Credentials & trainings

A c a d e m i c S t u d i e s

2022 - 2024

University of Toronto, Masters of Social Work (expected May 2024)

2019 - 2022

Laurentian University, BA Psychology, Honors Specialization with Thesis

2009 - 2013

Toronto Metropolitan University, BFA, Performance Dance, Toronto

R e s i d e n c i e s , T r a i n i n g & C e r t i f i c a t i o n

2023

Indigenous Approaches to Grief and Loss, Ontario Association of Social Workers (OASW), with Mary Anne Caibaiosai
Experiential Introduction to Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), OASW, with Peter Sheffield
Modifying Social Work Practices for Neurodiverse Operating Systems, OASW, with Wendy McGuire
Empowering Trans Clients Through Affirming Care: A guide for social workers navigating surgery planning, OASW, with Nolan Blodgett
2SLGBTQ Foundations Course, Rainbow Health Ontario (RHO)
Toronto Dance Theatre, Plug’N’Play Residency

2022

National Ballet of Canada, Open Space Programme, Creative Residency
Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Training, UofT FIFSW
Lake Studio Creative Residency
Grief Literacy Series: Level 1-3, being here, human

2021

AODA Customer Service Standards Training, Réseau ACCESS Network
Crisis Intervention Training for All Audiences, Réseau ACCESS Network
Gender and Sexuality Diversity Training, Réseau ACCESS Network
WHMIS 2015, Réseau ACCESS Network
Workplace Diversity and Inclusion, Réseau ACCESS Network
Workplace Violence and Harassment Training, Réseau ACCESS Network
Safer Spaces: 2S-LGBTQ+ Inclusive Workplace Training
HIV Basics Training, CATIE
Hepatitis C Basics Training, CATIE
Racism & Privilege in Birthwork, BADT (CE)
Queer & Trans Reproductive Support Training: Birthing Advocacy Doula Trainings (BADT)
Understanding Microaggressions Training, Nadia Bello (BirthMark)
Trauma Informed Therapy with Transgender Individuals (International Society for the Study of Trauma & Dissociation)
BirthMark On-Boarding Doula Training (Toronto)
Childbirth Educator Certification, Whole Body Pregnancy (Erika Davis)
Certification in Trauma Counselling for Mental Health Professionals, Sick Kids Toronto
Yoga & Anti-Oppression Workshop, with Sanj Takhar at Yoga Space, Toronto
Practice Lab Residency, The Railpath Arts Centre in partnership w/ the Love-IN, Toronto

2020

Mental Health First Aid Standard Certification, Mental Health Commission of Canada
Peer Learning Network, Dancemakers Center for Creation, Toronto
Birth Doula Certification, DONA International, Toronto
TENS unit for labour certification
Gender Affirming Birth Work, Training with Moss the Doula
The Role of White People in Accountable Anti-Racist Work - SURJ’s Anti-Racism mini-series
Movement for Trauma: Level 1, with Jane Clapp, Toronto
Raising Race Conscious Kids - Workshop by Rania El Mugammar
The School for Body-Mind Centering®, Licensed Training Program, Montreal (Esprit En Mouvment) - 500hrs (The Muscular System course - remote)

2019

Shut it uncle Bob: Dealing with racist family and friends - workshop by Rania El Mugammar
Qigong Self Cultivation III, Ontario College of Traditional Chinese Medicine (30 hrs)
The School for Body-Mind Centering®, Licensed Training Program, Montreal (Esprit En Mouvment) - 500 hrs (The Fluid & Ligamentous System module)

2018

Performing Arts Residency, Banff Centre for the Arts
The School for Body-Mind Centering®, Licensed Training Program, Montreal (Esprit En Mouvment) - 500 hrs (The Endocrine & Nervous System module)

2017

SMASH Dance #10 Intensive, Berlin
DOCK11***** Video Dance Residency, Berlin
Under mentorship with Michael Stone, Body-Based Movement and Meditation

2013 - 2016

2016: Axis Syllabus workshop with Ruth Douthwright, Toronto
2016: Prenatal Yoga workshop with Nikki Poole (20 hours), Toronto
2015: Meditation Workshop with Josh Cohen (15 hours), Toronto
2015: Transformation Danse Workshop, Montreal
2014: Yoga Teacher Training, Downward Dog Yoga Centre (250 hours), Toronto
2014: Springboard Danse Summer Intensive, Montreal
2014: Movement Invention Project, New York City
2014: Gaga Movement workshop with Tom Weinberger & LeeSaar, Montreal
2013: ImPulsTanz International Dance Festival, Biblioteca Du Corpo, Vienna
2013: Compagnie Marie Chouinard workshop, Montreal

bio

Mary-Dora (MD) Bloch-Hansen (they/them) is a queer millennial, multi-disciplinary performance artist, care worker, somatic movement educator, pleasure activist, writer and second-generation settler based in Tkaronto. Their work focuses on queer & trans affirming body-centered practices and healing arts for a more livable future. They show up in their community as a birth and postpartum doula, childbirth educator, counsellor/therapist and somatic movement educator, weaving various holistic and anti-incarceral/abolitionist approaches into their work. They are passionate about creating inclusive and brave spaces for equity seeking communities. As a disability and reproductive justice advocate, MD prioritizes holding neurodiversity and identity affirming spaces to foster resilience in the people they work and share space with. Drawing from their own lived experiences of survivorship, trauma and neurodiversity, they explore how the arts, movement, and care work can be used as tools for community liberation and collective healing.

As a dance artist, MD’s research and creations have been supported by residencies and festivals at New Blue Dance (2016), Dock11****Eden (2018), Dance Makers Toronto (2020), Lake Studio Berlin (2022), Toronto Dance Theatre (2022), Jaberi Dance Theatre (2023) and the National Ballet of Canada’s Open Space program (2023), among others. They have studied and collaborated with various artists, including Alvin Collantes, Alyssa Martin (Rock Bottom Movement), Amanda Acorn, Amanda Smith (FAWN Chamber Creative), David Earle, Ismael Ivo (ImPulsTanz), Jennifer Laiwint, Mariko Tanabe, Nicole Negro, Pamela Rasbach (Typecast Dance), The Box NYC, Will Kwan (AGO). With Rock Bottom Movement, MD was nominated for a Dora Mavor Moore Award for Best Ensemble in the performance of MANICPIXIEDREAMGIRLS (2017).

MD holds a BFA in Performance Dance from Toronto Metropolitan University (2013) and a BA in Psychology (Honors) from Laurentian University (2022), where they were awarded the Canadian Psychological Association Certificate of Academic Excellence for their honours thesis on the health experiences of 2S-LGBTQ+ individuals living in Northern Ontario. Currently, MD is pursuing a Masters of Social Work at the University of Toronto. Check out their work and offerings at www.somaticpractice.ca or follow their IG @somaticpractice.