Marsha’s work has helped me understand how my body can organize more effectively so that my movements are more efficient, fluid and integrated… My Feldenkrais experience has helped me integrate body, mind, emotions and spirit in a way that I physically feel in sync with my world view.
– KM, Non-Violent Communications Trainer and now Feldenkrais practitioner who suffered from chronic pain for 35 years and no longer takes pain medication
“Marsha has such a great way of teaching and explaining things thoroughly. I came away from our chat feeling so much clearer on so many of my biggest questions about proper alignment in ballet. My biggest take away from her was the idea of dancing with a more “inside out” approach. Rather than focusing so much on how it looks, I’m now trying to better notice how it feels to be properly aligned. She clearly very passionate, knowledgeable and loves to be helpful. I can’t thank her enough for her incredible help!”
-VV- adult later starting ballerina and amazing advocate for her dancer peers and for overall following your dreams
I’ve worked with Marsha for decades from when I first injured my back dancing at Pacific Northwest Ballet to present day. She has always been part of my health and wellness team and I could not have managed successfully through difficult injuries without her.
One of the things that I have always enjoyed is that she is a trained dancer so she has the unique knowledge of how dance athletes push themselves physically and mentally. She also has extensive experience with traditional physical therapy and alternative movement therapies. When one approach seemed to stall she would pull out other complimentary exercises. I know working with Marsha will be very productive and that is why I return to work with her. She is knowledgeable, personable, and will treat you with respect. She is also a wonderful person. I highly recommend Marsha!
– JT – former principal dancer Pacific NW Ballet
I met Marsha when I suffered a lumbar spine injury during an onstage accident with a professional ballet company. I was young, hurting, and scared about what the injury meant for my dance career, and she was a calming, comforting, and trustworthy presence for me. My range of motion was severely limited by my injured disc, but Marsha’s work with me, including what at the time (20 years ago!) were her new Feldenkrais skills gave me enough relief to dance a few more programs with the company. Her knowledge of dance mechanics—but also the specific pressures of a ballet life—reassured me that I was in good hands. Later on in my life, I returned to Marsha for help with rib and sciatic pain during my pregnancies. Throughout all our work together, I was continually impressed that such gentle (but very deliberate and intuitive) movements and manual care could provide such a large degree of relief. She is one of those practitioners who you think must surely have magical powers! But, I know she has worked hard to hone her skill and intuition over her years of experience.
– JR – author of the Almost Dancer
I’m so happy we are working together. You are the first person in all these years to be of help in a more foundational way. I like your intuition and your intellect!
– SK, dancer and photographer
Wow! I can’t believe how I have no pain today! I rode the recumbent bike for 2 miles after moving seat back so my legs were straighter, and, walked over a mile on the treadmill . Not trying to stand up straighter. And this morning I volunteered at IslandWood ..standing for two hours but sometimes putting one foot raised on a stool. Thank you so much for helping me yesterday understand how to live in the body I have more comfortably!
— JG, senior female who has had multiple orthopedic surgeries including a rod in her spine, hip replacement as well as shoulder and ankle surgeries. This was sent after one session!
We were very excited about our trip to Europe this year, with one major exception. We were feeling old and stiff. At 69, although I had finally recovered from chronic sciatica (thank you Marsha), I now had other things slowing me down. How was I going to do all that standing around in museums, waiting in long tourist lines, climbing the inevitable stairs to see what I could see, or sleeping comfortably in multiple different beds without triggering my sciatica again or my hip pain or…?
I had an arsenal of strategies I had learned from my time with Marsha and I told myself if there was ever a time to put these to their best use, this would be it. So I did.
And I did great! Better than expected, which was a good thing as we encountered even more standing, walking, and stairs than I had anticipated.
It’s been a few years since I have had instruction/treatment from Marsha, but her lessons continue to pay off. I have no doubt that without the proactive strategies she taught me I would have been pretty miserable on our wonderful trip. Thanks Marsha!
– CK
Marsha Novak is a gift. Her ability to assess, understand, and treat complex physical dynamics is exceptional. An intuitive and deeply empathetic provider, Marsha’s passion for her work is inspiring. She addresses physiological issues with a holistic, systemic approach and a gentle positivity that makes her a provider of choice.”
– MH, author and creativity coach
I want to express my gratitude for your healing arts which brought me inspiration and relief when I was struggling with the effects of scoliosis and an autoimmune disease. In both instances your intuition, skillful touch and gentle suggestions helped me to resolve the painful effects of both conditions. You brought hope and solutions when I could find none in traditional medical approaches.
– FS, “renaissance woman” with scoliosis and autoimmune disease
My accolades to Marsha Novak with her extensive training and experience using Feldenkrais that led to my healing after many years of pain and dysfunction. Her expertise enabled my body to rediscover it’s fluidity and strength that had been missing in my life. She recognized that my injuries were not “cookie cutter” and created a treatment plan that was gentle, unique and successful… She gave me a gift: I was no longer my injury.
– CE, who spent 37 years as a flight attendant and was injured on the job
As a fellow “life long learner” I can’t say enough about how much Marsha’s search for answers, and expertise with teaching movement has helped me, as an adult, be more at ease with myself and the messages my body is sending me.
– CK, educator, cellist with long-standing back and neck pain