Sara Lawson, Physiotherapist
Sara has been involved in the dance community since childhood. She has trained at a variety of dance studios across Saskatchewan completing full examination syllabi in Ballet through the Royal Academy of Dance (RAD), as well as in Tap and Jazz through the Canadian Dance Teachers’ Association (CDTA) and Associated Dance Arts for Professional Teachers (ADAPT). During her training, Sara had the privilege of performing across Canada, the United States and Brazil. She had a brief opportunity to professionally dance with City Centre Dance Company in contemporary dance.
Following her dance training, Sara had decided to continue with dance teacher training. She is currently a Registered Ballet Teacher with the RAD, Associate of the RAD, Tutor for the CBTS Teacher Training program with the RAD, Member of the CDTA Stage Division (Jazz), Associate Member of the CDTA Modern and Ballet Divisions, Certified Acrobatic Arts Instructor, Certified Yoga Instructor through Namaskar Yoga (Yoga Alliance) and Certified in Total Barre (Merrithew). She has now taught and adjudicated ballet, tap, jazz, acrobatics, musical theatre, contemporary jazz, and lyrical jazz over the past 20 years at a variety of studios across Saskatchewan and Alberta.
Sara’s passion for dance has also been a part of her career pursuits. Sara has completed a Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Science, and Master of Physical Therapy along with numerous post-graduate courses and certifications to advance her training. Sara can provide Biomedical Dry Needling, Acupuncture, K-Taping, Orthopedic Manual Therapy, Graston Technique, Lymphatic Work, and Kinstretch and Functional Anatomy (FRCms, FR Spine) specific treatment sessions. Sara has worked in a variety of areas of Physical Therapy including: inpatient orthopedics, chronic pain, sports physiotherapy, post-surgical orthopedics, and general private practice. Most recently, Sara had worked with pre-professional and professional dancers. Sara has worked as the Lead Physiotherapist for the Alberta Ballet Company and Alberta Ballet School. During her Physiotherapist work, Sara has also had the opportunity to work with dancers and performers from many companies such as Travis Wall’s Shaping Sound, MOMIX, Tango Fire, the Royal Ballet, Ivanochko et cie, Le Ballets Jazz de Montreal, and Pilobolus Dance Companies. She is the current Physiotherapist for the Saskatchewan Roughrider - Cheer Team providing medical coverage and care for the team on and off game days.
Sara was also involved in research studies for the University of Calgary on Injury Prevention for Dancers, as well as providing lectures on safe dance practice and injury prevention throughout Alberta and Saskatchewan. Sara volunteers and works as a Member and Chair of the Saskatchewan College of Physical Therapists Governance and Nominations Committee. Sara has been able to continue to promote safe dance practice as a former Board of Director for Healthy Dancer Canada as well as acting as the Director and Empower Movement Studio workshops and educational programming. Empower Movement Studio and Education focuses on the essential education needed for dancers to stay healthy and injury free while also being inspired by learning from professional dance artists.
Sara is the Clinic Director of Empower Physiotherapy and strives to "empower" others toward improving their health and well being through education and movement.
Following her dance training, Sara had decided to continue with dance teacher training. She is currently a Registered Ballet Teacher with the RAD, Associate of the RAD, Tutor for the CBTS Teacher Training program with the RAD, Member of the CDTA Stage Division (Jazz), Associate Member of the CDTA Modern and Ballet Divisions, Certified Acrobatic Arts Instructor, Certified Yoga Instructor through Namaskar Yoga (Yoga Alliance) and Certified in Total Barre (Merrithew). She has now taught and adjudicated ballet, tap, jazz, acrobatics, musical theatre, contemporary jazz, and lyrical jazz over the past 20 years at a variety of studios across Saskatchewan and Alberta.
Sara’s passion for dance has also been a part of her career pursuits. Sara has completed a Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Science, and Master of Physical Therapy along with numerous post-graduate courses and certifications to advance her training. Sara can provide Biomedical Dry Needling, Acupuncture, K-Taping, Orthopedic Manual Therapy, Graston Technique, Lymphatic Work, and Kinstretch and Functional Anatomy (FRCms, FR Spine) specific treatment sessions. Sara has worked in a variety of areas of Physical Therapy including: inpatient orthopedics, chronic pain, sports physiotherapy, post-surgical orthopedics, and general private practice. Most recently, Sara had worked with pre-professional and professional dancers. Sara has worked as the Lead Physiotherapist for the Alberta Ballet Company and Alberta Ballet School. During her Physiotherapist work, Sara has also had the opportunity to work with dancers and performers from many companies such as Travis Wall’s Shaping Sound, MOMIX, Tango Fire, the Royal Ballet, Ivanochko et cie, Le Ballets Jazz de Montreal, and Pilobolus Dance Companies. She is the current Physiotherapist for the Saskatchewan Roughrider - Cheer Team providing medical coverage and care for the team on and off game days.
