The Barre and Beyond

Q: How and why did you start your business?

I was always interested in ballet and sports medicine. After studying athletic training in college, I danced with professional ballet companies in Arizona, Washington, and here in Connecticut. I fell in love with Middletown while dancing with Ekklesia Contemporary Ballet. Eventually, I started The Barre and Beyond to help dancers recover from injuries and improve their performance during the COVID-19 pandemic when healthcare shut down. 

Instead of joining a physical therapy center, I decided to start my own business to have the freedom to work with clients in a more comprehensive way, focusing on their entire body rather than just isolated areas.

Q: Why should someone choose your business instead of going to a physical therapist?

A: I am a licensed athletic trainer, not a physical therapist so if a physician recommends seeing a physical therapist I recommend clients seek help from these clinicians first. My business fills the gap between traditional physical therapy (which usually focuses on getting patients back to activities of daily living) and full athletic participation such as golf, dance, sailing, baseball, etc. (which place different forces on the body).

My target audience typically consists of individuals who aspire to improve their movement in some way, whether it be to alleviate discomfort after an injury or simply to enhance their physical abilities. People who come to see me often walk away confused as to why simple movements were so fatiguing!

My approach involves guiding them in finding and utilizing their core through a diverse array of positions. The result is a noticeable improvement in their physical well-being, with clients often remarking on how much better they feel after our sessions. If someone is seeking precise movement and getting over the hurdles of any injury, I would suggest giving me a try! 

In addition to aiding in injury recovery, I also provide conditioning services to enhance overall physical abilities. Once you've recovered from your injury, I help you determine what movements are safe for your body by incorporating Pilates techniques with sports medicine methods.