FLO Counselor Spotlight: Jessica & her dancing journey to health

My Dancing Journey to Health!

Having spent the majority of my teenage years in the ballet studio and the majority of my 20s studying psychology and holistic health, I’ve always been interested in how dance and health can affect one another.So I was more than thrilled to discover Dr. Peter Lovatt’s research being done on dance and hormones!In my case, I was drawn to the healing world because of the damage I had done to my body and mind as a result of many intense years in the ballet world. Not that ballet itself was to blame for my suffering health – part of it was genetics and part was my attitude towards my body. In trying to force it into an unrealistic ideal, wanting to control my weight and eating so much, I never began menstruating as a teenager. At 18 I was diagnosed with polycystic ovarian syndrome and put on the birth control pill and metformin, as I was told that it was the only way to get my cycle going and I would most likely be infertile.Long story short, it took over 5 years of feeling stuck in my body, depressed, and on medication for me to seek out another alternative. That’s when I discovered Alisa & FLO Living and began my natural healing journey back to my body.Once I got off the pill and began menstruating on my own, it was like a veil was lifted and the fogginess cleared. Not only did I feel physically better, but mentally I was more clear, focused, and alive than I had felt in years. It was then that dance began to open up to me in a different way.I started getting involved with groups and dancers and who were interested in improvisation and freedom of movement, using dance to express individuality, rather than trying to conform to a particular ideal. I eventually started making my own dances at random moments when the mood hit, and I documented the process on an anonymous youtube channel. Scary, yet freeing and healing on so many levels! That process became more public as I began to see how something very personal to me – dancing – could be inspiring for others to start expressing themselves, reclaiming their bodies, and finding their own modes of healing.You can check out my dance blog here: jessgrippo.tumblr.comAs a holistic health counselor at FLO Living, it’s my ultimate joy to guide other women in their own healing processes and in connecting to their bodies, cycles and self-expression.I’m taking on a few more private clients this Spring and would love to talk to YOU if you feel it might be time for this kind of a process.Click here to read more about what I offer and to set up a time to talk!To your health and creativity,jess