Naomi Chan: Dance is a Mental Health Practice

14 Things Every Dancer Should Hear (Season 1 Lessons)

This episode wraps up Season 1 of The Decision to Dance Podcast by reviewing 14 key insights from guest conversations throughout the season. More episodes coming soon! Watch this episode on Youtube! [https://youtu.be/UpGv8prIwO8] Follow Us: The Decision to Dance Podcast Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/decisiontodancepodcast/] Priscilla's Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/priscilla_piper_/] Priscilla's TikTok [https://www.tiktok.com/@priscilla_piper_] Music By: Augusto Diniz [https://linktr.ee/augustodiniz]

Naomi Chan: Dance is a Mental Health Practice

Priscilla interviews Naomi Chan, a 28-year-old psychiatric nurse practitioner from San Francisco who began dancing in college eight years ago. Naomi shares her journey from joining a cultural dance group at Vanderbilt University to becoming part of the vibrant Bay Area dance community, where she now competes with the hip hop team, Pursuit of Passion. She discusses balancing her demanding career with her passion for dance, emphasizing how dance serves as essential mental health relief and creative expression. Throughout the conversation, Naomi reflects on overcoming plateaus, handling team audition rejections, developing her groove skills, and learning to dance with intention. Watch this episode on Youtube! [https://youtu.be/0Wyo-Au_d_U] Resources Discussed: Steezy Studios Mentioned: Millenium Dance Complex Nashville Follow Us: The Decision to Dance Podcast Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/decisiontodancepodcast/] Naomi's Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/naomi.cyan/] Priscilla's Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/priscilla_piper_/] Music By: Augusto Diniz [https://linktr.ee/augustodiniz]

How Failure Can Make You a Better Dancer

In this episode of the Decision to Dance Podcast, Priscilla Piper shares her transformative perspective on failure and how it has shaped her as a dancer. She describes viewing her accumulated failures which now empowers her rather than defeats her. She encourages dancers to be proud of their struggles and hardships, as these experiences ultimately make them stronger, more intentional performers. Watch this episode on Youtube! [https://youtu.be/JkwLYyNV3KE] Follow Us: The Decision to Dance Podcast Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/decisiontodancepodcast/] Priscilla's Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/priscilla_piper_/] Priscilla's TikTok [https://www.tiktok.com/@priscilla_piper_] Music By: Augusto Diniz [https://linktr.ee/augustodiniz]

Lynley Mackay: Take Advantage of the Time That You Have

This podcast episode features Lynley Mackay, a 63-year-old lawyer from Sydney, Australia, who discovered dance in her late 40's. Overcoming the challenges of starting dance for the first time, she persisted and became completely addicted once she experienced the magic of choreography and music becoming one. Lynley emphasizes that dance has become her "soul food" and is a mental health practice, which helps her process the emotional weight of her legal work. She advocates strongly against age-related self-defeat, having started circus arts in her mid-50's, and believes being a beginner keeps you mentally young and builds brain plasticity. Throughout the conversation, she shares practical advice about starting dance through online classes, the importance of yoga for injury prevention, and shares how dance has helped her achieve a sense of peace within herself after many years of searching for it. Watch this episode on Youtube! [https://youtu.be/rh_UmGPp0GE] Resources Discussed: Sydney Dance Company Steezy Steps on Broadway in NY & Online Be Radiant Yoga (Vanessa Ziesing) The Galen Hooks Method: -Intensives -On Demand "How to Retain Choreography" Classes: "Clean as you Go" and "Life Rafts" (formally as "Tentpole Moments") Dance Teachers Discussed: Dale Pope Galen Hooks Follow Us: The Decision to Dance Podcast Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/decisiontodancepodcast/] Lynley's Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/lynleyjane_/] Priscilla's Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/priscilla_piper_/] Music By: Augusto Diniz [https://linktr.ee/augustodiniz]

Being the worst dancer in class...

Priscilla discusses why she embraces being the worst dancer in the room, emphasizing that her love for dance and the learning process outweighs the discomfort of being less skilled than other dancers. She challenges listeners to examine whether their self-worth is too dependent on external validation in comparison to other dancers. Priscilla encourages dancers to view being the least experienced person in any setting—whether in dance class, at work, or in life—as an exciting opportunity for growth rather than a source of shame and embarrassment. Watch this episode on Youtube! [https://youtu.be/nk2zJuldjmY] Follow Us: The Decision to Dance Podcast Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/decisiontodancepodcast/] Priscilla's Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/priscilla_piper_/] Priscilla's TikTok [https://www.tiktok.com/@priscilla_piper_] Music By: Augusto Diniz [https://linktr.ee/augustodiniz]