Welcome to BodyWise



Donnella Wood is a certified Movement Therapist, Pilates instructor, and Laban/Bartenieff Movement Analyst with a background in mental health and dance. She works with athletes, dancers, injured individuals, and those wanting to feel more at home in the their body. Her work focuses on helping individuals develop a deeper ability to listen to their body and develop the strength, awareness, and connection needed to move without pain and tension. She has a passion for working with Tango dancers and individuals seeking to understand themselves more deeply through movement. For nine years she directed a movement and healing arts studio called BodyWise. Currently she works with clients privately and teaches classes in inner Southeast Portland. Contact her at donnella@bodywisestudio.net or 503-234-5193.

Donnella offers private and group classes in the following:

Client Experiences

"Time and time again, Donnella is able to see right to the root of any tension, restriction, or pain in my body and then work with me in ways that fit my body and personality. Her style is gentle, compassionate, and supportive. Donnella’s creativity and dedication helps me to understand and transform chronic problems. I have sought help from a wide variety of movement specialists over the last thirty years, Donnella is by far the most skillful and effective practitioner I have found. I am most happy to recommend her services." Anusuya Howe

"Through my sessions with Donnella I have come to see how the pain in my body and the ruminations in my brain are intricately connected; how my past emotional trauma is held in my body and affects the thoughts that are produced in my brain.    She has helped me learn to trust the signals that my body gives me and to pay attention to fear, and panic and pain as sources of valuable information.  She has taught me how to trust myself and my instincts."

"Working with Donnella has helped me reclaim my body - to learn to trust it - to feel at home with every aspect of it." Judy Smith

"After suffering a back injury years ago, I spent thousands of dollars on chiropractic and other kinds of care... I am finally finding relief... I love discovering how my body has moved in the past, and now it is literally reshaping itself and moving through the world in a more relaxed and natural way." Sue Prindle

"I am impressed with Donnella's ability to pay close attention to the needs of my body by deeply listening to me and observing my my body movement. She allows me to take the lead while offering guidance and affirmation. As a result of our work, I move more freely and have a heightened awareness of my body." Mary

"The work I have done with Donnella has had a noticeable impact on every physical activity I participate in." Tom Stibolt

 

Location

Private sessions are available at 1924 NE Couch St #101, Portland, Oregon 97232

Group Classes are held at Awakenings Wellness Center at 1016 SE 12th Avenue, Portland, OR 97214

 

 

Graphic Design by Amy Livingstone of Sacred Arts Studio Photographs by Jill Weir, Ariel Frager, and David Shannon

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