Original Body Wisdom Somatic Movement and Yoga Therapy in Easthampton

Donna is a wonderful practitioner. She has experience and a detailed knowledge of anatomy and body dynamics. She s also caring and intuitive and individualizes her sessions for each person. I very much recommend Donna as a true healer.

Great experience with Donna! Each session was individually tailored to meet whatever my body needed at the time. Super knowledgeable, I always learn something new when I go to see Donna. Highly recommend!

Donna has helped me more than any physical therapist to feel less pain and more mobility in my body. Additionally, I always feel more peaceful and relaxed after my sessions with her.

When I was struggling with intense lower back, hip, and leg pain due to a lifelong imbalance in my body, several friends recommended that I see Donna. Her intuitive way of seeing and working with the body was exactly what I needed to begin to unwind the patterns of movement that were the source of my pain. I have been stunned by my bodys capacity to change in both my individual and class work with Donna - it has been powerful to experience that embodied change is possible even later in life! I feel like my brain and body are re-patterning and I now have tools that I can use at home to support and maintain these changes.

Donna is an intuitive and experienced healer. If you want to make change in your life, she has a vast toolbox of strategies that can help you along the way.

Donna really helped me out with some long standing physical issues that I could not tackle on my own. Her knowledge, attunement, tenderness and skill facilitated a safe container in all of our sessions. I am so grateful for the progress I made. I would highly recommend working with her!

I was entirely new to somatic movement when I signed up for Donnas class -- on Zoom no less. I wasnt quite sure how it would work, but friends whod been students of hers for years advised me it was worth it. Were they ever right! Donnas skill and sensitivity infuses every class, grounding us first in anatomy and then using imagery and example to communicate what are often, at least at first, complicated connections between and among the many moving parts of our bodies. Her uncanny ability to explain, to recommend, to rethink -- all on a small screen and always in the most encouraging, supportive ways -- has produced real results, increasing my mobility and diminishing pain. Its not magic because its hard work, but small movements can make the biggest difference, and I can wholeheartedly recommend Donnas class.

It is hard to put into words what essentially happens experientially through the body and not so much through the mind. The description of Donnas approach and its impact on people expressed in the testimonials I find really make more sense after you have had the opportunity to experience the process. I started the group classes online to address a chronic pain in my buttucks, and after 4 sessions not only have it resolved, but feel like I am starting a whole new understanding of how to be in relationship to my body and my senses. I wish I could have started this earlier in my life. I have worked with people in this field before and find Donna to be remarkably knowledgeable, imaginative, responsive, and soothing.

I started taking classes with Donna a number of years ago when i was suffering with neck pain. Through her guidance I started to understand so much about my body, the patterns of movement I held, and how to move in a much more effortless way. Long after the condition was resolved I continue to study with Donna. Her approach helps me integrate new ways of understanding my body and how to apply these principles in everyday movement. I cant recommend her classes enough.

Donna is a gifted teacher who truly understands the workings of the human body and translates this into practical teachings that help her students of all ages move more freely and decrease discomfort. She combines her background in somatics, yoga, and Feldenkreis in a unique, gentle movement approach that provides amazing results. After class, students have often shared that they not only feel much better physically, but they also feel calmer and more relaxed. Its a pleasure to participate in Donnas classes -- doing something good for oneself that feels great at the same time.

I am a driving personality and when it came to exercise, had a no pain no gain mindset. I was more stiff and confined in my movement vs fluid and graceful. Donna has been a gift to me. My first class with her I thought, hey, this is too easy and relaxing, yet it is HARD... why is it so hard?!? I couldnt wrap my head around it... The brain:body connection is fascinating. The same way our brains can brainwash our minds to believe our each and every thought (whether those thoughts are true or not), it can do the same with our bodies. Donna has helped me break unhealthy patterns in my body; patterns I wasnt aware of. I can now FEEL my breath throughout my entire body (i used to be a very shallow breather), and I can use my entire being to support my posture and movement. I have more fluidity and grace. Not only am I becoming a more graceful athlete (and feel more protected from injury), I am healing my mind and spirit as well.

