About Lisa Loiseau, MPT

 

Beginnings: Music, Movement and Physical Therapy

As early as elementary school, I was listening to music and in motion, through formal dance classes as well as regular living room ‘dance talent shows’. This passion for motion kindled my fascination with the human body's mechanics, leading me to study Exercise Science at the University of Pittsburgh. This education set me up to work as an Exercise Physiologist in a work rehabilitation setting and eventually led me to pursue a master’s degree in Physical Therapy at Chatham University in Pittsburgh.

After graduation, I worked as a physical therapist in an outpatient clinic and inpatient hospital care. My career later shifted to early intervention, supporting families with children facing developmental delays. During my time as a pediatric therapist, I developed "Miracles 'n Motion," a music and movement series for children of all abilities aged 18 months to 3 years.

The evolution of a Therapeutic Movement coach


Adding to the Toolbox: Yoga and Myofascial Release Therapy

I took a professional hiatus while raising four children and caring for my mother who was entering the end stage of her cancer journey. I was increasingly aware of the stress that I was carrying through the day. I responded to a marquee at a local church advertising ‘Motion and Devotion’ classes which turned out to be my very first yoga class.  The yoga classes revealed the calming and transformative potential of connecting body, mind, and breath. Eager to explore further, I completed a 500-hour Yoga Teacher Training program with Bob Butera, PhD, at the YogaLife Institute in Devon, PA. Beyond benefits on the mat, this training became a period of self-discovery. I became more deeply attuned to my body's sensations and its interaction with the world around me. With my professional knowledge of human anatomy and physiology and newfound intuition around movement and stillness, I continued to find ways to share body-mind practices as a student and moved into instructing yoga in a variety of settings, mostly with a therapeutic restorative style.

Soon after, I discovered Myofascial Release Therapy with John Barnes, PT and chose this as a focus area for my continuing education. This manual therapy modality added another layer of interest for me personally, since I felt and appreciated the benefits of this bodywork. I began offering this helpful modality to family and friends. Witnessing positive outcomes, I was inspired to add instruction of self myofascial release therapy (MFR) techniques to my lesson plans. I called my instruction ‘Therapeutic Yoga’ as these classes were often drawing in students dealing with chronic ailments. Many students came to my classes seeking a personalized experience with more mindfulness and lower-intensity. Given the therapeutic, restorative nature within the class, students were learning to better manage stress because they were slowing down to “listen” and then moving intentionally and in novel ways to respond to that listening.

The Nervous System Connection

My belief in holistic wellness next led me to delve into the biology of stress and gain a deeper understanding of nervous system health. After 5 rounds of an impactful nervous system regulation program called SmartBody SmartMind (SBSM)™, I applied for the a mentorship program, Scientutive Practitioner Track, with Irene Lyon, MSc., the mentor of SBSM. I am still in the mentorship since September 2024. This program has become a lifestyle and supportive for me personally and professionally. It is a online and in-person intensive program which is a deeper dive into the nuances of the human nervous system. I have integrated the learning and built a solid foundation to support individuals recovering from trauma, adversities, long-standing pain and chronic conditions. I developed a greater appreciation on how the mechanisms of the nervous system heavily impact our entire well-being, and until we get these essential foundations in place, it’s very hard for real healing to occur. I had to first build the foundation through education myself. I did that through SBSM. I noticed the steady growth in my capacity through practice. I Iearned, in a harder way, that an upset or dysregulated nervous system can not take too much, too fast. I have come to understand that even small steps make a difference. Through consistent practice, I have personally witnessed an increase in awareness and positive change in mental, physical, emotional, spiritual, and overall health. This is the “the gift” of neuroplasticity.  Neuroplasticity is the capacity of our body, brain, and nervous system to modify, rewire and heal. This change can happen in for better or for worse scenarios. I am choosing FOR BETTER!

·“You have to use your feeling intelligence, not just your thinking intelligence.”

~ John Barnes, Physical Therapist on Myofascial Release

Today

Pulling my education and lived experiences together, today, I offer Therapeutic Movement coaching through private lessons and in small group classes. This personalized therapeutic approach supports clients in a journey from stress to relaxation, pain to ease, and impaired movement to improved mobility. I also work with clients privately offering myofascial release therapy as a licensed physcial therapist. As a coach, it is beautiful to witness clients becoming a student of their own body as they learn that movement (and stillness) can be added regularly and as needed to their day no matter if it’s during the demands of work or the joys of play.

Every time someone loves themselves better, builds their self-awareness, understands their patterns, improves their ability to communicate and expands their compassion for others, the future of humanity grows brighter. Your healing impacts the world by bringing new peace.
— yung pueblo