We recently connected with Marissa Ivette and have shared our conversation below.

Marissa, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. What was your school or training experience like? Share an anecdote or two that you feel illustrate important aspects or the overall nature of your schooling/training experience.

“Straight from the library- to the dance studio!” – That was my motto throughout the entirety of my training years. From my undergraduate at University of Florida through my doctorate at Barry University I spent my days entirely encompassed in understanding the study of human movement, and my evenings in study of those movements through my own body’s expression. Developing a deep understanding of both allowed me the tools to begin educating and inspiring a community of passionate dancers.

Over the course of my residency years, I very much enjoyed diving into thorough education of various conditions throughout the body with a specialization in the lower extremity while in my spare time creating my own cultural immersion dance company based upon my combined years of dance and medical training. What culminated is a female owned non profit cultural immersion dance company dance company began as a projection of all of the positivity that I felt in my heart. It is a culmination of years of combined medically applied and studied knowledge plus professional dance training in one supportive atmosphere.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers

I got into the industry of education for dance along side obtaining my medical degree in lower extremity medicine. I was mesmerized by the knowledge I was obtaining learning where each muscle attaches and functions in the lower extremity, the mechanics of how each joint position affects movement, and finally how to identify and modify movement to avoid injury. Intensive hours exploring the medical realm alongside intensive technical days of training, educating, and cycling those movements on the dance floor is what led to the creation of my programs today.

Zouk Army Orlando specializes in Brazilian Zouk dance classes for adults with little-to-no dance experience. No partner or special equipment is required! With a cultural immersion-style program, students are exposed to Brazilian music, zouk
dance and the Portuguese language in dynamic, consistent ways felt with the whole body in a family-like community.

Motion with Mari is my newest project that specializes in the promotion and education of safe dance technique, safe head motion technique, and injury prevention through online programming. Motion with Mari provides personalized motion evaluations, product recommendations, educational material and online coaching to train with precision, safety, and consistency. I am most proud of this projects ability to take learning technique to a new level! I have had the opportunity to focus on each clients personal walking and mobility habits and transform any potentially harmful or injury inducing movements to precise and safe motion.

Other than training/knowledge, what do you think is most helpful for succeeding in your field?

Authenticity!

Every individual is different, and I think that should be celebrated! Now more than ever it is a breath of fresh air to experience a program where originality and creativity are showcased. While it can be temping to recreate based on algorithms or what works for another individual, in trying to follow a “status quo” you can loose what is unique about your product and miss out on opportunities only your originality can create.

I have witnessed a beautiful phenomenon where I have built my own dance and wellness programs utilizing my own unique skills, and what follows, is you attract what is organically right for the program. The people, the environment, the energy, and the growth. The pieces just fit together like puzzle pieces.

Any stories or insights that might help us understand how you’ve built such a strong reputation?

Empathy!

I enjoy sharing the knowledge that I have acquired over the years, when I do so it is from a viewpoint of understanding. Understanding who my audience is, what drives them, and understanding that everyone has a different “why.” When you give from that place- understanding each “why”, what is shared is something that is incredibly relevant at that place and time for that individual. It’s incredible to see the evolution of your community when you fertilize the soil.

Contact Info:

• Website: http://motionwithmari.com / https://zoukarmy.com
• Instagram: mariandsebas / zoukarmyorlando
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCjYX6lAsoCtW2RXimP9-nkw/featured

Image Credits
Fusion by Yahve DfD Shotz Lauren Schoepfer