The Radiant Dancer
Integrated - Embodied - Expressive
"Mariah-Jane's work is new and important and could positively affect thousands of dancers to reach their
potential beyond the studio and on public stages."
Kelly Douglas, RAD Examiner
Welcome Message from
Mariah-Jane Thies
Director of The Radiant Dancer & The Radiant Dance Teacher
What is the Difference between Student A and Student B?
What do YOU See?
Student A
Weight a Bit Back
Droopy Wrists
Could Improve Eye Line
**All are details that could be easily cued by the
teacher or dancer and make a change instantly
Student B
Weight Back
Lack of Turn-out
No Core Support
**So many problems and an overall look of
weakness and lack of awareness
BOTH Received the Same Training
Good Technique Training
Kind and Compassionate Teachers
Encouragement and Motivation
Opportunities to Perform
Extras: Like PBT and Mental Skills Training
So What Is the Difference?
NOT Talent
NOT Commitment or Motivation
NOT Intelligence
NOT More Supportive Parents
The TRUTH:
Students who appear Talented, simply enjoy none or fewer blocks to their brilliance.
It is very interesting to note, that this is a photo on Canva, that I was able to pick to create this slide of a comparison. I did not have to combine two different images...it was right there on a photo submitted for use as an example of dancers.
If YOU had the eye to spot the differences immediately AND KNOW that if these were your students, you gave the same attention and good training to both dancers.
With that as the context, it is easy to simply say Dancer A is more talented than B, and Dancer B needs to work harder even though she is clearly younger.
What I see thru the lenses of
The Radiant Dancer
I start with the question:
Is this Dancer ABLE to be: Integrated, Embodied and Expressive
Student A:
Integrated
Embodied
Expressive
Student B:
Un-integrated
Unable to be Embodied
Unable to be Expressive
What are the Common Blocks in Dancers?
Lack of Brain Integration:
Result: Stress will affect the dancer causing loss of skills and challenges with learning and performance
Incomplete Developmental Movement Patterns:
Result: Compensations and tension in the body and incomplete or inefficient kinetic chains
Retained Reflexes and Lack of Postural Reflexes
Result: Inability to develop strength and lots of compensatory tensions and reflexive actions that interfere with planned movements
Lack of Clarity or Misunderstandings of Functional Anatomy
Result: A feeling of fighting the body and believing that the solution is more strength and flexibility
Lingering Injury Trauma in the Nervous System
Result: Return of a reflex and protective blocks in the sensing and the kinetic chains
Limiting Belief Systems
Result: Self sabotage and lowered self esteem and motivation
The Radiant Dancer View Leads to:
Uncommon Answers to Common Questions
Uncommon Solutions to Common Challenges
Instead of seeing Poor Core Strength
ASK: "Are the Postural Reflexes on, or blocked thru a Retained Primitive Reflex?"
Instead of Seeing Lack of Turn-Out
ASK: "Is this dancer in the space enough to be grounded and able to reach the leg with turn-out or are they not able to be grounded due to an un-integrated brain?"
Instead of seeing the Weight Too Far Back
ASK: "Is there a lingering ankle or knee injury that is being protected either consciously or unconsciously?"
It is Time to Remove Blocks
Instead of Layering more Skills, Strategies and Stress
Unique Offerings for Each
Dancers
Dance Teachers
Studio Owners
The Pathways to Radiance
Online Courses
There is a variety of online courses currently available to support your learning as a dancer/dance teacher. The beauty of these courses is self paced learning and the ease of having a continually accessible resource. Great CPD for dance teachers.
Get Started Today!
Workshops & Seminars
Online Workshops and Seminars happen regularly for dancers/dance teachers based on the seasonal needs of dance year. Specific online workshops and seminars can be scheduled for your studio/students upon request.
Reach out to Request a Workshop
In Person Courses
Mariah-Jane has organized her life to be able to travel to teach in person around the world. The magic of in person interaction with dancers and teachers can be arranged with enough notice to arrange a teaching tour.
Request an In Person Teaching Package
Artistic Director: Mariah-Jane Thies
I have decades of teaching dance across many dance genres and understand both sides of the dance world having been both a dance teacher for 40 years and a studio owner for 10 years. My greatest skill is pulling the many threads of my extensive complementary training into something new and paradigm shifting for the dance community.
I am thrilled to be a leader in the dance industry shepherding those ready into a new era of dance education.
Enjoy the Bio on the About Me Page
I am the honoured recipient of the 2024 Royal Academy of Dance Innovation in Dance Teacher Award. I was recognized in particular for bringing the concept of the need for Brain Development and Brain Integration in the training of dancers for both learning and performance.
I have presented worldwide at the biggest dance teacher conferences including: IADMS, RAD, NDEO, BMC and Healthy Dancer Canada. And in 2026, realized the dream of of giving a keynote address at a dance conference!
All The Tools You Need To Build A Successful Online Business
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, metus at rhoncus dapibus, habitasse vitae cubilia odio sed. Mauris pellentesque eget lorem malesuada wisi nec, nullam mus. Mauris vel mauris. Orci fusce ipsum faucibus scelerisque.
