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Powerlifting to Pilates: Wisdom from Laura

Practical and profound. Two words that immediately come to mind when you sit down and have a conversation with MOVE instructor Laura Tyson. From the authenticity and professionalism she brings to her practice to her everyday celebration of movement and life, Laura is one of the many people who makes MOVE the special place that it is.

From wildlife researcher and powerlifter to Pilates trainer

Tell us a little bit about yourself and your background.

I grew up on a farm in Monroe City, Missouri, taking dance lessons and doing gymnastics throughout my childhood. In college, I majored in Fisheries and Wildlife, becoming a wildlife research technician and working in that field for 20 years. My research project work included Missouri muskrats, Canadian geese, Ohio gulls and deer and Illinois wood ducks!

Afterwords, I shifted careers and became an American College of Sports Medicne (ACSM) personal trainer. And in 2017, my husband and I and our three boys moved from Ohio to Michigan.

What is something people might be surprised to know about you?

I placed second in the Women’s National Collegiate Powerlifting Championship in 1987!


Pilates provides efficiency and independence

What drew you to Pilates?

The structure of the movement is what I love. With Pilates, every part of your body is engaged as you progress through movements, becoming stronger and more flexible while engaging the proper sequence of muscles at the proper time. All of this allows you to live and move smoothly and without injury.

Pilates is SO efficient. It helps people become more independent. It’s something that I can easily teach people and confidently tell them, “You can do this at home!”

We’re so unaware of our bodies much of the time and we live in this sort of blame-filled society when it comes to our bodies and our health. I love helping people who come looking for answers on how to move better. My motto is, “If you like it and it’s enjoyable, you’ll do it again.”

I excelled at powerlifting, but it didn’t really make me happy. I love getting outside. I want to ride my bike, I want to walk, I want to garden. Pilates helps me do that.


Advice for Pilates beginners

What is one piece of advice you would give to someone trying Pilates for the first time?

Find someone knowledgeable to teach you the basics first. Pilates can be overwhelming in a class situation (especially classes that are too large) if you’re not familiar with this type of movement. And if you’re not taking the time to learn the exercises correctly, you won’t realize the benefits. Get the basics down with private training and then build your repertoire with small classes. You’ll be amazed at what your body can do.

I don’t have the same body I had when I was 20. And I won’t have the body I have now when I’m 80. You work with the body that you have.

Fun and inspiration from a Pilates instructor

What is your current favorite Pilates exercise?

Airplane on the Cadillac!

What is your favorite food?

Cheesecake.

What is one conversation past or present that you’d love to eavesdrop on?

Any conversation between my kids when I’m not around!

If you could offer some words of wisdom, what would they be?

Go outside. Go barefoot. Move like your body was intended to move.

Amen, Laura!

Ready to discover the beautiful efficiency and independence that Pilates can bring to your life? Learn more about our private training sessions with instructors like Laura.

You can also find Laura on Facebook at Laura Tyson Body Basics!

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Teach from the Heart with Jenna Zaffino, May 4 – 5

Teach From The Heart is a weekend intensive experience that fuses movement, meditation, reflection and writing to reignite your passion for your own practice, and help you grow as an instructor.

A unique professional development experience for Pilates, Yoga, GYROTONIC® and other movement instructors

As movement instructors, we engage in continuing education and professional development all the time. But how often do we get a chance to step away from anatomy and physiology and prioritize our own personal and professional selves? How often do we get to step back and ask:

  • What does your professional future hold for you? 
  • How do you sustain your energy and avoid burnout while working tirelessly on behalf of your clients? 
  • Who are you meant to work with and how do you find and connect with those people?

Celebrate Pilates Day this spring by carving out some space to celebrate yourself and all that you hope to become. Join Jenna Zaffino at MOVE Wellness for Teach from the Heart, a special teacher immersion experience focused on the things we never have time for but wish we did.

