From sign language to box squats. From rivers to laughter rippling across vocal chords movement is integral to life. In this episode we explore movement and its connection to wellness. Which bodies are welcome in movement spaces? Who gets to be called an athlete? What’s the connection between movement and race? Professor Janelle Joseph, Jahmeek Murray Taylor, Shanèl Dear, and Melissa Doldron take us on a journey of exploring the many ways in which we move.

DR. JANELLE JOSEPH

Dr. Janelle Joseph is an award-winning Assistant Professor in Critical Studies of Race in the Faculty of Kinesiology and Physical Education. She is Founder and Director of the Indigeneity, Diaspora, Equity, and Anti-racism in Sport (IDEAS) Lab and author of the text Sport in the Black Atlantic: Cricket Canada and the Caribbean Diaspora. Dr Joseph’s current research focuses on decolonizing sport studies, anti-racism movements among Black athletes and educators, and intersectionality within African diaspora physical cultures.  

MELISSA DOLDRON

IG: @melissad_rmt

 Melissa is a Registered Massage Therapist, member of the Canadian Sport Massage Therapists Association, SportStretch provider and Movement Educator. Aside from her clinical practice in Toronto, she also works with a variety of high performance athletes across MLB, NBA, NCAA and Track and Field. She also teaches yoga-informed movement classes throughout the year. 

She believes movement is medicine, and good recovery is the key to performance. A massive sports enthusiast, among running, cycling and yoga, watching baseball is her jam. When not on her bike or on her mat, you’ll find her traveling to ball parks across North America in search of the perfect game.

SHANEL DEAR

IG: @dearyoga_

Shanèl Dear (She/Her) currently teaches movement and meditation  in the GTA  both virtually and in person. She is an advocate for removing barriers to wellness for all communities and runs various workshops on anti racism, sex positivity as well as body liberation.  She teaches from a body liberating, trauma informed and anti colonial lens. Her favorite part about teaching is connecting through breath and sharing a laugh.

JAHMEEK MURRAY TAYLOR

IG: @jahjahbanks

www.Alldayfit.com 

PRODUCERS: Ezi Odozor & Rebekah Robinson