Hello, I'm Jeannette
I’ve always been fascinated by how living creatures work and having an aversion to being still, Movement Teacher is my ideal job!
I originally trained in marine biology and worked as a research scientist for many years. I am still always on the search for interesting critters and rare plants, but now I use my training to understand and communicate what science tells us about human movement and health.
I enjoy many movement practices, but I feel most graceful and efficient in the water and most at peace with the world walking up a wild hillside.
Being in a pool, ocean or up a hill are when I most ‘feel like me’ and I would be bereft if I could no longer enjoy them. I imagine you also have a list of activities that bring you joy but perhaps you are not able to enjoy them as much as you used to.
One of the biggest - often invisible - barriers I see to people living the active life they want are pelvic floor issues and core injuries; leaking, prolapse, diastasis recti and back pain make it very hard to exercise and feel confident doing the activities you love. I hear from many people that they don’t feel like themselves anymore because they are unable to jump or hike or even pick up their kids.
My switch from academic scientist and amateur athlete to movement teacher and educator stems from personal experience with some of these issues.
I was a competitive swimmer from age 8 and also a runner and yoga practitioner starting in my 20s. While certainly not a flexible type, I always considered myself strong. However in my early 30s I began to experience pelvic pain and I was also diagnosed with osteopenia in my lumbar spine. No medical practitioner could explain my pelvic pain and the prescription I was given for osteopenia was calcium pills and to start skipping.
As this seemed woefully inadequate advice, I put my research-hat on and went on a mission to figure out why I was experiencing these issues and what to do about them. I started with the scientific literature and then trained with experts in pelvic health and biomechanics. What I discovered, in a nutshell, is that there is a MUCH bigger picture to pelvic floor and core health than the ability to Kegel or Crunch. Pelvic floor, core and bone issues are whole-body issues that require a whole-body approach.
Using such an approach combining whole-body mobility & strength training, postural retraining and natural movement I am now free of pelvic symptoms.
To find out how I can help you please click here
If you are interested in my professional qualifications, click here for my CV.
