Meet Laura & Steve

About Laura ~

As a third generation Los Angelean, Laura Crittendon first developed the love and joy of mindful movement while studying ballet, modern dance, choreography, martial arts and theatre as a child and teen in Arcadia, California. As an adult, Laura has performed on stages all over the Western US as well as on numerous music videos and even a few movies. Laura (along with her husband Steve and their son Shaun) lived in Hawaii for nearly 20 years where Laura trained as a professional Hula  Dancer and later professional Belly Dancer/Cabaret Dancer, Choreographer, and Show Producer.

Laura's first job at age 17, following a severe skiing accident, was as a physical therapy assistant at the very same sports rehab center in Arcadia where she received therapy to heal her injuries. She had the honor of working with several amazing Therapists who taught her how movement changes neuropathways in the brain, gut and spinal cord and how movement can heal and strengthen from the inside out. At the rehab center, Laura worked with all levels of rehabilitation from athletes to stroke patients. Laura was deeply moved by the progress she witnessed her patients make as they recovered from life altering injuries and illnesses. So Laura chose to pursue a career that would deepen her understanding of the way the human body is intended to move and heal and that would allow her to share this gift with more people outside of the physical therapy realm. This journey began with Pre-Med school, Massage School, Graduate School and finally opening Blossoming Lotus GYROTONIC (formerly  Kona Pilates LLC and Gyrotonic Kona in Kailua Kona, Hawaii in 2003). Now, as of 2017, located in Upland, CA.

Professional Training: To date, Laura has accumulated over 40 years experience and thousands of hours of advanced clinical training and education in body-mind-spirit health, therapeutic exercise, Manual/Massage Therapy, and Assisted Stretch Therapies. She is Hawaii state licensed and board certified as an Integrative Medical Massage Therapist and Movement Therapist. Laura graduated from the Hawaiian Islands School of Massage with 1,250 hours of advanced training in Vodder Manual Lymphatic Drainage, CranioSacral, Myofascial, NeuroMuscular, and Exercise Therapies. In 2002, she graduated as Valedictorian from he University of Hawaii with an Honors degree in Psychology, a minor in Hawaiian, and a Certificate in Substance Abuse Counseling. In graduate school Laura studied Transpersonal Psychology, Mind-Body Complementary Medicine, Integrative Health, and Consciousness Studies. Laura has trained with Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) founder Jon Kabat-Zinn. In addition, she trained professionally as a Transpersonal Psychotherapist, a professional Hula dancer (having danced in three Merrie Monarch Hula Festival/Competitions under Kumu Hula Etua Lopez), professional belly dancer, cabaret dancer/choreographer and show producer, 2nd degree black belt martial arts instructor and martial arts school owner. Laura is the past Resident Dance Movement Therapist/Master Teacher for HM Dance Co & Performing Arts in Corona. Laura has been honored to be a visiting Master Teacher for a variety of Corporations and Wellness-oriented academies across Southern California and Hawaii. Passionate about community service, Laura has volunteered thousands of hours working with the severely mentally ill in Kona and served for three years on the Board of Directors for a local Kailua Kona non-profit organization.

Laura lives in the Foothill area with her husband Steve and their Boston Terrier Maisey.