This Thing Called Movement

Intuition can be a tricky subject, because while we understand the concept of intuition intellectually, figuring out how to listen to & follow that “inner voice” can feel incredibly vague and mysterious in real life. But bridging this paradox of intuition is actually much simpler than we think... Marie & Julia begin this episode by clarifying what intuition really is and provide neuropsychological research to explain why it’s valuable to our health on all levels (mental, physical, emotional, and spiritual). Yet despite it’s life-changing potential, so many of us go through life ignoring these “gut instincts” which can unfortunately result in serious mental and physical health conditions including depression, anxiety, eating disorders, burnout, and much more (hello paradox!). To bridge this gap, they discuss practical steps we can take to begin recovering & cultivating our innate intuitive capacity (because we are all born with this ability), and share their own personal stories of h

In our third installment of Meant To Move, Marie and Julia focus on the connection between embodiment and pleasure, and explore the obvious and not-so-obvious ways these aspects of our humanity are intimately linked. To start, this conversation kicks off by digging into the central channel of our embodiment: our movement & exercise practices, why so many of us find these practices to be unpleasant and uncomfortable (physically, mentally, & emotionally), and how prioritizing the sensations of our body over what our bodies “look” like (not just aesthetically, but when we move as well) helps us begin to cultivate more pleasure. In fact, when discussing how to cultivate pleasure in movement, Marie & Julia discuss how kids are some of their greatest role models. They are so beautifully proficient at prioritizing their enjoyment of every minute (or more honestly, every second) of their lives. And even in our adulthood, we can earn great rewards by nurturing our own inner child whenever we

One aspect of moving our bodies that I dare say 100% of people can relate to is negotiating the pitfalls of PAIN. Experiencing pain in any form in our bodies, whether it’s acute or chronic, dull or sharp, expected or unexpected leads us into the territory of feeling disappointed by our bodies as they seemingly break down right under our nose. And well, let’s not beat around the bush here, the general consensus for most of us in this department is: pain means damage, and it's frustrating. But... what if that assumption isn’t entirely correct? Enter our guest for this episode: Charlie Merrill. As a licensed physical therapist and owner of Merrill Performance in Boulder, Colorado Charlie has devoted over 20 years of his life to developing a synthesized treatment of the mind and body to support people dealing with pain & injury in returning to a high level of performance, health, and vitality in their lives. Through his many years of study and experience, Charlie sees that pain and tiss

Welcome to the second episode of Meant To Move — a special podcast collaboration dedicated to the power of movement and embodiment — co-created by Marie Janicek & Julia Szpor as part of the “Being Better” and “This Thing Called Movement” podcasts. Today Marie and Julia dig deep into the emotionally charged topic of: how to negotiate anxiety & insecurity surrounding our bodies & movement and exchange them for confidence and empowerment instead. Together they flesh out some of the biggest pieces of this puzzle, like why movement often feels awkward (yes bodies are magical but they can also be weird), why so many of us are afraid of going to the gym (ugh please don’t look at me), and why moving in front of other people is so intimating (ahhh again please don’t look at me!). And while deconstructing these very real challenges in relationship to our bodies and movement, they share their own personal stories in navigating these waters of anxiety and insecurity, how they made the transitio

Welcome to Meant To Move, a special podcast series all about the power of movement and embodiment co-created by Marie Janicek & Julia Szpor as part of the “Being Better” and “This Thing Called Movement” podcasts. In this series, Marie and Julia come together to discuss all things regarding movement, embodiment, intuition, and body image to help you reach your goals regarding physical health, mental health, athletic performance, spirituality, emotions and relationships. Marie steps in as the movement expert here help you become more in tune with your body, and Julia as the layperson going on this journey with you and help you avoid beginner mistakes. In this first episode, Marie and Julia discuss some of the key reasons for why our relationship with our bodies can be difficult and often feel confusing. As we unravel these mysteries, Marie offers some practical guidance on developing a more sustainable and fulfilling movement practice. You can join in on the guided movement practices

