Meet our visiting instructor…Kiki Vance

This is part of our Meet Our Visiting Instructor Series where you get to read about some of the visiting teachers and educators to our studio.

Meet Kiki Vance, lecturer with art-of-motion.

Kiki is teaching the first of our 2018 Anatomy Trains in Motion courses in our studio here in Dublin.

What have you been up to recently?

Diving deeply into teaching the Myofascial Slings approach to movement, raising my daughter who is 5, keeping busy with a full practice of classes and clients in Santa Fe, New Mexico, USA.

How long have you been a movement teacher / educator and what inspired you to become one?

I’ve been studying movement via dance since I was very young, came to movement systems via Pilates in the early 90’s. Some of the most notable experiences that piqued my curiosity when I was in my teens were movement re-patterning sessions with a practitioner who was trained in a dance related release technique. It was long ago, and she may not have even told me the source of what she did with me but it helped me realize how magical the body is. I have been exploring movement and hands-on therapies my whole adult life, including Pilates, Gyrotonic, KMI (now called ATSI), among many others! The inspiration is in the miracle we walk around in every day, the body is complex but offers such grounding in that we HAVE one….it can simplify the complexities we face in our lives. Even injury/physical challenge can bring inspiration ofer an opportunity for us to realize how or perceptions can change, most of my deepest learning has come from injuries along the way.

What are your top three tips for clients and students to start a movement practice?

  • Drop in (truly arrive)
  • Soften the effort (meet challenge with willingness as opposed to trying–they feel different!)
  • Listen (wisdom comes from movement, awareness, presence, openness)

What are your top three tips for clients and students to stay motivated and consistent with their movement practice?

  • Stay curious
  • Play (meaning it’s not a chore)
  • Schedule as you would any other appointment and show up!

Describe your teaching style in less than ten words

Image, sensation, and intention based, an invitation.

Where are your three favourite places in the world?

I haven’t been to too many, but I have fond memories of the Wind River mountains in Wyoming, Costa Rica, Grand Canyon (but must be on the Colorado River!)

What are the top three things on your bucket list?

I’m embarrassed to say I’ve not put time into writing my bucket list, so these are subject to change:

  • Surfing!! This will get me to more water, hooray!! I would start with an intensive surf camp also providing immersion so I can finally learn to;
  • Speak Spanish fluently
  • Seeing the Northern Lights!

Tell us about someone who inspires you

My friend Denise has the soul of an older time where generosity flows, inspiration and curiosity drive her daily choice-making. She holds truth and healing in high regard, makes a difference in many peoples lives through the work she does.

When you’re not teaching what do you do for kicks?

I’m catching up on reading, taking my daughter to spend time with friends, cooking good meals, hiking, biking…wish I could say I go on motorcycle rides but I’ve yet to buy a bike! That goes on the bucket list….even a scooter would do!

Tell us one last thing we might not know about you

When I was young my mother was a hot air balloon pilot and I loved riding in the balloons, packing them up after flights or helping “chase” them in the propane powered pick-up truck!


Kiki is with us in Dublin in April 2018 to teach Anatomy Trains in Motion.

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