Donna’s desire to make a difference in people's lives has driven her thirty-plus year journey as a healer. Her desire for deep connection with people, combined with her passion for scientific inquiry & spiritual purpose, has fueled her career as a physical therapist, bodyworker, and innovator in the field of structural integration. Bridging the worlds of mainstream and alternative medicine, Donna is the creator of the form of bodywork known as “Structural Medicine.” Synthesizing physical therapy, osteopathic and orthopedic medicine with alternative modes of mind/bodywork, she is the founder and head teacher of the Institute of Structural Medicine located in Twisp, Washington, with satellite locations in Mercer Island, Washington and Ka'a'awa, Hawaii.

A graduate of University of Connecticut, Donna double majored in physical therapy and pre-med. She continued her post-graduate studies in physical therapy at internationally renown Kaiser Vallejo Hospital, where she specialized in PNF (proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation.) Equipped with a strong knowledge of neuromuscular systems, Donna continued to develop her in-depth understanding of joints and the skeletal and fascial (connective tissue) systems of the body. She has completed extensive post-graduate coursework in the fields of physical therapy, osteopathic medicine and orthopedic medicine, specializing in joint mobilization.

In the field of alternative medicine/therapy, Donna has studied with Al and Sidra Stone (creators of voice dialogue) Joseph Heller (creator of Hellerwork) and Judith Aston (creator of Aston pattering) among many other pioneers in the fields of body/mind-centered integration. Her practice is also informed by the works of Rudolph Steiner (founder of Waldorf educational system,) Ron Kurtz (creator of the body-centered psychotherapy, Hakomi), Ken Dykewald (author of Bodymind), and Buckminster Fuller (American engineer and inventor who was foremost in creating the tensegrity model).

In 1987, Donna opened the Hellerwork Institute of Washington. Driven by her deep desire to be more effective, she continued to customize her practice, shifting from prescriptive treatments to a method of bodywork that is client driven and truly customized to each individual. This has shown to be more effective in treating many kinds of pathologies, and more empowering for the client. In 2000, Donna codified this method and opened the Institute of Structural Medicine.

The Institute of Structural Medicine attracts and trains exceptional people from all walks of life. Students range from ballerinas, body-builders and community organizers to doctors and physical/occupational therapists. The Institute offers a 2,108-hour training program,with an optional fifth year mentoring program, as well as a progressive series of myofascial release courses, and continuing education workshops, all taught by highly-regarded educators in the field of structural integration. Education is hands-on and interactive. Classes are limited to twelve students, so that instructors can tailor lessons to student's learning styles and respond to student needs. In doing so, the Institute of Structural Medicine is setting the sterling standard of training for all schools of structural integration and is establishing Structural Medicine as the most effective method in preventive and restorative therapy. Donna also offers a multitude of continuing education courses. For the past fifteen years, she taught the Human Dissection Cadaver Lab, an in-depth exploration of the interconnection of fascia and anatomy, at University of Washington. In 2011, she will begin teaching at the Laboratory of Anatomical Enlightenment in Denver, Colorado.

Through the expertise and quality of presence of the graduates of the Institute of Structural Medicine, Donna continues to grow this ground-breaking field of medicine/healing. As a personal practitioner of Structural Medicine, Donna offers people the treatment and tools to regain the best functioning of their body/mind/spirit, so they can truly do their life’s work. Often donating her time, Donna Bajelis has devoted her life to healing. As the founder and lead teacher of the Institute of Structural Medicine, Donna strives to make Structural Medicine more accessible as a primary, entry-level source of therapy. Physical changes you can expect include: a three-dimensional increase in flexibility, range of motion, function, strength, endurance and elegant posture, as well as a reduction or elimination of pain. Through the physical mobilization of connective tissue, Structural Medicine increases the ease and efficiency of all the activities of daily living, work and recreation. By supporting your personal growth, Structural Medicine helps you know yourself better and cultivates healthy self esteem. Alongside her graduates, Donna has supported the transformation of:

-a Grammy award-winning musician who regained his ability to sing
-a research assistant who, after ten years of debilitating thoracic outlet syndrome, was finally able to return to work
-a gymnast who dislocated both shoulders in her early twenties, and is now able to work as a corporate artist creating large-scale canvases
-a farmer who found relief from 27 years of back pain, and was finally able to experience life with joy, ride horses, plow his fields without pain, and enjoy the company of his thirteen grandchildren.

Donna believes that it is in the creation of a close human connection between practitioner and client that a healing space is created. As a teacher, practitioner, and visionary, Donna continues to develop Structural Medicine as a viable and effective means for total transformation, so that more people can find fulfillment and live the lives they love.

Structural Medicine
Structural Medicine synthesizes the fields of physical therapy, osteopathic medicine and orthopedic medicine with a deep understanding of kinesiology and the structural, mechanical and piso-electric properties of fascia (the connective tissues that runs through all layers of the body.) Structural Medicine is unique in addressing not just the physical body, but also the impact of our mental and spiritual well-being on our bodies, and our health. By simultaneously treating the body, mind and spirit, Structural Medicine has unlimited potential to assist yourfull transformation.

Body
Structural Medicine practitioners use varying amounts of manual pressure on the body to differentiate, stretch and reshape different layers of connective tissue (fascia) to attain tensegrity (tensional integrity) of the body in gravity. Structural Medicine has the capacity to help you heal from multiple forms of traumas including: surgical procedures (such as knee surgeries or hip replacements), sports injuries, carpel tunnel syndrome, torn ligaments, postural misalignments (such as scoliosis), fractures, multiple car accidents (including whiplash), sprains, as well as hundreds of other neuromuscular and musculo-skeletal pathologies. Results include decreased pain, an increase in functionality and ease of movement through your lifespan and a deepened sense of being in your body.

Structural Medicine is both a treatment and an educational process, which enhances your understanding of the relationship of nutrition, hydration and movement with the quality of your tissue, and overall health of your nervous, muscular-skeletal & lymphatic (immune) systems. By increasing an individual’s body/mind connection, Structural Medicine empowers you with the knowledge and capacity to make more effective choices towards the longevity of your body and being.

Mind
Practitioners utilize multiple modes of dialogue skills (including voice dialogue, hakomi & non-violent communication) to assist clients in un-earthing their habitual beliefs and identifying and/or discarding those which are no longer helpful. Often, these habitual beliefs were necessary as childhood coping mechanisms, but are no longer accurate or effective in our adult life. Structural medicine assists you in changing habitual beliefs so they are congruent with your present selves so that you can embody your unlimited/full potential.

Spirit
On a spiritual level, practitioners assist clients in exploring any and all relationships/connections to something greater than themselves.

Structural Medicine is for everyone
Every human being can benefit from Structural Medicine. No matter your age or level of health; whether you are a triathlon athlete, a new-born baby, or an individual nearly paralyzed with chronic pain, Structural Medicine holds the possibility for your complete transformation and healing.