Dr. Karah is originally from Buffalo, NY and received a B.A. in Biology and Dance from Hobart and William Smith Colleges. She received her Doctorate in Physical Therapy from Columbia University. A dancer for more than 20 years, Karah believes in the power of movement and its connection to expression and the human experience. Karah is also a 200 hour registered yoga teacher after training in Ashtanga Vinyasa style in Thailand. She is certified in classic and contemporary mat and reformer Pilates techniques. Karah is currently studying Body-Mind Centering® with Mary Lou Seereiter. She focuses on evidence based care that pulls from comprehensive pain science and Polyvagal Theory. Karah uses skilled manual therapy as well as individualized and somatic exercise during sessions to promote sustainable change from the level of the nervous system. Karah engages in her own embodiment practices so she can show up grounded and present with clients. Expect a safe and collaborative environment when working with Dr. Karah.
Dr. Maryssa is an American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties certified Women’s Health clinical specialist. She is rooted in the Bay Area with 25 years of experience in somatic and bodyful movement practices including Feldenkrais, Body-Mind Centering®, Laban Movement Analysis/Bartenieff Fundamentals, dance therapy, dance, song and contact improvisation, and traditional and contemporary West African and Congolese dance and song. She received her B.A. in Dance and Performance Studies from U.C. Berkeley and her doctorate in physical therapy from California State University, Northridge. She works with adult populations, with a focus on persistent, complex pelvic pain and trauma sensitive care for all self-identified genders. She is a member of the American Physical Therapy Association’s Academy of Pelvic Health and the International Pelvic Pain Society. She is enrolled in the Somatic Movement Educator (SME) program with the school for Body-Mind Centering®, hosted at Moving Within with Mary Lou Seereiter. This SME program is approved by the International Somatic Movement Education and Therapy Association (ISMETA). Dr. Maryssa practices her evolving embodiment of anti-racism, and is always open to expanding community and solidarity with other anti-racist bodies. “The source of this process is love.”