Today we’d like to introduce you to Melian Izotova Gauntt.
Melian, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I have been a professional ballet dancer for 15 years. I started my career with Metropolitan Classical Ballet in 2003 under the direction of Alexander Vetrov and Paul Mejia. I performed well-known classical ballets such as The Nutcracker, Raymonda, and La Bayadere; as well as Balanchine masterpieces including Agon, Square Dance, The Four Temperaments, and Apollo.
I went on to be the ballerina for Charleston Ballet Theater and Premiere Ballet, spent one season with Ballet San Antonio, and spent my spare time dancing guest performances for companies around the United States. Over the course of years, I saw injuries from accidents, trauma, and over-use. Some injuries could have been prevented. Some injuries could have healed faster. My own injuries forced me to take days or months off of work. I was frustrated at the lack of hands-on, personal healing I knew I needed to regain my full strength.
I also teach ballet to children and adults. Just ballet class is no longer enough to teach muscles and minds how to dance. We are missing movement, plain physical activity, in our culture, which creates an ignorance that is not academic, but detrimental all the same. I knew my students needed something extra.
I found Progressing Ballet Technique, a neuro-kinetic training program to facilitate movement habits, prevent injury, and enhance ballet training. But knowing exercises isn’t enough. I needed to understand the body, how it was put together, why it works the way it does. I went to massage therapy school to become a licensed massage therapist. I studied anatomy, pathology, kinesiology, all the building blocks of what I do and what I teach. I graduated, became licensed, and started practicing.
I am Mila Gauntt, Massage Therapist, Ballerina. I know my body and my injuries. I understand your body and your injuries. I want to be that trainer in a person’s life to help identify the bad, inefficient habits which cause or reinforce injuries. I want to provide space to explore the full range of movement and ability a person has innately; the time to listen, think, discover, and retrain without fear of shame or mockery. I believe our bodies are capable of great beauty and complete healing.
Has it been a smooth road?
Training is easy. Working is hard. Growing up in ballet class, the teacher is always looking out for you, teaching how to dance correctly, telling you when you are wrong, teaching you how to correct mistakes. As a professional, you look out for yourself, you correct yourself. There are directors and teachers, but they are no longer there to form you – a professional dancer should be a fully formed dancer already – they are there to make the production successful.
As a ballet teacher, I had my class schedule handed to me, I had a steady paycheck. But I struggled with how to communicate with each individual mind, each different body. I was taught to dance, not taught to teach, and those are two very different skills.
Massage therapy school was a joyful challenge as I recognized so much of what was presented to me, but for the first time learned what it all meant. MT internship was as easy as clients and supplies were readily available and provided. Now, as a sole proprietor, I am struggling to build my client base, develop trust in my community. I am not part of a corporation. When a client chooses a large spa for a massage, they are trusting the corporation, a big blank building. Sometimes, the anonymity feels safe. When a client chooses me, they are trusting me, a person with whom they are entering a relationship. I honor that trust.
So, as you know, we’re impressed with MilaMTB – tell our readers more, for example, what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
I am a ballet dancer. I am a ballet teacher. I train classical dancers to understand their bodies and achieve their utmost excellence in technique, strength, and performance. I have taught ballet and pointe for over ten years and am licensed in Progressing Ballet Technique since 2016.
I am also a massage therapist, licensed by the State of Texas, and use my training in anatomy, physiology, and kinesiology to teach my clients how and why their bodies work the way they do.
I offer 30 min and 60 min private lessons with up to three dancers at a time. I offer sports massage, on-site massage, 60 minute and 90 minute massage. My goal is to help you become the master of your technique and at peace with your being.
Let’s touch on your thoughts about our city – what do you like the most and least?
I love the community of Fort Worth. I love the atmosphere of downtown. I love how integral nature and our Trinity River is to the city.
Pricing:
- 60 minute Massage $60
- 90 minute Massage $90
- 1 Hour Private Lesson $60
- 1 Hour Semi-Private Lesson $75
- 1 Hour Class for Three $100
Contact Info:
- Address: 5301 White Settlement Rd. Ste. A
Fort Worth TX 76116 - Website: http://milamtb.abmp.
com/ - Phone: 469-258-6879
- Facebook: facebook.com/MilaMTB
Getting in touch: VoyageDallas is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
