PHYSICAL THERAPY
I graduated from Pacific University with a Master’s degree in PT in 1998 and began my PT career working with a variety of patients and settings including neuro, post-surgical rehabilitation, orthopedics, acute care, and skilled nursing. I met Julie Gudmestad, PT, in 1999 for my own low back issues, and this sparked my interest in using yoga as the “gold standard” for therapeutic exercise. I had my own private PT practice within Gudmestad & Associates where I practiced PT and taught yoga for 18 years, until the building sold in 2019. With that change, I decided to move my practice to my Lake Oswego home, to continue with the style of treating patients that I believe is healing in so many ways.
YOGA BACKGROUND
I trained first and foremost with Julie Gudmestad, who is a renowned Iyengar instructor who specializes in bringing yoga to all, especially those that have suffered from previous injuries. Julie teaches yoga workshops around the world, educating people on anatomy and proper alignment. Wanting to broaden my knowledge, I decided to study for an Iyengar yoga teaching certification, and became Iyengar certified in 2014. The Iyengar training is the most rigorous of teaching certifications and required many years of dedicated practice and study. I mentored extensively with Julie Lawrence and Nina Pileggi, both Senior Iyengar teachers in the Portland area, in order to test for the certification. This Iyengar training has aligned beautifully with my PT knowledge and experience, and has become a foundational aspect of my practice.
I am also an “adjunct” teacher who assists with an established Yoga teacher-training program with respect to anatomy and alignment education. I have presented sessions to students on the neck, shoulder, elbow, wrist, knee, and ankle. I also teach Yoga Teachers so they can receive their Continuing Education Hours. Past topics have included: Teaching Vinyasa to Beginners, Handstand preparation, and Inversion preparation.
I have presented special yoga workshops on the following topics: Yoga for Golfers, Yoga for Cyclists, Yoga for Bone Density, Building your Home Yoga Practice, Yoga for Body Mechanics, Postural awareness and support to name a few.
PRIOR TO PHYSICAL THERAPY AND YOGA
It’s hard to believe this now, but I did not start out with my roots in health and healing. As a young U of O college student, I followed down the path of accounting, knowing I would secure a good job and wage. After spending 10 years in a profession that did not suit my disposition, I left to find out what I really was intended to do. And luckily, was guided to PT and then yoga.