About Martha Carter
At the age of 11, Martha, an enthusiastic young dancer, was diagnosed with a “C” curve scoliosis and, at age 14, underwent Harrington Rod surgery. After spending a year in bed encased in a body cast, she was told she could never dance again. Undeterred, Martha’s journey back to dance evolved into a lifelong practice of health, mobility, emotional and artistic expression.
A teacher, choreographer and certified yoga instructor, Martha has spent years exploring and training in many body work techniques. Her efforts to feel better in her body resulted in having her Harrington rods removed after 21 years. This led her to develop a rehabilitation technique that alleviates discomfort and rebuilds strength through the combination of Yoga, physiotherapy, massage, dance, Pilates, breathing and meditation.
In 2017 Martha received her certification as a teacher in Yoga for Scoliosis through Elise Browning Miller. She now teaches at the TOPS studio in Vancouver, as well as holding regular workshops around BC, across North America and in Mexico.
Since 2016, she has been developing a workshop specifically for people with fused spines, and will hold her first ‘Fusion Retreat’ in September 2018 on Vancouver Island. Martha is also available for private consultations in person or online with adults, teenagers and their parents.
In 2009 she founded the TWiSTED Outreach Project for Backcare and Scoliosis (TOPS) to offer others the community and resources she didn’t have when she was young. Based in Vancouver, BC Canada, TOPS hosts classes, workshops and retreats locally, nationally and internationally. Check out the website to learn more about all of TOPS activities and to read Martha’s blog on the resources page!