Donnas talent and expertise are unique in my experience. Somehow a combination of a terrific massage therapist, yoga teacher, movement coach, and general wonderfulness provide such a healing experience! Pain diminishes and often disappears after a few weeks. I remember from at least 5 years ago that practicing a new way to reach in a few sessions eliminated longstanding (decades) shoulder pain! I have moved away, much to my bodys detriment. Try it. Gentle healing; it couldnt be better!

Donna is incredibly knowledgeable, and has really helped me in learning how to move effortlessly.

Donna is a truly gifted healer and body worker. It s hard for me to explain in words the subtlety of what she does and the depth of her knowledge and intuition. In just a few sessions she helped me reverse months worth of debilitating back pain and regain my mobility. I love working with Donna - she is a true gem.

Donna is a great teacher and has an in-depth knowledge of her subject. She is very caring as well.

My injuries brought me to Donnas class. While continually working through those constrictions, I am also learning so much more about whole body integration, effortless coordination and the balanced nature of movement. I look forward to each class for there are always new exercises to experience and explore!

Donna is an amazing teacher. She understands the body on subtle and complex layers and is able to identify in a client places of stuckness and mis-alignment which are often missed. She is also able to see and correct very subtle patterns in movement, (even over zoom). Her approach is gentle and comprehensive. I have worked with many types of body workers and teachers and Donnas impact is deeper than others. My experience in only since the pandemic, but I look forward to experiencing her hands on work.

Donna is a gem! I have taken classes with her and also worked with her privately. She has helped me develop better awareness of my body alignment, which has eliminated long-standing chronic shoulder and hip pain. Learning better body alignment has also improved my posture and helped me exercise more safely and effectively. Donna has an awesome knowledge of human structure and movement, and an intuitive, wise, and individual approach to helping her clients be more at ease in their bodies.

I have known Donna for years and have always been impressed by her vast knowledge of the body. I recently took a 3 hour zoom pelvic floor workshop and was amazed at how much I learned and the time flew by because it was so interesting, interactive and informative.

Donna is an amazing teacher. She is kind, thorough, patient, and has a wealth of information at her fingertips. She explores the body in a detailed, deep, broad and complete manner. She teaches complex concepts in an accessible manner. She offers a safe space for exploration.

My daughter had a stroke 20 years ago and is unable to use her arm and her leg is weak. Donna has worked with her for 5 years until recently (due to present circumstances) She is very knowledgeable, skilled, kind and compassionate. She has helped my daughter to strengthen and straighten her arm, which is spastic. She even got her to be able to do a down dog! Donna has helped my daughter immensely and has been a blessing to our family!

My wife M.A. had been working with Donna Brooks for a few months when she recommended that I contact her with regard to my issues with arthritis pain and particularly hip and leg pain when hiking and aerobic walking. I had tried physical therapy and several alternative modalities, plus yoga, and while each helped, I was still far from where I wanted to be. Donna provided a much more comprehensive approach to body movement, as well as a series of her own specialized movement exercises to incorporate into my daily practice. She identified old habits in my gait and posture which allowed me to focus on correcting. Both M.A. and I continue to benefit greatly from her knowledge and teachings, and we ll seek her out as we need occasional tune-ups. --Alan and M.A. Swedlund, Deerfield

I have had the pleasure of working with Donna as a presenter for River Valley Co-op s virtual classes. I sent her the following note after her most recent class. Thank you, Donna! Your guidance is compassionate, full of wisdom and heart. I so appreciate the way in which you invite us to connect with ourselves. I absolutely love the language you use in your work and the focus on the principle of curiosity and non-judgemental inquiry. Inviting us to be a tourist in our body and going on a fact finding mission are a playful way to connect without feeling pressure or need to find or feel anything specific. Your guided exploration was so calming and relaxing. People were appreciative and grateful.

Donna brings a combination of imagery, anatomy, and physical exercises that helped me both conceptualize and tangibly experience what was happening in my system. I was able to put together puzzle pieces that have been a struggle for years, as well as find new puzzle pieces to work with in the next steps of my somatic exploration. I came into this work with a fair amount of experience especially working with breath, but coming at it with different goals and framework. I was so grateful for the opportunity to approach new concepts as well as old with room to integrate what I brought with me, as well as discover newfound availability in my body, breath, and nervous system.

