Elvira van Groningen: Focal Dystonia, Timani, and Musicians' Health

This week we share a special joint episode with Michelle Lynne, co-creator of The Fearless Artist Mastermind and host of The Fearless Artist podcast. The two podcast hosts discuss life as an artist, how to lead from one's values, and how to trust yourself. Episode is available on both shows. Discover more about Michelle's work: https://michellelynnepianist.com/Listen to The Fearless Artist podcast: https://podcast.thefearlessartistmastermind.com/Join The Fearless Artist Mastermind: https://www.thefearlessartistmastermind.com/Online Shop: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://the-conscious-artist-shop.printify.me⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Subscribe for access to premium content: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://theconsciousartist.substack.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Buy Me a Coffee: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://buymeacoffee.com/theconsciousartist⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow us on Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@theconsciousartistofficial⁠⁠⁠

This week we feature Dr. Emily Gee, the Director of the Musicians’ Wellness Program at the University of Colorado in Boulder. She is a licensed physical therapist (PT) and certified yoga instructor with a background in music. As a cellist, she battled playing-related injuries during music conservatory that led to a career path. Throughout her own physical recovery, she saw a great need for healthcare providers who better understood the physical, mental and emotional demandsplaced on musicians throughout their careers, and has dedicated her time serving the music community as a clinician, educator, advocate and resource to promote health and wellness among musicians. Discover more about Emily's work: https://www.colorado.edu/music/emily-geeOnline Shop: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://the-conscious-artist-shop.printify.me⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Subscribe for access to premium content: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://theconsciousartist.substack.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Buy Me a Coffee: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://buymeacoffee.com/theconsciousartist⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow us on Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@theconsciousartistofficial⁠⁠⁠

CONTENT WARNING: Suicide, Domestic violence, abuseIn this heartfelt episode, host Pallavi sits down with fitness coach, content creator, and former competitive figure skater Neha Alisha Dias. Neha opens up about her powerful journey of resilience, from dealing with a double concussion that brought her skating career to an early end, to overcoming an abusive relationship, to finding healing through movement and creative expression. Her book, 101 Reasons to Stay: A Collection of Reminders for the Days You Feel Alone, offers hope and encouragement for anyone navigating challenging seasons. Through this intimate and inspiring conversation, Neha reminds listeners that strength is born from perseverance, and that creativity, mindfulness, and compassion can guide us toward healing and self-discovery.Shop Neha's Book: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/101-reasons-to-stay-neha-dias/1142815032Follow Neha on Socials:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nehas_wrld/?hl=enTiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@nehas_wrldOnline Shop: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://the-conscious-artist-shop.printify.me⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Subscribe for access to premium content: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://theconsciousartist.substack.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Buy Me a Coffee: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://buymeacoffee.com/theconsciousartist⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow us on Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@theconsciousartistofficial⁠⁠⁠

In this special joint episode with The Classical Circuit host Ella Lee, Pallavi and Ella discuss growing up as children of immigrants, discovering their voices beyond the piano, and redefining belonging in classical music. Their conversation offers an inspiring reminder that there’s space for everyone in this industry, and that by pursuing what’s authentic and meaningful, we can each create our own path forward.Listen to The Classical Circuit:https://shows.acast.com/the-classical-circuitOnline Shop: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://the-conscious-artist-shop.printify.me⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Subscribe for access to premium content: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://theconsciousartist.substack.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Buy Me a Coffee: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://buymeacoffee.com/theconsciousartist⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow us on Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@theconsciousartistofficial⁠⁠⁠

In this deeply personal opening episode of Season 8, pianist Jonathan Biss joins host Pallavi Mahidhara for a courageous conversation about mental health, living with anxiety, and the emotional complexities of life as an artist. Together they explore identity, vulnerability, and the lifelong journey of understanding oneself on and offstage, offering insight, honesty, and hope for artists navigating similar struggles. Discover more of Jonathan's work: https://www.jonathanbiss.com/Listen to Unquiet:https://www.jonathanbiss.com/projects/unquietOnline Shop: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://the-conscious-artist-shop.printify.me⁠⁠⁠⁠Subscribe for access to premium content: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://theconsciousartist.substack.com⁠⁠⁠⁠Buy Me a Coffee: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://buymeacoffee.com/theconsciousartist⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow us on Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠@theconsciousartistofficial⁠⁠

