Meet Jennie Morton from London who moved to LA two and a half years ago to develop the field of *Performing Arts Medicine and to provide traditional Osteopathic treatment on the West Coast.
*Performing Arts Medicine is the equivalent of Sports Medicine for performing artists, providing targeted, specialized healthcare for performance-related injuries.
Was there a particular reason you chose LA?
After living for a while in New York City, the West Coast presented the greatest need for coverage of Performing Arts Medicine specialists in the US. After many requests from colleagues to come to LA to help to plug this gap and to start building a Performing Arts Medicine network in LA, I decided to make the move. The weather was an added motivating factor in the decision! My work in treating performance-related injuries and in providing performance coaching for the physical and emotional aspects of role preparation has found a good home in the City of Angels.
What do you miss most from home?
I miss the proximity of family and friends, and a nice piece of back bacon!
What was your first impression of LA and has it changed since?
My first impression of LA was that it was huge, spread out, and disconnected. However, I have now found that my connections that reach from Orange County, to Downtown, to West Hollywood, to Pasadena, to Santa Monica/ Venice, to the Valley, and beyond are among some of the strongest I have experienced. Traffic is crazy, but I feel I have friends wherever I chose to travel on the LA map.
What do you find the biggest difference is living here versus London?
The biggest difference is figuring out the geography. “Popping over” to see a friend involves computing some major algorithms! In London, I would just jump on the tube and let public transport do the work. Plus, I now consider anything below 70 degrees as chilly - that was a warm summer’s day in London!
Do you have a hidden gem in LA that you want to share with us? I live in South Pasadena - the City of Trees. I feel that this area is like a little slice of Europe amongst the concrete craziness of LA. Small winding streets, local shops where they know you by sight, and the stunning Huntington Gardens, an incredible oasis of flora and fauna, right on my doorstep. All just a short hop from the bustle of Downtown.
What would you suggest to others who are thinking about making the move here?
Pack your dreams, your favorite possessions from home, some SPF, and get yourself here. If you have a plan that is based in passion, then there is no better place to nurture your potential.
Lots of our members join our group Brits in LA seeking out words of wisdom - what is the best piece of advice you've been given?
The Brits in LA page has been great in providing some practical tips like how to renew your passport, where to buy those favorites from home etc., but most of all it’s the wonderful spirit of support that comes from knowing that there are others out there trying to figure out this crazy city too. It keeps you connected to your tribe!
Lastly, how can we find out more about you? Are you working on anything at the moment?
I am a UK Registered Osteopath (with a Masters in Psychology) providing support and treatment for a wide range of conditions from musculoskeletal/ biomechanical disorders, to immune, respiratory, digestive, and nervous system imbalances. I work from Harmony Studios in West Hollywood and specialise in treating performing artists, providing dedicated support to instrumentalists, vocalists, dancers, actors, and film/ TV crew, including advice on managing the creative mind. I am on the Board of Directors of the international Performing Arts Medicine Association (PAMA) and the local Dance Resource Center (DRC) here in LA. I am also currently working with the Grammy MusiCares Foundation to develop free drop-in sessions for musicians with health concerns in the city.
I am the Chair of Programming for this year’s PAMA International Symposium that we are hosting at Chapman University (Orange Co.) this summer, and I have three books in publication:
Dancing Longer, Dancing Stronger (Princeton Publishing - publication pending)
Traditional Osteopathy is hard to find out here, so if you are looking for a sensitive, holistic approach to healthcare, then you can find me on the following links:
email: info@healthyperformers.com
Twitter: @HPerformers
PAMA Symposium Information: http://www.artsmed.org/
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