I am a Kinesiologist, Educator and Meditator. Those interests intersect in my work as a teacher of both movement and meditation. In the various contexts that I teach within, the imminence of body in mind and mind in body are ever-present.
Since I was a teenager, I studied various forms of movement and meditation; first, as a competitive athlete, then as an ardent student of yoga. Yoga was accompanied by seated meditation, which led me to pursue a Ph.D. in Kinesiology at the University of Wisconsin - Madison. As part of my doctoral work, I researched the influence of meditation on surgical outcomes, and how meditation supports greater resilience in high performing student-athletes.
The various facets of my work intersect to support wellbeing. Some people find their bodies challenging while others face mental challenges. Often, these challenges are interrelated. In my work as a meditation teacher and fitness expert, both body and mind are included.
The state of the mind influences the state of the body - we often refer to this as psychosomatic. In addition to the mind-body directionality, it's often underappreciated the degree to which the body influences the mind - the somatopsychic. Whatever the particular state of mind, almost inevitably there's a body contribution to that mind-state, and inflammation is often the mediator. Through strategic doses of mindfully practiced cardio, core work (Pilates), a whole-foods/plant-based diet and meditation practice, both the psychosomatic and somatopsychic are included in the path to greater wellbeing.
I work with clients the world over. While my preference is working in-person at one of my two studios (Madison and Blue Mounds, WI), I also offer instruction via Zoom and my studio's extensive video library.
Whether in-person or remotely, I offer fitness consulting, MDFL CARDIO classes, individual Pilates instruction, Pilates group-classes and meditation instruction. You can also learn more about my work via the links below.