Workshop Schedule

Saturday, May 4, 9 am – 5 pm

Sunday, May 5, 9am – 4 pm

Location: MOVE Wellness, 2058 South State Street, Ann Arbor, Michigan

Cost: $525

Two-day workshop participants receive 14 Pilates Method Alliance CECs.

To register for the event or get more info:

Call us at 734-761-2306 or email office@movewellness.com

Pilates UNFILTERED podcast recording at 7 pm on Saturday

Teach from the Heart participants will also have the option to join Jenna for a free LIVE recording of her Pilates UNFILTERED podcast on Saturday evening. This unique experience offers you the opportunity to connect with the community and get in on the discussions that matter to us most.

Movement and career coaching with Jenna Zaffino

The course celebrates the very best of Jenna’s work in movement and career coaching. During the retreat, you’ll take a deep dive into your identity and growth as as teacher, methods for navigating the inevitable bumps in the road, and opportunities for further personal and professional development after you’ve been at it with this beautiful work for so many years. We’ll move, explore, plan and create together to empower you as you head toward the next part of your journey.

This course sets you up to share the teaching voice you’ve been waiting to speak with, work with the clients who are excited and willing to take this journey with you, and build a business that supports your gifts as a movement professional.

We hope you’ll celebrate the coming of spring and yourself with us during this special event!

To learn more about Jenna and see a sample workshop schedule, visit the Teach from the Heart page.

Interested in becoming a Pilates or GYROTONIC® instructor? Explore the 2019 Instructor Training course offerings at MOVE Wellness today.

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Desk job to Pilates teacher: Meet Stephanie Oldre

Stephanie Oldre is a Pilates teacher at MOVE, but prior to that, she was a former Payroll and Benefits manager. She’d never given Pilates much thought until she found herself wanting to spend more time with her kids and less time sitting behind a desk.

We hope her story below will inspire you to MOVE more too.

From Desk Job to Teaching Pilates

About 7 years ago, when I first started taking Pilates classes at a local gym, my instructor told me that she thought I would make a fantastic Pilates Instructor. I quickly fell in love with Pilates but never gave teaching Pilates any serious thought. Until a few years later when I found myself quite unhappy in my profession and with a desire to work part time to allow for more time at home with my children. What she had said to me had always stayed in the back if my mind (and she had encouraged me a few more times to look into it). So when I finally decided it was time to make a change, I went to her and told her that she was right and I am ready. She put me in touch with Elaine at MOVE and my life hasn’t been the same since.

I had no idea what incredible things were in store for me or what exactly I was signing up for but it was one the best decisions I’ve ever made. I’ve found where I belong and what I was meant to do.

STEPHANIE OLDRE, MOVE Pilates Trainer

Pilates is for Everyone

I think people might be surprised to know that I did not come from a movement background and  that I haven’t always been fit. During my first pregnancy I got up to 208 lbs. Measuring in at 5’3, that was quite overweight. After giving birth, I had only lost about 23 lbs leaving me still overweight at 185 lbs. It has taken a lot of work and dedication to get to where I am now and I am quite proud of what I’ve accomplished. Pilates has been a big part of my fitness journey and made such a tremendous difference in my life.

I also have Fibromyalgia and Narcolepsy. Pilates has helped tremendously with my symptoms and allowed me to still enjoy my everyday life.

The thing that has drawn me to Pilates is seeing the difference that it can make in lives and that it can be for EVERYBODY. I love how versatile it is and how it can improve anyone’s life at any level. Also, I had been a weightlifter before finding Pilates. In my years of weightlifting I had never had strong abs until I started doing Pilates. I love having abs!

Advice for Aspiring Pilates Teachers or Practitioners

If you’re thinking about Pilates, here’s one piece of advice: just keep doing it. Pilates is a journey and everyone’s journey is different. You will learn experientially and you will have many “’Aha!’ moments” along the way. As long as you don’t give up.

I’m inspired by change. As a Pilates teacher, seeing positive changes in the bodies and lives of my clients is so rewarding. Hearing their feedback and testimonials fuels me.

