The Essential Balance Team

We emphasize core strength, spinal stabilization, and postural training methods that incorporate all planes of motion. We also treat neural tissue tension from the peripheral nervous system and alleviate painful entrapments for the return of full range of motion. We do this by teaching you the correct postural alignment, the essential muscles to strengthen, and the necessary balance between your muscles and nervous system to achieve and maintain your goals through various stages of recovery or sport training. Our approach focuses on treating the whole individual rather than the separate “parts.” There are no set “procedures” of intervention or therapy that are applied to our clients because everyone is unique.

Bonnie Davidson, PT, CSCS
Co-owner Essential Balance Physical Therapy

Bonnie received her Bachelor of Physical Therapy from Loma Linda University. She established and managed a physical therapy clinic in Minnesota prior to moving to California where she owns and operates EBPT with Candyce Powell. Bonnie is a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist with the NSCA. Her emphasis is on core strength, spinal stabilization, and functional training methods incorporating all planes of motion.

Candyce Powell, MPT
Co-owner Essential Balance Physical Therapy

Candyce received her Masters in Physical Therapy from Mount St. Mary’s College. She has lived in the Bay area for over 25 years and owns and operates EBPT with Bonnie Davidson. She has studied peripheral nerve entrapment syndromes and has developed protocols that alleviate neural tissue tension. Her emphasis is on spinal stabilization, with particular focus on potential sites of neural tissue tension emanating from the central or peripheral nervous system.

Integrated Health and Wellness Professionals
@ Essential Balance

Andrea Brower, CMT
Jin Shin Jyutsu Practitioner

Andrea is a certified massage therapist and Jin Shin Jyutsu practitioner. She specializes in Jin Shin Jyutsu, an effective hands-on method to help balance your body’s energies to promote healing and optimal vitality. The method is practiced through gentle touch (over clothing) on your body’s meridian pathways. Jin Shin is a powerful complement to Western medicine and physical therapy. Andrea also teaches self-care Jin Shin exercises to use at home. Andrea hold a B.A. in psychology from San Diego State University and she is a Certified Massage Therapist, a certified Jin Shin Jyutsu practitioner and self-care instructor. She is a member of Associated Bodywork and Massage Professionals (ABMP).

Sara Kerbs
Pilates Instructor

In 2007 Sara received her Pilates Certification from Integrated Teacher Training in San Francisco. In her early twenties Sara was diagnosed with degenerative disc disease which led to multiple back surgeries and ultimately to a lumbar spine fusion. In her search for an effective rehabilitation approach Sara found Pilates to be an excellent form of core strength training for spine protection. Sara witnessed her body being transformed into a stronger and sleeker shape while experiencing no back pain in the process. As a result of her experience Sara decided to help others achieve similar results through the Pilates Method. Currently Sara teaches a variety of private sessions and group classes, ranging from beginner to advanced athlete, with and without various levels of injuries. Her aim as an instructor is to provide a custom program for each client, integrating rehabilitation, fitness and wellness. Sara is a member of the Pilates Method Alliance.

Janie Miklaunus
Pilates Instructor

Janie comes to us from the British Isles where she attended the University of London, Laban Centre for Movement and Dance, receiving her BA in Dance and Drama. Janie received her Pilates Certification from Integrated Teacher Training in San Francisco, studying with Madeline Black, Jean Sullivan and Debra Schubert, after moving to the United States in 1984. Since then Janie has furthered her education in the mind, body and fitness field, studying with Jean Claude West, Elizabeth Larkam and in the Franklin Method. Janie continues to explore her love of dance, emphasizing the mind/body continuum through posture, biomechanical function, and imagery by attending classes in the Bay Area. She currently offers private Pilates sessions to a diverse client base. Janie is also a certified personal fitness trainer through the NASM.