Pilates can look very different depending on who you talk to. When we view Pilates as a movement practice for healing the body, it nourishes the soul too! Joining us on this episode is Brittany Crosby, a mindful movement practitioner, instructor of contemporary STOTT pilates, witchy intuitive healer, and the founder of The Co Pilates. While her roo…

Jaw pain, headaches, and facial pain are all common and can have a profound effect on our quality of life. Lucky for us, we have an esteemed guest speaker on the show today to break these topics down and help us understand how we can overcome this pain. Donald R. Tanenbaum, DDS, MPH, graduated from the University of Pennsylvania in 1978 and then re…

I couldn’t have asked for a better kick off this season on Fit As A Fiddle! I chatted with 2 of my dear colleagues and friends Leigh Welsh and Alicia Ferriere. What we have in common is that we are all Pelvic Floor Physical Therapists New York City, we are all business owners, and we all gave birth in 2023 to our first child! On this show, we talk …

This week is the 1 year anniversary of the last released episode on Fit As A Fiddle! So much has happened since then, particularly the birth of little Jiya Baby in May 2023. Please excuse the coos and occasional screams of my child in the background during this season. I truly did my best to be a mom, wife, business owner, physical therapist, and p…

During pregnancy, the physical changes come in fast, and sometimes, furious! A great way to tune into these changes and create more body awareness is through “yoga asanas”, which are movements and poses from the ancient Indian tradition that promote physical & mental wellbeing. Prenatal yoga is becoming more popular these days as research and scien…

Are you the person who finds themselves feeling the opposite of grounded and centered during a movement class, yoga, or meditation? Are you the type who can’t quite relax during a massage or a pleasant walk? You’re not alone! Today we have Dan Rindler GCFP, P-SEP, chatting with us today on his approach to trauma which draws on Somatic Experiencing …

Inflammation in the body can manifest in many ways and ultimately exists to protect us. However, excessive inflammation that lasts a long time, or “chronic inflammation”, can be associated with cardiovascular disease, diabetes, cancer, inflammatory bowel disease, rheumatoid arthritis, and other disease states. Robin Randisi is a functional nutritio…

There is a lot to think about when finding support for your baby’s birth. The first thing to understand is the different roles that people play in a birth setting. What is the difference between a doula and a midwife anyway? And what about a baby nurse?! We sat down with Stephanie Heintzeler, a German educated midwife and acupuncturist as well as U…

In our society today, we don’t quite learn how to breastfeed by observation as we once did in the past. You might think that it is completely natural for you and your baby, which it is to some extent. However, without coming into contact with the techniques involved with breastfeeding, it can truly be a foreign concept to most of modern society. An…

When it comes to sexual health for women, there always seems to be a “hush hush” about it. But what might seem to be a quiet topic or a funny joke to some, for others it can be crushing and life altering. Today we have Dr. Bat Sheva Marcus joining us to talk about how important it is to clinically look at women’s sexual health closely and provide a…

Maternal mental health cannot be stressed enough folks. Sometimes it’s just referred to as “postpartum”, which is sad because it emphasizes how common perinatal mood and anxiety disorders (PMADs) are. We have a riveting episode here for you today with the wonderful Dayna Kutrz, LMSW, CPT. Dayna is a psychotherapist and author with a subspeciality i…

Ayurveda is an age-old tradition originating from India around the 2nd millennium BCE (a very very long time ago!). “Ayur” in Sanskrit means “Life” and “Veda” means “Science” or “Knowledge”. The Vedas, or Hindu scriptures, are one of the oldest pieces of text on the planet that contain scientific knowledge that is gradually only now being proven by…

What is birth justice anyway? Sometimes it might feel like there are too many voices in that room and the birthing individual’s wants and needs aren’t heard. It may seem at times like it’s medicine vs. parent. But it doesn’t have to be that way. Today we talk to Janel Feliz Martir, a AAPI birth worker who has both medical school training in obstetr…

Hello folks! Today's episode is a bit unique as it's my birthday and I'm 34 weeks pregnant! On the show I share a little bit about my journey over the last few months experiencing pregnancy after treating pregnant people for years and learning so much from all of the guests here on Fit As A Fiddle.By Dr. Sneha Gazi

Here’s a bold statement. Dancers, while extremely great at moving their bodies, sometimes don’t actually know how to do it optimally. Getting injured on and off the stage is not uncommon for dancers. Oftentimes these aches, pains and sometimes broken or torn tissues are directly a result of improper, overused movements. Our passionate and incredibl…

You might think a strong core is the most important thing when it comes to physical fitness. You might also think that age dooms you to weakness and that there’s not much you can do about it. Think again! Our guest today, Irene Donahue, a fitness expert and personal trainer in NYC, teaches us that the whole body needs to work together throughout li…