There’s something incredibly magical about hearing success stories of entrepreneurs, but finding the ones where the road to success was centered on following the call of the heart and the subtle messages it sends are few and far between. Enter Kristin Sudeikis — choreographer, artistic director, and CEO/Creator of FORWARD__Space based in downtown NYC where music, dance, culture, fashion + meet n' move. In the wake of the pandemic, she’s been able to expand this magical combination through the FORWARD__Space Virtual Hub, now available in 102 countries. As a lifelong dancer and lover of movement, Kristin has always been fueled by the intention and desire to bring people together to connect to themselves, the other and then the greater world around them. For her movement — and dance especially — provides space for us to be fully embodied and connected to the ever-present now. Along with all her responsibilities as a entrepreneur, Kristin continues to choreograph and teach nationally + in

Sometimes, the best decision we can make for ourselves is to slow down, pause or stop. But in a world where “productivity” is a form of currency that we use to gauge and evaluate our worth, taking any of these actions can feel like death (and as you’ll discover in this episode, there’s actually a biological reason for that). In this solo episode, Marie returns to the airwaves to shares her personal journey in making the radical choice to stop and slow down. She discusses the cultural, psychological, and biological factors that explain why these choices often feel so disorienting and uncomfortable, draws parallels to how the drive for productivity diminishes our capacity in both our movement practices as well as our life, and reframes our understanding of productivity through a more practical lens (hint: productivity isn’t all or nothing — it’s a spectrum!). Thank you so much for tuning in with us today! To show your support, leave a rating and/or review, and spread the love by sharin

Today we are excited to talk to Matt Bernstein, the founder of Ape Co Movement School, a movement school based in Colorado with locations in Denver and Boulder. Matt is a former professional firefighter and ski patroller, as well as a long time student of Ido Portal. He considers himself a life-long learner, playing as many instruments as he can, moving daily and finding as much ease as possible in the struggles of daily life. As a husband and father, he is deeply devoted to finding new ways to enhance the lives of not just his family and children, but to every human being who crosses his path. What we talk about Resources Evolna’s Virtual Portal 14-Day Free TrialEvolna's websiteIG @evolna_FacebookOur host's IG @mariejanicek Get in touch with Matt apecomovement.com Thank you for tuning in! Please leave a review and share with those you think would enjoy listening!

Welcome to a special new series of episodes on the This Thing Called Movement Podcast: The Inner Circle As much as we love listening to interviews from experts and professionals about movement and wellness, there is also something especially powerful and magical about hearing the story of how a non-movement/fitness professional made an incredible transformation in relationship to their body. This new segment of the podcast features interviews with our Evolna community members who wanted to connect to movement and their bodies in a more authentic, integrated and powerful way. — Today’s episode features Saleena Sidhu: a long-time client of Marie Janicek and one of the first students of the Evolna Intuitive Movement practice. Saleena lives in New York, NY where she is Vice President of Saratoga Medical. She is a wife, a mother of two, and even in the midst of the demanding lifestyle of a New Yorker juggling career, family, and social demands, she still has found time to prioritize a

Marlo Fisken is a renowned movement professional, having taught over 22 years in more than 70 countries. She is most known for her innovative teaching methods and pole dance accolades, and was previously a professional dancer and model. Marlo began pole 15 years ago and is an international pole dance champion. Marlo is also the creator of Flow Movement, which offers online learning opportunities, in-person workshops, and the Floor Flow Teacher Training (the first virtual training will be happening later this year -- wait list open now). Flow Movement exists to share the benefits of flow-state movement experiences with ALL people. The Flow Movement approach is known to stimulate imagination, sensuality, connection, naturally fluid movement, and playfulness. Hailing from Virginia Beach, Virginia, Marlo is a Modern Dance graduate of the Virginia Governor’s School for the Arts and holds a B.S. in Anthropology and Public Relations from the University of Miami. What we discuss Evolna's R

In today's episode we dive into understanding the link between emotions and the body. Emily Wishall is a Certified Rolfer & Embodiment Coach based in Denver, Colorado, who is passionate about supporting women through the path from disliking their body to loving it. When you are not comfortable in your body, it affects everything — your confidence, career, relationships, you name it. Emily is publishing her first book this Fall 2021, Hating My Body Was My Greatest Gift (working title). What We Discuss Resources Join Evolna's Virtual Studio for FreeNewsletterIG @evolna_FacebookOur host's IG @mariejanicek Get in touch with Emily www.wishallwellness.comFacebookInstagram Thank you for tuning in! Please leave a review and share with those you think would enjoy listening!

