Brunella Lucchi
Meet Brunella Lucchi
Brunella Lucchi, originally from Italy, has built an impressive career in manual therapy, driven by her passion for helping clients overcome pain and restore balance. After studying foreign languages and literature at the University of Bologna, Brunella’s pursuit of knowledge led her to the United States in 1991, where she discovered her passion for manual therapy and soft tissue treatments.
Brunella graduated from the prestigious Swedish Institute in New York City in 1995, beginning her journey as a Massage Therapist. Her dedication to understanding the human body and relieving pain led her to study under Paul St. John, the founder of Neurosomatic Therapy and an expert in soft tissue therapy. Under Paul’s guidance, Brunella honed her skills in Structural Therapy, specializing in treating chronic pain and correcting postural imbalances at their source.
In 2002, Brunella moved to Clearwater, FL, at Paul St. John’s invitation, where she worked alongside his team for 20 years, deepening her expertise in Structural Therapy. Her ability to address pain and dysfunction through precise manual techniques has earned her a reputation as a skilled practitioner who provides long-lasting results.
At Body Center St. Pete, Brunella integrates her deep knowledge of Structural Therapy with a wide array of therapies, including myofascial release, which she uses to address fascial restrictions and improve tissue mobility. This technique, combined with manual therapy, helps release tension and restore proper movement patterns, providing clients with effective relief from pain and discomfort.
In recent years, Brunella has also embraced Spiral Theory, an innovative method developed by Shila Tirabassi LaGrua, the founder of Body Center St. Pete, focusing on correcting body misalignments through joint and fascial assessments. By incorporating Spiral Theory and functional movement into her sessions, Brunella addresses misalignments and helps clients improve posture and balance.
While Structural Therapy is at the core of her treatments, Brunella also incorporates massage techniques to enhance her holistic approach. Her specialties include Cranial Release Technique, Lymphatic Drainage, Active Isolated Stretching, and John Barnes Myofascial Release Therapy—a gentle yet powerful approach that treats myofascial pain and dysfunction. Her comprehensive understanding of the body’s structural needs allows her to create personalized treatment plans that support long-term wellness.
Brunella’s commitment to continuous learning extends beyond Structural Therapy. She has received training in Oov, Reiki, and the Reembody Method, ensuring that her clients receive the most up-to-date and effective care possible.
At Body Center St. Pete, Brunella offers individualized treatments designed to correct postural issues, relieve pain, and improve overall body function. Her integrated approach, combining Structural Therapy, Myofascial Release, and massage, provides clients with the tools they need to live healthier, more balanced lives.
Get to Know the The Body Center St. Pete Team
Shila Tirabassi LaGrua
Shila’s journey into the healing arts began with a deep passion for movement as an internationally touring professional modern dancer. A graduate of the Juilliard School in NYC, Shila had the privilege of performing and directing with renowned companies and choreographers, including Merce Cunningham, Lar Lubovitch, Martha Graham, Robert Battle, and Stephen Petronio.
Delfina Bonilla-Lopez
Delfina Bonilla-Lopez, LMT, CNS, RYT-200, YTU, CPT, is a passionate bodywork specialist and dedicated advocate for the body’s innate capacity for restoration. With a lifelong love of athleticism and movement, Delfina is committed to helping her clients rediscover their body’s natural potential through Neurosomatic Therapy, corrective exercise, and a range of holistic techniques.
Alyson Ballow
Alyson is a LMT, CNS, RYT-300 and has received her AFAA certification in Group Fitness Training. She has continued education and certifications for Community Yoga Outreach, The Art of One-on-One, and AcroYoga, both Lunar Therapeutics and Solar Acrobatics. She graduated in June 2014 from Warrior One Yoga (Orlando, FL) and in August 2022 from the Center for Neurosomatic Studies (Largo, FL).
Tania Drago
Tania Drago is a dedicated practitioner specializing in Pilates, with certifications from Club Pilates and The Kane School of Core Integration. Originally from Boston, MA, Tania’s passion for helping others achieve a balanced, healthier lifestyle led her to pursue a career in wellness after studying Criminal Justice at Northern Essex.
Heidi Brewer
Heidi Brewer, a native of the Pacific Northwest and University of Washington alum, has been a dedicated dance artist and movement specialist in Seattle, NYC, and LA since 2001. She is a Certified Pilates Instructor through the Kane School and Kinected in NYC, where she also serves as the Communications Director. At Body Center St. Pete, Heidi is a Pilates Instructor, guiding clients in achieving optimal alignment and movement and Kane School Teacher Trainer, teaching the Pilates Method to future instructors.
Brunella Lucchi
Brunella Lucchi, originally from Italy, has built an impressive career in manual therapy, driven by her passion for helping clients overcome pain and restore balance. After studying foreign languages and literature at the University of Bologna, Brunella’s pursuit of knowledge led her to the United States in 1991, where she discovered her passion for manual therapy and soft tissue treatments.
Martha Spalding
Martha Spalding, PT, IMT, NTP, FLT, is an experienced Physical Therapist with over 30 years of expertise in Integrative Physical Therapy. After graduating from the Boston Conservatory with a BFA in Dance, Martha pursued a career in professional dance. However, after a career-ending injury, she shifted her focus to physical rehabilitation, earning her Physical Therapy degree from the University of Illinois in Chicago.