MEET THE TEAM
Lindsey Hanahan, CLMA, RSMT, NCPT, RAS
Lindsey is a certified Laban/Bartenieff Movement Analyst (CLMA), a Registered Somatic Movement Therapist (RSMT), a National Certified Pilates Teacher (NCPT), and a Redcord Activcore Specialist (RAS®)
Lindsey spent 6 years on staff in the physical medicine department at Denver Injury, a multi-disciplinary clinic specializing in complex injury rehab, where she collaborated with physical therapists and doctors on patient care. Her original Pilates training was done privately with Donna McLean Studios, followed by completing the Polestar® Pilates training program and working at Polestar Denver.
She was honored to be accepted for the Balanced Body Faculty training with the gifted Nora St. John and is excited to be a Balanced Body Master Instructor for both Pilates and MOTR. She received her CoreAlign instructor training locally from Carrie Lamb, DPT and Balanced Body Master Instructor for CoreAlign, and continues her studies regularly. She has also completed her Redcord suspension training for rehab and fitness and is a Redcord Activcore Specialist. Her continuing education work includes courses in lumbar stabilization (with Mark Commerford and Paul Hodges), thoracic outlet syndrome (TOS), Aston Patterning, Pathokinesiology of the Upper and Lower Extremities with Lise Stolze, Advanced Gait and Rotational Sports with Dav Cohen, PNF Patterning and Upper Body Stability/Mobility with Irene Dowd, and Pfilates (pelvic floor plyometrics) with Bruce Crawford, MD.
Since studying the Pfilates work, Lindsey has delved into the endless links between pelvic floor dysfunction and movement dysfunction. She iwas part of the Lumbo-Pelvic Pain group at Presbyterian/St. Lukes hospital in Denver founded by urologist Nel Gerig, MD, teaches regular Pfilates courses to help those with common pelvic floor weaknesses to quickly regain that muscular function, and privately with others who struggle with over-active pelvic floors. Her unique combination of Bartenieff Fundamentals and Pilates training has proven to be a dynamic and effective tool when educating clients in this area.
Most recently, along with her husband Tom Geissler, Lindsey created the Tweener™ Bar and Tweener™ Bar PLUS, both of which work on the CoreAlign® ladder to improve the biomechanics for people of any size using the equiment, and increase the range of possibilities on that equipment with the addition of variable resistance.
Lindsey relocated to Denver in 2001 from New York City, where she was a professional dancer, teacher, choreographer, director and producer. She has taught dance in the US, Canada and China and has choreographed regionally and in Denver where she received the Marlowe Award for her work on Next Stage Theater’s productions of Chess and Assassins. She is a proud member of Actors’ Equity Association, and former Chair of AEA’s Denver Area Liaison Committee.
As a student athlete, Lindsey’s sport of choice was track and field. As an adult, she is an avid tennis player and loves working with individual and team athletes including younger athletes looking to improve their overall movement and improve their competitive skills.
Michael Driscoll, MFA, GCFP
Michael brings his extensive background in movement therapy, including training in Pilates, Feldenkrais and GYROTONIC®, to his clients at MOVE Studios.
After seventeen years of professional dance experience (modern and jazz dance) and a Master of Fine Arts degree, Michael turned his talents to the world of fitness and movement education. In 1996 he obtained a Principles of Intelligent Movement Certification in Pilates and GYROTONIC®, followed in 1998 by a Polestar® Pilates certification for fitness and rehabilitation. He has completed both Level 1 and Level 2 GYROTONIC® certification, training directly with GYROTONIC® founder Juliu Horvath.
In addition to his Pilates and GYROTONIC® disciplines, Michael completed a 4-year Feldenkrais* Guild® of North America certified training program and is a member of the Feldenkrais Guild® of North America. He has taught nationally for Polestar Education and is also member of the Pilates Method Alliance (PMA).
Michael’s dance background, extensive training and professional certifications have helped him create a movement “toolbox” which he uses to assist individuals at all skill and fitness levels to achieve their functional, fitness and rehabilitation goals. In his work, both privately and in group settings, Michael always strives to develop a broader functional awareness of movement in his clients’ lives.
*The Feldenkrais® method is a form of somatic education that uses gentle movement and directed attention to improve movement and enhance human functioning.
Betsy Walker, NCPT, CRTS
Senior Pilates Instructor, CoreAlign Instructor, OOV Instructor, Z-HealthTrainer
In addition to being a Balanced Body-trained comprehensive Pilates instructor and a Nationally Certified Pilates Teacher, Betsy is a passionate CoreAlign instructor, a certified OOV level 3 instructor, and a Z-Health Trainer (R & I-Phase).