Favorite exercise

Such a hard choice! I love the side leg series on the mat and hip rolls.

Stephanie Oldre is a Pilates Trainer at MOVE Wellness Studios. If you have any questions or would like to book a session with her, email office@movewellness.com or call 734.761.2306.

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Professor to Pilates Instructor: Meet Sara Schuman

Journey to Pilates

We love spotlighting our trainers’ unique journeys to becoming Pilates Instructors because we know that no matter who you are, incorporating Pilates into your workout routine can be beneficial.

Prior to MOVE, Fitness Instructor Sara Schuman used to teach college Philosophy. After a visit to her doctor in 2012, she decided to prioritize her wellness and discovered many fitness options to keep herself engaged and motivated. Since then, she has lost over 50 pounds, become a Pilates Instructor, HIIT, Barre, and certified American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) Group Fitness Instructor, and redefined wellness for herself.

“To me, wellness means flourishing in any given environment,” Sara says. “Things change, our bodies change, our goals change, so being able to make the most out of whatever situation we find ourselves in at the moment is what I take to be wellness. I’m inspired by hearing and seeing the progress of others. Everyone has a story about their journey. We can learn so much from each other if we are willing to share and listen.”

Becoming a Pilates Instructor

Sara became interested in Pilates as a career because of Pilates’ functionality and ability to heal. Pilates “helped with a lot of back issues and shoulder issues,” and “help her be upright.” After completing the MOVE Instructor Training Program, Sara wanted to share the power of rehabilitative movement with others.

“I am able to do things I wasn’t able to do about 4-5 years ago,” Sara says.

Wanting to share the benefits of Pilates with those who have been injured or limited in their mobility, Sara also became involved with the MOVE Transition Program. In the Transition Program, Sara teaches Balance Classes for populations who cannot get on the ground and trains clients privately who need individualized support in reaching their health goals.

Come try a session with Sara today!

“I am able to do things I wasn’t able to do 4-5 years ago.”

Sarah Schuman is a Pilates instructor and group fitness instructor at MOVE Wellness. Schedule an appointment with her today! Please contact the studio at 734.761.2306 or office@movewellness.com for more information.

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Important Lessons From a GYROTONIC® Trainer

Meet Silvia, physical therapist from Costa Rica and our newest GYROTONIC® Trainer. Silvia shows us below how movement really is medicine and how important it is to slow down.

“One of the best things about GYROTONIC® is the awareness of the whole body connection.”

 

Introduce yourself. Where are you from? What is your background/interests?

I’m from Costa Rica, I’m a physical therapist, I worked for almost 10 years as a PT and manager of a private clinic in Costa Rica. We had all kinds of injuries in the clinic, at all ages.

How does the fitness industry differ in Costa Rica from the mainland United States?

I think that here in Michigan more old elderly people go to the gym and in Costa Rica is the opposite, younger people exercise. I don’t have an explanation for that, but I think it is important that throughout life continue to move forward and do different things, not just exercise during your youth to be beautiful, or exercise during your old age to be healthy. Exercise is something that everyone needs as a routine in their lives.  

Obviously as a physical therapist, you are very informed about the human body. When you decided to do Gyrotonic, did you learn anything about the human body you didn’t know before? Did anything surprise or shock you?

One of the best things about GYROTONIC® is the awareness of the whole body connection.

My favorite thing – and the biggest surprise – was what we call the narrowing sequence.

Only good things are going to happen, only good things are going to be talked, and only good things your body will receive

What sparked your interest in the GYROTONIC EXPANSION SYSTEM®? What do you most love about it? What do you find most challenging about it?

The amazing feeling when you finish your session, the way you feel is really good because you work your body, breath, and your mind at the same time. I really love the structure of the System and one of the good things is that everyone can practice GYROTONIC®, people with injuries, elderly people, young people, athletes, dancers, etc, will have many benefits.

The biggest challenge is to continue studying and learning the use of all devices and new techniques.

What can clients expect in a session with you?

