What can you expect from a one-on-one Pilates session with me?

  • A welcoming and respectful space in my home-based studio
  • A warm, curious, and positive attitude from me
  • Discussion of your goals and any movement issues you wish to address
  • Personal guidance through a series of Pilates moves and sequences
  • Thoughtful attention and check-ins to see how you're feeling
  • Variety of moves that will work all of your muscle systems
  • Exercises that focus on mobility and stability for your joints
  • We will work together to find exercises that make you feel great!

Come practice Pilates with me in my home-based studio.

How can you expect to feel during & after the session?

  • If you haven't practiced Pilates before, you might not feel much at first, compared to a typical workout at the gym or bootcamp class etc.
  • It can be a calmer, more analytical approach to moving your body, especially in the beginning
  • We'll do the exercises together, and I will keep an eye on you and make any modifications so that your body feels safe, supported and functional while moving
  • You might start to feel muscles kick-in more easily as we think about and discuss the connection that is happening in your body as you move
  • You might feel your muscles start to fatigue at some point; every session is custom to your preferences of how "hard" you want to feel like you are working
  • You might discover that your joints have difficulty performing some exercises, and they might be different from one side of your body compared to the other
  • You might notice that when the motion of your joints feel better and smoother, that the muscles around the joint turn on more easily and efficiently
  • After the session, you may feel taller, more balanced, relaxed, and strong and the same time
  • Have a big glass of water after your session; your body and mind will have worked hard!
  • Going for a walk after the session can be great way to see if you feel more balanced & supported as you move

| QUALIFICATIONS |

Education from Body Harmonics Movement & Health Pilates studio in Toronto, Ontario

Diplomas

PILATES LEVEL 1: MAT : July 2019, Toronto, ON (certification complete)

PILATES LEVEL 2: REFORMER : July 2019, Toronto, ON (certification ongoing)


Continuing Education Certificates

NECK AND SHOULDER TENSION WORKSHOP : Specialty class, September 2019, Vancouver, BC. (complete)

HIP JOINT WORKSHOP : Specialty class, September 2019, Vancouver, BC. (complete)

STRENGTH, BALANCE, AND FALL PREVENTION FOR SENIORS : Specialty class, September 2019, Vancouver, BC. (complete)

MOVEMENT AND EXERCISE FOR PREGNANCY : Specialty class, September 2019, Vancouver, BC. (complete)

ANATOMY IN MOTION : Specialty class, September 2017, Toronto, ON. (complete)

FAQ

Who can practice Pilates?

Is Pilates good for your core?

Is Pilates similar to Yoga?

I have past injuries and am worried about working out. Is Pilates safe?

Is Pilates safe for spine issues?

I've heard that I need to breathe a certain way in order to do Pilates right. Is that true?

FAQ

Who can practice Pilates?

I think everyone can benefit from practicing Pilates. Younger people, middle-aged people, seniors - we all need to keep our bodies active and working towards optional movement. As we get older we can quickly start to lose muscle, which can affect our balance, reflexes, and ability to function well in our daily lives. Pilates can help retrain your joints to move well, and in turn, help your muscles activate in a supportive way for joint mobility and stability.

Is Pilates good for your core?

Yes, but it's also good for so much more! Pilates focuses on your "inner core" (breathing, pelvic floor, stability muscles) and your "outer core" (big muscle groups used for moving, lifting, running etc.). This approach helps activate the muscle systems throughout your entire body to improve your balance, muscle strength, and joint function, among other things! Yes, you can feel like your abs got an amazing workout by the end of a session, but it's your whole body that benefits, not just your core. Some sessions will not include anything resembling crunches or ab curls, but your core will be working throughout!

Is Pilates similar to Yoga?

Yes, it can be similar in that they can both be performed on a mat and focus on moving your body through a sequence of moves. Yoga can have more of a flow to it, similar to dance, and can have a meditative aspect to it. Pilates focuses on working the different muscles systems of the body in a mindful way. Both can involve props and visualization. Pilates also focuses on the function of your joints and how the muscles are turning on while your joints are in motion. While Yoga and Pilates are similar, they have different personalities and approaches to a mindful body connection. Both can be an excellent workout and addition to a healthy lifestyle! They complement each other well. 🧘🏻‍♀️

I have past injuries and am worried about working out. Is Pilates safe?

Pilates is a very careful and thoughtful approach to working out, or for providing a rehab type of experience. While I am not a physiotherapist, there are many ways we can modify exercises so that they can be safe for you personally. I would like to hear all about your injury, and any advice you've been given for specific moves you should/should not be doing. A one-on-one session is the best way to incorporate Pilates into your rehabilitation, as a class setting might not provide enough attention or customization for your body.

Is Pilates safe for spine issues?

Pilates can be modified to suit a variety of spine issues. At Body Harmonics Pilates studio in Toronto (where I did my training), they actually have a "spine safe" class that doesn't include any flexion or extension of the spine, and little to no rotation. You can still have a wonderful workout and feel great afterwards while practicing Pilates this way. Spine mobility and spine issues can be very different and unique from one person to the next, so it's important to have a conversation about your spine in particular before practicing Pilates. During a session with me, we would discuss in detail your spine condition before doing any of the exercises. The more I can know about your condition, the better your session can be tailored to your needs.

I've heard that I need to breathe a certain way in order to do Pilates right. Is that true?

Pilates does incorporate breathing into the exercise sequences, and the teacher will often cue when to inhale, and when to exhale. For beginners, it can be easier to exhale on the stronger exertion. You may feel more of a "workout" by breathing in a purposeful way during your Pilates class, and (for example) inhaling as you rotate your spine may help you rotate further and feel more supported as you do it.

However, the most important thing is to just keep breathing naturally, as it makes sense for you. If it feels better to exhale when others may be inhaling - that's totally fine and probably suits your body better. It is also common to see/hear participants exhaling with a pursed lip during a class. It creates a louder sound on the exhalation and some feel it helps their core activate and work harder. It is not necessary to do this, but if it feels right, then great! I tend to use the pursed lip breathing as I helps me focus, but I don't do it all the time. Remember, just keep breathing! 😊