Movement Educators
James Gowan, from Phoenix, AZ, began dancing at the age of 16 at Tempe Dance Academy. He graduated with a BFA in Dance from Point Park University. James has danced as a company member with Texture Contemporary Ballet, River North Dance Chicago and DanceWorks Chicago. He joined Alonzo King LINES Ballet in 2015. He has danced many principle roles during his tenure in the company working closely with King on new choreographies. Gowan has taught around the world as part of the company’s outreach program. James continues to study the art of movement. He leads somatically informed classes that draw from his self studies in Body-Mind Centering and the Franklin Method. James believes in applying these embodied concepts to movement education and seeks to reveal to dancers additional possibilities for rich, efficient and elegant movement. James is currently a free-lance dance artist and is a certified trainer in the GYROTONIC® and GYROKINESIS® methods.
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Reach out for a private session:
TOMOKO HORIKAWA
Tomoko Horikawa was born and raised in Tokyo, Japan. She performed in several musical dance theaters before moving to America, chasing a dream to become a professional dancer. She nearly made it, dancing with 'Fly By Night Aerial Dance' in New York City and the 'Aloft Aerial Dance Company' of Chicago. Deciding dance was not entirely her future, she became a practitioner of Shiatsu bodywork as well as a certified instructor of Makko Ho, an esoteric Japanese stretching art. From 2002-2003 she completed the 200-hour Anusara Yoga teacher training with senior certified teachers Jim and Ruthie Bernaert, Jackie Prete, and Ellen Saltonstall, and in 2007, she completed a 35-hour intensive with Anusara founder, John Friend, in Japan. She continued her study with Geri Bleier. Tomoko has taught dance and yoga for the deaf in Japan for more than 10 years and continues at Chicago 's Anixter Center, a non-profit outreach for the deaf and disabled. She has taught internationally across Japan and London, England, and holds a black belt in Japanese martial arts. Tomoko's personal philosophy is to face forward – Makko; face the unknown with courage, honesty, and positivity. By sharing the deep experiences of her life, she hopes to inspire others, continue to learn, and live a life full of grace
Elizabeth Mensah
With 19 years combined teaching experience in dance, Pilates, The GYROTONIC® Method, and GYROKINESIS® exercise, Liz believes deeply in the power of movement and intention to transform lives.
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During her 12-year dance career with The Joffrey Ballet and Ballet Memphis, she performed and toured across North America. She was introduced to Pilates and The GYROTONIC® Method during her dance career, and has used the methods as a way to rehabilitate from injuries and maintain a healthy dancing body.
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In 2013, Liz became a certified Pilates, GYROTONIC®, and GYROKINESIS® trainer. Driven by her collaborative spirit and guided by a vast body of technical and anatomical knowledge, Liz empowers her clients to connect with themselves on a mental, physical, and energetic level.
She has extensive experience with clients of all ages (12 - 90+), as well as: high-level dancers and athletes, prenatal and post-natal clients, knee and hip replacements, hypermobility and Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, scoliosis, spinal surgery, pre- and post- chemotherapy, neurodivergent, and traumatic brain injuries.
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She is certified in Mat Pilates, Reformer, Cadillac, Chair, and Barrels. She is additionally certified in GYROTONIC® and GYROKINESIS®, as well as the Archway, Jumping-Stretching Board, and Leg Extension Unit.