Some people think physical therapy is all about getting massages. Others might think it’s about doing a few exercises. Still others (SADLY!) think it’s about getting a hot pack and ultrasound to their knee. Oof! Although my guest, Dr. Julia Rosenthal, and I are both physical therapists, we are not biased in knowing the truth that physical therapy i…

The ambiguities and the “gray space” of birth and parenthood can often make it difficult for people to process and articulate emotions. But while you would think to enroll your toddler into art class and not yourself, it might be worth it to consider the power of art therapy. Our guest, Sharon Itkoff Nacache ATR-BC LCAT PMH-C, is a Perinatal Mental…

The process of preparing for birth, giving birth, and recovering can be described in many ways. Some might say incredible, others might say life changing, and still others might say horrific. But whatever someone’s experience is, one thing is for sure. It always helps to know a bit about the process before the day you welcome your bundle of joy. Je…

Pelvic floor dysfunction is present across all age groups and anatomies. Particularly during the pregnancy and postpartum time in a birthing person’s life, pelvic issues often don’t get the attention they need. And sometimes, too much attention may be given in certain areas! Our guest today is Rachel Parrotta, a pelvic health physical therapist in …

For too long, women’s health problems have been a mystery in the medical field. Often they are under-researched or just brushed off as part of the normal female experience. But with the help and expertise of our wonderful guest today, Dr. Andrew Goldstein, we are gaining massive insight and making large strides towards solving many of the issues th…

Being human is more than just running your day-to-days. How can you find joy and meaning in it all? Well, maybe the answer lies in some confusion and… magic! Today we have the opportunity to chat with the renowned Mark Fisher, an international speaker, consultant, and entrepreneur. Mark is the co-founder of Mark Fisher Fitness (MFF), one of the mos…

We are busting some myths on pregnancy, postpartum, and fitness here folks! Tune in today to gain exclusive insights into what we really need to focus on moving forward to optimize pregnancy and postpartum recovery. Spoiler alert - it is not recommended that you are inactive during your pregnancy unless medically necessary! Our guest today is the D…

Do you want to know the secret to long lasting fat loss? No, it’s not just dieting. No, it’s not just cardio. No, it's not just strength training. It is a combination of the three and strength training tends to need a bit more focus for most people! Our guest today is Sarah Currie, MS RDN CDN, a Registered Dietitian, personal trainer and co-owner o…

C-Section? Epidural? Hypnobirthing? Hospital gown? Midwife? Doula? Oh and hopefully the bassinet comes in time… Wait or is it better for the baby to sleep with me? So many thoughts, so many things, so many conversations to be had when it comes to pregnancy and birth! If you are overwhelmed or remember a time when you were, you are certainly not alo…

You belong! Your body and the way you move belongs anywhere you want it to, whether it’s at a big gym, a small yoga studio, a group Pilates class, or a bootcamp-style intense training session. If you feel limited with your exercise because of fear of judgment, tune into today’s episode with Kirsten Adler. Kirsten is an interdisciplinary movement in…

There are different ways of looking at trauma, or the harm you have experienced in your life (physically, mentally, and/or emotionally). Sometimes it can feel like a long and daunting road to overcome this trauma, or various microtraumas, to live a fulfilling life. But what if we could shift our mental framework around trauma to serve us better? In…

It’s not just about knowing exactly what the diagnosis is, what treatment to provide, or in what dosage. In order to optimize a patient’s health, we must go beyond that. Whether you are a medical doctor, physical therapist, acupuncturist, or any other clinician that offers care to patients, there is a deeper level to patient centered care that invo…

Today we hear the personal journey of a dear friend of mine, John Arthur Greene, an actor, singer and songwriter. John reflects on the impact that the pause during the pandemic’s lockdown had on his career and mindset. John walked away from the entertainment industry after 26 years, performing on Broadway for 8 shows a week, and more. He talks abou…

Anxiety and depression are prevalent across cultures and across time. It manifests in unique ways in the 21st century and particularly in America where technology and information is widespread. Our guest today is Allison Beck, a psychotherapist and pregnancy, postpartum and parenthood coach in private practice, specializing in reproductive psycholo…

If you’ve ever felt like you don’t belong, that you don’t deserve to be where you are or go where you are going, or that you aren’t fit to provide the service you are expected to deliver, you’re definitely not alone. Star athletes, larger-than-life celebrities, and big business owners experience these feelings and thoughts from time to time. And so…

It’s true. A bomb sets off, school children get shot, and an innocent man is murdered, and THEN we all rally to fight for justice. But we don’t always think of how we can prevent violent actions from happening in the first place, let alone invest time or money to get to the bottom of solving these issues. To commemorate Mahatma Gandhi’s birthday th…

Everything in the human body is connected in some way. One type of tissue that provides structural integrity to our bodies, that we discuss today, is called “Fascia.” Our guest, Leslie Daley, is an occupational therapist using John Barnes Myofascial Release, a gentle, effective technique which provides consistent results in reducing pain, restoring…

