About
Body of Knowledge, founded by Kristen Symbula, merges several mind-body and movement-based practices to help treat chronic pain and postural misalignments. She has a deep commitment to helping clients achieve discernable outcomes for physical and personal well-being.
Kristen, a mindfulness advocate and yoga instructor with over 15 years of experience in clinical movement therapy, Latin and Middle Eastern dance currently holds certifications in Thai massage, Level I Iyengar Yoga and Gyrotonic/kinesis inspired methods.
One goal of Body of Knowledge is to help clients experience transformational breatkthroughs based on two modes of learning; up-to-date information and guided practice in re-training movement habits that assists in personal and physical healing.
Kristen’s research in healing practices among Indigenous communities, including psychedelic medicines in Latin America at Harvard’s Peabody Museum enhanced her understanding of ways in which both Western and native medicines can be more than just relief for unpleasant symptoms but how they can serve as assistance for personal and spiritual development.
Whether in classes or workshops, she is a firm believer in the power of embodied awareness—with discipline— yields transformational breakthroughs.
She is currently working toward her Master's in Divinity at Harvard University.
Kristen first incorporated mindfulness techniques into her own life while living in New York City and competing in belly dance competitions internationally while also building a dance-therapy treatment program for patients at a Philadelphia-based psychiatric treatment center.
Her current research bridges religion, embodiment, and cultural inquiry.
My mission and methodology as a movement teacher is grounded in exploring the body as a source of knowledge and a place where healing can take place. I work from a personal commitment of caretaking-working together with my clients to articulate and understand their discomforts and develop effective techniques to manage their chronic pain.
Body of Knowledge is a complementary start-up (not a substitute for primary healthcare).