When Your Body Is Your Instrument
Notes on the Movement Clinic for Dancers
There is a particular relationship dancers have with their bodies.
It is intimate, demanding, and deeply personal. The body is not just something we move through — it is the instrument through which we work, express, and make sense of the world.
Having spent many years in the dance world myself, I know how much is asked of that instrument. And how little space there often is to pause, to listen, or to receive support that doesn’t rush to fix, but instead helps you understand what your body is asking for.
The Movement Clinic for Dancers was created from that place.
It is an ongoing offering at Atelier 108 — a beautifully equipped and homely space for dancers to explore their movement with care. Not to be corrected or pushed, but to be met. To notice patterns, restore balance, and build strength that supports longevity rather than burnout.
This clinic is for professional dancers, freelancers, and those in training who want to care for their instrument — not just use it.
About the Clinic
Each session offers:
Personalised movement assessment
Targeted, supportive exercises
Thoughtful hands-on guidance
The intention is simple: to help dancers move with more ease, recover with more intelligence, and continue their work with clarity and confidence.
About the Trainers
The clinic is led by Lisa Marie Probert and Rachel Okimo, former professional dancers and experienced Pilates practitioner whose work is rooted in both precision and compassion.
Lisa ProbertFrom her training at the Royal Ballet School to an international performing career — including time with English National Ballet — Lisa brings a deep understanding of what it means to live inside a dancing body.
She is comprehensively trained in classical mat and studio Pilates, with additional expertise in rehabilitation, performance conditioning, and ballet teaching. Lisa’s work is informed by years of experience supporting dancers across stages of training, transition, and recovery.
Her presence in the studio is calm, intelligent, and deeply respectful of the dancer’s process.
Rachel OkimoMovement practitioner with an early foundation in dance. Rachel trained at the Alvin Ailey School in New York and worked professionally as a dancer, an experience that continues to shape her work.
With over 20 years of teaching experience, she works at the intersection of classical Pilates, yoga, and movement-based coaching, supporting dancers in developing strength, coordination, and a more efficient, responsive body. She is the founder of Atelier108.
Practical details
The Movement Clinic for Dancers takes place:
Scheduled across selected dates each month. Please check the booking platform for up-to-date availability.
Sliding scale from £20
60 minutes per dancer
Booking required. Please reserve here