Stefanie Foster, PT, FAAOMPT, PRPC, PYT, WHNC

I am a licensed physical therapist passionate about teaching clients long-term solutions for self-care through a model which can be carried over as a lifestyle.  My philosophy is that if we are doing something we enjoy, we are more likely to integrate it into everyday life.  I believe yoga provides a great vehicle for enjoyable long-term self-care.  My training in orthopedic manual physical therapy, movement system impairment syndromes and yoga allows me to educate clients and patients on asana with intelligence.

Yoga

I first came to yoga in high school after injuries took me away from long distance running, and began to go deeper with the practice after graduate school.  I have seen in my own body and my own life the transformative power of yoga.  I have been fortunate enough to be immersed in the wonderful Austin yoga community and completed my 200 hour teacher training with Gioconda Parker.  I am currently enrolled in the 300 hour advanced Alchemy of Flow and Form teacher training with Gioconda and Christina Sell.  I am also a Professional Yoga Therapist and PYTI faculty member.  My personal practice and broader yoga education are constantly evolving.

Women's Health & Nutrition Coaching

I trained through the Integrative Women's Health Institute in evidence-based functional nutrition and lifestyle management specific to women's needs across the lifespan including pelvic health conditions.

Physical Therapy

I am a voracious consumer of training and education.  I consistently average more than ten times the hours of continuing education required by law to maintain my license.  I completed a post-professional fellowship in Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy through The Manual Therapy Institute.  This fellowship program got me started on my journey of managing movement disorders through joint mobilization and manipulation, specific exercise instruction, postural training and more.  I chose to then further my studies in Movement System Impairment Syndromes with Shirley Sahrmann at Washington University St Louis.  This approach helps to hone in on unconscious movement patterns that may lead to injury.  I am a certified Pelvic Rehab Practitioner furthering my studies in pelvic and women's health through the Herman & Wallace Pelvic Rehabilitation Institute, and the APTA Section on Women's Health.  This training equips me to assess and treat the pelvic floor as an integral part of core/central stability function, and more specific pelvic complaints such as pelvic and genital pain, incontinence, prolapse, sexual health concerns, pregnancy and postpartum.

Building Bridges

As a physical therapist, I strive to teach my patients how to heal themselves and give them the tools to continue their gains on a long-term basis after they complete their course of therapy.  My integrative approach involves teaching patients about the science of pain, their own anatomy and mechanics, and strategies such as activity modification, exercises, nutrition and stress management.  I personally would much rather practice yoga than do a set of prescribed PT exercises.  I know from experience if you’re doing something you enjoy, you are more likely to keep it up (or at least come back to it!)  I love using yoga as a vehicle for not only healing the body, but the whole person.  I also love sharing this merging of yoga and medicine with yoga teachers and other health professionals.  

Looking for like-minded professionals in your area?  Check out this directory of licensed rehabilitation healthcare professionals using yoga: http://bridgebuildershealthcare.weebly.com/directory.html