In this episode, we’re joined by Mariah-Jane Thies, the Radiant Dance Teacher, whose innovative approach to teaching blends traditional dance education with modern insights from Brain Gym, Touch for Health, reflex integration, and brain connection theories. Her work is transforming how we think about learning—whether in the studio or everyday life—bringing flow and ease to movement and habits.

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Award Winner for Innovation

Mariah-Jane Thies won the Innovation in Dance Award in 2024 from the Royal Academy of Dance. She was recognized in particular for bringing the concept of the need for Brain Development and Brain Integration in the training of dancers for both learning and performance. She is also a content creator for the new dance platform, the Library Aesthetic Dance Media and has presented worldwide at the biggest dance teacher conferences including: IADMS, NDEO, BMC and Healthy Dancer Canada.  Her knowledge of learning extends beyond the dancer, the educator, and dance schools, as many of her concepts are applicable to business, program development, and parents too.

Tea for Change

And to set the mood for our conversation, we’re featuring the delightful Golden SereniTEA from the Harmony Blends collection by Cape Breton Tea Company. This invigorating blend of ginger, lemon, and turmeric not only warms your spirit but also supports digestion, boosts immunity, and reduces inflammation—perfect for enhancing clarity and energy as you reflect on creating new habits.

Paired with the Harmony Coasters, this tea adds a touch of mindfulness to your day. Sip, savor, and embrace a moment of serenity as you listen to this enriching episode.

This conversation is filled with ideas for everyone, whether you’re a teacher, dancer, or simply someone looking to embrace change and live with more ease. Mariah-Jane’s insights provide a fresh perspective on introducing new concepts, overcoming resistance, and making life more radiant.

So, grab your Golden SereniTEA, settle in, and let this episode inspire you to rethink how you approach habits, health, and learning.

Harmony Coasters Foster Change

What are Harmony Coasters? They are 11 infused images prioritizing your transformation through a challenge. You can choose a coaster and enjoy putting it under your glass of water or cup of tea, engaging with the art and the intentions on the back. Or, you can consider the challenge you are approaching, and begin with the first coaster, and add your beverage on top. Reflection, journaling, activities to move you out of this phase of your challenge will move you towards your next coaster and the next step. These coasters include connecting with guides, mentors, or supporters, as well as integrating the possibility of change. You can learn more here.

Resistance in Tai Chi Training

One of the greatest challenges that people find with their Tai Chi practice is that they dive in eager to do it all, make it big, and use the tai chi movements like an exercise. The idea of “less is more” is very hard to idealize. Also, the awareness of subtle changes that happen instantly are hard to imagine. As Mariah-Jane shares her understanding of the body, these ideas and learning tools support finding the true value in the Tai Chi movements. Tai Chi is about finding your Qi, cultivating it for daily vitality, and improve the opportunity for longevity. Resistance slows down this process, and the resistance to change ideas or ways of doing things diminishes the Qi.

This is also true for dance. We were taught to work hard and train for perfection, the ideation that we were already perfect and ready for learning was not considered. As you look at your ideas of change, the resistance you bring to your day or your thoughts, and how new habits may be slowly happening for you, consider how this could be simply different by letting go. Your dance in the kitchen will change, and your ability to find integrative movement and thoughts will blossom.

Stay tuned for Part 2 of our conversation being released later this month!

The post Opening the Resistance to Change first appeared on Greenwell Center for Holistic Health.