Kenna Bouvet is a Licensed Acupuncturist and Co-owner of Earth + Sky Massage and Acupuncture in Long Island City, NY. Kenna joins us to share with us about the integrative work acupuncture can offer from conception to birth for a birthing individual. She explains how nutrition, what you wear, mindset, movement, and energy can affect pregnancy. She …

After a bit of a break, we resume season 6 on our podcast on Fit As A Fiddle! Today I give you a deep dive into some of the raw conversations I have with my patients regarding expectations from physical therapy, how movement (of some kind) is ALWAYS the answer, why it’s important to know the why behind what you are given to do during your course of…

When you don’t have the answers from trusted sources, or the answers seem to conflict, you often turn to Dr. Google and social media for advice. But when it comes to pregnancy and postpartum, everyone’s journey from conception to menopause is so unique. Instead, we can draw from ancient cultures that often have almost the same advice: trust your in…

Whatever type of parent you are, the world often categorizes you and you are set to behave and see the rest of the world through lenses that have already been created for you. But it doesn’t have to be this way. Our guest, Justin Batt, joins us today to talk about the real meaning of parenthood, specifically, fatherhood. Justin is the founder of Da…

With the wonders of technology in healthcare come tremendous improvements in patient outcomes and quality of life. On today’s episode, we have two phenomenal guests chatting with us about osseointegration in the field of prosthetics, which helps individuals with limb deformities such as amputations move and function more optimally. Haris Kafedzic i…

Tameka Mclean, a former foster youth and Motivational Speaker, joins us today in a heartfelt conversation about how she has built an organization to support individuals to thrive no matter their background or life challenges. Tameka shares her story and tips on how she was capable of sustaining herself while having to endure the weight of a heavy l…

While it’s easy for some of our listeners to understand that there is inherent social injustice in the public school system in America, it is still a topic that is fraught with intense political, economical and ethical conversation. What we do know for sure is that there is always room for improvement at schools to progress our future society. Teac…

Music is often a powerful medium for promoting healing and creating activism of all kinds within popular culture. As we move more and more into a world of technology, we can sometimes lose sight of how vast the nonhuman world still is and our impact on our diverse biosphere. On today’s episode, we have Priya Parrotta, a writer, musician and activis…

The last 2 years shed light on how lack of childcare acutely hurt working mothers. It showed there is no gender equality. It showed that 2 million women left the workforce. But none of this is new. The US has policies that do not support working mothers. We have no universal childcare, and women still do most of the physical and mental work of pare…

You’ve probably come across an orthosis at some point in your life, whether it was an insole for your shoe or a brace for your knee. But there is so much more to the world of orthotics and prosthetics in helping people function and move optimally. On our show today is Andrew Myers, a Certified Prosthetist and Orthotist with over 35 years of clinica…

If you think of “physical therapy” and immediately think of a massage, hot pack, or exercises, then this episode is for you! There are many flaws in the healthcare system, particularly due to insurance policies, paperwork requirements, and most importantly, the money-making outlook that often overpowers quality patient care. But it doesn’t have to …

We all experience some level of stress and worry throughout our lives. But when these thoughts begin to interfere with our daily activities and lead to anxiety, it’s important to analyze why and come up with solutions! Today we are joined by Dr. Terri Bacow, a clinical psychologist and cognitive behavioral therapist, to discuss ways that you can ta…

If you think it’s a workout, well my dear, it most certainly is not. And the reason you might think so is because of the misuse of the word in the money-making Western world. Yoga is a broad term that originates from the Indian spiritual tradition well before 1000 BC that simply cannot be boiled down to a paragraph or even a book, let alone a word.…

How important is it for you to be able to move around in your environment and do the things you love, and with less pain? I hope the answer is “very much!” The art and science of movement is fascinating and complicated. Physical therapists (PTs) dedicate their lives to optimizing movement and improving quality of life. But there are lots of things …

Today we experience the spiritual journey of Sej Saraiya, an award-winning ethnographic and fine-art photographer and filmmaker who has spent the last several years traveling to the deep interiors of Asia and the Americas, capturing images that tell stories of remote cultures. Sej and I join together in an enthralling conversation about her journey…

It’s a hush-hush topic in most cultures, societies, religions and more. But this podcast is meant to bring light to difficult subjects and help people improve the quality of their life. So on the show today is Emily Sauer, the founder of Ohnut, who chats with us about a product she developed to help herself and others overcome pain with intercourse…

It seems simple enough, right? Just breathe? But there is so much to the science of breathing, and particularly breathing in specific and calculated ways with the appropriate mindset. Today we have Elan Gepner-Dales joining us to share his story with Sudarshan Kriya Yoga (SKY). Elan serves as the US Director of SKY Schools, an initiative of the Int…