B i o g r a p h y
CJ Thomas danced and choreographed until age 30 before retiring. Years of dancing and multiple injuries left her with chronic back pain that would plaque her for 15 years. She tried every method available short of surgery to alleviate the pain, including chiropractic work, physical therapy, acupuncture, spinal injections, yoga, meditation, hanging upside down, even the original Pilates method. Nothing worked.
In 2002, she discovered STOTT PILATES®. In four months, she began to see a way of managing her pain that 15 years of medicine and therapy and four years of the original Pilates could not give her. Thomas quit her desk job and took a leap of faith that this was the answer to years of debilitating pain. If she could cure herself through this Pilates method, she could teach others how to manage their pain as well and live life more fully again.
Today, CJ rarely has any back problems and has been teaching for 18 years, working mostly with injured and post-rehab clients and those with chronic pain.
CJ received her B.S. in Education in Dance and Choreography from Missouri State University, a degree that included a solid background in physical movement, biomechanics, movement theory, anatomy and kinesiology. She is fully certified in the STOTT PILATES® method (2003) as well as trained in the Reiki method, First Degree through the Healing Arts Center.
In November 2013, CJ trained with Sue Hitzmann the creator of the MELT Method® to become a Hand and Foot Instructor. This is a self-treatment technique that anyone can do on their own to manage or even eliminate their chronic pain. New research has revealed the missing link to pain-free living: a balanced nervous system and healthy connective tissue. These two components work together to provide your body support and optimal mind-body communication. MELT directly addresses these two systems of your body in a way no other self-treatment can, including diet and exercise. Read more about MELT Method here.
CJ passed her Level 1 training in Neurokinetic Therapy® (NKT) in February 2018. NKT is a corrective movement system that addresses the cause of pain – dysfunctional movement patterns stored in the brain. She is takingLevel II in 2023. Learn more about NKT here.
In 2020, CJ was trained in the McLoughlin Scar Tissue Release (MSTR). She is currently compiling her case studies to receive certification.
She continues to expand her base of knowledge about the human body through continuing education and research to offer her clients every possible approach to restore their health.
