Aerial artist's path leads to Mt. Airy healing space

Posted 1/23/25

When a devastating shoulder injury ended Kaitlin Frady's career as an aerial circus performer, it opened an unexpected path to healing - both for herself and others. Today, she brings that journey full circle at Root & Branch Bodywork, Mt. Airy's newest wellness center, which opened Jan. 2 at 6618 Germantown Ave.

"I had a really bad shoulder injury while performing," Frady said, describing her time as an aerial artist in New Orleans. "That made me want to learn everything I could about sports medicine. I learned that Harcum College in Bryn Mawr had a great program in physical therapy. …

This item is available in full to subscribers.

You can also purchase this individual item for $1.50

Please log in to continue

Log in

Aerial artist's path leads to Mt. Airy healing space

Posted

When a devastating shoulder injury ended Kaitlin Frady's career as an aerial circus performer, it opened an unexpected path to healing - both for herself and others. Today, she brings that journey full circle at Root & Branch Bodywork, Mt. Airy's newest wellness center, which opened Jan. 2 at 6618 Germantown Ave.

"I had a really bad shoulder injury while performing," Frady said, describing her time as an aerial artist in New Orleans. "That made me want to learn everything I could about sports medicine. I learned that Harcum College in Bryn Mawr had a great program in physical therapy. That's what brought me to the Philadelphia area in 2018."

Before becoming a bodywork practitioner, Frady trained as a circus artist-athlete at the New England Center for Circus Arts for three years. She performed on short-term contracts at festivals, doing aerial art, contortions and handstands. Her experience with performance-related injuries inspired her to study sports massage and physical therapy.

Her path to circus arts began after college. With degrees in psychology and cultural anthropology from Evergreen State College in Olympia, Washington, Frady worked and studied in Hawaii, then helped open a circus school in Turkey in 2014, sponsored by the U.S. Embassy. "There were many refugees from wars in Syria and Afghanistan," she said. "Local artists were helping kids from those wars with circus therapy."

Now, as a licensed massage therapist, licensed physical therapy assistant (PTA) and certified strength and conditioning specialist, Frady brings this diverse background to her practice. She offers specialized care for performing artists, recovery and mobility optimization for athletes, treatment for various kinds of pain, post-concussion care, and movement programs for neurodivergent clients. She also coaches at the Philadelphia School of Circus Arts in Mt. Airy.

The new space, located in a historic building renovated in 2005 by Mt. Airy Community Development Corporation (CDC), marks an expansion from her previous two-year operation in a third-floor walkup on Walnut Lane in Germantown. The current location features a handicapped-accessible entrance ramp and sits among small business neighbors like Downtime Bakery and Pax Flora Goods.

"My approach to bodywork is informed by my background in movement and physical therapy," she said. "I am passionate about helping clients prevent and treat injuries, address postural imbalances and find greater ease of movement within their own bodies. My practice is trauma-informed, queer and trans-affirming and celebrates neurodiversity."

Ironically, Frady grew up around bodywork but never expected to enter the field. "My mom and stepdad had a bodywork business when I was growing up in Albuquerque, New Mexico," she said, "and I was surrounded by it every day, but I never thought I would get into it myself."

The space also hosts Noah Julian, a yoga teacher and strength training coach, and Adam Woolley, an aerial coach, circus coach and flexibility trainer. Frady says she's been pleasantly surprised by client response through Instagram and Facebook, both for individual sessions and group classes.

"People I know in Center City think I'm crazy for living up here in Mt. Airy," she said, "but I love the lazy coffee house culture, the access to public transportation, especially since I have no car, bike riding and accessibility to Wissahickon Park. It's a great place to walk also."

Frady spends much of her spare time with her rescue dog, a "pandemic pup" named Pica, 4, who was flown here from Qatar as part of the National Greyhound Adoption Program. The name Root and Branch comes from Frady's being inspired by the resilience of trees.

"So far things are great," she said. "People look in the window and see the gym equipment and come in to inquire. My grandmom's aloe plants are in the front window. They are older than I am."

For more information, visit rootandbranchbodywork.com or call 267-225-5156. Len Lear can be reached at lenlear@chestnuthilllocal.com

For more information, visit rootandbranchbodywork.com or call 267-225-5156. Len Lear can be reached at lenlear@chestnuthilllocal.com