GETTING STARTED
If you are new to Pilates, we highly recommend starting with a private session or our intro 3-pack of privates. This way we can assess your movement abilities, injuries or rehabiliation needs. It also gives you the opportunity to meet us, check out our studio and understand the best path forward to ensure your success.
The Assessment
In private sessions, we start with a detailed postural assessment where we will learn more about your history, challenges and goals so we can guide you through a corrective and holistic treatment plan specific to your needs.
We check how well your muscles are working together, where you’re compensating and where there are imbalances to be corrected. The whole body is looked at as a whole and from different angles so we can see how you’re moving and which exercises will be beneficial. This is a great way to gain awareness on what to correct and how to carry yourself from a postural stand point in and out of the studio.
Areas of training and experience
Back pain
Arthitic pain, osteoarthritis
Tennis elbow
Hypermobility
Spondylosis (Spinal osteoarthritis)
Knee and hip pain
Sciatica
bunions
Scoliosis
Rotator cuff injuries
Frozen Shoulder
Hip/knee pre/post op
Seniors classes - Stay Active
We offer classes specific to the senior population which focus on relieving back and joint pain, tennis elbow, arthritis, balance and alignment so you can keep doing the things you love! For those looking to stay active and flexible, free of pain.
Looking to improve your tennis game, pickle ball or lawn bowling practice? We have the class and expertise for you!
Where does misalignment come from?
It’s frequent to have imbalances and stresses in the body for all sorts of reasons from motor vehicle accidents to sports activities, the way we sit, work, drive, run, bike and move throughout the day. Incorrect alignment and posture often leads to imbalances in our hips, legs, shoulders and back, causing us pain and stress. Muscles become overused from repetitive movements and as a result imbalance arises. Our alignment gets thrown off and we start to feel aches where we didn’t use to.
The musculature alignment and core control in Pilates can help prevent overuse injuries so you can stay active longer. It reduces spinal compression and will keep your back strong and free of pain. With increased core strength, rotation, balance and flexibility, Classical Pilates can fine tune your body and give you more momentum and control. A strong core will provide you with increased stabilization and power so you can make the BEST of your life.
Posture Analysis & Structural Integration
This is what makes our sessions so effective as they are specific to you and your individual requirements! We all have different body types and needs depending on how the body has adapted to your lifestyle. A postural analysis helps us understand which areas need to be re-aligned, strengthened or stretched from your feet all the way up to the crown of your head. How are you breathing, moving, walking, running, sitting, squatting, standing and carrying your body throughout the day? Where are the bones of your body sitting? Are you tucking, lordotic, kyphotic or in a neutral, pain free place and fully supported in your spine? These are all important things we will look at and so much more.
For example, If you have a tight neck and a rounded upper back and shoulders from sitting at a desk all day, the last thing you would want to do is more rounding postural movements. You would want to open up your chest, strengthen and shorten your upper back muscles, extend your spine and introduce lateral movement and rotation to counteract all of the forward/kyphotic posture you’ve been in. (as seen in the second postural image) .
What is Correct Posture?
This is the way in which one holds their body from sitting to standing, working, laying down, running, biking or working out. When we are in correct alignment, the body moves evenly and effortlessly without pain. When something is out of alignment, we experience discomfort and pain and are more prone to injury.
Breathing Technique and moving from your centre
Do you move from your center, your core, in a truly organic, whole body and integrated way? Can you take a deep breath and expand your diaphragm and ribs laterally and into your back, deeply expanding your intercostal muscles? Classical Pilates has a large focus on breath and mindful movement. It can help also manage our stress and regulate our nervous system if we’re in a state of stress and anxiety. One of the best ways to alleviate stress is to breathe with intention and move the body in a healthy way.
At ALIGN, we look at how well the abdominals, psoas, pelvic floor and diaphragm are working together so you can move from your centre. These muscles should work together, in an organized way through correct breathing.