Pilates is a workout.
Pilates is also a healing modality.

As such, Pilates is the best type of conditioning exercise – exercise to prevent injury, not only because of its focus on improving alignment and core strength, but also because of the mind/body connection that practitioners gain through regular practice. It is also uniquely designed to help people rehabilitate from injuries due to its emphasis on proper alignment, strengthening and stretching, and balancing the body — both symmetrically, left to right – as well as relieving dominant muscles of their tension by allowing/assigning smaller or postural and core muscles (which are often weak) more of the work in supporting the body and its movements.

For example, many people have dominance in the upper trapezius/neck and shoulder area, unnecessarily engaging these areas when making arm movements. This can lead to shoulder and neck tension, pain, and even conditions such as frozen shoulder. A properly taught Pilates progression allows the student to engage the often under-used muscles below and surrounding the neck and shoulder to execute arm movements.  These more efficient movement patterns become automatic with regular Pilates practice. For those who  are dedicated enough to correct improper movement patterns, change is long lasting and a lifetime of prevention of injuries and pain is gained.

• Increased energy and zest for life
• Increased strength
• Longer, leaner muscles
• Better body awareness and ability to engage core muscles in daily life
• Relief from back pain
• Improved core strength
• Improved elimination and continence
• Improved body image
• Mood benefits (including relief from mild depression)
• Improved alignment of the ankle, knee, hips, shoulders, and ribcage
• Improved posture
• Increased flexibility and range of motion
• Improved performance in sports
• Prevention of muscle and soft issue injury, and increased healing time

This list is only the beginning, and is not comprehensive of all the benefits of regular Pilates practice.

Yes! Pilates can help with the following conditions (and more):

• Rectus diastasis (separation of the rectus abdominal muscle experienced in about 90% of pregnancies)
• Acute and chronic back pain
• Carpal tunnel
• Hip and knee replacement rehabilitation
• Sports injuries
• Scoliosis-related pain
• Frozen shoulder
• Chronic fatigue

Pilates is also an ideal form of exercise for those who have either been diagnosed with or would like to prevent being diagnosed with osteoporosis/osteopenia. Weight bearing exercises comprise the bulk of Pilates mat work, and it is these exercises that are recommended for maintaining bone density in at risk populations.

Pilates is ideal for those who have been diagnosed with scoliosis, or who wish to avoid being part of a new generation of adults being diagnosed with late onset scoliosis. Pilates in a supervised setting focuses on alignment as well as balancing both sides of the body. Asymmetrical patterning and strategic unilateral movements in these individualized programs help to strengthen weaknesses in the muscles of the trunk that can contribute to or cause a rotation in the spine.

What we choose to put into our bodies is, some would say, the most basic and fundamental choice that we have to make as individuals; and as it is repeated many times daily, it is potentially our most powerful choice affecting our level of health. It is often difficult to see our own patterns, and working with a nutritionist as part of a team with other health care providers can be empowering to our sense of control about our personal health, and can be instrumental in bringing about major health changes. We have seen nutritional counseling help resolve the following ailments:

• Hypertension/High blood pressure
• Insulin resistance/Pre-diabetes
• Allergies
• Skin conditions
• Fatigue
• Depression
• Overweight/Underweight
• Hair loss

So what is the “right diet?” Because everyone is different, in terms of our unique combination of ancestry (nature), environment (nurture), and habits, this will inevitably look somewhat different for each of us. Gaining a solid and informed understanding of the basic principles of good nutrition, the specifics of what will be best for your body, and the support needed to make changes to implement them can be life changing and produce nearly immediate results and lifelong health shifts.

Our nutritional consultations include:

• Food Log (client)
• Symptom Questionaire (client)
• Functional Exam (client and nutritionist)
• Initial Recommendations (nutritionist in initial meeting)
• Follow-up phone sessions, or in person as necessary

Our essential oil consultations include:

• Symptom Questionnaire
• Functional Test
• Initial recommendations and follow-up phone sessions as necessary

We offer cleanses seasonally in January, April, and September. If you are interested in a cleanse, please contact us.