22 March 2024
I sat with many options while naming my private practice and “this moment physical therapy” was on the short list. I think I was attracted to it for many reasons, but one that I think is amusing now, is that the name and its implications fly daringly in the face of all that I learned about “proper” physical therapy practice. Tauntingly, that is, in the face of those who believe physical therapy must have a scrupulous eye on our patient’s history along with an eagle’s eye view of all the potential future pitfalls. This is in order to “help you avoid surgery and prescription drugs, maximize your mobility, manage pain and chronic conditions, and improve your physical function and fitness.” (https://www.choosept.com/)
Today, I still strive to help you with all those things listed on the mission site of the American Physical Therapy Association’s website above. But I founded inner presence (https://innerpresencept.com/) this year in response to many years of investigating my own experience of both supporting patients, as well as navigating my own health and wholeness through various modalities. Physical function and fitness are only a small part of the big picture.
I feel lucky to hold the privilege to be trained in multiple disciplines, such as the ancient practice of yoga including yogic and Buddhist meditation techniques, massage therapy and energy work, self-study and special interest in neuroscience and neuroplasticity, the nervous system and countless hours of professional therapy including poly-vagal framework, trauma-work, internal family systems, attachment theory, and nonviolent communication.
I need all those tools, and more, in order to stand a chance of keeping my presence in the current moment – versus perseverating on what to do next, or roiling in what happened before. It seems to get more and more difficult to stay in this moment, to maintain my own inner presence, and yet more and more clear that this is it. This staying in the here, in the now, is the remedy for suffering (unbearable) and for struggle (constant) and might even be the answer to the common question: how do I best improve my function as a flawed and aging human, who has many goals and aspirations in this ever challenging life I am meant to lead.
So I am starting this healing practice as an experiment. Creating a space where we are free to talk about where you came from, and where you want to go, but with an emphasis on letting these important details fall away to the greater power of letting your whole body, mind and whatever else you are made of (stardust, or unicorn breath, or whatever) decide how to best undo patterns that create tension, instability or unease. And while using deep trust and connection maybe we will allow the underlying good, and health, and potential that lies beneath it to take up the space it deserves and to not only show up, but to thrive.