Betsy began life as an athlete, competing as an NCAA Div.1 downhill ski racer for the University of Wyoming where she graduated from the business school. She also went on to race two seasons on the U.S. Women’s Pro tour. Consequences from a back injury she sustained while competing in her early 20’s led to her interest in using targeted brain-body exercise, ultimately leading to completion of her Z-Health Neuro-centric training. In her 40’s, a series of personal health challenges were the impetus to learn about and integrate aromatherapy and other natural wellness strategies into her life and practice.
She began diversifying her skillset to include the use of essential oils to address the emotional and nervous system through training with the Natural Therapies Board and is recognized as a Certified Raindrop Technique Specialist (CRTS). She is also a Certified Aroma Freedom Practitioner.
With this diverse background in both movement and neuro-centric training, Betsy is passionate about helping students and clients eliminate pain, improve joint strength, function, and flexibility and live active healthy lifestyles. Her neuro-training techniques include sensory activation of the body’s visual, vestibular, and proprioceptive systems as well as calming (or “down-regulating”) the nervous system through improved breathing and more efficient movement practices. Betsy also offers Raindrop Technique, Aroma Freedom Technique, aromatherapy coaching and MPS Scar Release .
Betsy is a native of Colorado and she and her husband David have raised a blended family of 4 kids, including her youngest, a hockey goalie. Cheering her on at hockey games is Betsy’s outside-the-studio passion!
Jessica Caine,CMT
Pilates Instructor, Certified Massage Therapist, Ortho Bionomy Practitioner
Jessica’s first job was working in a chiropractic office where the supportive owner, Jill Hutter, DC, exposed her to the benefits of body work and encouraged her to consider options in the field. She was drawn to massage and attended the Massage Therapy Institute of Colorado where she graduated in 2009. She had one brief stint in the “spa” world but knew quickly that the medical massage area was her real calling. She’s worked with chiropractic offices, osteopaths and dentists and developed specialties in reflexology and TMJ along the way, always choosing to work with offices who took a more holistic approach to their medical models.
But in time, she began to recognize the limitations in traditional massage. She did what she could for her clients, but frequently they returned to her repeatedly for the same “fixes”. When she met Lindsey Hanahan and was introduced to Pilates and movement therapy, the bigger picture of movement patterning came into focus. Jessica started experiencing some amazing changes in her own body when she started learning Pilates. She saw a way for people to actually resolve their issues and evolve into more functional humans, and it led her to complete her Balanced Body Comprehensive Pilates Instructor Training with Lindsey as her principal instructor and mentor.
Always looking for more ways to learn and expand her understanding of movement, Jessica completed her studies at the Rocky Mountain Ortho-Bionomy Center, a remarkable touch therapy which she finds is a beautiful compliment to both her massage practice and her Pilates teaching, speeding up the time-frame for people to recover functional movement patterns. She is excited to be teaching Pilates and helping MOVE clients to experience the improved body connections, organization, flexibility and strength she has discovered herself with this work.
Vivienne Varga, MA
Certified Pilates and CoreAlign Instructor
MOVE Studios is very lucky to have Vivienne Varga joining us as a guest instructor. Vivienne has extensive movement training including both Balanced Body Comprehensive Pilates and CoreAlign Certifications, Springboard Instructor Certification, and being an Aerialates Certified Instructor, as well as being a former studio owner.
Vivienne has specialized training in anatomical and biomechanical movement in key areas including the shoulder girdle, pelvis and pelvic floor, and the lower extremities. She takes a psycho-somatic approach to her teaching incorporating breathing techniques and sensation awareness tools while still embracing the grounding Pilates Principles such as control, precision, centering, and flow to create truly embodied Pilates.
That psycho-somatic approach comes with its own impressive background: Vivienne has a BA in forensic psychology, an MA in Clinical Psychology, is completing her PsyD in Clinical Psychology, is a certified Somatic Experiencing Practitioner, certified integrative somatic trauma therapist, certified adventure-based counselor, AND a master certified life coach.
Vivienne has experience teaching all types of fitness populations including athletes, executives, senior citizens and clients with injuries and special issues. Diligent on technique, Vivienne encourages fun and energetic sessions. She leads a well-paced class with an athletic approach challenging all levels of clients.
Don’t miss a chance to take a class or private session with her!
