bo·dy pros·o·dy

noun

1. The patterns of stress and strain that create each unique body posture.

2. The rhythm of breath, blood, joints, and movement patterns of each unique body structure.

A human being is more than a collection of parts.

There is a rhythm to our gait, our breath, our heart and even our cerebrospinal fluid. Gravity, repetitive activities, long held static postures, and accidents that occur suddenly, maybe daily, compromise our natural rhythm. Our gait changes when we walk and run. Our breath fixates in a  limiting pattern or shallows.  Our joints literally move in a different way than before.   Sometimes a joint starts taking a short cut, or the limbs never reach their intended destination, as they once did. We all inevitably change, but why submit to a downward spiral?

In Biomechanics, the stresses are the forces that mold us. The strain is the effect of those stresses. Eventually time changes us, either because of the repetitive nature of our activities, the degradation of the tissues with age, or the increasing probability of an acute accident.  When strain occurs, the body adapts and compensates. As a result, we often strain other areas over time and overall we become less efficient movers and breathers. Aberrant body patterns eventually affect the function of the internal organs,  We all know what it feels like when we are "bound" or "out of place." It's exhausting. It affects our mood, energy level, and focus.  We are in dissonance with ourselves and with the world.

Body Prosody is a term coined by Lisa Ternes, a yoga and pilates teacher, and a Structural Bodyworker of 15 years.  Lisa has a Masters of Science in Biomechanics from NYU and uses her studies to enhance the intuitive nature of her treatments. She empowers the individual to find balance and strength, embracing the changes we can not control.  She integrates movement interventions such as yoga and pilates, with hands-on structural work to release deep fascial patterns and integrate new movement pathways.   This is not a journey towards symmetry or perfection.  Instead, she looks at the whole human being, their structure and their movement. The focus is efficient function. 

Embrace your unique structure, raise consciousness about movement, strengthen the weakened links, open those areas that hold tension, and release the stories of yourself that no longer serve you. Become powerful, adaptable and strong.  Move freely, with less restriction and more energy. Function to your fullest potential and tap into the rhythm of you.

offerings

Structural Bodywork

Structural Integration and Deep fascia release

• Focused Therapeutic work - accident, injury, pain, or other specific need
• Athletic Performance Efficiency - including yoga, dance, and the avid exerciser
• Therapy for Work induced postural and movement issues - repetitive injuries and awkward postures
• Whole body balance - a 10-13 session series of Structural Integration  
• Advanced series - post 10-series work 
• Tune-ups - a great way to maintain the work of the series or address general balance of the body

Yoga

• Classes - Vinyasa all levels, and Power
• Corporate Classes
• Privates

Pilates Reformer and Mat

• Classes - all levels
• Corporate Classes
• Privates

schedule an appointment

If you cannot find a time that fits yours schedule, please contact us and we will do our best to accommodate you.

contact info

202-793-1505

lisa@bodyprosody.com

office location

Capitol Hill

804 Maryland Ave NE
Washington, DC 20002

-Basement Unit-