DR. ROBERT TSAI | PT, DPT
OWNER, DOCTOR OF PHYSICAL THERAPY
Originally from Taipei, Taiwan, Rob received his undergraduate degrees in Communication Theory, Dance Performance, and his Doctorate in Physical Therapy from Chapman University In Orange, CA.
As a lover of movement, Rob’s entrance into dance began with breakin’ and hip-hop culture and eventually led to studying classical modern dance techniques. Rob danced professionally in the Los Angeles commercial industry for 8 years prior to pursuing physical therapy.
Rob is passionate about creating environments and learning opportunities for dancers to explore their physical capabilities. DANCE|PREHAB supports the local dance community across all age ranges from youth, adolescent, collegiate, and adult movers via physical therapy, strength and conditioning, and injury risk reduction education.
Rob also seeks to build up the next generation of physical therapists, and serves as a Kinesiological Motional Analysis Lab Assistant Lecturer at Chapman University's Department of Physical Therapy.
EMAIL: ROB@DANCEPREHAB.COM
INSTAGRAM: @ROBTSAIDPT
WEBSITE: WWW.ROB-TSAI.COM
DR. CLAIRE SPIVAK | PT, DPT
DOCTOR OF PHYSICAL THERAPY
Claire’s love for movement and desire to pursue physical therapy was shaped by her dance background. While navigating various injuries of her own, Claire realized the strong need to advance the standard of care for artist-athletes.
Originally from the San Francisco Bay Area, Claire’s dance training began at Professional Ballet School/Young Artists’ Ballet Theatre where she danced pre-professionally and attended summer intensives at Kirov Academy of Ballet, American Ballet Theatre, and Ballet West.
Claire continued her dance training at California State University Long Beach and graduated with a B.S. in Kinesiology, with an emphasis in Exercise Science. She then went on to earn her Doctorate in Physical Therapy at Chapman University, graduating with honors. Throughout her clinical rotations, Claire gained experience in working with a diverse patient population and has had the rewarding privilege of treating dancers and performing artists.
Claire aims to foster a collaborative and exploratory space where artist-athletes are supported, challenged, and empowered. She is passionate about providing individualized, goal-centered care to enhance performance and longevity in the studio, on stage, and beyond.
Aside from dance medicine, Claire’s other clinical interests include pelvic health, vestibular rehab, and mindfulness-based interventions. Claire is extremely excited and honored to join the DANCE|PREHAB team! "
EMAIL: CLAIRE@DANCEPREHAB.COM
INSTAGRAM: @CLAIRESPIVAKDPT
LANI YAMANAKA | BFA, CPT
DANCE|PREHAB WORKSHOP ASSISTANT
CERTIFIED PERSONAL TRAINER
Lani Yamanaka is a San Diego native. As a young athlete, her training focused on versatility and discipline. She competed in Dance at Carlsbad Dance Centre and Judo under her father and sensei with San Shi Judo Club. Lani continued her movement research at UC Irvine, where she graduated with BFAs in Dance Performance and Choreography. While graduating, she launched into the professional dance world as an ensemble member in PEARL, a multimedia production based on the life and contributions of Pearl S. Buck, directed and choreographed by Daniel Ezralow. Lani has danced professionally with Akram Khan, Entity Contemporary Dance, ODC/Dance, Kambara+, SF Danceworks, and as Dance Captain for Dragon Spring Phoenix Rise, an off-broadway production for The Shed NYC.
She is featured in the Netflix doc-series MOVE, highlighting her time with Akram Khan Company in Dhaka, Bangladesh, directly before the world lockdown. In 2020, Lani co-created, directed, and danced in Blank State, a dance film born from the loss of creative spaces to gather in person. Therefore, collaborators Lani Yamanaka and Megumi Iwama made their own on-screen. Blank State was selected for screening at Door Kinetic Arts Festival.
Lani is a NASM Certified Personal Trainer. She has taught worldwide, exploring dance as a medium of human communication and connection, and aims to deepen the artistry and education of upcoming generations.
CINDY LOPEZ
CLIENT CARE COORDINATOR
Cindy has been dancing for over 15 years in all genres of dance from ballet, modern, contemporary, hip-hop, African, house, salsa, and folklorico. She started as a gymnast in high school and later found a deep passion for dance in Jr. College. She graduated from CSULB with a B.A. in Dance Science in May of 2022 and is currently applying for her Master's in Athletic Training.
Cindy hopes to continue to pursue working and educating artists-athletes in a clinical setting. She hopes to continue building bridges for all artist-athletes to be able to feel supported and nourished while gaining a healthy mindset and relationship with dance and performing arts.
