Kathleen was first introduced to the Feldenkrais Method in college, while studying Acting at Illinois State University. After graduating, she found her way back to Feldenkrais, although this time as a client. A seemingly minor car accident resulted in a chronic condition that found no relief in conventional medicine. As a result, Kathleen was referred a Feldenkrais practitioner. Gaining relief after just a few sessions, she decided to explored certification opportunity. Fate lent a hand as there was a program beginning in this unique field of study in neighboring Evanston. So, by 1994 Kathleen began the four year certification. Youthful idealism proved beneficial in this pursuit, while heading into the work force, serendipity took to Kathleen once more.
Enter the most wonderful coincidence: Misericordia Services of Chicago. Kathleen already had deep ties to this facility, throughout her childhood through a close family connection to a resident at the renowned “Home for Children and Adults with Disabilities"--so it was a no-brainer when a job opportunity appeared there. Soon after, Kathleen found herself posing for her Misericordia ID, and starting her new position in the therapy Department. As she concluded the Feldenkrais Method certification, Kathleen was able to incorporate her training with the most rewarding self made “internship” possible. Working primarily with the wheelchair bound and profoundly disabled residents, Kathleen was able to provide immediate benefits with the daily hands-on application of the work she studied.
Grateful for the wonderful opportunities Misericordia afforded Kathleen, she couldn’t help but wonder how else this work could be applied. Ready for the next challenge, Kathleen took her Feldenkrais work to a new frontier and moved to a Pilates studio on the Gold Coast that billed itself as, “an alternative fitness experience”. However, life is never without its challenges, so Kathleen quickly found that far too few people were acquainted with the Feldenkrais Method, as she began the arduous journey of building a practice. This is not something that was covered in the certification program, so little by little, she found ways to discuss the Feldenkrais Method with clients while scraping by with bar tending skills to pay the bills. After months of this approach, the studio offered her the second best business proposition...
Enter, Pilates. As a natural extension of her previous work, Pilates had broken through and become a popular method for fitness and wellness. So, Kathleen began her study of the Pilates method; Polestar to be precise. An ideal fit, as it was developed with the intention of being a more rehabilitative approach to the discipline. Both rigorous and rewarding, the training proved also to provide an entirely new base of clientele to her growing practice. Kathleen continued to explore the blending of the two methods, Feldenkrais and Pilates, and achieved her second certification in Pilates: Classical. This additional training inspired a greater understanding of the work and deepen the foundation of both Feldenkrais and Pilates, as well as the possibilities Feldenkrais brings to Pilates.
With a decade of study, and in conjunction with the hands on work a flourishing practice affords, Kathleen contrived her next endeavor, a studio of her own. Starting in 2005, she was blessed with a devoted clientele who were willing to follow her to her beautiful new space. Kathleen’s practice continues to this day, but as usual, she was hungry for more. She wanted to find a way to work with groups of people as well as her solo work with individuals.
Check out her Résumé
Enter the most wonderful coincidence: Misericordia Services of Chicago. Kathleen already had deep ties to this facility, throughout her childhood through a close family connection to a resident at the renowned “Home for Children and Adults with Disabilities"--so it was a no-brainer when a job opportunity appeared there. Soon after, Kathleen found herself posing for her Misericordia ID, and starting her new position in the therapy Department. As she concluded the Feldenkrais Method certification, Kathleen was able to incorporate her training with the most rewarding self made “internship” possible. Working primarily with the wheelchair bound and profoundly disabled residents, Kathleen was able to provide immediate benefits with the daily hands-on application of the work she studied.
Grateful for the wonderful opportunities Misericordia afforded Kathleen, she couldn’t help but wonder how else this work could be applied. Ready for the next challenge, Kathleen took her Feldenkrais work to a new frontier and moved to a Pilates studio on the Gold Coast that billed itself as, “an alternative fitness experience”. However, life is never without its challenges, so Kathleen quickly found that far too few people were acquainted with the Feldenkrais Method, as she began the arduous journey of building a practice. This is not something that was covered in the certification program, so little by little, she found ways to discuss the Feldenkrais Method with clients while scraping by with bar tending skills to pay the bills. After months of this approach, the studio offered her the second best business proposition...
Enter, Pilates. As a natural extension of her previous work, Pilates had broken through and become a popular method for fitness and wellness. So, Kathleen began her study of the Pilates method; Polestar to be precise. An ideal fit, as it was developed with the intention of being a more rehabilitative approach to the discipline. Both rigorous and rewarding, the training proved also to provide an entirely new base of clientele to her growing practice. Kathleen continued to explore the blending of the two methods, Feldenkrais and Pilates, and achieved her second certification in Pilates: Classical. This additional training inspired a greater understanding of the work and deepen the foundation of both Feldenkrais and Pilates, as well as the possibilities Feldenkrais brings to Pilates.
With a decade of study, and in conjunction with the hands on work a flourishing practice affords, Kathleen contrived her next endeavor, a studio of her own. Starting in 2005, she was blessed with a devoted clientele who were willing to follow her to her beautiful new space. Kathleen’s practice continues to this day, but as usual, she was hungry for more. She wanted to find a way to work with groups of people as well as her solo work with individuals.
Check out her Résumé