Welcome back, friends! It's Mental Health Awareness Month and today we're shedding light on dance/movement therapy. We had the pleasure to interview Erica Hornthal, CEO of Chicago Dance Therapy, the premiere dance/movement therapy practice in the Midwest. She has 10+ years as a board-certified dance/movement therapist and licensed clinical professional counselor. Known as “The Therapist Who Moves You,” Erica has truly changed the way people see movement with regard to mental health. She has worked with thousands of patients aged 3-107 and is passionate about bringing awareness to the field of dance/movement therapy to mainstream culture. What we discuss Evolna resources Try our 14-day free trialEvolna's websiteIG @evolna_IG @mariejanicek In this episode The Body Keeps The ScoreRudolf Laban's Dimensional Scale Get in touch with Erica IG @the.therapist.who.moves.youIG @dancetherapysummitFacebook: EricaHornthal Thank you for tuning in! Please leave a review and share with those yo

Our bodies are made up of 70% percent water, yet by and large we do not encourage movement practices that cultivate that natural fluidity. Bobbie Ellis joins us today for a very special episode in which we discuss the nexus of how fluid motion, sensation, and intuition all work together to create coherent alignment in our bodies and minds from the inside out. Bobbie has spent the last 37 years of her life devoted to understanding and connecting with the wisdom of the body. She is an esteemed teacher of Continuum Yoga and one of the founding members of the Continuum Teachers Association, having shared her work through prestigious organizations such as Omega Institute, Kripalu Center and Esalen Institute. We hope you find this discussion as revelatory and nourishing as we did, so without further ado, let's tune in! What We Discuss In this episode https://hbstudio.org/https://www.somactr.com/https://www.continuumteachers.com/http://fabiangarciadpt.com/https://www.heartmath.org/ Get i

Hello Everyone! We are beyond honored to introduce today’s guest on the podcast, Ryan Hurst, Co-Founder and Head Coach at GMB Fitness. After a training accident ended his competitive gymnastics career, Ryan moved to Japan and competed in various martial arts until another injury made him reevaluate his priorities in life. Since then, Ryan has devoted his life to coaching others in strength and movement, but always lets his philosophy of “training for a healthy life” lead the way. He has lived in Osaka, Japan for the last 25 years, is a father to two young children, and the most important thing to him is to be able to play with them without pain or fear of injury. His mission is to show everyone that you can define your own fitness as a sustainable and enjoyable part of your life. He holds black belts in Kendo, Judo, and Shorinji Kempo, a purple belt in BJJ, and practiced 10 years as a competitive gymnast. What we discuss Resources Evolna's websiteNewsletterIG @evolna_FacebookOur hos

Hello Everyone, today we’re going to take a trip down south and dive deeply into the world of our feet! We had the privilege of speaking with Dr. Emily Splichal, Functional Podiatrist and Human Movement Specialist. Dr Emily is the Founder of EBFA Global, Creator of the Barefoot Training Specialist® Certification, Author of Barefoot Strong and CEO/Founder of Naboso Technology. With over 20 years in the fitness industry, Dr Splichal has dedicated her medical career towards studying postural alignment and human movement as it relates to barefoot science, foot to core integration and sensory integration. What we discuss Resources Evolna's websiteNewsletterIG @evolna_FacebookOur host's IG @mariejanicek In this episode Barefoot StrongWhat is interoceptionNaboso Technology Get in touch with Dr. Emily Splichal www.ebfaglobal.comwww.dremilysplichal.comwww.naboso.comwww.barefootstrong.comIG @dremilydpm

