We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Lisa Kaczmarek Petrozzi a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Lisa, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. How did you come up with the idea for your business?

My vision for Sprouting Seed Wellness came to be, because I wanted to help guide dancers, athletes and other moving enthusiasts to new levels of body awareness and self confidence with mindful movement and holistic wellness practices. Combining my passion and expertise of the GYROTONIC EXPANSION SYSTEM® along with other holistic practices, I like to encourage my students to use their own “super power” of self reflection, self acceptance and self confidence to make decisions that are in alignment with their unique self and their core values. Having been a professional ballet dancer for over 13 years, I understand the importance of practicing the balance of flexibly and strength in one’s own body and mind when facing daily challenges. While dancing with Houston BalletI, I was introduced to the GYROTONIC® Method, and I felt my eyes were finally opened to the idea that I could guide my body and mind to a deeper understanding of the intent behind my movements by connecting what was happening inside to what appeared to ones eye on the outside. I love seeing my students have these “aha” moments when they experience the empowerment that comes from trusting and appreciating one’s own self in body, mind and spirit. It is life changing, not just in one’ discipline of dance, sport or other trainings, but in how one shows up in daily life.

Lisa, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

Combining my knowledge of the GYROTONIC EXPANSION SYSTEM® and my passion of holistic health and wellness seemed like a natural blend of complimentary practice. When I was introduced to GYROTONIC® movement, I knew instantly that I wanted to share the amazing benefits of this great system with others and thus began my extensive training. While still dancing professionally and upon retiring after the birth of our first son, I enjoyed working with some of my fellow company members of Texas Ballet Theater, as well as pre-professional dancers and seeing their dancing take on new levels of quality and strength. After more than 15 years of teaching and growing in my understanding of mindful movement, I continue to be passionate about sharing GYROTONIC® movement, as I combine my unique experiences as athlete, artist and wellness mentor to help guide my students to new levels of body awareness and confidence. I have my certifications in GYROKINESIS®, as well as the Dancer’s Application and the Psoas Principles.

Wanting to deepen and expand my knowledge of overall nutrition and other holistic wellness practices, I signed up for courses through Institution for Integrative Nutrition(IIN). With my certification as a Integrative Nutrition Health Coach, I love combining my knowledge of the benefits of organic movement with holistic wellness to help guide my students to a more well rounded approach to grow their personal and genuine wellness and happiness. Fine tuning and practicing self care through movement and other holistic lifestyle practices is still to this day my therapy and helps to keep me balanced as a teacher, wife, mother and entrepreneur.

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

I had to unlearn the desire to to be everything to everyone. My mantra now is “I can do anything, but I can’t do everything.” Since I retired from the stage, I have taught ballet, coached dancers, worked as a health coach, and taught Gyrotonic to many different groups of clientele. It is easy to lose focus and to cast a wide net, but in doing so once can easily lose sight of what it means to have expertise, to master certain skills, and instead feel pulled in so many different directions, that one is no longer true to one’s passion and purpose. When I first started Sprouting Seed Wellness, I wanted to work with everyone and be everything to everyone. I guess you could say I had a bit of FOMO, because I didn’t want to miss out. Now I have fine tuned my purpose and passion, because I believe that by going small and focussing on dancers and athletes, I am able give my best self and my best expertise. I also believe, this is a process, and I needed to go through this journey of discovery in order to find this clarity. Deep down I am and always will be an artist, and my “art” may not be for everyone. I am okay with this because I seek happiness and wisdom over fame and “being able to do it all.”

Are there any books, videos, essays or other resources that have significantly impacted your management and entrepreneurial thinking and philosophy?

I listen to a podcast called “Happy Little Practice” with Karin and Drew Rozell. Karin and her husband are fellow Institutive for Integrative Nutrition graduates. Karin really helped me to find clarity in the idea that “Little is the New Big.” I can use my time wisely with my business, so I that I can spend more quality time in self care and with my husband and our young sons. And in doing so, filling my cup as a wife and mother before showing up as a teacher and entrepreneur. “Happy” being meeting my and my families needs and desires. “Little” being more of a boutique business model. And “Practice” being focused and mindful. This has helped me in life as well, because I don’t worry about fitting or pleasing everyone. I like to say I am a recovering perfectionist and have a lot more empathy for myself and others.

Contact Info:

• Website: http://sproutingseedwellness.com/pages/home
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100067713296296

Image Credits
Kristen Gotham Touma Tati Vice Vitacca Vocational School for Dance