I first became interested in anatomy in art school. Soon after, I moved to SE Asia and after teaching English there, realized that I loved teaching more than any other job up to that point. I wanted to combine those two interests and become a PT or OT when I returned to the states. I was thrilled to find a program where I could get a Massage Certificate while simultaneously getting an undergrad in Health Sciences at Lourdes Institute in Collingswood, NJ. Marriage and children happened so going to grad school was put off in favor of having my own business where I could make my own hours and enjoy as much time with my young children as possible. I took numerous continuing education classes during this time including isolated stretching & strengthening, myofascial release, prenatal care, joint dysfunction assessment and treatment with Ben Benjamin, among many others. I love doing massage work and teaching people about the most probable causes of their muscular problems as well as how to counteract them with exercise, but it was very hard on my body. I worked with the Eagles, the PA Ballet, the 76ers, weekend warriors, marathon runners, Olympic athletes as well as many PT referred clients in chronic pain and pre/post natal women (who are not well cared for in the U.S.).
I was first introduced to Pilates in 2009 after I dislocated my tailbone. I have EDS and am almost always experiencing joint dysfunction at any given time. Pilates improved my quality of life more than any other PT or exercise modality up to that point and continues to help me maintain my musculo-skeletal health. I started the Drexel Pilates Teacher Training program in Sept 2022 and am so glad to add Pilates in to my teaching regimen (and give my joints a break after 18 years of massage practice). It is a natural progression for me to apply this focused exercise system in order to teach clients how to resolve muscular imbalances that may be causing pain or discomfort. I truly love watching people improve and progress and enjoy guiding people to healthier muscular habits & posture that will ensure less discomfort as they age. I especially enjoy working with clients who are hypermobile (whether from EDS or prenatal hormones) or otherwise physically compromised in some way. There is always a way to adapt exercises that can achieve the same focal points that will lead to balance and less discomfort.