Christina Fanizzi
Christina’s life journey has been woven with embodied movement, dance, and creative expression. She was an avid dancer in elementary school and throughout her formative years. As a young adult in NYC, she explored other embodied practices as an actor. Over time she shifted focus and evolved into teaching Pilates and Open Floor.
During this time, Christina studied and practiced meditation, yoga, Alexander Technique, Qigong and other mind-body modalities. During this explorative time with different practices, a seed was planted when a friend suggested she explore Conscious Dance. However, it would take several years before she stepped onto a 5 Rhythms dance floor. It was through that practice where she began to explore the possibility of holding space for others in a similar way. She had the good fortune of moving with many teachers, including Gabrielle Roth (Founder of 5 Rhythms), and it was through all those dances where she was guided to Open Floor. At the untimely death of Gabrielle Roth, Christina was at a crossroads, interested in learning more but unclear about how to move forward. It would be in the following months after Gabrielle’s death when she had the opportunity to dance with a few deeply valued and respected teachers in the field (e.g.: Kathy Altman, Andrea Juhan and Lori Saltzman) they were creating a new practice with other seasoned teachers called Open Floor. There was a distinct nudge inside her to follow these teachers. So, she did! She signed up for their first ever training and as they say, “the rest is history!”
She is delighted to be a part of the CAMARADERIE community and is excited to share the rich and expansive practice of Open Floor with everyone. You can expect gentle guidance and an invitation to bring your whole self into movement and expression. In her classes you’ll traverse infinite landscapes with meticulously curated music.
Open Floor welcomes everyone. There are no steps to follow. It’s a movement meditation that offers a myriad of ways that foster connection with yourself, others, community and spirit. Everyone is welcome and the practice encourages exploring your whole self in the process: physically, emotionally, mindfully and soulfully. Through the practice of Open Floor her passion for meditation, mindfulness and movement have merged exquisitely.
She is also a somatic and mindfulness life coach (certified through ICF - ACC). Through presence, practice, patience and mindfulness-based inquiry along with somatic exercises she offers support to clients who wish to discover ways to navigate life’s challenges. Christina believes the body holds a reservoir of wisdom and when we align with its guidance - possibilities for change, healing and integration multiply.
Christina is a nature lover, she prefers to be outside with the elements and is grateful to live near the greenery the Wissahickon offers. She lives in Chestnut Hill with her beloved husband and daughter.