The most important thing for me is that the client feels good during the session. During that time only good things are going to happen, only good things are going to be talked, and only good things your body will receive. Because we live in accelerated world, it’s really important to have this kind of rest during life. In a session with me, we are going to let the body and mind “rest” from the great wave of duties for a while, perceiving benefits in a physical and in a mental level.

What inspires you?

My husband and my family inspire me to be a better person and a better professional. Helping people feel better, look better and be more independent is something really valuable to me.

Favorite exercise

Gyrotonic, Zumba, walks

Favorite healthy meal

Quinoa salads with all kind of veggies!

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From Tech to Pilates Instructor: Meet Sarah Cohen

Part of our Meet the Movers series. 

Pilates trainer, Sarah Cohen started her career in Silicon Valley but eventually found herself becoming a Pilates instructor, and she never looked back. In her interview, you can witness Sarah’s characteristic determination that MOVE clients love about her. Learn about her Pilates career journey below!

Sarah, it has been awesome seeing you progress in your Pilates career. How did it all start?

When my youngest child started high school, it was time for me to start looking around for what I was going to do with the rest of my life.  I was terrified that if I didn’t start trying to figure out the next steps in my life before he left for college, I might not ever figure out what I was supposed to be doing.  So I went back to work for a small software company here in Ann Arbor…But now sitting all day looking at a screen made me really unhappy. I knew it had to be something else.

Then came her first Reformer Class at MOVE

Then I came to MOVE and when I stood up at the end of class, I couldn’t believe how great I felt…When I got up from the reformer, my body didn’t feel beat up like in so many other activities, I felt ready to conquer the rest of my day. I took another class a few days later and it was light bulb moment for me… this is what I would really like to do.  It turned out MOVE President Elaine Economou was about to start her Instructor Training Program.  How lucky am I?!?!?  The rest is history.

What about Pilates motivates you to keep consuming more and more?

I had some very specific goals of where I wanted to be in my Pilates career before I turned 50.  As a Pilates instructor, I was able to accomplish those goals and then some. The method of Pilates is so deep and rich and so many of the Leaders in the field have their own take on things. There is so much to learn within Pilates that I feel I might not ever ‘master’ all the movements.  The imposter syndrome is real.

With a Pilates Career also comes a Community

I am loving where I am right now for sure.  I appreciate the path that I am on. Being a new empty nester means it is awfully quiet around the house.  I love coming to the studio and seeing everyone there. MOVE is such wonderfully supportive place to work and I get to share the transformative method of Pilates.  Who could ask for more??

For aspiring instructors, Sarah offers this as advice:

Just know that we are all doing good work here.  That is what I keep telling myself and what I do believe deep down. The biggest lesson that I am learning over and over again is that we all need to be kind and patient with ourselves.  Breathe in and breathe out.

Book an appointment with her now!

 

 

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MOVE Trainer Spotlight | Sammy Hart

Meet Sammy Hart, Our Newest Pilates Graduate

  You may recognize Sammy – she’s been teaching yoga at MOVE Wellness for more than three years. She has recently expanded her movement knowledge even further by taking the MOVE Pilates Instructor Training course, and is now a MOVE Pilates Trainer. Find out more about Sammy below!
“I’ve been at MOVE for about 3.5 years and have been teaching yoga for 6. This past year I took a bit of a hiatus to go traveling with my husband which was more amazing than any photo could capture. Returning back to Ann Arbor I find myself once again in the role of student as I finish up my Pilates Reformer course. Pilates has both humbled and inspired me as a movement educator, and I look forward to teaching it. I am curious by nature and find myself in constant studentship whether that’s diving deeper into yoga and pilates, or different modalities of movement. I am fiercely independent, love to travel, eat, and drink good wine… it’s all about balance.”
  CLICK HERE to schedule an appointment with Sammy.
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MOVE Trainer Spotlight: Natalie Kreinke

MOVE Wellness Studios Apprentice Pilates Trainer Natalie Krienke


Our new group of trainers have completed their MOVE Wellness Studios Pilates or GYROTONIC Instructor Training Programs and are coming on board as MOVE Wellness Studios Trainers. This week, we shine the spotlight on Pilates Trainer Natalie Krienke.

