For over thirty years, Karen Donelson (DPT, GCFP) has worked as a Doctor of Physical Therapy and a Certified Feldenkrais Practitioner based in New York City and Montclair, New Jersey. Over the course of her career, she has synthesized the best of evidence-based physical therapy, sensory motor learning, and high performance sports and dance, as well as incorporating her experiences as a former dancer and avid yogi. She has worked in affiliation with The Hospital for Joint Disease-Orthopedic Institute, Sports Training Physical Therapy, Performing Arts Physical Therapy, and the Juilliard School. In Karen’s private practice, she continues to develop educational workshops, such as 1 Pelvis 2 Legs, Power-Sitting Posture Clinic, and High Heel Recovery.
We asked Karen a few questions about her physical therapy practice and helpful tips to maintain wellness
1. When did you decide to become a physical therapist?
I came to NYC in 1975 to dance professionally. I made money doing the usual array of odd jobs waitressing, dancing, teaching children’s dance and personal training for Dr. Harry Royson at the Rehabilitation Center across from Carnegie Hall. Dr. Royson suggested that I get a degree in Physical Therapy so that I could have a license to do whatever I wanted. With no real knowledge of what Physical Therapy was, I began my pre-requisites in Chemistry, Physics, Biology, and Statistics. Somehow, I made it through and was accepted into NYU’s Physical Therapy program. It was absolutely the right place for me. I love dancing but my real passion is in the broader realm of dynamic movement and rehabilitation.
2. How do you incorporate your skills of Feldenkrais and yoga into your practice?
I did a Feldenkrais training and a yoga teacher training because both of them offered components that I think are missing in traditional Physical Therapy. Both of these look at functional movement that is integrative rather than isolated. The Feldenkrais training put together the multiple science pieces that I learned in Physical Therapy school. It recognizes both the developmental aspects of function as well as our capacity for learning new information and skills. Yoga was my default preferred exercise after I stopped dancing. I love to move and I loved the emphasis on standing poses to build strength and flexibility within alignment. I also did the training because I wanted to teach yoga to underserved populations. For the last year, I have been teaching yoga classes for a non-profit organization called Kula for Karma. I currently teach Yoga to Veterans at NYU Medical Center.
3. What do you enjoy most about being a physical therapist?
There are many different areas of specialization within Physical Therapy. I have been able to create my own niche and do work that I feel is beneficial to people with injuries and those wanting to perform at their highest level. Each client’s unique presentation and their specific goals allow me to be creative. I am never bored with my work and continue to study and learn. That is very important to me.
4. What is one major piece of advice you would like to share with clients in maintaining wellness and preventing injury?
Very good question and I wish I knew the answer. I know that you should not stop moving. Yes, that is a cliché but it is true. It is difficult to play catch up with health. Consistency is the best approach. More natural movements are healthier. Walk every day and take the stairs. Swim, ride a bike. Being healthy and injury free is a broader topic then just being strong. Being muscle centric has left us vulnerable to many injuries as well as has created many injuries. We cannot get healthy and be injury free doing a series of isolated muscle strengthening exercises. We require timing, sequencing and foundational support. When you get off your mat or out of the gym, your body needs to know how to work as one entire body. Each piece playing its role to perfection. That creates health.
5. What is your favorite book or article about health, healing and wellness?
My absolute favorite book of the year, which left me exhilarated after every chapter, was Norman Doidge’s The Brains Way of Healing: Remarkable Discoveries and Recoveries from the Frontiers of Neuroplasticity. It is definitely not a sexy “how-to-look-good” book. It is a neuroscience book written for the lay population about brain plasticity and treatment. If anymore has a good recommendation, let me know.
Contact Karen to Schedule a Session
kdfeldie1@gmail.com or (973) 809-0186