Today we’d like to introduce you to Luisa Meshekoff.
Hi Luisa, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today.
My father was a prominent New York artist whose first building was a trolly barn on the lower east side. The romance for older historic buildings is in my DNA. Buildings tell a story and are an homage to craftsmanship and a glimpse into the past. I was wooed by a forgotten 1926 brick warehouse in downtown Tampa (now the Channelside District), and in 1993 created a home for the arts. I am the co-founder and Executive Director of The Dance Project, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that supports dance, music, and visual arts through educational performances, workshops, classes, and exhibits. Over the past 30 years, I have been able to preserve and share this fabulous structure and expose the community to movement arts, painting, and sculpture, as well as host other artists to create.
My story begins in New York City at the Harkness House for Ballet Arts. The 80s was an amazing time for dance in NY, offering commercials, movies, classical ballet, and modern dance opportunities. I danced professionally and all over the world with the Joffrey Ballet, Joyce Trisler Dance Company, the New York Baroque Dance Company, and numerous other companies. I also have extensive training in many modalities including Gyrotonic, Yoga, Pilates, the list goes on. Over the years I have worked with a wide, eclectic, range of individuals – from sports teams and athletes (including the N.Y. Mets) to professional dancers, to anyone who wants to live well and age gracefully!
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
There always seems to be a struggle when it comes to the arts. Tampa has grown significantly over 30 years and there is still a lot of opportunity to embrace and support the arts. The Dance Project is a resource and a safe place for artists to collect and hone their craft in a creative space. Jason Shiver is our resident sculptor and painter, as well as visiting artist Terry Klaaren. Tom Szumlic is our resident architect and designer. We have amazing artists here, but we also need an amazing audience.
Additionally, the Channel District was originally developed as an arts district, and a few of us pioneers in the early 90s were creating exactly that! Unfortunately, commercial development shifted the trajectory away from the arts and a small community feeling. The neighborhood is transient and not a user-friendly community, with parking being a challenge and very little green space.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
“Aligning Methods” is my personal trademark for helping humans live better in their bodies. I am trained and certified in many modalities including the Alexander Technique and Cranial Sacral Therapy. What sets me apart is my one-to-one instructional approach. Group classes are small and personalized to focus attention on the individual because the work is profound and impactful. I ask that newbies take a private class to better understand the concepts and movements before coming to a group class. I never speak in absolutes because we are all different and everybody is different.
This is about the health of your body. The mind, body, and spiritual progress in concert. You are either integrated or disintegrated. This is about strength in combination with stretch for regaining the body’s natural buoyancy. The kindest thing you can do for a person is to tune them into their own patterns and habits for that “Aha” moment because once you distinguish it you can alter it to a more self-supportive habit.
Can you talk to us a bit about happiness and what makes you happy?
I am a catalyst for helping people find options and insight about their movement that they were not aware previously aware of, so that movement becomes more efficient, graceful and less of a chance for injury. Whether it’s…
• Working with those suffering from neuropathy from chemotherapy
• Getting an athlete and dancers back on their feet.
• Getting injured veterans ambulatory again
• Moving a dancer across the room more gracefully. Creating a more injury-free career for them!
Pricing:
- $25 per class 1.45 hours
- $120 for a private session of 1.25 hours
Contact Info:
- Website: thedanceproject. org
- Instagram: aligning methods
Image Credits
Edward Favara