You may already know that Natalie is MOVE Wellness Studios owner Robin Krienke’s daughter but did you know that she is a accomplished dancer as well? We are so excited she is joining our team as an apprentice Pilates instructor this summer. Natalie will also be teaching a Pilates Stretch, Strength, and Endurance class and is available for private sessions for a limited time before she heads back to college. Catch her while you can!

Natalie Pilates Trainer Spotlight

 

“I love the atmosphere at MOVE Wellness Studios, because while everyone there is working on their individual goals, we are all working towards a better community of wellbeing. Julie Simpson, the Physical Therapist at MOVE Wellness Studios, inspired me to become a Pilates trainer. I had been doing Pilates for over 4 years, and her ability to combine physical therapy and pilates for the goal of rehabilitation has amazed me. To me, wellness means being able to do what you want to do on an everyday basis, without having to worry about how it might affect you physically. I am inspired at the way Pilates is able to alter how bodies move. It incorporates strength, coordination, breath, and so many other things that brings a sense of balance back to the body.”

 

Schedule a private session with Natalie. 

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MOVE Trainer Spotlight: Mary Falcon

Our new group of trainers have completed their MOVE Wellness Studios Pilates or Gyrotonic Instructor Training Programs and are coming on board as MOVE Wellness Studios Trainers. This week, we shine the spotlight on Gyrotonic Trainer Mary Falcon. She has been a long-time MOVE Wellness Studios client, taking private sessions in both Pilates and Gyrotonic training. After she retired, she was ready to start her Gyrotonic career with us. We hope you enjoy getting to know Mary…

Apprentice Gyrotonic Trainer Mary Falcon

“I love the staff at MOVE Wellness Studios. Everyone is so welcoming and helpful. After only one Gyrotonic session, I felt taller and more flexible. It made me want to help others my age and those with limited mobility. I try to live by the oxygen mask scenario… “put your mask on first before assisting others.”  I love helping others but to do that I need to take care of myself by taking quiet time, getting plenty of rest and staying strong and mobile. To me, wellness means aging gracefully. I’m surrounded by loved ones who are becoming physically challenged as they age. I want to be an example for them and encourage them through movement and better eating habits.”

Schedule a private session with Gyrotonic Trainer Mary Falcon. 

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I Made It: Part Three

This content has been updated January 9, 2020.

We are thrilled to share this inspiring three-part series by MOVE Wellness Studios Trainer Tony Brutz. Enjoy Part 3 below. You can click here to read Part 1 and Part 2.

February 2016 was the first weekend of the Mat training program. There were eight other students with me in the class. We all staked out a spot on the floor…Wait… There is something I forgot to mention. Before the classes started a few of the MOVE Wellness Studios trainers mentioned that a lot of information would come at me all at once. It may be overwhelming at first, but just hang in there don’t panic. Then one day everything will just click. Ok, now back to the first weekend… Our trainer for the Mat class was Aimee. She was and is a fantastic trainer. I mean this lady really knows her stuff. We started getting into everything right away. Quickly I realized why the trainers gave me the heads up. It was a lot of data to process in a short time. I mean I was getting new terms thrown at me left and right: Patella, vasti, concentrically, eccentrically. Transversus abdominis? Isn’t that a character from Greek mythology? All of us in the class left that weekend a little shell-shocked. Even though I was warned and told not to panic, well guess what happened. That’s right. I panicked. What did I get myself into? I can’t do this! How can I get out of this? How do I tell everyone at MOVE Wellness Studios? I will never be able to walk into MOVE Wellness Studios again. The world is coming to an end and I never did find out who shot JR. Yep, not one of my finer moments. I took a deep breath and collected myself and after a quick internet search I found out that it was Mary Crosby’s character of Kristin that shot JR. Hope I didn’t spoil that for anyone. That night I decided to just sleep on it and see how I felt the next day.

