When Invisible Injuries Become Real: Living with hEDS Through the Seasons of Life As a former dancer and now a movement educator living with Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (hEDS), I have learned that my body doesn't always play by the same rules as others.  Injuries sneak in where no one sees them coming. And they stay longer than expected. This is one of those stories: This week, I sprained the side of my ankle — not from falling or twisting it, but from walking a bit too long and teaching movement afterward. For most people, that wouldn't seem like a big deal. But for those of us with Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS) , this is exactly how injuries often happen. With EDS, the connective tissue that holds our joints together is overly stretchy and fragile. What might feel like “normal” movement to others — walking, standing, even sitting — can slowly overstretch ligaments or shift joints out of place.  These are the invisible injuries that no one sees coming. But they’re real. And...

  The Silent Child with Too Many Questions I was a good kid. Too good, maybe. Too quiet. Too nice. I wasn’t rebellious or loud. I was cautious, careful, always scanning for safety. Fear wrapped itself around me like a second skin—fear of being wrong, being abandoned,  being too much. Or not enough. I had questions—so many whys —but I rarely asked them out loud. Being adopted—even within the same family—meant I knew part of my story, but never all of it. I knew my biological father. I was raised by his sister; the woman I called Mom.  But my biological mother… she wasn’t there. The police had to remove me from her care. I grew up with a sense of being both known and unknown. Dance: The Language I Was Allowed I didn’t have a voice for the things I felt. But I had movement. I was shy—deeply shy. Scared to talk to people. Group settings overwhelmed me. I froze in conversations. My mom tried to get me involved—signed me up for Girl Scouts, other activities—but I couldn’...

🌿 From Motion Arts Wellness to The Gentle Witch’s Nook: A New Chapter Begins Change often comes gently—like a whisper on the wind, or the scent of herbs in the air. And sometimes, it arrives with clarity, like a full moon rising, showing you what’s been there all along. This space began as Motion Arts Wellness , rooted in my journey as a professional ballet dancer, a woman living with chronic illness, and a seeker of balance through movement, sound, and physical healing. Over time, Motion Arts became more than a studio. It became a home for mindful movement through Gyrotonic, a sanctuary for sound healing, and a center for holistic wellness where I could help others feel more connected to their bodies and breath. But something deeper began to stir. As I navigated motherhood—especially parenting children with high sensitivity and anxiety—I found myself turning more and more to the natural world. Herbs, rituals, and sensory grounding became not just tools for healing, but a way of l...

  Living as a Highly Sensitive Person:  Understanding Sensory Overload and Embracing the Gift Growing up in the 1980s and 90s, the idea of being a "highly sensitive person" wasn’t something many people talked about. If you struggled with bright lights, loud noises, strong perfumes, or certain foods, you were often dismissed as overreacting or being difficult. For much of my life, I thought I was simply too sensitive and that I had to push through discomfort like everyone else. It wasn’t until much later—especially after seeing my younger daughter experience anxiety from similar sensory stressors—that I finally understood that what I was dealing with was real. I wasn’t making it up. The Early Signs: When Sensitivity Feels Like a Burden From a young age, I was always overwhelmed by my environment. The fluorescent lights in classrooms gave me headaches, the smell of synthetic perfumes in department stores made me feel nauseous, and loud, chaotic places left me drained. I struggl...

  As the new year begins, I find myself reflecting on the past - the challenges, the growth, and the lessons learned. Living with Hyper Mobility syndrome - Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (hEDS) has taught me the importance of listening to my body and prioritizing wellness. As a mom to 2 incredible kids, one of whom is neurodivergent and both navigating hEDS and anxiety in their own ways, I have seen firsthand how critical it is to create a space of calm and connection. And with the world around us often feeling chaotic, I believe now more than ever, we need to cultivate more zen in our lives. Finding Wellness in my journey with hEDS Living with chronic pain and fatigue due to hEDS has been a journey of resilience and adaptation. I've learned to balance (still learning) my physical limitations with my passions, from gyrotonic movements to herbal healing. Wellness, for me, isn't about perfection - it's about small, consistent choices that honor what my body needs. Supporting kids thr...

🌕As the first full moon of the year approaches, it offers us a unique opportunity to pause, reflect, and invite balance into our lives. 🎵On January 12th at 5pm, I invite you to join me for a special sound bath at Motion Arts Wellness. 🌟This 90min session, inspired by the calming energy of the full moon, will guide you into a state of deep relaxation and renewal. Using the soothing vibrations of crystal bowls and other instruments, we'll create a space of harmony, healing, and inner connection. 💖In a world that often feels overwhelming, moment like these remind us to prioritize our well-being. Sound Healing helps us realign, release what no longer serves us, and welcome peace into our lives. Spots are limited, and only a few remain - secure yours now to reserve this time for yourself. 🌙Let's come together to celebrate the healing energy of the full moon and set the tone for a harmonious and mindful year ahead. Email: studio.motionarts@gmail.com to reserve your spot and lear...