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. I currently research the influence of meditation on surgical outcomes, and how meditation supports greater resilience in high performing student-athletes in the University of Wisconsin - Madison Human Performance Laboratory.
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.