Sara was also involved in research studies for the University of Calgary on Injury Prevention for Dancers, as well as providing lectures on safe dance practice and injury prevention throughout Alberta and Saskatchewan. Sara volunteers and works as a Member and Chair of the Saskatchewan College of Physical Therapists Governance and Nominations Committee. Sara has been able to continue to promote safe dance practice as a former Board of Director for Healthy Dancer Canada as well as acting as the Director and Empower Movement Studio workshops and educational programming. Empower Movement Studio and Education focuses on the essential education needed for dancers to stay healthy and injury free while also being inspired by learning from professional dance artists.
Sara is the Clinic Director of Empower Physiotherapy and strives to "empower" others toward improving their health and well being through education and movement.
Brooke Pachal, Physiotherapist
Brooke has led an active and adventurous life since her youth. She has been a dancer since age 8, focusing primarily on jazz, tap and ballet, but has also taken classes in ballroom dance, hip hop and musical theatre. She has completed examinations in tap and jazz through ADAPT syllabus up to Pre-Inter 3 level and through CDTA syllabus at the Silver Medal level. She has also completed Graded Ballet RAD examinations up to Grade 6.
Following athletics in her youth, Brooke chose to pursue academics which reflect her active lifestyle and has obtained a Bachelor Degree majoring in Kinesiology (Human Kinetics) with Great Distinction. She continued onward to receive her Master of Physical Therapy from the University of Saskatchewan with high academic standing. She has experience working with the Saskatchewan Spinal Pathway program through the Saskatchewan Health Authority, as well as completing courses in Complete Concussion Sideline Management, CPA Healthy Aging, and Pain and Therapeutics.
Through her training programs, she has gained experience working with a variety of conditions including neurological, post-surgical orthopedics, private practice, and inpatient patients.
Brooke has completed her Functional Range Conditioning Movement Specialist certification and Biomedical Dry Needling certification to be able to provide more options for treatment at the clinic.
Brooke is passionate about empowering individuals to reach their full potential in sport, artistry, and life through her Physiotherapy practice at Empower Physiotherapy.
Following athletics in her youth, Brooke chose to pursue academics which reflect her active lifestyle and has obtained a Bachelor Degree majoring in Kinesiology (Human Kinetics) with Great Distinction. She continued onward to receive her Master of Physical Therapy from the University of Saskatchewan with high academic standing. She has experience working with the Saskatchewan Spinal Pathway program through the Saskatchewan Health Authority, as well as completing courses in Complete Concussion Sideline Management, CPA Healthy Aging, and Pain and Therapeutics.
Through her training programs, she has gained experience working with a variety of conditions including neurological, post-surgical orthopedics, private practice, and inpatient patients.
Brooke has completed her Functional Range Conditioning Movement Specialist certification and Biomedical Dry Needling certification to be able to provide more options for treatment at the clinic.
Brooke is passionate about empowering individuals to reach their full potential in sport, artistry, and life through her Physiotherapy practice at Empower Physiotherapy.
Krystal Konjolka, Physiotherapist Res.
Krystal leads an active lifestyle through cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, curling, hiking, swimming and kayaking. Returning home to Saskatchewan, Krystal graduated with a Master of Science in Physical Therapy from Queen’s University. Prior to her Physical Therapy degree, she had obtained a Bachelor of Kinesiology & Health Sciences (Human Kinetics) with Great Distinction from the University of Regina. She had received several academic awards during her undergraduate studies.
As part of her university training, she has worked with clients in acute care orthopedics, neurology, private practice, and chronic illness. Krystal also has past work experience working as a health care services coordinator and claim specialist. She enjoys working with all populations but has an interest in the aging adult clientele. She believes it is important to work on older adult’s functional independence within their homes for as long as possible.
Krystal is looking forward to providing client-centered care within a smaller, boutique style clinic setting to be able to effectively empower individuals on their health and wellness goals.
As part of her university training, she has worked with clients in acute care orthopedics, neurology, private practice, and chronic illness. Krystal also has past work experience working as a health care services coordinator and claim specialist. She enjoys working with all populations but has an interest in the aging adult clientele. She believes it is important to work on older adult’s functional independence within their homes for as long as possible.
Krystal is looking forward to providing client-centered care within a smaller, boutique style clinic setting to be able to effectively empower individuals on their health and wellness goals.