Elizabeth Dunlap415.613.2336elizabethannedunlap@gmail.com
Personal Statement
Reasons for applying to GSA
In 2016 this American Dunlap traveled to the parish village of Dunlop in search of connections to personal heritage. I fell in love with the Glasgow School of Art. Something about it felt familiar. I knew I wanted to come back someday to study.
Reasons for choosing the program
The program seems to marry two of my life-long passions -> artistic anatomy and clinical bodywork. In 1990 I secretly took my first class in figurative drawing at the Pasadena Art Center in California, while studying at divinity school. Since August of 2003 I have been a licensed massage therapist. A highlight of my career was the eight years working with chiropractors serving members of the International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU.)
Access to cadaver dissection has been on my wish list for years. A recent continuing education class I completed showed the layers of fascia under a super powerful microscope. I want to do my own studies! I think I'm interested in cytology and histology.
Opportunity to learn updated 3D modeling tools and to explore virtual reality facilities is exciting! In the late nineties I took a couple classes at the San Francisco Academy of Art (Toy Story.) I had the opportunity to learn some early programs like Macromedia Director and Bryce 3D. How things have developed!
Finding ways to show my bodywork clients what is happening in their bodies is one of my constant endeavors. I hope to serve my clients and the general public better through these studies.
Interests in the chosen subject
I follow a Functional Medicine approach. Functional Medicine looks at the body as a whole, seeking to find the root cause of dis-ease in the body. Systemic anatomy is therefore interesting to me. A common conversation I have with new clients is how strengthening the smaller muscles around a larger muscle injury is an effective rehabilitation strategy.
Other connections I'd like to show my clients:
💡 Lymph drainage cycle
💡 Skeletal system > "stack and relax" + core strengthening
💡 Breath > intercostal muscles between ribs
💡 Stretching > agonist / antagonist muscle groups
💡 Electromagnetic field of the heart
Work experience | skills
20 + yrs massage therapist + 25 hrs continuing education - 2023
Yoga Teacher Training - 2012
ILWU Chiropractic Clinics: busy weekly schedule for eight years; addressing chronic pain; repetitive motion issues; teaching one-on-one yoga for rehab.
Book research→bioelectromagnetic field of body→subtle body
Group Fitness Instructor training - currently
Future career plans
> continue bodywork practice and fitness instruction at Functional Feats.
> write and illustrate more books in Chakra Odyssey series.
At the core of all my work is a desire to empower individuals to recognize their personal sovereignty and our collective power.
> Ph.D studies -- maybe a multidisciplinary degree to explore:
-- owning our mental and physical health
-- cultivating a garden planet
-- designing harmonious dwellings
Why study in Uk?
Food. I welcome access to food that is less influenced by the U.S. #BigFood corporations.
My personal heritage journey. My family tree on both sides show relatives from areas around Glasgow and Aberdeen.
English
American English is my only language.