HEALING THROUGH DANCE
Visual Storytelling Director
Now a licensed physiotherapist, dance educator, and creator of the Adapt Method, Susi uses her own experience to help dancers not only recover but train more intelligently. Her method—now implemented at Madrid’s 180 Dance School and other conservatories—prioritizes biomechanics, injury prevention, and sustainable performance practices.
Through compelling visuals and candid storytelling, this profile documents Susi's evolution from injured dancer to transformative teacher, spotlighting her roles as a physiotherapist, movement innovator, and SLU-Madrid dance instructor.
Her work is not only about mending bodies—it’s about redefining the culture of dance education to center wellness, longevity, and self-awareness. Whether treating dancers on the physio table or leading Latin ballroom classes in heels, Susi proves that healing and passion don’t cancel each other out—they move in rhythm.
Her work is not only about mending bodies—it’s about redefining the culture of dance education to center wellness, longevity, and self-awareness. Whether treating dancers on the physio table or leading Latin ballroom classes in heels, Susi proves that healing and passion don’t cancel each other out—they move in rhythm.
Photo Series Story
At 16, Susi’s dance career was already at a pre-professional level, but by 19, a back injury forced her to take a step back—not to stop, but to take it easy and focus on recuperation. What began as a temporary adjustment soon led her down an unexpected path, as she decided to use her recovery time to pursue a career in physiotherapy.
This is María Jesús Peces Barba, or Susi as most know her. A mother, a wife, a teacher, a manager, and a healer, Susi wears many hats, balancing her personal and professional life with dedication and passion. Her demanding nature drives those around her to push their limits. Yet, her care and support make it clear that every challenge comes from a place of genuine concern and a desire to help others grow.
Susi’s hands work carefully to heal a dancer’s injured knee, a reflection of her own journey through recovery. Having experienced the physical challenges of being a dancer firsthand, she understands the importance of rehabilitation. Her own path of recovery inspired her to take matters into her own hands, now guiding young dancers through the same healing process she once underwent.
Susi’s work goes beyond just massages and exercises. She forms real connections with each of her dancers, guiding them not only through recovery but also throughout their dance journey. Whether helping them refine a difficult move or offering alternative techniques to overcome challenges in choreography, Susi’s personalized approach empowers her dancers to move with confidence and care.
Photo Story Series Continued...
During the pandemic, as Susi was already well-established in the physiotherapy world, she recognized the need to do more for dancers. She began by training dance teachers on how to properly care for their bodies, leading to the creation of the Adapt Method—a holistic system that integrates dance technique with body-conscious training. Now, working alongside a dedicated team, Susi collaborates to refine and expand the method to serve dancers at all levels.
“There was a need for this kind of physical training to be implemented in dance academies,” Susi recognized. This realization led her to propose the Adapt Method to a dance school called “180” in Madrid, where it is now offered as a class. The Adapt Method has since spread to conservatories and dance schools across the city, empowering dancers to work more effectively. In this class, students perform exercises designed to improve key technical skills—such as alignment, jumps, and balance—while also enhancing physical capacities like agility and speed.
As dancers continue to explore the Adapt Method, Susi emphasizes the importance of self-awareness and body acceptance. “We don’t just teach them about how to prepare their body physically but also make them aware and accept their limits, all to reach their full potential,” she says. By integrating self-care practices—such as proper warm-ups, recovery routines, and pain management strategies—dancers are encouraged to listen to their bodies and recognize their individual limits. The method promotes a balanced approach to training, where the focus is not just on pushing physical boundaries but on understanding and respecting the body’s needs to maximize performance and prevent injury.
After her back injury forced her to take a break from classical dance, Susi turned to Latin and ballroom dancing as a gentler alternative to stay connected to movement. This is when SLU Madrid came into the picture.“At 25, while my physiotherapy career was just beginning, students from SLU loved my classes so much that they opened a new course,” she shares. In this photo, Susi is assessing her students who were tasked with choreographing a small piece.
"I’ve also done so many things at the same time," Susi reflects, speaking about the balancing act that is her life. What began as a side job to support her career quickly became a central part of her life, merging her passion for dance with her growing expertise in physiotherapy. These two paths, once separate, began to complement and enrich each other. For 2 days out of the week, Susi takes off her black scrubs to replace with heels.
Susi in Element
“I didn’t have to think about leaving dance or teaching; it was just that the two things coincided at the same time,” Susi explains. Her love for both teaching dance and practicing physiotherapy has never wavered. "I can’t leave anything because I love everything." Her journey is a testament to the power of following multiple passions, each feeding into the other, creating a life filled with purpose, movement, and care.
- Top Communication Student – SLU-Madrid (Class of 2025)
- "El Madrileño Way" Photojournalism Exhibition – 4 Selected Works
(2025)
- Dean’s List – SLU-Madrid (2021–2025)
- Published in Madrid Metropolitan
(2024 The Madrid Blackout)
- Head of Photography - Start Studios Madrid
(2025-Present)
Saint Louis University – Madrid Campus
Bachelor of Arts in Communication
Graduated: May 2025
laracmitchell03@gmail.com
+34624427600
@larascamerajourney
LinkedIn: Lara Mitchell Guirao
Lara Mitchell Guirao 2025