Michelle Downing DPT, CFMT, OCS, RYT

Michelle was born in Bennington, VT and grew up in the upstate New York town of Hoosick Falls. She currently lives in Underhill with her husband and cat. She began studying yoga at the age of 16, and it was through this consistent study and a yoga teacher training that, at the age of 30, she began working towards a physical therapy degree. She graduated from the University of Vermont Doctorate of Physical Therapy program (DPT) in 2012. While a student at UVM she had the great fortune to discover the Institute of Physical Art, and working both as a student at the flagship Johnson & Johnson clinic in Steamboat CO, and completing a 3 year residency program in Junction City, OR. She became a certified functional manual therapist (CFMT) as well as an orthopedic certified specialist (OCS) following the residency in 2015. In 2015 she returned to VT to work at Evolution Physical Therapy and Yoga, where she united her passion for physical therapy and yoga. She completed coursework in pelvic floor rehabilitation through Herman & Wallace, and began studying visceral and neural manipulation with the Barral Institute. In recognition of the limits of manual therapy intervention, Michelle has most recently focused her curiosity on the science of the mind-body connection, otherwise known as pain neuroscience. In order to improve communication and understand goals, she has also dabbled in the study of motivational interviewing and acceptance and commitment therapy. Its with an open mind and heart, as well as this multifaceted education that Michelle approaches each client and treatment session.