Patients navigating the modern health care system often find themselves feeling incomplete after treatment, left with gaps in their journey toward true wellness. While countless clinics focus solely on one aspect of recovery, few adopt a holistic approach that integrates the physical, emotional and mental dimensions of health.
Noticing this fragmented structure, Denise Small of Edina established New Perspective Pilates and Pelvic Health in 2024. “I wanted to create a place where patients can embark on healing free from the constraints of traditional care,” she explains. “A place where we heal the mind, body and soul all together.” Denise's unique qualifications and diverse background inform her innovative approach, blending expertise in both Pilates and physical therapy.
Her path to becoming a leading voice in holistic healing began with a storied career as a professional ballet dancer, gracing stages at the Kansas City Ballet, the Metropolitan Opera and the New Chamber Ballet in New York City. During this period of her life, Pilates became an essential tool for maintaining strength and stamina—keys to her performance and longevity in such a physically demanding field. This early adoption and mastery laid the foundation for her subsequent vocation as a Pilates instructor, certified through Balanced Body University in 2005.
Transitioning from ballet to physical therapy, Denise earned her doctorate from SUNY Downstate Medical Center in 2016, eager to delve deeper into the nuances of the human body. After graduating, she specialized in pelvic health—an often overlooked but vitally important area, particularly for individuals grappling with issues such as sexual wellness, urinary leakage or chronic constipation.
“These conditions often necessitate a more sophisticated approach beyond conventional therapy,” Denise explains. “Treating complex, chronic pain requires different tools, which I have the experience in both as a patient and provider.”
What sets Denise apart is her commitment to integrating trauma-informed techniques, ensuring a safe and nurturing environment where patients can heal at their own pace. This emphasis on mental and emotional support, combined with her expertise in cranial sacral therapy and visceral mobilization, enables her to cater to the delicate intricacies of each patient’s nervous system—promoting a more calm and receptive state conducive to healing.
At New Perspective Pilates and Pelvic Health, using said techniques with a unique combination of Pilates and pelvic floor therapy underpins a powerful framework that addresses multiple health facets.
“Pilates, with its emphasis on core strength and breathwork, complements pelvic health treatment by fostering mindfulness and enhancing core stability,” Denise explains.
Within this marriage, the greater promise of Pilates is fully realized—not merely as an exercise regimen but as a path to holistic balance, resonating through every muscle fiber to imbue strength, flexibility, and emotional tranquility.
Denise’s innovative practice transcends the traditional divide between physical and mental therapy, allowing her clients to integrate all aspects of healing under one roof. By forging a space where the mind and body converge, Denise has created something truly unique—a sanctuary that empowers her clients to achieve full harmony.
Reflecting on the first year of her practice, Denise finds gratitude in the community she has cultivated—a refuge for those often overlooked by conventional medical settings. "I'm building a real community here," she shares. "It's reminiscent of that medicine woman in a village relationship, where people seek me out for healing everything. I've shared countless beautiful moments with patients, and I look forward to many more."
Denise invites new clients to approach her teachings with openness and readiness—ready to engage with many aspects of their health, be it mental, physical, or the conditions that have shaped their lives. “Whether postpartum, perimenopausal, or seeking understanding of chronic conditions, New Perspective is the ideal place to embark on a deep, transformative journey toward holistic health.”
4420 Valley View Rd., Edina | newperspectivept.com