Unleashing Creativity and Wellness: A Deep-Dive with Dancer Elia Mrak

Permission to Play Podcast

In this episode of Permission to Play, I have an in-depth conversation with dancer, movement expert, and somatic educator Elia Mrak. We explore the intersections of dance, trauma recovery, nervous system care, and the essential role of play in healing and creativity. We delve into Elia’s personal journey from a potential path in mathematical economics to embracing dance as a life mission, emphasizing the importance of movement in accessing joy, healing, and intrinsic freedom. We also discuss the transformative power of being present in the moment, the revolutionary act of allowing oneself to play, and the essential balance between personal care and collective wellness. Elia also shares information about his online program and upcoming workshops, highlighting the blend of Qigong, self-care, dance, and mobility work he offers.
I find Elia to be a truly unique and fascinating human, bursting with wisdom, insight, and kindness all wrapped up in a whole lot of permission to play.

If you haven’t had a chance yet to check out the video version of the podcast, it’s now up on YouTube. There’s some very cool footage of Elia dancing in the video version. The links to that, plus all the places to find Elia, as well as Irene Lyon’s work are below.

Elia Links:
Website: https://www.eliamrak.com/
IG: https://www.instagram.com/eliamrak/
FB: https://www.facebook.com/elia.mrak
YT: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCeCeqYRMJRgm1RZnoJdz5rA

The Improvised Life Podcast:
YT: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pWJZq75IT0w

Irene Lyon Links:
Website: https://irenelyon.com/
YT: https://www.youtube.com/@IreneLyon/featured
IG: https://www.instagram.com/irenelyon/
FB: https://www.facebook.com/lyonirene

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Chapter

1. Intro (00:00:00)

2. Interview Start (00:04:53)

3. Elia's journey into his movement work + connecting it with Irene Lyon's work (00:07:51)

4. On the Improvised Life - Elia's life philosophy, unconventional career path, and podcast (00:16:50)

5. Why living on the edge can be a good place to be (00:30:23)

6. Systems-Centered approach + trauma as resource (00:33:24)

7. Peter Levine - Somatic Experiencing (00:40:20)

8. Why play is so important (00:41:51)

9. Thinking outside conditioning, constraint, and taboo (00:44:12)

10. On alchemizing anger + Elia & Irene's Up & Down Workshop (00:51:02)

11. On ease, dis-ease, and balance (00:54:12)

12. Why following your impulse is so powerful (00:57:45)

13. Elia's classes and offerings - REALLY good stuff (00:58:57)

14. Show Close (01:10:40)