Donna brings me great clarity and ease of putting that clarity into practice every time I meet with her. This applies directly to how I experience my body and alleviates pain right away. Her classes are great. I am grateful.

Ive been a student of Donnas after initially taking her Walking Clinic in 2012.Through her wonderful class offerings, I learned to unwind chronic pain and discomfort that plagued me for years. Donna has a delightful demeanor, caring attitude, and abundant curiosity about the systems of the body. She beautifully translates anatomical and somatic concepts into accessible and enjoyable practices for her students. I highly recommend joining her classes, or having a private session, if you desire moving with ease. Lisa Enzer, M.Ed. & CYT

Donna is a wonderful, knowledgeable, caring movement therapist who draws on many years of experience and study. With her instruction, I went from being significantly disabled due to a back injury, to being able to return to my normal activities! Before working with her, I had tried many good physical therapists and chiropractors, as well as a physiatrist. None of them helped me to the extent that she did. I still rely on the exercises I learned from her to keep my back in good shape. She also helped me learn to walk in a way that puts less stress on my joints, and is more comfortable. I would recommend her without reservation!

Donna has a wealth of knowledge about the body and movement, and an enthusiasm and generosity for sharing it. I was fortunate to work with her both individually and in her classes on some long-standing neck pain and postural issues. Her ability to see physical habits and patterns that need altering, her hands-on work, and her classes are nothing short of brilliant. She is a gift to those who suffer from chronic pain.

Donna has a wealth of knowledge of the human body and an intuitive sense of how each individual can improve sense of wellness through small changes in posture. I have taken several classes and the hands-on tools I have learned from Donna has greatly improved my fibromyalgia pain. I highly recommend her for anyone looking for a natural way to move with less pain, more ease.

Donna is a gifted healer. She has so much wisdom and knowledge about anatomy and the body. I ve have taken classes with her and have worked with her privately. I always come away feeling more of my authentic, embodied self. I highly recommend Donna!!

I have been taking Donna s Movement and Yoga Lab class for four years and every week I take away something significant that improves the quality of my life living with Parkinson s. I don t know how she does it, but each week she seems to zero in on exactly what I need and I leave feeling renewed. I also greatly appreciate learning about human anatomy and its role in functional movement and how it connects with what she teaches each week.

I learned a lot about my body from Donna. Shes an inspiring and fun teacher. I went to two class series and had some private sessions. Much of what Donna taught has stayed with me and made a long-term difference. I highly recommend any of her classes, especially if you have pain or postural issues.

Donnas Happy Hips class was fantastic, and Im now in the follow-up series focusing on the spine. She has a thorough understanding of human anatomy, and teaches us simply to NOTICE and OBSERVE specific parts of your body that are involved in walking and posture. Who knew that we all have tails that we can move voluntarily?? And that the subtle movement of the tail can make a big difference! Donna is a great teacher, and the series have definitely made a positive difference for me.

I attended one of Donnas walking clinics and learned a lot about how to walk with more ease and less pain. She really impressed me with her incredible knowledge of the human body and its mechanics. I subsequently attended private sessions with Donna to prepare for a vacation that involved a lot of walking. Thanks to our work together, I walked all over Venice, hiked the walls of Dubrovnik and scaled the Acropolis pain-free. Her teaching has stayed with me, resulting in easier walking and even better sleep.

Donna is an example of her own work. She is so supple and in great shape. I felt wonderful and taller after my session with her. My back and hips stopped hurting as they had before my session. I highly recommend her. Sally Boutte Lic. Ac. RN

I scoffed when Donna told me that my hip pain which I had for 10 years could be relieved in just a few months but she was right. I started working with her in September, and by December had no more pain -- not even when driving or walking! I can begin to feel when I am going off my alignment, and adjust my gait before any pain sets in. I still dont really believe how working with Donna has diagnosed and is repairing the structural imbalances I have lived with for so long-- I cannot thank her enough. Yay, Donna! I recommend her whole-heartedly.