Our Season 7 finale features violinist Irene Abrigo. She is a performer and teacher, runs her own festival and non profit, and is committed to her social responsibility as an artist. Her academy, Fast Fingers, Slow Life, is a holistic approach to a musician's journey. We discuss how she balances all the facets of her artistry, while taking care of her mental wellbeing.Discover more of Irene's story: https://www.ireneabrigo.com/Join the Fast Fingers, Slow Life Academy: https://www.ireneabrigo.com/fast-fingers-slow-lifeOnline Shop: ⁠⁠⁠https://the-conscious-artist-shop.printify.me⁠⁠⁠Subscribe for access to premium content: ⁠⁠⁠https://theconsciousartist.substack.com⁠⁠⁠Buy Me a Coffee: ⁠⁠⁠https://buymeacoffee.com/theconsciousartist⁠⁠⁠Follow us on Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠@theconsciousartistofficial⁠⁠

Dutch violinist Elvira van Groningen is specialized in musicians' health. After unexpectedly dealing with focal dystonia during her musical studies, she has dedicated the past decade to arming herself with tools and knowledge during her training as a Timani teacher, which focuses on the anatomy and movement necessary to play with optimal effectiveness.Discover more of Elvira's story: https://www.elviravangroningen.com/Learn more about Timani: https://www.timani.no/Online Shop: ⁠⁠https://the-conscious-artist-shop.printify.me⁠⁠Subscribe for access to premium content: ⁠⁠https://theconsciousartist.substack.com⁠⁠Buy Me a Coffee: ⁠⁠https://buymeacoffee.com/theconsciousartist⁠⁠Follow us on Instagram: ⁠⁠@theconsciousartistofficial⁠⁠

Afro-Latina conductor, Kalena Bovell, shares her unique journey into classical music. Largely self-taught in her early years, she came to music later than most and navigated a path that was far from traditional. She discusses the importance of forging one's own path in the face of systemic barriers, and reflects on the deeper risks women face when their voices are ignored or dismissed, onstage in the music world, and especially in regards to women's health. Learn more about Kalena: https://www.kalenabovell.com/Online Shop: ⁠⁠https://the-conscious-artist-shop.printify.me⁠⁠Subscribe for access to premium content: ⁠⁠https://theconsciousartist.substack.com⁠⁠Buy Me a Coffee: ⁠⁠https://buymeacoffee.com/theconsciousartist⁠⁠Follow us on Instagram: ⁠⁠@theconsciousartistofficial⁠⁠

Dr. Esther Kim is a former violinist turned psychiatrist, practicing at Adelpha Psychiatric Group. We discuss her intense beginnings of a musical career, the subsequent burnout, and the sudden spark and shift into medicine and psychiatry. Learn more about Dr. Kim: https://www.adelphapsych.com/provider/esther-kim-m-dOnline Shop: ⁠https://the-conscious-artist-shop.printify.me⁠Subscribe for access to premium content: ⁠https://theconsciousartist.substack.com⁠Buy Me a Coffee: ⁠https://buymeacoffee.com/theconsciousartist⁠Follow us on Instagram: ⁠@theconsciousartistofficial⁠

TW: This episode discusses personality disorders.This week we are joined by Dr. Frederic Bien, President of the Personality Disorders Awareness Network (PDAN). He has served as Director of Development and was on the Board of National Education Alliance for Borderline Personality Disorder. This conversation sheds light on the different types of personality disorders, to help bring awareness and offer support to those with disorders or who have family members and friends who have disorders. PDAN: https://pdan.org/PDAN Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/PDAN/Other resources: https://pdan.org/resources/associations-and-organizations/Online Shop: https://the-conscious-artist-shop.printify.meSubscribe for access to premium content: https://theconsciousartist.substack.comBuy Me a Coffee: https://buymeacoffee.com/theconsciousartistFollow us on Instagram: @theconsciousartistofficial