Individual Thriving
Jonah after a long day in the tailoring studio at the Metropolitan Opera.
When learning is individualized, we feel seen - and that sense of being seen empowers us to know how to advocate for ourselves. This belief has been a through line in all the hats I've worn in my professional life - educator, performing artist, parent, and clinical somatic educator.
My roots in individualized education run deep, and go back to the work my mother did. A teacher turned educational visionary, she was a leader in early childhood education - and she treated both teaching and leadership as an art form. Like any artist whose work truly matters, she questioned everything, pushed the boundaries of conventional thinking and taught me to appreciate the unique ways others learn - especially myself.
As the youngest of four, I spent a lot of time as her shadow. I was about four or five years old when she began working for the National Head Start Program in New Haven, CT. I would often accompany her on home visits - my job was simple and specific: play with the kids while my mother observed and talked to the parents. As I got older, my responsibilities grew to include assisting in summer programs for preschoolers. The additional perks? Eavesdroping on strategy and planning meetings she held at home. Her team included child psychologists, occupational therapists, teachers, and architects.
Meet the learner where they are. That same philosophy - that every person learns best when truly met as an individual - runs directly through the somatic work I do with clients, students and teachers. One-on-one learning accelerates growth in ways that group settings simply cannot. At the same time, classes, workshops, and group training programs build community and shared experience - and those matter too, holding an important place in the learning process.
One-on-one clinical somatic sessions are, at their core, individualized educational plans tailored to your unique patterns or habits. Together, we assess and explore what's most effective for you - guided by touch, specific language, and careful observation - building a deeper understanding of what your body and nervous system need to thrive.
