Personal Trainer, Wellness Coach, & Consummate Educator
"Amy’s workshop was both insightful and therapeutic. She created a supportive space for educators to reflect on their priorities and self-care practices, encouraging meaningful personal growth. Her delivery was clear, kind, and deeply engaging, making the experience feel safe and empowering. I left with practical tools and a renewed sense of balance, and I would highly recommend her workshops to anyone seeking clarity and restoration in their professional journey."
Jessica Van Valkenburgh RSMT, RYT-500
Dance Specialist and Registered Somatic Movement Therapist, Director of Therapeutic Programs
"Amy's kindness, empathy, and deep listening skills put anyone at ease, allowing space for reflection and productive conversation. Her workshops are full of wisdom, practical tools, and inspiration to take the next step that's right for you. I highly recommend Amy as a presenter!"
Dr. Paola Savvidou
Wellness Initiative Program Manager & Adjunct Lecturer in Music, School of Music, Theatre & Dance, U of M
A Sampling of Workshop Topics
Workshops are tailored to your organization’s specific needs, and custom topics are available on request. I can present live or via Zoom. Contact me to discuss the topics you're interested in for your participants. Pricing is unique for each presentation. Inquire for more information.
Building on Our Strengths: Finding Clarity in a Time of Uncertainty
This workshop will explore what our strengths are and how we can build on what is already working in order to develop a strong foundation for staying grounded in a time of uncertainty. We will look at researched-based science and uncover the "why" behind our motivation to make positive changes in our lives.
Women as Caregivers and Providers: Finding Our Center
As women, we wear many hats, from caring for family members, whether it be children, aging parents, extended family, to making sure there is food in the refrigerator, on top of the many work-related responsibilities. This workshop will explore ways to find our center and to creatively carve out time in our day for the areas of our lives that are essential to our well-being.
Toolkit for Stress Management
In this workshop we will learn about our hard-wiring for stress and how to use stress productively. Students will learn how to center themselves and how to apply healthy strategies for managing stress loads.
Wellness For Dancers
This presentation is for high school students who are interested in auditioning for the dance department at the University of Michigan. We will explore our body’s physical manifestations of audition nerves and learn strategies to center the body for auditionees to put their best audition forward.
The Art of Practicing: Motivation and Time Management
Have you ever found yourself at the end of the day and you didn't get your practice time in when you had every intention of doing so? Ever feel frustrated you aren't improving fast enough even when you are practicing? In this workshop for musicians, we will unpack inner resistance, get behind the "why" in motivation, and explore time management strategies.
Wellness for Singers
This presentation is for high school students who are interested in auditioning for the voice department at the University of Michigan. We will explore our body’s physical manifestations of audition nerves and learn strategies to center the body for auditionees to put their best audition forward.
Climbing the Mountain to Take in the View: A Workshop on Finding Balance
COVID-19 has thrown us into an altered reality and continues to impact the many different areas of our lives. In this workshop, we will explore ways to seek balance, find joy, and define what contentment feels like in a time of rapid change.
Posture & Alignment For Performing Artists
In this workshop, we will explore the importance of alignment and posture and how it can help us improve our craft and our overall well-being.
Recent Workshops Presented
Michigan Dance Day - Are You In the Gap Or the Gain? (2024).
Michigan Ice Dance Academy - Are You In the Gap Or the Gain? (2023).
MPulse Vocal Arts Institute - Wellness/Movement Workshops for Understanding Performance Nerves and Overcoming Burnout; University of Michigan high school summer program (2023, 2024).
Àkójọpọ̀'s 2023 Virtual Mentorship - Wellness for Musicians: The Art of Practicing and How to Move Through It; Nigerian Musician’s Workshop (2023).
Wellness Workshop for Ice Dance Skaters; Charlie White and Tanith Belbin - Arctic Edge Ice Arena, Canton, Michigan (2022, 2022, 2022, 2023).
University of Michigan Urology residents movement workshop (2022).
Ditch the Bitching and Find the Joy in the Stitching: A Workshop on Finding Our Center; American Theatrical Costume Association (2022).
“This workshop was amazing. It helped me identify my own core values and rediscover my own strengths. I sincerely recommend Amy's workshops to anyone who is looking for more guidance than from just reading books. Thank you, Amy!”
Bohuslava Jelínková
LEO, Lecturer II, University of Michigan
Vaganova Ballet Teacher
“As a clinician, I am always looking for opportunities to learn, and the combination of real-world and practical application of content that Amy West provided during her presentation, along with the warm delivery and audience participation through sensory and memory reflection, really resonated with me. Her skills as a connector and teacher were truly evident.”
Kristen Hope Schuyten, PT, DPT
Physical Therapy Clinical Specialist
Lecturer, University of Michigan Department of Dance