Veronique Breen

Veronique Breen is originally from Brussels, Belgium. Prior to moving to the US in 2003, she studied and danced professionally in Europe for over 20 years, including 7 years with the Dutch National Ballet in Amsterdam. Her dance career included soloist roles in ballets from choreographers such as Martha Graham, Balanchine, William Forsythe, Caroline Carlson and many more.

Following her professional ballet career, Veronique expanded upon her knowledge of movement by completing sports massage therapy training. She also began teaching dance and movement techniques to young students and adults, including pre-professional and professional dancers, active adults, and physically and mentally challenged children.

Passion and profession

Veronique’s current passion is GYROTONIC® and GYROKINESIS® training. Relatively new exercise techniques to most Americans, it incorporates principals of movement she mastered during her dance career, as well as physiology and injury prevention principals she learned with massage therapy. She is the founder of Motion Arts in Allston, Massachusetts, offering Gyrotonic and Gyrokinesis training and specialized conditioning for individuals in the Boston area.

Current clients

Olympic Athletes, Professional Dancers, Figure Skaters, Office Executives, Weekend Warriors, Couch potatoes and more…

Charissa Leatherman

Charissa Leatherman is originally from Durham, North Carolina.  Her 15 years of experience in dance includes studies with the Virginia School of the Arts, Boston Ballet, BalletMet, and City Ballet of San Diego.  She has danced professionally with several companies, including the Charleston Ballet Theatre, Hartford Ballet, and currently Jose Mateo’s Ballet Theatre in Cambridge.  Since 1998, Charissa has been actively teaching ballet, modern dance, jazz, movement therapy, and specialized conditioning classes.  She collaborated with Veronique Breen to create the Ballet Workout conditioning programs at Motion Arts. 

Charissa is a GYROTONIC® instructor since 2006.

Nia Nascimento

Nia is a certified instructor in GYROTONIC® as well as Stott Pilates, Sivananda Yoga,  and Integral Pre and Post-natal Yoga.  Her interest in mind/body movement was sparked through a love of graceful and concentrated nourishing movement, as well as a background in ballet and modern dance.  She works to guide her students in creating a deeper awareness and ease in the body while improving strength, flexibility, concentration, and relaxation.  She received her masters degree in theology in 2005 and is currently pursuing a graduate degree in social-work.

Nia is now also certified on the Jumping & Stretching board!