Who We Are

Ryan Lawrence, PT, CSCS, CAFS is a Licensed Physical Therapist with a BFA in Dance from the Juilliard School.  He utilizes this unique background and education in all aspects of his professional life, but most particularly in his ability to help people move better and lead fuller lives.  

Local to San Luis Obispo, his education, career, and life has spanned the country and the globe.  In order to heighten his dance education, at the age of 14 he attended boarding school in New Hampshire.  This lead to further matriculation in New York City at the Juilliard School.  Upon graduation his professional dance career took him to Chicago, New York, and eventually to the Netherlands where he danced and lived for 8 years.

The dancer's life takes a physical and mental toll and Ryan had always been interested in movement sciences.  As his dance career wound down he began to pursue an education in Physical Therapy at Hogeschool Thim van der Laan, Nieuwegein, NL, eventually graduating with his professional degree in 2011.  In addition to practicing Physical Therapy, he was also part of the Dance Health team at Codarts University, where he developed their ballet curriculum utilizing his knowledge of dance, kinesiology, and sports science to facilitate safer dance practices. 

Upon returning to the United States in 2012, he worked in various settings including Physical Therapy practices, gym settings, and as a group fitness instructor at Kennedy Club Fitness.  Additionally, he has been a National Team Trainer for Mossa and has been featured on internationally distributed yoga based fitness video's.

Ryan is also owner of the Movement Arts Center with his wife Maartje.  Together they have 3 children and teach approximately 200 students in the art of dance with a distinct focus on teaching proper, safe, and healthy classical ballet technique.  More info at www.slomac.com.

What We Do

Dancers approach movement differently, they look at limitations as opportunities, and surmount obstacles creatively, utilizing body and mind.  Our holistic approach to therapy cannot be separated from our background, and patients and clients alike benefit from our unique vision and skill set.

Vision.  We believe that each individual possesses strengths which can be harnessed for healing.  We believe that our role in the therapy and training process is that of guide and coach.  While we are the expert in human movement, the neuro-muscular-skelatal system, and injury or pathology, you are expert in your experience, your pain, and your mental and physical limitations and capabilities.  Ultimately, we work as a team, ensuring self-efficacy and providing results that last.

Skill Set.  As an experienced movement professional, Ryan, has undergone significant post-graduate training in Bio-Mechanics, Movement Analysis and Re-habilitation from Dr. Chris Powers, Director of the Movement Performance Institute and The USC Bio-Mechanics Lab.  He is a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist, allowing him to appropriately assess and advance, strength, power, speed, and agility, all of which are crucial to activities of daily life as well as athletic performance.  Finally, he is Certified in Applied Functional Science from the Gray Institute, specializing in 3-D movement patterns and non-linear training modalities.  

Most importantly, what we do is help you achieve your goals.  We see you, not just your knee, or shoulder, or neck.  We offer our full capabilities, knowledge, and experience as a professional, but as a human too, building connection and strengthening not only your body but your spirit as well.

How We Do It

By utilizing a variety of modalities, including manual therapy techniques, therapeutic activity, and functional exercises, we work as a team to help you reduce pain, move better, and achieve your goals.

Location

Housed within the Movement Arts Center, San Luis Obispo's premier dance and movement studio, the Movement Arts Clinic is 1,000 square feet of bright, free, clean, and open space.  It cultivates an atmosphere of creativity and personal development, which help infuse both the patient's and practitioner's sense of achievement.

The Movement Arts Center is easily accessible with onsite parking just minutes from the 101 and Downtown SLO.  All areas are ADA accessible with men's and women's restrooms and changing areas.

More info about the Movement Arts Center at www.slomac.com

Equipment

We utilize a variety of functional fitness equipment, but you won't find any machines here.  These include:

• Swiss Balls
• TRX Suspension Training and TRX "Rip Stick"
• BOSU Balls
• Sand Bags and Sand Bells
• Plyometric Boxes
• Batteling Ropes
• VIPRs
• Dumbells
• Elastic Bands