Real Participants, Real Experiences:
Alice Brydges
Founding member of Alonzo King's Lines Ballet San Francisco
Feldenkrais Practitioner
Tai Chi Instructor
"In her recorded series of talks, Dancer Undone, Catrina Choate touches on every nuance of what it means to be a dancer, internally and in the deepest sense. The joys of eternally searching for the unattainable ideal of perfection, the battles with the self-image, the discouragement and loss of confidence that occurs when one is injured, and the often deeply spiritual experience of being onstage ; all are covered here as Catrina relates her deeply personal experiences of her own professional ballet career in a way that will surely go to the heart of every dancer.
Catrina Choate's calm, soothing voice carries within it a quiet strength that asks questions and gently encourages the listening dancer to tune in, slow down, and listen to the wisdom of one's own body. The Feldenkrais lessons offered here are well chosen and present the participant with the opportunity to go even deeper into the realm of the senses in order to experience the fascinating process of what to means to learn, to play, to fail, and to begin again, in the delightful dance of becoming one's best partner and ultimately, one's own teacher.
As a former dancer who often fought unmercilessly to turn her body into what brilliant and sometime maniacal choreographers wanted of me, I found myself wishing that I had had such a valuable resource as SomaStudies available to me during my own performing career."
"Catrina's Awareness Through Movement classes offer pathways to increased body knowledge and a harmonious and peaceful mind-body connection."
"The students at NCDC were lucky to have the opportunity to train with Ms Catrina in ballet. Her knowledge, kindness and process allowed them to progress technically in a supportive and nurturing environment. Through her work, the students gained a deeper understanding on how to increase their alignment, flexibility and overall strength safely."
"Catrina shares her special brand of wisdom through these relatable stories, and she poses relevant questions to spark the imagination of anyone who hopes to learn more about connection, intuition, and recovery. I love her calm voice and I can even hear the ease in her body as she talks, which is a testament to her years of somatic discovery. I feel more alive in my own body's intuitive capabilities after listening to her."
Deanna Seay
Former Principal Dancer of Miami City Ballet
Current Faculty member at the School of the Richmond Ballet
"I danced professionally for 21 years, and I credit the Feldenkrais work with the fact that I remained injury free for nearly my entire career. The physical impact I experienced was clearly evident in the increased sensitivity to and understanding of the physical nuances of my personal body mechanics, but it also deepened my understanding of movement and its origins.
With this understanding, I felt as if I was able to approach roles from different perspectives, responding to choreography and music from a more honest, personal place. The awareness brought to me through Awareness Through Movement as well as Functional Integration sessions gave me the opportunity to fully inhabit my performances, allowing me to be truly present whether in rehearsal or onstage, and in the years since I have retired from performing, the gift of being present in my own life has remained with me."
"Catrina is amazing! My body and joints feel so good after her classes. My joints move more freely and all the tension in my muscles are released. Thank you Catrina!"
William (Bill) Richardson
Senior Ballet Student, Madison WI
UW Madison School of Music ( retired)
"Bonnie and I joined Catrina’s Ballet Class to get help with our flexibility, balance and reducing pain. I retired from UW-Madison 22 years ago from the School of Music where I performed with the Wisconsin Brass Quintet as well as solo and trio recitals. We both love all kinds of music, so this class was a delight.
I needed to continue strengthening my injured Achilles tendon in my left leg and this class helped me do that- as well as other areas of my body. I was the only male in the class of about 12 which turned out to be fun!
Catrina has great sense of humor also. We were very pleased to hear both classical, ballet, and classy popular music. Controlled moving to the music was pleasant and effective to practice the 3 goals mentioned above. Catrina teaches to where you are in terms of stretching, bending, moving your arms legs and body. A warm-up and cool down are included in each session. She is extremely knowledgeable."
"Catrina's ballet class is excellent. She is professional and warm-hearted all at the same time. She REALLY knows her stuff and is equally concerned with each and every student regardless of level, age, condition or body shape."
“Catrina brings professionalism, somatic awareness and individual attention to each of us enrolled in her Adult Ballet Classes.
Her concentration and sharing of the importance of muscle awareness is much appreciated in dealing with the various levels of training and experience in our class.
By calmly and patiently instructing and correcting us we learn to apply and benefit from her expertise and attention.”
“Ballet is such a beautiful art but so very challenging for adult beginner students like myself. Catrina helps us by breaking down the steps into manageable pieces, and all within the safety zone of our physical abilities.
We are learning and having lots of fun at the same time. The meditative quality in in the music and the movements is amazing. I look forward to Catrina’s classes.”
“Hi! I am Beverly and have been playing ballet classes for over 25 years. I look forward to playing class with Catrina.
Why? The working atmosphere is focused and intense yet with a sense of ease and joy. Catrina’s musical depth is reflected in her clear precise varying tempos and articulations for each combination and her recognition of repertoire played in class.
She truly values and knows how to maximize the partnership of a live musician.”
“I have had no ballet or dance experience of any kind until the fall of 2020 when I decided to take up ballet as a form of exercise. The past two semesters I've had Catrina as an instructor have been wonderful.
I love how each class is slightly different to keep things from getting too repetitive. She incorporates stretching into the beginning and end of class and it's so helpful and relaxing.
There are so many little things in ballet that Catrina is able to explain in a way that makes sense and is so accessible for someone who has no previous dance experience of any kind. I love her music choices and the overall class is a delight with her as an instructor.”
"I encountered with Ms. Catrina's Senior Ballet class quite accidentally in the fall of 2024. One afternoon in the Middleton Senior Center, the assistant director asked me if I was interested in taking Ballet class that was to start soon. "Ballet?". Momentarily, I was taken aback, but replied immediately, "Yes, I'd like to try!"
This was the beginning of my deep immersto the art of graceful movements of my slow-moving often lazy body. I've seen Rudolf Nureyev and Margot Fonteyn in Swan Lake, a famous Russian Prima Ballerina dance Gisselle, London Ballet Troop's Nutcracker .....in my youth in Japan. That was the fantasy world.... Ms. Catrina's quiet relaxing voice, her most charming personality and her choice of wonderful ballet music comfort the entire class every week. Ms. Catrina is an overly qualified and enthusiastic instructor. Her soothing voice and occasional funny episodes make such harmonious atmosphere that one hour+ lesson is over with a nice cool-down period."
Catrina teaches with grace and compassion for her older student participants. Each session provides outstanding explanations about the ballet movements and are choreographed to an engaging backdrop of music. I love Catrina's classes. They are exceptional!
I hoped to improve my balance with Senior Ballet, however the experience exceeded my expectations. I learned basics of ballet and some history, and how the movements improve my strength. The most rewarding was learning ballet with the fun group of gals in the class. I look forward to the next class.
Enjoy a curated Feldenkrais Playlist:
"Explore the Subtle World of You!"
MADISON, WI
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© 2026 Catrina Choate-Heretoiu / KineOasis, LLC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
