About Joy
I have always had a passion for movement and dance, and I always knew I wanted to become a dancer. After receiving a BFA from SUNY Purchase, I pursued a dance career in New York City. In order to support myself, I became an in-home personal trainer on Manhattan’s upper east side. (This was before there were gyms!) Although I knew some anatomy and physiology, I began to wonder why some of my clients were in pain, and how I could help them to get out of it. I wanted to deepen my knowledge in some way, but felt that the physical therapy route was not for me.
It was during my years as a fitness trainer that I discovered the Alexander Technique. From the very first moment an Alexander teacher placed her hands on me, I could not believe how differently I felt. I was amazed that she could create such a profound change in my body simply though the power of touch. I resolved then and there to learn all that I could about the Alexander Technique and the powerful relationship between the mind and body.
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I received a 1,600-hour training from the American Center for Alexander Technique in New York City and am certified by the American Society for the Alexander Technique. For 30 years, I have been teaching the Alexander Technique to individuals and groups. Along the way, I have also gained a wide range of experience in Pilates, various styles of Yoga, Zen meditation, Tai Chi, and many forms of alternative healing - all rich and powerful tools for integrating the mind, body, and spirit.
In 2013, I found myself searching again, for something new that would help my students to achieve their goals more quickly and easily. I was looking for something that was science-based and had definite, measurable results. It was another “ah-ha” moment when an Alexander teacher showed me The MELT Method. Again, I could not believe how quickly and easily I could feel the changes in my body. And again, I knew immediately that I had to learn this method.
Learning about MELT and the connective tissue system (fascia) has given me a whole new approach to looking at the body. It provides a missing link in health and wellness, that diet and exercise simply do not address. It is corrective in nature and has become a game-changer for my clients who want to get out of chronic pain, and reduce many other issues that we commonly associate with aging.
As someone who still dances and needs to use my body for my work, I know first-hand how important it is for our health and longevity to keep active as we age. Adding self-care methods such as MELT and the Alexander Technique, along with Tai Chi and functional exercise, has given me many pieces of the puzzle to help my clients stay active, vibrant, and independent, doing all that they love to do, for as long as possible.