Ana Varona, BS, MA, LMT

I have been practicing for 35+ years and have been licensed in New York, Puerto Rico, and New Jersey. I specialize in treating pain and movement disfunctions. As a perpetual student, I continue to stay abreast of the latest developments in anatomy studies, pain science, and hands-on modalities.

My clinical approach is influenced by a lifetime of dance and movement training. Most of my sessions include corrective exercise and movement reeducation recommendations.

Academics: I received an Interdisciplinary BSc in Human Movement Studies (summa cum laude) from the CUNY Baccalaureate Program and an Interdisciplinary MA in Wellness and Health Promotion (with distinction) from California State University, Chico.

Massage & Bodywork Training: I graduated from the Swedish Institute in New York City. I am an Active Release Techniques® Certified Provider, and a Kinesio Taping® Practitioner and Instructor. I earned the certificate in the Clinical Rehabilitative Massage Specialty from the NCBTMB (national massage board) and the Academy of Clinical Massage. I am also an Ergonomic Assessment Specialist (Back School of Atlanta).

I teach continuing education seminars for massage therapists and other health professionals and am an NCBTMB Certified Continuing Education Provider.

I have been fortunate to learn from some of the best in the field: Elaine Calenda, James Hackett, Whitney Lowe, Til Luchau, Graceann Forrester, DPT (Kinesio Taping), and Michael Leahy. DC (Active Release Techniques).

Meditation, Mindfulness, Living Well and Dying Well: I have been a long-time student and practitioner of meditation. My main teacher has been Matthew Flickstein, with whom I completed a two-year meditation teacher training program based on the Theravada and non-dual traditions.

I completed the Foundations of Contemplative Care training at the New York Zen Center, and the End-of-Life Doula Certificate Program from the University of Vermont. Both programs, and working as a hospice volunteer, have informed my work around pain, illness, grief, and the end of life.

Movement & Dance: My early training was in ballet in San Juan, PR. In New York, my teachers included the legendary Erick Hawkins (modern dance), Zena Rommett (Floor Barre), and André Bernard (ideokinesis), whom I assisted in his Saturday classes at NYU. I studied Flamenco with Loli Reid in California and Lola Sanchez in PR.

I studied the Vaganova (Russian School) technique through John White’s seminars for teachers as well as participating in a teacher’s conference at the Vaganova Academy in St. Petersburg, Russia. I have taught ballet and floor barre at various dance studios in Northern CA, including the SF Dance Center; in San Juan, PR, on the faculty of Universidad del Sagrado Corazón and as a guest teacher at the UPR; and most recently at The Princeton Ballet School. My movement re-education classes have been offered at Omega Institute, the New York Open Center, and other learning centers.

My latest love is Argentine Tango.