As a classically trained dancer, Catherine accumulated many injuries, which fostered her natural curiosity about how the human body works. At age 12, her physical therapists identified hypermobility as a likely contributor to her frequent aches and pains and introduced her to Pilates to help her find physical stability. She discovered yoga in her teens, which ultimately fueled her desire to learn and grow from her experiences.
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Catherine enjoyed working with a variety of individuals and groups as the lead instructor and owner of Equability Yoga and Pilates in Forest Park, IL. She was particularly interested in helping her clients and students to prevent or recover from injuries and after 5 years of running a successful business, she closed her studio in order to pursue her Doctoral studies in 2007. In PT school, she learned new words for symptoms she had been experiencing, including hypermobility syndrome, orthostatic intolerance, and spondylolisthesis.
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Catherine Lewan​
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(she/her) Yoga Therapy
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After earning her Doctorate in Physical Therapy in 2010, Catherine set out to further specialize in Pelvic Floor and Orthopedic Manual Therapy. She joined the staff of Andersonville Physical Therapy and created the Pelvic and Abdominal Physical Therapy Program, where she continues to mentor pelvic physical therapists in their professional development. She currently sees patients at Chicago Physical Therapists, where she enjoys hour-long sessions that allow time for listening, connection, collaboration, and hands-on therapies that support the healing process.
Like many Americans, Catherine first encountered yoga as a physical practice– yoga poses helped her keep her body limber and strong. After more than two decades of practice, Catherine has found the benefits of yoga to extend far beyond the physical, and her practice now helps her stay centered, find balance and connect to a larger spiritual community (sangha.) Yogic philosophy and techniques have helped Catherine to cope with life challenges, including injuries and medical conditions, and cultivate compassion with herself and others.
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When Catherine teaches group yoga classes, her background in therapeutic yoga shines through. Meditation and pranayama are offered as a means of physiological quieting. Injury prevention is interwoven with physical poses and alignment. She offers modifications for common aches and pains. She encourages her students to listen to their inner guide as they explore movement and challenge themselves in healthy ways that balance effort with ease.