and vertical dance. She has over 30 years of experience.

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Managing Anxiety and Perfectionism Inside and Outside The Studio | Kelsey Fyffe | November 29 | 11am-12pm | Zoom

In this presentation, we will discuss how anxiety and perfectionism can show up for dancers both in the studio and in their personal lives. We will discuss how this type of anxiety develops, and some strategies for overcoming the challenges it can create.

Kelsey Fyffe is a licensed professional counselor and certified eating disorder specialist. She owns a therapy practice called Live Mindfully Psychotherapy, which specializes in the treatment of anxiety, OCD, and eating disorders. Kelsey works regularly with dancers who want to improve anxiety and body image, and has been the official counselor for the Houston Ballet Academy for the past 5 years.

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The Dancers Pelvic Floor | Daisy Su | December 7 | 12-1pm | Hunter Dance Center
During Day of Dancer Health!

The goal of ‘The Dancer’s Pelvic Floor’ session is to provide education regarding pelvic health and pelvic floor therapy in relation to the dance and performing arts population. Dr. Daisy Su is a Board-Certified Orthopedic Physical Therapist who specializes in dance medicine and pelvic floor therapy. She will be discussing the pelvic anatomy, how training demands of artistic athletes can directly impact the pelvic floor, common signs of pelvic floor dysfunction, and how to know when to seek professional help from a pelvic floor specialist!

Dr. Daisy Su is a Physical Therapist, pilates instructor, and dance educator based in Houston, Texas. She received her Bachelor of Science from The University of Texas at Austin and earned her Doctorate of Physical Therapy from the University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences in Austin, Texas. She is a Residency-Trained and Board-Certified Orthopedic Clinical Specialist with focus in Dance Medicine and Pelvic Floor Therapy. Daisy has a unique background in dance, music, and martial arts. She grew up dancing a variety of styles including ballet/pointe, modern, tap, and Chinese traditional dance. She also competed at the state and national level for the violin and Taekwondo. Her passion for the performing arts continues through her physical therapy practice, where she specializes in rehabilitating Artistic-Athletes. Daisy is a life-long learner and provides a holistic, evidence-driven, treatment approach. She utilizes a variety of treatment methods and values individualized care. She enjoys working with movers of all ages and is passionate about guiding individuals from rehab and beyond!

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Photos are from sessions during the 2022 Dancer Wellness Series including Contemporary with Mezclada Dance Company at Studio713, Mindful Kathak Movements with Dolly Goyal, and Inner Landscapes: Intersecting Anatomy, Technique, and Improvisation with Lori Yuill.

View past Dancer Wellness Series sessions on YouTube, including nutrition, mental health, injury prevention, meditation, movement and more.