Dorothy Preston

I have an extensive background in movement as a dancer, athlete, and Dance Movement Therapist. I teach my Movement classes from a holistic perspective and layer in the nuggets I’ve gathered from my training as a ballerina, a runner, and my masters program in London.

I studied Cecchetti and Vaganova methods of classical ballet from 4 years old through my college career at Belhaven University. I preformed with Talk Dance company in St. Petersburg and Moscow, Russia. I toured with Cornerstone Dance Company to perform in New York and the Philippines. I danced with the International Christian Embassy of Jerusalem in Jerusalem. I have 5 years of dance teaching experience at multiple levels and created a dance program for kids with special needs in Mississippi.

I competed as a collegiate athlete, receiving scholarship for running cross country at Belhaven University and learned many other cross-training workout methods during my athletic career.

Through my life of movement, I developed a unique passion and earned my masters degree in Dance Movement Psychotherapy from the University of Roehampton, London in 2023.

I am honored to bring my expertise to Clarity and am finding it is a highlight of my week to offer the movement classes for hospital treatment facilities. In these sessions, I prioritize creating a space that cultivates agency and empowers each client to make informed decisions which promote their overall health and wellness.

My fitness journey is imbedded in multiple areas of my life and has always been a central part of the way I live.

Growing up playing competitive soccer and being a cross country and track runner laid a foundation of fitness from a young age.

24 years of consistent dance training and preforming, including classical and contemporary ballet, modern and tap, has given me a wealth of knowledge and experience of anatomy, healthy and safe fitness and perseverance.

And thirdly, my fitness journey also encompasses the science and psychology sides. While pursuing my Master's in Dance Movement Psychotherapy, I explored a wider range of movements including Marial Arts and Capoeira. Understanding the science and psychology of how the body works is what fuels my motivation for guiding others to make healthy choices for themselves.

Weaving together the impact of each of these areas of movement and learning gives me a unique perspective that I am eager to share with others as I my personal fitness journey continues.

It's important for me to keep the self-talk messages encouraging and appreciate bodies for what they can do not focusing on perceived negative aspects of appearance.