Hi, I’m Danielle
Aka Kiko.
I have a billion nicknames but have always associated Kiko (based off of my middle name Akiko) with the artist + mover part of me.
Born in Los Angeles, I was born to move (lol). I was definitely that kid who couldn’t sit still and the only way I could study in school was while also doing something active. And even though I stepped away for a little bit, since graduating undergrad, I have been creating dance work in Los Angeles alongside my dance partner under MUDA. Our work is personal + tells important stories centered around generational trauma + mental health.
And that same desire for healing + mass healing also lies at the center of this work. When I first started learning about Polyvagal Theory aka nervous system work, I couldn’t get enough of it. I suddenly started to understand myself better and everything I had been through, my behaviors, my responses, even how my body would respond or hold on to things, started to make sense. I started to make sense to myself and I am forever grateful for my brilliant teachers in this area.
Through movement + through Polyvagal work I started to feel more freedom- more freedom in who I am and more trust believing I could show up as that alone. I’m still in the work right there with you, but I believe that is what makes it so exciting. I understand what it feels like. I could talk about this work all day and trust me, if you become my client, we will be discussing it allll the time :)
I am currently getting my Pilates certification through Basi Pilates who I greatly respect for their precision + intricate specifics for each movement. They have instilled in me a passion for truly understanding the body before me for their unique traits + movement abilities. Pilates is also something I started at a young age alongside Ballet and therefore have quite the rapport with. Similar to dance, it’s flow + breath may make it look easeful, but it requires every little part of you + your attention to detail is pertinent. Pilates is as beneficial as you allow it to be and for that reason brings me great joy when I get to witness my students progress + find excitement in the minutiae.
Image by G L Askew
Since the pandemic I have also been a student of martial arts which I have fallen in love with. I see a lot of similarities between martial arts + pilates and am working to bring pilates into that space more consistently.
Oh! And I am eternally on the hunt for a cat companion.
I’d love to help you find your own sense of freedom through movement.
MY MOVEMENT METHOD
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PILATES
Pilates is neuromuscular re-education. These series of techniques restore correct functioning while building strength, lean muscles and increasing flexibility + mobility.
There are so many avenues to exercise + they all have their time + place. I like to view Pilates as a longevity form of exercise because it is appropriate for any age + it offers athletes + movers the necessary tools to continue doing what they love for as long as possible.
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SOMATICS
Somatic work brings more awareness to your body + therefore, to your nervous system. Our nervous systems are responsible for our behaviors, thoughts, + emotions. So the fact that the majority of us live with dysregulated nervous systems means that we are functioning from behaviors, thoughts + emotions that are not actually connected to our true self.
Through attunement, this work offers greater connection + understanding of self allowing you to step out into your life with a felt sense of safety + knowledge about what you need.
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SAFETY
This is the foundation of a happy life: Safety within ones self. We often look to external changes when life feels lacking- maybe its a struggle with social anxiety or fear of being vulnerable or seen. But real safety is developed within ones self when we look at the nervous system level.
Through our sessions together we will not only strengthen the physical body but also one’s ability to connect to their body + understand their nervous system.
