Transform your self-connection.
Welcome!
My name is Emily Wright, and I’m a certified mind-body integration coach, dancer, movement educator, and author. I’m passionate about helping people reconnect with their bodies as a source of wisdom, vitality, and well-being. I integrate my expertise in somatic movement education, experiential anatomy, and dance into my coaching practice, workshops, and teaching.
I believe our bodies hold stories, truths, and insights that can guide us toward a more aligned and fulfilling life. But in today’s world, it’s easy to tune out those signals. My approach is all about helping you tune back in—to rediscover your body’s innate wisdom and to develop capacities for meaningful change.
In addition to coaching, I’ve spent more than 20 years teaching mindful movement practices that cultivate curiosity and creativity. Whether in a coaching session, a dance class, or a workshop, my goal is to create spaces where people feel empowered to reconnect with themselves and explore new possibilities for growth.
I followed all the rules and built a ‘successful’ life—marriage, children, and a career as a tenured professor. From the outside, everything looked ideal. Yet, underneath, I felt lonely, unworthy, and disconnected. I poured myself into my roles, pushing myself relentlessly—but it never felt like enough. I was caught in a cycle of overwork and self-criticism that left me feeling exhausted and depleted.
The stress took a toll on my body, and I was often plagued by digestive issues, skin conditions, and other stress-related illnesses. There was also an emotional and spiritual impact. I wasn’t truly connected to myself, and this disconnection influenced the quality of my relationships as well.
When my father died, I experienced a profound shift—a breaking point where the pain I had been unknowingly suppressing came pouring out. The strategies I had relied on to manage my life no longer worked, and I found myself desperate for healing and relief.
In this period of unraveling, I began to turn inward and truly listen to what my body was trying to tell me. This deep listening wasn’t just about acknowledging discomfort—it led to practical, tangible changes in my life. I was able to identify what I truly needed to transform both my internal landscape and my external world.
Today, I feel more hopeful, inspired, and deeply connected to my own wisdom. I’ve learned that our bodies are a wealth of wisdom and guidance, and by reconnecting with them, we can access the tools for healing, growth, and transformation that we’ve always had within us.
My story
More about me…
Pronouns
she/her/hers
Offerings
Individual and group mind-body coaching
Hybrid sessions
In-person (Charlottesville) and online via a secure platform
Approach
Trauma-informed, somatically-oriented, collaborative, culturally-responsive
Core Values
Curiosity, Creativity, Connection
Client Focus
I work with individuals navigating life transitions, recovering from stress or burnout, or seeking greater alignment with their values and goals. I also support those who want to cultivate more ease, deepen their sense of embodiment, and develop greater awareness and connection to their bodily selves.
Accessibility
Sliding-scale fees available; sessions are LGBTQIA+ affirming and inclusive.
Inspiration
I’m inspired by the transformative power of movement and the innate wisdom our bodies hold to guide us toward growth and healing.
Education & Experience
With over 19 years of experience teaching in higher education and community settings, I bring a deep understanding of how movement and embodiment shape personal growth and transformation. My academic training—PhD in Dance Studies (Texas Woman’s University), MFA in Performance and Choreography (Arizona State University), and BFA in Dance (Belhaven University)—provides a strong foundation for my work as a mind-body coach. This unique combination of education and experience allows me to guide clients in reconnecting with their bodies, aligning with their values, and fostering creativity and resilience.
Professional Certifications & Training
Mind-Body Coaching, The Embody Lab
Movement for Trauma (Level 1), Jane Clapp
Lead Edge Somatic Skills, Kate White
Embodied Arts Transformation (EAT), NatureMoves
Up & Down – Movement Workshop for Nervous System Regulation, Irene Lyon & Elia Mrak
Influences & Inspiration
My work is shaped by the pioneering insights of Peter Levine, Stephen Porges, Deb Dana, Resmaa Menakem, Richard Schwartz, Andrea Olsen, Bonnie Bainbridge Cohen, Tara Brach, Nancy Stark Smith, and Kimerer LaMothe.
Looking for information about my work in dance?
My commitment to justice & inclusion
I believe that every body holds wisdom, every person deserves dignity, and every community thrives when we honor our interdependence. I stand in solidarity with people of color, the LGBTQ+ community, undocumented people, indigenous peoples, people with disabilities, and all those who have been marginalized and oppressed.
The work of embodiment is rooted in a commitment to justice, equity, and liberation. Our bodies carry the stories of our personal and collective histories, and when we listen deeply, we become more attuned to the ways we can show up with integrity and care for ourselves and others.
I am committed to practicing antiracism and inclusion in the ways I work with individuals and groups, as well as in my personal life. This means continually learning, reflecting, and taking action to align my work with the values of justice, respect, and belonging.
I aspire to create a space where all people are welcome, where differences are honored, and where we can practice the courageous, ongoing work of living in alignment with our values.