Hello.
To observe my students moving to their fullest potential brings me joy. My talent is my ability to see and understand your body’s patterns and create and sequence workout sessions that are specific to your goals. I will challenge your preconceptions of strength and stability, and create long lasting results. The work we do in the studio together is mindful, purposeful and empowering.
Before I started teaching 10 years ago, I graduated from the University of Chicago with a degree in Economics and Political Science. Not unlike so many of my many clients, I spent years in front of my computer and on airplanes working for a strategy consulting firm and ultimately became an executive at a major retailer. My body was screaming at me to make changes. When I finally listened to it, I decided that I did not want to be a typical teacher who taught exercises blindly. I wanted to understand and see my client’s bodies better and actually sequence and teach relevant and tailored exercises to their needs and goals.
With this determination, I decided I would dedicate my life to study and teaching of the body. For over a decade I’ve studied (and continue to study) with some of the best movement scientists in the world (see below). I’ve spent countless hours in movement labs, apprenticed with brilliant teachers, teach and mentor other movement teachers, and read through more body-related books and articles than I can even begin to count. I’m a dedicated student and teacher. To me the body is a complex but integrated and holistic system of energetically organized parts that work together in nonlinear patterns. To recognize these patterns with you and reinforce those that best serve your personal goals will be our purpose in the studio. This is my life’s passion and I am grateful and humbled to share it with you.
My family and I relocated to Bend, Oregon in 2023. The proximity to nature and the mountains is inspiring and I am looking forward to continuing my studies and private practice, online and in-person, in Central Oregon. In the Fall of 2023, KOB Studios is scheduled to reopen in the Training Station PT Clinic in Bend’s Northwest Crossing.
Education and Continued Studies
Pilates: Pilates Integrated Teacher Training (ITT) in San Francisco on all apparatus and mat
Yoga: Yoga Tree San Francisco 500 hour Yoga Teacher Training, SmartFlow Yoga training, Yoga therapeutics training
Madeline Black Method: world-renown movement science (current Teacher’s Assistant for global Teacher’s Training modules)
Manual Therapy: Lauren Berry Method for Fascial release and correction
Teachers and Gurus who I gratefully look to for continued guidance and study:
Madeline Black (Madeline Black Method and Pilates)
Jean Sullivan (Pilates)
Annie Carpenter (SmartFlow Yoga)
Irene Dowd (faculty at Julliard School of Dance)
Lynda Caesara (manual fascial therapy)
Harvey Deutch (Physical Therapy, Yoga Therapeutics)
FAQs
How many sessions until I feel better?
My movement work is preventative health. If you are experiencing severe pain, I can identify the pattern that may be perpetuating the pain you feel, but I recommend 5-10 sessions to properly assess, release, organize and strengthen your body to create lasting results. Whether the results you want are stronger shoulders or the ability to walk 2 miles without pain, let’s work together to build a plan. You’ll be given homework and we’ll make our way towards your goals every week. The students who are the most successful with me are those who understand that the work in the studio is the start, but reinforcement outside of the studio is where the real work lives.
How long are your sessions and how frequently should I see you?
Sessions are all 55 minutes unless scheduled otherwise. I generally see students 1-2 sessions a week. Newer clients who have more serious injuries are recommended to begin with 2 sessions a week. Several students see me once a week and are given homework to maintain healthy patterns and habits outside of the studio.
My knee hurts, why are you looking at my hips?
The body is a holistic system. It is a different sort of geometry that is not straightforward. For example, unless there is direct trauma to the knee, pain in the knee usually indicates issues elsewhere in the body. Perhaps your feet or sacrum need to be addressed? When you come into the studio, I’ll assess how your entire body moves, head to foot and work with you to understand the patterns that are perpetuating the knee pain. We’ll work to change those patterns and strengthen your body to maintain healthy and pain-free movement.
I have had a recent injury or am pregnant, can I come see you?
I teach many who have recently been injured and am happy to offer you my perspectives on physical rehabilitation as a non-medical professional. I would recommend waiting until any inflammation or extreme pain abates before coming in. I teach pre and post natal clients. Having used my blend of manual therapy, pilates and yoga during and after both of my pregnancies to stay healthy and rehab, I am well-versed in movement to support and recover from pregnancy.
Do you teach online or group classes?
Due to COVID, there are many students that have remained online with me. We generally use Zoom to conduct our sessions and with the exception of hands-on adjustments, all assessments and exercises have been successful with all of my clients to date. I am able to teach duets (2-people at a time) in my studio, but I generally only teach 1:1 private sessions. I have taught many group classes (e.g. corporate, weddings) by appointment.
Do we always do assessments, Yoga and Pilates in every session?
I will always “check in” with you before a session. Verbally and through moving assessments. It’s important for me to know where you are mentally and physically so that we can be efficient and useful with our time together. Depending on what we discover in your assessment (e.g. trouble rotating left, issues with reaching your arm overhead), I’ll help guide you through a session of bodywork, Pilates and/or Yoga exercises. Because I always “meet” my clients where they are at in the moment, I will never have a pre-ordained set of exercises to take you through. Some days we may agree that you just need body and breath work. Other days we could flow through yoga asanas for the full session. Your sessions will always be tailored to your needs.