When I got up the next morning I was feeling a little less overwhelmed. I just remembered what I was told and decided to keep on keeping on. As the weekends went on, it started to get a little bit easier. Then one day, it started to click. Not that I was great, but it all started to make more sense. I even learned what transverus abdominis meant. Hint, it’s not a character from Greek mythology. Once I started practice teaching and observing other trainers it started to click even more. That moment of fear after the first weekend could have derailed everything. Lucky for me I didn’t have to go it alone. I had a great group of classmates that were going through the same experience. Add the MOVE Wellness Studios staff and I had a pretty awesome support group.

So, about one year after starting the training program, I am an instructor at MOVE Wellness Studios. I am enjoying the teaching I have been doing thus far and I am so looking forward to what the future has to bring. This last year has been great, even when things were tough it was still fun. Not that everything went smoothly. The training took up so much time that I began to neglect my own health. I fell back into some bad habits and they started to add up. Then those negative thoughts began to show their ugly heads. It took some time to pull myself back up and get back on track. I had to look back to that December day in 2014 and try to remind myself why I started this whole journey. Of course trying to lead a healthy life was a huge reason. Then something hit me, something I thought about even back in 2014. It was not just that I needed to treat myself better, but that I deserved to treat myself better. I know that may sound funny, but think about that for a minute. Sure we try to eat healthy and exercise, which is great, but how often do we treat ourselves the way we should? We forgive others when they make mistakes, but how often do we forgive ourselves for ours? We give compliments to family, friends, heck sometimes even strangers. You’re so talented, intelligent, kind, beautiful, and creative. How often though do we say those things to ourselves? How often do we give ourselves credit for our own accomplishments? It is one thing I think many people neglect to do for themselves. It suddenly dawned on me that I was neglecting doing it for myself. I would focus on my faults but never give myself the credit I deserved. It was about time I started treating myself with that kind of caring and respect. We all fall sometimes. We just need to stop beating up ourselves over it and get right back up.

Just MOVE Wellness Studios

So, why did I decide to become a trainer? That is a brilliant question that deserves an equally brilliant answer, but I will give you my answer instead. I can sum up why I became a trainer in one word; MOVE Wellness Studios…That’s it, just MOVE Wellness Studios…OK fine, I’ll elaborate. What Elaine and Robin have created with MOVE Wellness Studios is wonderful. The staff at MOVE Wellness Studios is a great reflection of the values that they hold. I told you I would explain the reason I name dropped throughout this post. All the trainers that I mentioned earlier were the ones teaching when I first started at MOVE Wellness Studios. Not only were they incredible at what they did, but also they were compassionate, caring, encouraging, and supportive. Along with Elaine and Robin, they helped me accomplish so much more than I would have ever thought when I first started this journey. To all of you wonderful ladies, thank you so much for your encouragement and support. You all were the main inspiration for me wanting to become a trainer. The first day of class we had to go around and introduce ourselves and tell everyone what we hoped to do with everything we learn during the training. I said, “I hoped to be for others what MOVE Wellness Studios has been for me.” I want to help others achieve their goals and now I am getting to do that. I am so glad I decided to do the training and would recommend it to anyone. Do I have any advice for anyone who may sign up for the training in the future? Why yes, I do. My advice would be this, to quote Douglas Adams, “DON’T PANIC!”

Tony Brutz teaches Gentle Pilates class at MOVE Wellness Studios on Tuesdays at 6:00PM. He is also available for private sessions.

About the MOVE Comprehensive Pilates Instructor Training Program

If you have ever considered Pilates as a career or as an enhancement to your current profession, we invite you to join us January 15, 2020 at 6:30PM for Talk and Train. This open studio event will offer you a preview of the MOVE Instructor Training Program. Come get your questions answered and see for yourself what the MOVE Instructor Training Program is all about. If you can’t make the event, you can also schedule a free 15-Minute Consultation with one of our Instructor Trainers. Get started on your own journey today!

 

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