- Brenda J.
Bio for Kate Pagliasotti, MS LAc
Certified Gyrotonic® Trainer
My lifelong fascination with the body crystallized during my education at Cornish College of the Arts in Seattle, where I received a BFA in dance. I moved to New York in 1991 to pursue a career as a modern dancer, performing and choreographing in and around the city for ten years.
During that time I discovered the GYROTONIC EXPANSION SYSTEM® method, a powerful form of movement therapy. I found the system so beneficial and unique that I became a certified instructor. I had the good fortune to train directly with the creator of Gyrotonic®, Juliu Horvath, as well as master teacher Leda Franklin. I taught at Studio Riverside, owned by Leda, for 10 years, until I relocated to Portland, OR. I became re-certified to teach with master trainer Emma Kingston, by completing the Level 1 Certification program in 2017. Since then, I have been certified to teach on the Jump-Stretch board, and also in applications for clients with osteoporosis.
While dancing and teaching Gyrotonic® in NYC, I began to use acupuncture to help me recover from injury and integrate my body more fully. The deeper I delved into teaching, the more inspired I became by the nature of Chinese Medicine as a powerful tool, so I decided to enroll in the Tri-State College of Acupuncture in 1999.
At Tri-State, I trained in the hands-on, meridian approach of TSCA, known as Acupuncture Physical Medicine. Along with classical Chinese Medicine I was exposed to Japanese acupuncture through Kiiko Matsumoto, Five Element Acupuncture, and to numerous practitioners of diverse backgrounds. Part of what attracted me to the school is that very pragmatic and eclectic approach to healing, which focuses on treating what you see and feel on the treatment table. I received a Master's degree in Acupuncture and began practicing in Manhattan, and later the lower Hudson Valley. I was asked to join the faculty of Tri-State College, and taught there until relocating to Portland in 2006, with my son and husband.
I have continued to deepen my studies in Chinese Medicine, focusing on orthopedic acupuncture, five element theory and contemporary cupping methods. I have been most transformed as an acupuncturist by my long-term mentorship engagement with master practitioner Lorie Dechar, and the integration of Alchemical Acupuncture into my practice, a transformative approach to health that works at the level of the body, mind and spirit. I strongly believe in the power of this medicine and continue to evolve with and because of it. Part of that evolution is utilizing my 30-plus years of experience working as a dancer, bodyworker, Gyrotonic teacher and acupuncturist in service of your greatest well-being.