Sara Lawson, Clinic Director/Physiotherapist
Sara has been involved in the dance community since childhood. She has trained at a variety of dance studios across Saskatchewan completing full examination syllabi in Ballet through the Royal Academy of Dance (RAD), as well as in Tap and Jazz through the Canadian Dance Teachers’ Association (CDTA) and Associated Dance Arts for Professional Teachers (ADAPT). During her training, Sara had the privilege of performing across Canada, the United States and Brazil. She had a brief opportunity to professionally dance with City Centre Dance Company in contemporary dance.
Following her dance training, Sara had decided to continue with dance teacher training. She is currently a Registered Ballet Teacher with the RAD, Associate of the RAD, Tutor for the CBTS Teacher Training program with the RAD, Member of the CDTA Stage Division (Jazz), Associate Member of the CDTA Modern and Ballet Divisions, Certified Acrobatic Arts Instructor, Certified Yoga Instructor through Namaskar Yoga (Yoga Alliance) and Certified in Total Barre (Merrithew). She has now taught and adjudicated ballet, tap, jazz, acrobatics, musical theatre, contemporary jazz, and lyrical jazz over the past 20 years at a variety of studios across Saskatchewan and Alberta.
Sara’s passion for dance has also been a part of her career pursuits. Sara has completed a Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Science, and Master of Physical Therapy along with numerous post-graduate courses and certifications to advance her training. Sara can provide Biomedical Dry Needling, Acupuncture, K-Taping, Orthopedic Manual Therapy, Graston Technique, Lymphatic Work, and Kinstretch and Functional Anatomy (FRCms, FR Spine) specific treatment sessions. Sara has worked in a variety of areas of Physical Therapy including: inpatient orthopedics, chronic pain, sports physiotherapy, post-surgical orthopedics, and general private practice. Most recently, Sara had worked with pre-professional and professional dancers. Sara has worked as the Lead Physiotherapist for the Alberta Ballet Company and Alberta Ballet School. During her Physiotherapist work, Sara has also had the opportunity to work with dancers and performers from many companies such as Travis Wall’s Shaping Sound, MOMIX, Tango Fire, the Royal Ballet, Ivanochko et cie, Le Ballets Jazz de Montreal, and Pilobolus Dance Companies. She is the current Physiotherapist for the Saskatchewan Roughrider - Cheer Team providing medical coverage and care for the team on and off game days.
Sara was also involved in research studies for the University of Calgary on Injury Prevention for Dancers, as well as providing lectures on safe dance practice and injury prevention throughout Alberta and Saskatchewan. Sara volunteers and works as a Member and Chair of the Saskatchewan College of Physical Therapists Governance and Nominations Committee. Sara has been able to continue to promote safe dance practice as a former Board of Director for Healthy Dancer Canada as well as acting as the Director and Empower Movement Studio workshops and educational programming. Empower Movement Studio and Education focuses on the essential education needed for dancers to stay healthy and injury free while also being inspired by learning from professional dance artists.
Sara is the Clinic Director of Empower Physiotherapy and strives to "empower" others toward improving their health and well being through education and movement.
Following her dance training, Sara had decided to continue with dance teacher training. She is currently a Registered Ballet Teacher with the RAD, Associate of the RAD, Tutor for the CBTS Teacher Training program with the RAD, Member of the CDTA Stage Division (Jazz), Associate Member of the CDTA Modern and Ballet Divisions, Certified Acrobatic Arts Instructor, Certified Yoga Instructor through Namaskar Yoga (Yoga Alliance) and Certified in Total Barre (Merrithew). She has now taught and adjudicated ballet, tap, jazz, acrobatics, musical theatre, contemporary jazz, and lyrical jazz over the past 20 years at a variety of studios across Saskatchewan and Alberta.
Sara’s passion for dance has also been a part of her career pursuits. Sara has completed a Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Science, and Master of Physical Therapy along with numerous post-graduate courses and certifications to advance her training. Sara can provide Biomedical Dry Needling, Acupuncture, K-Taping, Orthopedic Manual Therapy, Graston Technique, Lymphatic Work, and Kinstretch and Functional Anatomy (FRCms, FR Spine) specific treatment sessions. Sara has worked in a variety of areas of Physical Therapy including: inpatient orthopedics, chronic pain, sports physiotherapy, post-surgical orthopedics, and general private practice. Most recently, Sara had worked with pre-professional and professional dancers. Sara has worked as the Lead Physiotherapist for the Alberta Ballet Company and Alberta Ballet School. During her Physiotherapist work, Sara has also had the opportunity to work with dancers and performers from many companies such as Travis Wall’s Shaping Sound, MOMIX, Tango Fire, the Royal Ballet, Ivanochko et cie, Le Ballets Jazz de Montreal, and Pilobolus Dance Companies. She is the current Physiotherapist for the Saskatchewan Roughrider - Cheer Team providing medical coverage and care for the team on and off game days.
