Susan Liebowitz, OWNER/DIRECTOR

My vision for Perfect Balance has evolved from my experiences as a patient recovering from my own injuries, and as a growing practitioner.

Struggling to recover after an auto accident, I endured pain and headaches for too many years. Traditional western therapy did very little to help, and I didn't believe that drugs were the only solution. It was once suggested that I would have to stop my career in dancing in order to get better, but I had a sense that to stop moving was not the answer. As I continued to pursue a performing arts career, I was very fortunate to learn about other complementary therapies in the healing arts and somatic disciplines, and my healing process began.

My career transition started in 1997 with my graduation from the Feldenkrais Practitioner Training Program in Berkeley, where I learned movement education and therapy. I then became licensed by the State Board of Florida to practice Neuromuscular Therapy and Massage, and was later certified in Pilates in California.

Because of the complementary modalities and Pilates, I now enjoy my life without constant pain. It feels like a wonderful gift was shared with me, and this learning has been the way to better health.

My joy is to share what I know to help others.

My background includes working with Healthwell Physical Therapy and Body of Work in San Francisco, as well as Frances Langley D.C. and the Center For Sports Medicine (St. Francis Hospital) in Walnut Creek.

• B.A. in Dance, University of Texas
• Certified Pilates Instructor
• Licensed Massage Therapist
• Certified Neuromuscular Therapist
• Movement Educator



Michelle Dorshkind, MASSAGE THERAPY

Michelle has been practicing massage healing for over ten years and loves it! Her style of work is best described as detailed, intuitive and therapeutic. Her training covers a variety of modalities:

Swedish/Esalen
Sports/Deep Tissue
Touch for Health
Kinesiology
Reflexology
Shiatsu/Acupressure
Quantum Touch
Reiki
Cranio-Sacral
Lymphatic Drainage
Hypnotherapy

When someone comes in for a session I focus on their discomfort. At the same time, I also incorporate my intuition, trusting that the body has many layers. I am a firm believer that our bodies heal from the inside out. If we eat healthy, strengthen our muscles, practice good posture, embrace our emotions and most importantly, love ourselves, pain has an opportunity to dissipate.”

Direct Number, 925-785-3066




Ivy Noceto, PILATES

Ivy Noceto is a certified Pilates Instructor and has been teaching since 1998. She received her comprehensive certification at Turning Point Studios where she studied under Nora St. John. Her practice includes post-rehab and general conditioning, and she specializes in Pilates for athletes of all ages. She has trained competitive swimmers with the Aquanuts and Terrapins swim teams. In addition, Ivy teaches ongoing pre and post natal Pilates classes and Reformer sessions.

Ivy is also a certified Nutrition Coach, and received Team Leader certification from Dr. Ray Strand in the ‘Healthy For Life’ program. She is passionate about helping her clients achieve optimal health. A native New Yorker, Ivy earned her B.A. in Psychology at New York State University at Oneonta, and she holds her M.A. in Holistic Health Education from JFK University. Ivy enjoys hiking, and she recently returned from a trip to Machu Picchu where she backpacked along the Inca Trail.





Gayle Anderson, P.T., REGISTERED PHYSICAL THERAPIST, PILATES

A licensed Physical Therapist, Gayle holds her B.S. degree from UC San Francisco.
She whole-heartedly supports people to become their physical best and live to the fullest at all stages of life. With 30 years in her Physical Therapy career, Gayle’s experience includes:

Orthopedic and Neuromuscular Rehabilitation
Sports specific physical training
Manual therapy (including soft-tissue and joint mobilization)
Pilates instruction for post-rehabilitation transitions
Balance, Gait, and Body Mechanics training

From her love of dance and her experience in ballet, Gayle has a special interest in working with dancers and athletes of all ages. She enjoys incorporating Pilates principles for post-rehab as well as general conditioning, and sports performance.





Yuki Yoshii, PILATES

Yuki brings over 15 years of dance background along with his experience as a practitioner of Neuromuscular Therapy (manual therapy for pain relief) and Pilates instruction. He received his Pilates certification from Body Arts Science International (BASI), completed BASI advanced Mentor and Master Programs, and he participated in the book Pilates Anatomy as a model. In teaching Pilates, Yuki provides an environment that brings awareness to the present moment by focusing on the inner body.

He believes that society tends to condition people to ignore the body by relying too much on our heads. Instead, the key or main focus of his session is on the "feeling" in order to tap into our subconscious minds that are stored in the body. When we look at Pilates this way, Pilates is really a discipline and a lifestyle rather than just an exercise. Stength, flexibility, stress relief are secondary and will follow naturally.

His goal is to provide a challenging yet supportive environment so that you can finish the session with the feeling of improvement and wellbeing. He is currently pursuing his master's degree in holistic health education.



Deborah Rosen-Kanofsky, LICENSED ACUPUNCTURIST

Deborah is a licensed Acupuncturist with over 25 years of experience. Starting in the medical field in 1978, she worked with Russian speaking immigrants as an interpreter/medical liason for Beth Israel Harvard teaching hospital. She subsequently studied Shiatsu at the Kushi Institute, followed by her study of Acupuncture and Traditional Oriental Medicine at the San Francisco College of Acupuncture. She has also studied in Hong Kong and mainland China.

Deborah combines acupuncture, shiatsu acupressure, natural supplements and herbal/dietary therapies to help individuals regain health and well being. She also teaches Shiatsu and Traditional Oriental Medicine workshops in the Bay Area.

Areas of special interest and expertise include women’s health (hormonal imbalances, pregnancy, and menopausal complaints), pain syndromes, headaches, musculoskeletal pain, immune system and respiratory problems (allergies, asthma, fatigue, weakened immune system and autoimmune illness).

Please contact Deborah at 925-952-9688 extension 3.