Movement and nervous system care designed for hypermobility, EDS, chronic pain, and the conditions that come with them. Built on 35+ years of clinical experience — and the lived understanding of someone who gets it.
Designed for: Hypermobility • EDS • HSD • POTS • MCAS • Chronic Pain • Osteoporosis
I see you. I believe you. And I've spent 35 years developing an approach that starts exactly where you need it to — with safety, with gentleness, with respect for everything your body has been through.
Most programs skip straight to strengthening. That doesn't work for hypermobile bodies. Here's what does — always in this order.
Whether you're looking for community-based classes or individualized care, there's a path here for you.
A progressive 6-class movement and nervous system care series. Start with breath and safety, build toward stability and integration. Live online, recorded, and designed for sensitive systems.
See the full seriesOne-on-one movement therapy tailored to your specific needs, conditions, and goals. Physical therapy, Pilates, biofeedback, and nervous system care — personalized for your body.
Book a sessionA guided meditation combining slow breathing, progressive body release, and illuminated awareness. A standalone nervous system regulation practice you can use anywhere. Free to download.
Get the free guideI've been a physical therapist since 1990. I started integrating Pilates in 1992, biofeedback shortly after, and have spent the last three decades specializing in hypermobility, chronic pain, and nervous system regulation — long before those became buzzwords.
I also have hypermobility myself. So when I say I understand what it feels like to be dismissed by the medical system, to wonder if anyone will ever take your pain seriously — I mean it.
The LUMINA Collective is my life's work coming to life — community-based care where invisible illnesses finally shine bright. Six years in the making, and it's here.
Dr. Anna McConville, DPT, PT, CHC, PNE
Doctor of Physical Therapy · Certified Health Coach · Pain Neuroscience Education
Pilates since 1992 · Biofeedback Specialist · Founder, The LUMINA Collective
Each class builds on the last. We start lying down with full support and end standing in your daily life. No rushing. No skipping ahead.
Building awareness of breath patterns. Creating a parasympathetic shift. Your nervous system learns it's safe to settle.
Unwinding protective tension patterns through restorative movement. Giving your body permission to let go without collapsing.
Rebuilding proprioception — the ability to feel where you are in space. Slow, mindful movement with tactile feedback.
Discovering the difference between false stability (gripping) and true stability — deep postural muscles working with breath.
Moving from supine to standing. Building your relationship with gravity through weight shifting and center-of-mass awareness.
Everything integrates. Breath, awareness, stability, and balance woven into the functional movements you use every day.
"For the first time in years, I felt safe in my own body. Dr. Anna didn't just teach me exercises — she taught me how to trust my body again."— Patient with hEDS, 3 years of care
"I've been to dozens of physical therapists. Anna is the only one who understood that my body needed safety before strength. It changed everything."— Chronic pain patient, Minneapolis
"The breath work alone has reduced my pain more than years of traditional PT. I wish I'd found this approach decades ago."— Patient with HSD and POTS
Yes, and here's why: each class builds on the nervous system and body awareness work from the one before. Jumping to stability without first establishing safety and breath awareness is like building a house without a foundation. The order is the method.
Absolutely. This series was specifically designed for hypermobile bodies. We start lying down with full support, avoid end-range stretching, and never push into pain. The entire approach is built around creating safety. If you have specific concerns, I'm always happy to chat before you begin.
Yes. The series begins entirely supine and progresses to standing very gradually. We follow the "go low, go slow" principle — honoring your nervous system at every transition. If you need to stay supine longer, that's perfectly okay.
That's exactly why this approach is different. Traditional programs often skip nervous system work and jump straight to strengthening. For sensitive bodies, that creates more pain, more guarding, more frustration. We start with breath and awareness — no performance pressure. Your body sets the pace.
A mat, some pillows or bolsters for support, and a blanket for warmth. As the series progresses, we introduce small soft balls and light resistance bands. Nothing expensive — comfort and support are the priority.
The LUMINA Method is informed by Pilates, but it's not a Pilates class. It integrates physical therapy, pain neuroscience education, biofeedback, and somatic practices. The biggest difference: we prioritize your nervous system over your muscles. We build awareness before movement, safety before strength. It's a clinical approach wrapped in a compassionate, community-based experience.
Yes — and I encourage it. The LUMINA Series complements other therapies beautifully. Many participants are also seeing physical therapists, pain specialists, or other practitioners. The nervous system and breath work supports everything else you're doing.
Whether you start with the LUMINA Series, book a private session, or download the free Illuminate Technique — the first step is choosing to care for your body in a way that actually makes sense.
Questions? Reach out anytime — dranna@annamcconville.com · 612-324-8826