Yoga & Pilates Offerings
* Prices subject to change & session packs are offered at reduced rates.
Private
Yoga & Pilates
These sessions utilize blocks, bolsters, resistance bands, and yoga straps. A pilates ball and magic circle are additional tools incorporated to support pilates practice.
Semi-Private
Mat Instruction
These sessions are designed for two people with similar abilities and goals in mind. Divinebody is happy to provide mats and tools required for sessions.
Individual Pilates Reformer Sessions
These sessions utilize the pilates reformer machine to build strength and flexibility once clients have acquired a foundational practice on the mat.
Mindful Movement Is Medicine
The Divinebody Lens on Yoga
The study of yoga, or more specifically yoga asana (physical postures), as I have come to understand, is about being present with the mind-body. There are many layers to who we are and coming to the mat is a way to discover those layers of the mind, body, and spirit. If we come to the mat often, we can begin to see how it is a beautiful mirror for our lives. The asana practice helps to focus the mind and body so we can foster the ability to meet each moment with grace and curiosity.
For me, the practice is to be mindful of each pose and each breath – staying present to the feelings and sensations that arise. Each moment in our practice presents a new opportunity to be present. When we are willing to have an experience with the poses as a journey ~ with a beginning, middle, and end ~ the yoga becomes something richer than a workout or exercise.
Yoga has helped me let go of perfectionism and creates the space for me to see more of what is possible when perfect is no longer the goal. Our bodies are meant for movement, and that expression is different for each one of us. Letting go of what it needs to look like, and inviting more of how it feels, can help to release any rigidity around the practice. Flexibility can be a great attribute, however, being too flexible can be a detriment to the practice. Yoga is not wholly about being flexible; it is perhaps more about being able to meet yourself in the present moment without judgment, and leaning into curiosity with each breath. We are seeking to find the middle, where we can have steadiness and ease.
The asana practice is a wonderful way to increase awareness of the mind-body connection. When we step off the mat and move through our day, we are holding and expressing all types of poses or postures (asanas). These range from how we inhabit our body when speaking, standing, listening, or holding another person's hand. Our asana practice exists all day, everyday - with everyone.
The way in which our everyday thoughts, movements, and gestures are expressed are dependent upon the amount of tension in the body and/or rigidity in the mind. Our daily movements and thought patterns can have positive or negative effects on us, and when made with greater consciousness, can impact our interactions with one another and greatly influence our lives for the better. As we sharpen our awareness of how our bodies move in space, we can also deepen our consciousness of thoughts. A posturing of the mind, or the space from where we are listening from in any given moment, creates the stories we will inevitably live into. When we are able to bring more compassion and curiosity to our relationships, we can cultivate loving-kindness for ourselves and each other in the process. This takes dedication and effort to create, and I believe it is some of the most important work we can do in our lives.
There are many ways to practice yoga beyond the physical postures or asanas. The philosophy of yoga follows an eight-limbed path outlined in the Yoga Sutras; universal morality, personal observances, breath, control of the senses, concentration, meditation, and union with the divine. To begin the practice of yoga, we start by paying more attention to our breath, and eventually deepen our awareness of ourselves and those around us. When we connect fully to ourselves and each other, more compassion and less judgment becomes possible.
Divinebody Pilates
People often ask me what the differences are between Yoga and Pilates. My short answer is, they are similar with one very distinct difference and that is the spiritual component in yoga philosophy. Beyond the goal of samadhi or “bliss” in yoga, the postures and movements bear many similarities to Pilates repertoire.
Pilates is a comprehensive system of physical and mental conditioning that enhances our strength, flexibility and coordination. With continued practice, it can improve our focus, reduce anxiety, and increase overall well-being. Joseph Pilates created “Contrology” as his fundamental method of movement ~ to let your mind control the muscles in the body. His main goal of Contrology centered around gaining flexibility and toning the muscles, but not necessarily weight loss. Joseph aimed to create balance between mind, body and spirit using six principles: Concentration, Control, Centering, Breath, Precision, Flow.
Today, there are several versions of Pilates that were born from his methods. The original Contrology is known as Classical Pilates and the newer iteration is known as Contemporary Pilates. With the Classical method, a sequence is followed with a seamless transition from one exercise to another, whereas in Contemporary Pilates such sequences are missing. Additionally, Rehabilitative Pilates or “Clinical” is typically offered by physiotherapists providing treatment for various injuries and health conditions such as accidents, pregnancies, chronic pain, and post-surgical recovery.
As a practitioner of movement, my view is that all movement is good unless you experience pain or severe discomfort. Movement that serves one body may not be suitable to another, and the goal is always to feel freedom and ease in our bodies.
Using a combination of both Clinical and Contemporary styles of Pilates with some Classical sprinkled into the repertoire, Divinebody programs are 100% tailored to each client. I co-create various movement patterns from many disciplines that feel accessible to my clients, depending on what their bodies are capable of executing at any given moment. What I seek to find with clients is their current level of comfort, strength, and flexibility, moving the needle safely in those areas to meet their movement goals over the course of any program.