Daniel Mantei is a ballet dancer, choreographer & teacher, a fascia nerd, a healer and a flexibility strength trainer.  He has a background dancing with American Ballet Theatre for 15 years, as a soloist with The National Ballet of Canada, and with the Metropolitan Opera Ballet.  He loves to move and create through dance, and he believes in the healing and transformative power of movement.

Daniel teaches a ballet placement method that is accessible to all body types. It focuses on working with the body in a healthy, holistic way, and cultivating physical and energetic awareness. His teaching approach is inspired by his extensive one-on-one work with legendary ballet teacher Maggie Black, known for coaching Kevin McKenzie, Martine Van Hamel, Amanda Mckerrow, Natalia Makarova, Gelsey Kirkland, and Robert Hill, among many others.

Daniel experienced injuries and imbalances over his dancing career, and he found himself on a healing journey.  When he was first introduced to the dynamic stretch and eccentric training of Fascia Stretch, he was amazed at how quickly he felt better, gained flexibility and strength, and began to heal and move in new ways.

About Active Dynamic Stretch:

Active Dynamic Stretch is a movement based stretch class that combines stretching with strength training. By focusing on eccentric muscular contractions we can positively change our tissue and overall strength, movement and flexibility while reducing tension and scar tissue. We will stretch using: a chair, a yoga mat, a yoga blanket (or other cushioning for our knees in kneeling stretches) and two yoga blocks ( or some books could work too). Looking forward to stretching with you! – Daniel