Sara was also involved in research studies for the University of Calgary on Injury Prevention for Dancers, as well as providing lectures on safe dance practice and injury prevention throughout Alberta and Saskatchewan. Sara volunteers and works as a Member and Chair of the Saskatchewan College of Physical Therapists Governance and Nominations Committee. Sara has been able to continue to promote safe dance practice as a former Board of Director for Healthy Dancer Canada as well as acting as the Director and Empower Movement Studio workshops and educational programming. Empower Movement Studio and Education focuses on the essential education needed for dancers to stay healthy and injury free while also being inspired by learning from professional dance artists.
Sara is the Clinic Director of Empower Physiotherapy and strives to "empower" others toward improving their health and well being through education and movement.
Makenna Weir, Physiotherapist Res.
Makenna is passionate about cross-country skiing, running, hiking, and weightlifting. She has an extensive background in the Regina/Lumsden biathlon community, where she both competed for many years, and coached. Makenna recently earned her Masters of Science in Physical Therapy
from Queen’s University after completing her Bachelor's of Kinesiology in Human Kinetics with Great Distinction at the University of Regina.
During her time doing clinical placements at Queen’s University, Makenna gained valuable experience in private practice, acute care cardiology, neurology, and various musculoskeletal conditions in rehabilitation settings. Makenna also was able to complete one of her clinical placements abroad
in India where she worked mainly with those who have had a spinal cord injury or stroke. She has experience working as a Kinesiologist and in administrative roles for boutique physiotherapy clinics and fitness facilities.
Makenna has interests in a very diverse clientele but has a specific interest in aging individuals, women's health, running injuries, and workplace injuries. She's excited to return to Empower Physiotherapy, where she previously worked as a clinic assistant during her undergraduate studies.
Makenna is dedicated to client-centered care, personalized programs, and firmly believes that exercise is medicine.
from Queen’s University after completing her Bachelor's of Kinesiology in Human Kinetics with Great Distinction at the University of Regina.
During her time doing clinical placements at Queen’s University, Makenna gained valuable experience in private practice, acute care cardiology, neurology, and various musculoskeletal conditions in rehabilitation settings. Makenna also was able to complete one of her clinical placements abroad
in India where she worked mainly with those who have had a spinal cord injury or stroke. She has experience working as a Kinesiologist and in administrative roles for boutique physiotherapy clinics and fitness facilities.
Makenna has interests in a very diverse clientele but has a specific interest in aging individuals, women's health, running injuries, and workplace injuries. She's excited to return to Empower Physiotherapy, where she previously worked as a clinic assistant during her undergraduate studies.
Makenna is dedicated to client-centered care, personalized programs, and firmly believes that exercise is medicine.
Raeleen Kirkpatrick, Locum/Coverage Physiotherapist
Raeleen is a very experienced Physiotherapist working most of her career in the Regina area. She has worked extensively with both private and insured clients. She has a well-rounded post graduate education, including courses in Manual Therapy, Acupuncture, Vestibular rehabilitation, Biomedical Dry Needling, Yoga Therapy and Pain Science.
Raeleen will be only joining us as a coverage/locum Physiotherapist to assist in managing our busy caseload and increasing appointment availability when needed in our schedules.
Raeleen will be only joining us as a coverage/locum Physiotherapist to assist in managing our busy caseload and increasing appointment availability when needed in our schedules.
Dallas Duffus, Administrative Assistant
Dallas has a Certificate in Business Administration along with multiple courses and classes in a variety of disciplines. She has 35 years of financial and administrative experience in diverse settings including corporate community investment, the federal and provincial governments, an advertising agency, a registered charity and a variety of volunteer positions.
Dallas loves to spend time in her garden or at the community theatre. She is very involved with Regina Little Theatre productions.
You can find Dallas at our front desk, Mondays/Wednesdays 9:30-1:30pm and Tuesdays/Thursdays 11:30-3:30pm for any assistance you may need with scheduling an appointment or managing your account.
Dallas loves to spend time in her garden or at the community theatre. She is very involved with Regina Little Theatre productions.
You can find Dallas at our front desk, Mondays/Wednesdays 9:30-1:30pm and Tuesdays/Thursdays 11:30-3:30pm for any assistance you may need with scheduling an appointment or managing your account.