themonkeybody in 60 seconds

Client stories

“Drew has completely changed my movement practice and helped me effectively manage chronic neck pain.  I am a Pilates and Gyrotonic teacher and long-time yogini, and I have studied with  master instructors across the country.  Drew is among those masters—he is a teacher for teachers AND a teacher for students brand new to mindful movement.  themonkeybody™ is a beautifully simple system and an accessible approach to guide our bodies towards natural (primal) movement patterns.  The primal spiral guiding principles encourage exercise with ease. Drew's teaching methods can be learned at-home and applied to ANY movement discipline or rehabilitative goal.  I have worked with Drew 2-3 times a week for five years and every single session has been wonderful.  He is incredibly thoughtful, innovative and creative.  I look forward to every time I get to workout with Drew, and I take away something new each lesson.”

—Cathy F., Pilates and Gyrotonic instructor, Boston

“If you’re reading this, don’t wait to schedule an appointment with Drew! You will wish you found him sooner!

For over 20 years, I have tried assorted combinations of just about every type of bodywork I could find. Besides needing routine body maintenance, I have chronic issues from playing the violin. What Drew does is difficult to describe, but, suffice it to say, after a session I feel like I’ve been to a massage therapist, acupuncturist, physical therapist, and Pilates instructor (not necessarily in that order) all-in-one.

The true test has been during the COVID crisis. With only a session every other week by Zoom, in spite of a seriously non-ergonomic set-up working from home (i.e., all of my problem areas should be greatly exacerbated!), I am continuing to improve. This speaks to how incredibly skilled and intuitive Drew is—that he can still accomplish his magic without a hands-on session. If you play an instrument, then it becomes a two-for-one session, as you will make strides with your instrument at the same time, since Drew naturally weaves this into the process as well.

I feel better than I did 20 years ago!”

—Alexandra G., Clinical Research Coordinator, Boston

“Moving to Boston for a year with my husband was something I had been quite nervous about. Besides leaving my friends and family, I had a network of healthcare providers helping me navigate my orthopedic issues. Nothing was working, particularly, but my practitioners and their modalities were all I knew. After three hip surgeries and a spine surgery, I relied on their wisdom and their care plans to keep me as high functioning as possible.

Shortly after arriving here in Boston, I was given the name of Drew Ricciardi. Never had I imagined that I would be introduced to an entirely new way of approaching movement and rehabilitation. His method is revolutionary yet based on classic fundamentals. His method affects real, lasting change to the way I move. Patterns that I thought were permanent, lasting side effects of surgery are changing allowing me to move and walk with and ease and grace that I never thought again would be available to me.

“Drew’s knowledge and enthusiasm for helping me achieve my goals and become pain free rival any orthopedist or physical therapist I have ever worked with. His understanding of the human body and the way it is designed to move in space is exceptional. His curiosity and diligence, his willingness stay with a problem and follow it through to resolution is something I have never before experienced. He is kind, patient and compassionate and I will be forever indebted to him for giving me my life back.”

—Christine M., Registered Nurse, San Francisco

“Drew Ricciardi has guided me to integrate my playing into my whole body. I feel like I am floating in my legs, the air flows out creating an exciting resonant sound that is both expressive and flexible!  My fingers, hands and arms are more comfortable allowing me to access reliable technique.”

—Vanessa M., Body Mapping Instructor and Longy School of Music Flute Faculty 

“You have changed my life, my career…I would not be who I am as a person and an musician without your mentorship and your healing [and the] wealth of knowledge you have given me.”

—Elias M., Oboist, Bloomington