K

SMARTCORE

Meet The Team

Kaylee Cahoon

ATSI, LMT, CPI

Kaylee is a nationally recognized Movement Educator, Anatomy Trains Structural Integration Practitioner, International presenter and lecturer, Elite-level Athlete Body Coach, former internationally touring professional modern dancer, former television and theater choreographer, and a teacher of teachers. Kaylee’s 40 years of training in somatic movement methods such as Feldenkrais Method®, Pilates Method, Ideokinesis, Bartenieff Fundamentals, and Laban Movement as well as her own movement explorations and methods combined with a focus on biotensegrity, anatomy, physics, and neuroscience, provide the infrastructure for her perceptive and integrative teachings and work.

Kaylee approaches movement, balance, and fitness through the nervous system instead of the muscular system because ‘muscles don’t move themselves.’ This approach differs from the standard fitness model and athletic training with a focus on ‘how’ movement occurs. Kaylee teaches her own developed courses in both manual and movement approaches such as Movement Specificity, Structural Functional Bodywork, and regularly mentors manual and movement practitioners in her work. She is well-known throughout the professional sports world for her ability to bring athletes back to their natural movement patterning which helps with injury prevention, limits soreness and strain post game, increases athletic performance, and increases career longevity. Her regular pro athletes are the best of the best in their sport and are known themselves for breaking performance records, coming back stronger after injury, never missing a game or snap throughout consecutive seasons, and for having very long professional careers.

Kaylee works with a wide variety of populations from high-profile professional athletes, dancers and entertainers, to people with diagnosed medical issues such as MS, traumatic brain injury, pediatric neuromuscular conditions, and both acute and chronic pain patterns. The medical community often refers patients to Kaylee when they have exhausted what Western Medicine has to offer them. Looking and working with the body through the lens Kaylee uses, allows her work to achieve outstanding results across many populations.

Jana Christensen

Certified Rolfing® Practitioner, LMT, CPI
Jana, a seasoned movement instructor with over two decades of teaching experience, is deeply rooted in the dance world since her upbringing. Her enduring 30-year partnership with mentor Kaylee Cahoon, founder of Smartcore Method in Franklin, TN has significantly influenced her teaching, fostering a collaborative and influential approach to movement education.

In 2021, Jana expanded her expertise, becoming a licensed massage therapist through a 500-hour certification at the Cumberland Institute of Holistic Therapies. Continuing her quest for mastery, she achieved certification as a Rolfer in 2023 from the prestigious Rolf Institute in Boulder, CO, completing a rigorous 700-hour program.

Jana’s Pilates journey began in 2004 with an intensive workshop at The Pilates Center in Boulder, CO, followed by comprehensive courses from Power Pilates and Core Dynamics Pilates which is Eve Gentry’s approach to the Pilates Method. She holds a certification from Core Dynamics Pilates.

From 2015-2024, Jana was the owner and artistic director of the Franklin School of Performing Arts in Franklin, TN channeling her passion for dance by fostering a nurturing environment for students in the performing arts.

When not immersed in teaching, she cherishes moments with family and friends, finding joy in the balance between professional dedication and personal connections.

“Jana has been my Pilates instructor for 20 years and Rolfing specialist for a couple of years. She is a passionate professional and has helped me through many injuries. Jana’s vast knowledge and experience in Pilates and Rolfing allow her to take you to the next level. She adjusts each exercise to maximize your strength and has a sensitive approach to your well-being. I highly recommend Jana to anyone who desires a natural realignment and rebalancing of their body, enhanced every day function, athletic performance, and a greater sense of health.”

K

Christina Long

“Jana is super attentive to my body’s needs and has helped me with balance, flexibility, posture, and strength. I have watched her grow and expand her knowledge of the body through her bodywork and Rolfing certifications. I highly trust her to help me with all body issues.”
K

Alita Hayes

Jessica Self

Certified Rolfing® Practitioner, LMT, CKPT
Jessica Self isn’t just your average LMT, She is also a Certified Rolfer®️, Certified Kinesio Taping Practitioner, and has an Acu-Cupping certification. She has completed two international dissection labs studying with the pioneers of fascial research and biotensegrity, she has completed a 200-hr yoga training and helped develop a yoga training course. Jessica’s background in dance and theatre have given her a unique understanding of what level of care a body in constant motion needs. Jessica is a native of Nashville, returning to her roots after attending Millikin University. She has developed deep connections within the yoga community. From her experiences with restorative yoga, bikram, and SMARTCore®, Jessica has built a functional foundation while still maintaining the fun spirit of a dancer.

“Jessica has seen me through frozen shoulder work as well as given me a greater understanding of how I’ve compensated for my hyper mobile joints. Increasing my body awareness (how the pieces work together) has help me gain more stability and ease of movement. Even when I think I’m doing ok, I leave feeling stronger and much capable. Never too late to start!”

K

Susan H.

Ready to try the SMARTCORE Method?