“Dancers, athletes, and performing artists work to develop a highly sensitive body awareness; the depth and necessity of which is often misunderstood by standard medical professionals.”
Movement is the Root of Emotion
Mind/Body Connection Development
Dancers, athletes and performing artists rely on their body’s continued, effective functioning for their livelihood, and are often misunderstood by medical professionals with no training or experience in the rigors of competition and artistic performance. I understand the specific needs of these individuals; and beyond that, this work is important for everyone. I am thrilled to work with any individual who is frustrated with chronic pain and injuries, and welcome all who want to bring their attention to their body to facilitate healing and growth. I bring informed, targeted relief that lasts.
There is an incredible freedom in letting go of the world and finding the center of our strength. When we lose ourselves in movement, yet remain confident and stable in our bodies, it is a nearly indescribable sensation of balance between grace, flexibility, strength and power. Dancers, athletes and performing artists specifically work to develop a highly sensitive body awareness in order to maintain these qualities; the depth and necessity of which is often misunderstood by standard medical professionals with no artistic training.
Athletes develop a heightened body awareness through repetitive training in an effort to synchronize the muscles of their body for maximum performance. If this training is performed with postural imbalances of any kind, the athlete will strengthen the imbalance and this may lead to injury over time. Common imbalances are found in the feet, pelvis/hips, and head/neck.
Many young athletes also struggle with pain due to rapid growth of their bones. Growth spurts may cause strong, toned muscles to suddenly stretch to new lengths, pulling on other attachment sites; especially at the hip, knee, and spine/low back. During rigorous training, ankle and foot injuries will cause a dancer to shift their weight very subtly in avoidance, even after the injury has healed; resulting in chronic pain and compensatory injuries elsewhere in the body later in their career.
Artists base their work in emotion, and emotion is the root of all movement. They learn to develop fine motor function through body awareness with breathing exercises, posture, group activities and communication. These experiences facilitate a stronger mind/body connection, allowing for the individual to store learned skills and emotional performances- just like training muscles and creating muscle memory. Performing Artists harness this energy to create their art, and periodic recalibration helps to maintain clarity and focus in their processes.
Your body is your tool and your instrument. Great things can be achieved when we listen to our bodies and give them the attention they need in times of change and intensity. Nurturing and developing enhanced awareness of the mind/body connection is the first step. I’ll help you to address pain and discomfort, while assisting you in the discovery of your own strength, balance, and coordination. I’ll empower you to take an active role in your treatment; directing and streamlining the healing process. My aim is to get you back out there safely.
