We are proud to announce that Align’s Pilates teacher training program has been recognized as a Pilates Method Alliance (PMA) approved school! This is significant because the PMA is the only third party assessor of Pilates professionals and training programs. PMA approval means Align’s curriculum has met the high standards of this independent organization.

Interested in becoming a Pilates teacher, and wondering what this means to you? When you train at Align, you can rest assured that you will receive a high quality, thorough education that has been assessed not only by the state of Minnesota, but also by an international professional Pilates association. When you complete Align’s comprehensive Pilates teacher training program, you will be prepared to take the PMA’s internationally recognized certification exam–the gold standard for Pilates teachers.

Interested in our Pilates teacher training program? Visit our website to learn more: http://alignpilates.com/teacher-training/schedule

About the Pilates Method Alliance 

Founded in 2001, the Pilates Method Alliance is the professional association and certifying agency for Pilates teachers. For the past decade, Pilates teachers from around the world have worked together to create a unified community, to share knowledge and information, and most importantly, to establish the practice of teaching Pilates as a profession. To that end, in 2005 the PMA launched the only third-party professional certification exam in the Pilates industry.

We’re excited to introduce our new “Feature Teacher” series on the Align blog. Every few months we’ll highlight one of Align’s instructors, giving you a sneak peek into their lives both in and out of the studio. This month, read on to learn more about Steph!

How did you get started with Pilates? 

I started doing Pilates because I was looking for a way to improve the mobility of my feet and ankles. As you might know, I was born with club feet, so I underwent multiple surgeries as a child. I had chronic foot/ankle pain as a result. Toward the end of college the pain got really bad and the doctors wanted to fuse two bones in my right ankle to provide some relief. Considering that there’s no going back from a fusion surgery, combined with the fact that I was so young, I decided to look for other ways to deal with the pain…and that’s when I found Pilates.

What made you decide you wanted to become an instructor? 

The change I experienced in my feet through Pilates was remarkable. I went from having chronic foot pain to no pain at all, and the mobility of my feet is a thousand times better than what it was before practicing Pilates. That’s what propelled me into wanting to teach Pilates and share this method with others.

You already mentioned the foot and ankle pain you suffered as a result of your surgeries. Can you tell us a little more about the physical ramifications of your surgeries?

Like I said, I was treated with surgery…four to be exact, the last one when I was four years old. In terms of physical ramifications it’s mostly been limited range of movement. Also, my feet have had a tendency to fatigue faster than regular feet. I had to stop playing sports in high school because the impact on my feet was becoming too extreme. Pilates has changed my life in terms of my feet, not to sound too dramatic or cheesy!

What’s your favorite thing about being a Pilates instructor?

I love seeing clients accomplish exercised they never thought they’d be able to do.

Do you have a preferred piece of equipment? 

I love the Reformer…I think its an incredible machine.

What are some of your favorite Pilates exercises? 

Short and Long Spine Massage are two favorites. And Backstroke, because I think it’s so tough! I love the arm series on the reformer and the side kick series on the mat as well. I could go on, but I’ll leave it at that.

What kind of stuff do you do when you’re not teaching? 

I love to cook and eat! And I enjoy going out with friends and dancing. And traveling as much as possible. Then, of course, taking other classes…Pilates, yoga, and more. 

Are you feeling “stuck” in your Pilates practice–like you just can’t quite get to the next level? Or do you struggle with certain exercises, no matter how many times you do them in class? These are just a couple of the reasons you might benefit from private Pilates lessons.

“I’ve been taking advanced Pilates classes for years, but there were some exercises–like Saw in mat class–that just never really made sense to me,” said one of Align’s longtime clients. “I started taking private lessons every week, and the change was incredible–I started feeling the work on a much deeper level.”

And while privates are a great way to help transition in Pilates–from intermediate to advanced, for example–privates are also a great way to address other common issues that impact our clients. For example, most clients could benefit from private lessons following an injury or an operation to help regain their strength and to learn appropriate modifications for class.

Meanwhile, many women swear by private lessons to help them work through their pregnancies. “Although I kept taking classes while I was pregnant, I loved taking privates because the work was specifically geared for my changing body,” said another client. “I felt so strong throughout my pregnancy, and better prepared for the birth process, too.”

We instructors at Align are committed to a thorough teaching approach that focuses on proper form and the promotion of health, and private lessons are one of the best ways to address these goals. Are you curious about the Cadillac or the Chair? Have you never really understood what the Hundred was all about? Book a private lesson and make it a point to find out.

A balanced workout, like a balanced diet, is a key element of a healthy lifestyle. But as with food, when it comes to exercise, it can be challenging to figure out what works best for your body and mind.

Although lack of adequate exercise is a widespread problem, for many of Align’s clients, the challenge is striking the right balance. “Before I came here I was a serious runner,” said one client recently. An ankle injury had compelled her to put away her running shoes and come in for some reformer classes. “But I was pushing myself too hard,” she said. “I had this mindset that if it didn’t hurt, it wasn’t working–it wasn’t enough.”

Indeed, it can be easy to slip into the “no pain, no gain” mentality. But that’s not the philosophy that drives Align. Align co-owner Emily Easton talks about the benefits of having a balanced approach to exercise. “A balanced workout means a balanced body and mind,” said Emily. “Working all areas — mentally, physically and spiritually. When you do this on a consistent basis it reflects in your daily life, and how you feel about yourself–not to mention others around you.”

Align’s schedule is designed to help clients who are seeking a more balanced workout. Although specializing in Pilates, we offer a comprehensive class program including yoga, barre, foam roller class, Prana Stretch and of course, Pilates (mat and reformer). We also offer private and semi-private lessons in Pilates and yoga, where you can deepen your practice with one-on-one instruction.

But despite this diverse schedule of classes, it can be tempting to fall into a routine. For example, some clients are self-professed “barre junkies”–attending the rigorous class several times a week and leaving little room in their schedules for any other classes. Meanwhile, others are committed to Pilates mat class, but intimidated by the reformer. You get the idea…

However, it would benefit these clients–and you, if you’re one of them!–to challenge themselves and branch out with a class that breaks up their routine. “Balancing your workouts can have a tremendous positive impact on the overall strength and flexibility of your body,” said Danielle Cotter, Align yoga and barre instructor. “It also keeps your mind constantly engaged, lowers stress levels, increases circulation and prevents over-use injuries.”

So barre junkies–think about signing up for a weekly yoga class, or maybe Monday night Prana Stretch. Mat class fans–take your practice to the next level on the reformer. Reformer devotees–take your strength over to yoga or barre class, or maybe book a private and learn how to do footwork on the chair. Your body–and mind–will thank you for it.