Hello Everyone! We’re so excited to share today’s episode with you, featuring Quinn Tew. Quinn is a fitness, nutrition and mindset coach who specializes in women’s health and has worked in the industry for 14 years. She is devoted to helping women harness their overall strength and resilience by embracing the physiological power of the female body. What we discuss Resources Evolna’s On-Demand AppEvolna's websiteNewsletterIG @evolna_FacebookOur host's IG @mariejanicek In this episode Eating for Pregnancy BookInteroceptionDr Stacy Sims23andmeInfradian RhythmDr Alisa VittiWomen’s Code bookThe Period Repair ManualInterview with Charlotte Mia Rose Get in touch with Quinn IG @quinn.tew Thank you for tuning in! Please leave a review and share with those you think would enjoy listening!

Hello everyone! Today’s episode features long-time educator and fitness professional, Jason C. Brown. Jason is the founder of the Kettlebell Athletics certification program. He is passionate about humanizing our movement practices, namely simplifying them and adding more play and pleasure in the process. Today we discuss the problems behind the fear and intimidation motivations promoted in the fitness industry; why they fundamentally fail; how pleasure and play within movement practices fundamentally impact our mental and physical wellbeing. We’re excited to share Jason’s experiences and insights with you all! What we discuss Resources Evolna's websiteNewsletterIG @evolna_FacebookOur host's IG @mariejanicek In this episode Kettlebell Athletics CertificationPavel TsatsoulineKrebs Cycle Get in touch with Jason Jason's websiteJason's IG @ironkimono Thank you for tuning in! Please subscribe, leave a review and share!

Hello Everyone! Today we are introducing a spicier subject on the podcast, pleasure and sexual wellness! We spoke to somatic sex educator, Charlotte Mia Rose, who is devoted to helping people find their path to a happier, healthier and more pleasureable sexuality. She and her partner Chris Maxwell Rose are the co-creators of Pleasure Mechanics, an online course platform teaching the techniques of sexual pleasure, as well as hosts of the Speaking of Sex podcast, which dives into erotic education. Today we talk about how something as simple as touch is underestimated and neglected, yet critical to our well-being; how shame inhibits our sexual health and steps we can take to dismantle its hold on us; and the power of pleasure in improving not just our sex lives, but also our overall health & happiness. We’re honored to share Charlotte’s seasoned expertise with you all, so without further ado, let’s tune in! More about Charlotte: Charlotte Mia Rose co-created PleasureMechanics.com with

We are so excited to share our interview with Helen Phelan! Helen is a certified pilates instructor, integrative health coach, and prenatal/postpartum corrective exercise specialist. She is a former professional dancer who struggled with body image and disordered eating for years- and when she became an instructor she was determined to find a way to share the empowering aspects of a movement practice without diet culture's toxicity, and her method and online studio, Helen Phelan Studio was born. Inspired by the intuitive eating movement, Helen's method is designed to enhance your self trust and intuition by creating workouts that connect you more deeply to yourself while challenging you physically and allowing space for self compassion. She's been featured in Huffington Post, Well and Good, Mind Body Green, InStyle Magazine and more. In this episode we discussed body neutrality (what it means & how it benefits us), the politics inherent within health & wellness, and how sensation-focu

We’re thrilled to welcome today’s guest on the podcast, Dr. Kellen Scantlebury! Dr. Kellen is a certified strength and conditioning coach as well as a licensed doctor of physical therapy. He’s the founder and CEO of Fit Club, a NYC-based physical therapy and sports performance clinic. Dr. Kellen is incredibly passionate about movement and helping others reach their goals through manual therapy and prescriptive exercise. What we discuss: Where to find Dr. Kellen and Fit Club: Dr. Kellen’s Instagram @dr.kelsFit Club’s Instagram @fitclubnyFit Club's WebsiteFit Club's FacebookFit Club's Youtube Resources: Evolna's website @evolna_Facebook @mariejanicek