Mission Statement

Our goal is to offer a holistic integration of mind and body, allowing our patients and clients to take charge of their health.  Our patients and clients receive individualized education and exercise instruction, with a “hands on” approach, to help meet their treatment and exercise goals.   Mindful Movement offers a unique approach that assists our patients and clients with their movement strategies.  Improving awareness can reduce or eliminate pain, improve efficiency and ease of movement.  Integrating this awareness into their lives paves the way to remaining involved in the activities they enjoy.

How We Evolved

Mindful Movement & Physical Therapy was given birth in the basement of Sue's house five years ago.  The parents are Sue Forbes and Jolynn Nelson.  Sue and Jolynn had been health care professionals for over 20 years; Sue was in the movement world and Jolynn was in the world of physical therapy.  After completing the Stott Pilates studio certification and the Polestar Rehabilitation certification, Sue set up a studio in her basement.  Jolynn was curious about how Pilates could be used in rehabilitation... the idea was born!  Jolynn brought a patient to Sue's basement... she mobilized a joint and Sue immediately put them into a functional movement on the Pilates equipment... and they both sat back and "sighed" at the sight of someone changing and improving before their very eyes; and they realized they couldn't do it alone.

They began to see their knowledge and equipment could be used as tools to change people's movement patterns.  One day Sue said to Jolynn, "would you ever consider doing this with me?" ... Jolynn said, "yes, every time I leave your house!"  The idea became a business called Mindful Movement & Physical Therapy, that found a home at 2740 East Lansing Drive, in East Lansing, MI.  The evolution of Mindful Movement began as a lot of individual skills, knowledge, and talents; that are blending together to create a "unique approach" to recovery and health, recognizing the patient's role as the key component and the practitioner's role as simply the guide.

Just as individuals grow and develop, Mindful Movement & Physical Therapy continues to change.  Rehabilitation is now viewed as a "dynamic service" that doesn't end with the end of PT visits... the patient becomes aware and knowledgeable about what they need to stay balanced.  The private and rehab class instruction in movement supports and enhances the knowledge that the client has gained. Ultimately, the privates and recreational classes are designed to support maintenance and advanced performance in movement.  The obvious truth is that "it takes a village" ... and Mindful Movement & Physical Therapy is becoming that community that works together with all of your health care providers to chart a course!

 

How We're

 

Unique

Both in the movement studio and in physical therapy, we use the following principles as a foundation for assessment and programming to improve the efficiency and ease of movement.

Movement Principles

Breath – We teach how breath associates with and facilitates movement.

Axial Elongation and Core Stabilization The client is guided through imagery to attain "length and decompression" of joints through axial elongation; and core stabilization with a complete understanding of the deep muscle "corset".  Organization of the Shoulder Girdle, Cervical and Thoracic Spine

Spinal Articulation –We provide an understanding of basic intervertebral movements and how to access them.

Weight Bearing and Alignment of Extremities– We provide knowledge of efficient alignment of the lower body and how to move with it.

Movement Integration Our programming is designed to produce "fluidity" and ease of movement that requires the whole body working synergistically.

We encourage a holistic integration of mind and body that allows the patient/client to take charge of their own health. We also provide a continuum of care from rehabilitation to post rehabilitation and beyond.

These principles are incorporated into the person's daily lives, not just into their "exercise".