Santa Cruz Biomechanics

"This review has been in the works for a long time, and I owe it to Jessa to share how grateful I am for my experience working with her since January 2024. I started FP at six weeks postpartum with my second child. I came in with lower back pain, head and neck stiffness, and plantar fasciitis. That's the short list. After doing FP for 7 months I have come to learn so much about my body's unique dysfunctions as a result of doing activities that cause more harm than good. I have recognized that my extreme flexibility (now re-branded as hyper mobility) and posterior chain weaknesses in my glutes, hamstrings, calves, upper back, are mostly to blame for my pain. That, coupled with stress-related tightness throughout key muscle groups, and also somewhat poor/lazy eating habits has led to years of discomfort. I continue to learn about my body's movements, the brain/gut connection, and about the consequences of some of my lifestyle choices. I love working with Jessa because she never passes any judgement on me, but rather re-directs me back to my goals and explains how activities like excessive cycling, wearing improper footwear or consuming certain foods will set me back and prevent further progress. I appreciate each session I have with Jessa because it's not only a time for me to put in the work, but it's also my brain and body's way of re-connecting and healing. I can really step away from work and the craziness of motherhood to pay attention to just myself. The studio is a calm environment and Jessa's gentle way of guiding me through movements is therapeutic. It also helps that Jessa is so down-to-earth and really understanding when life gets in the way of our weekly sessions. She is super responsive and willing to re-schedule if work/parenting/illnesses come about. Outside of the studio, Jessa works behind the scenes to manage my own digital folder of images, session videos, and training logs to document my progress and give me additional resources to use at home. As a visual learner, I find so much value in having this available to me 24/7. It also gives me confidence to replicate movements at home and bring back my skills to the next session. If you are considering FP, I highly recommend working with Jessa or Gio. Trust me, your mind/body will thank you for many years to come."

"This place is very unique. I am very lucky I found Jessalyn. She is very professional and dedicated to getting results. I have found her sessions are very efficient and she is very patient with any misunderstandings and mistakes I have. She has a gentle but strong approach. I have been working with her for one year and a half and am very impressed by her knowledge about the subject and her strong will to help. I am having a lot of improvements in my posture and gait cycle. I definitely recommend this place to everyone!"

"I was suffering from years of constant neck and upper back discomfort that chiropractic care only temporarily relieved. After researching “Functional Patterns” and the results people were experiencing, I decided to give Jessa a call. To my surprise, after just a few visits I noticed relief and visible progress. After 4 months working with Jessa, I’m thankful everyday that I decided to make that call. Jessa guides with a calming energy and an approach that is patient and supportive. Santa Cruz is lucky to have Jessa and her dedication to helping people feel and move better."

"I met Giovanni in 2022, he did a massage for me and it was unlike any massage I had ever had. We clicked, we talked and I was interested in his approach to health and wellness. We started our journey together and we are going on our third year. I have had weight problems for decades, self esteem issues and chronic pain. I am in my 50’s and wanted to take a leap of faith with Giovanni. Giovanni is gentle, understanding and has a wealth of information. He helped me figure out the foods I needed to eliminate to help with inflammation. I feel like some of our weekly work outs were like a therapy session. Giovanni put up with all my break downs and resistance. I didn’t know anything about Myofascial release, and functional patterns. I have about 15 pounds left to reach my goal and I will have lost 50 pounds. It was a slow process but I feel it’s the way I needed to go. I can’t imagine doing this any other way or with anyone else. I would recommend Giovanni and his wife at Santa Cruz biometrics. I’m so glad I started this journey with them and I’m forever grateful."

"I have been working with Giovanni for three years. The changes in my body from then to now are remarkable. Gio was referred to me by a friend who thought his approach might help my chronic lower back and hip pain. When we started, I didn’t know anything about myofascial release or Functional Patterns. During our first meeting, Gio asked me to trust in the work we were about to embark on. I did, and as a result, Gio has evolved my understanding of what it means to be fit. As my trainer, he thinks critically and thoughtfully about what is going to work for my unique biomechanics and life history. He is committed to continuing his own growth and is an endless well of ideas, variations in movement and information on health, fitness, and anatomy. He doesn’t push gratuitously or judge. It is a gentle approach, but has been the catalyst I needed to push myself harder because I see and feel changes in my own body. In my opinion, this is the best was to make significant, sustainable, long-term change because (in my 50s!) I love how my body is connecting and I want to keep progressing. Most importantly, I am not in constant pain anymore and on the rare occasions when I am, Gio has given me tools and skills to get myself back on track. Other important qualities: the Santa Cruz Biomechanic's space is well appointed with high quality equipment, and the space is well maintained and pristine. Gio is a good communicator (reliably answers texts, phone calls), always remembers where you are at, and is smart, dependable, punctual, easy going, and professional. If you are lucky enough to work with Gio long-term be prepared to be challenged, supported, work hard, and to just enjoy hanging out. I highly recommend Santa Cruz Biomechanics and Gio!"