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Pilates
Yoga
Nia, Hip Hop, Zumba
Massage & Alternative Therapies
Skin Care

Pilates

What is Pilates? (pronounced puh-LAH-teez)

Developed in the 1920's by legendary fitness trainer Joseph Hubertus Pilates, Pilates is a one-of-a-kind program based on the principal that body and mind must work in harmony to achieve total fitness. First discovered by professional dancers, Pilates is now practiced the world over at dance studios, health clubs, and universities - as well as by scores of Hollywood celebrities and models.

Pilates is different from any other exercise program. Unlike the tedious repetitions in most workouts, Pilates involves fewer, more precise movements performed in a specific order - making it a much more efficient way to strengthen, build and firm the body. It's unique focus is on strengthening the muscles between your hips and sternum--your "powerhouse"--so-called because it is your body's central source of power, balance, and movement. The goal of Pilates is to improve your health without risking injury to your body. Due to the method's gentle nature, Pilates is practiced by people of all ages and levels of fitness.

You have four layers of abdominal muscles that together support your spine and promote good posture. When these core muscles aren't strong, your back lacks proper support. The result is often poor posture, muscle imbalance, and back pain. The Pilates program is designed to help you develop a strong back and good posture by promoting muscle balance and strength, improving joint mobility, and increasing flexibility. This helps enable you to stand taller and straighter than ever.

Guide to Choosing the Perfect Session for You

At the Pilates and Yoga Center of St. Louis, each session is instructed specifically for the person or group assembled, with thoughtful modifications for individual needs. All sessions are 55 minutes.

Private Training—The most effective way to focus on your unique needs, injuries, or chronic concerns. Use as an initial evaluation and base to learn the fundamentals of the Pilates method as well as a continual enhancement to your wellness routine. We recommend Pilates personal training 2 to 3 times per week to obtain optimal results.

Reformer—Joe Pilates created all of the Pilates equipment to act as additional muscles to aid the body on its path to health. The Reformer accesses the weak or underused areas of your body to uniformly build alignment, muscular balance, and aerobic, flowing movement. Limited to eight participants.

Mat Class—The essence of all Pilates work, a series of challenging floor exercises designed to create uniform development, long, lean muscles, core strength, and breath control.

Click Here for Pilates Introduction Packages

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Yoga

The word "yoga" is derived from the Sanskrit word meaning union. Yoga is a spiritual practice that uses the body, breath, and mind to energize and balance the whole being. Yoga began almost 5,000 years ago as part of the Hindu healing science known as Ayurveda. Today, approximately six million Americans practice yoga regularly.

There are many recognized benefits of practicing yoga including:

  • Body strength and stamina
  • Greater flexibility
  • Rehabilitating and healing injuries
  • Stress reduction and relaxation
  • Mental and emotional release

All branches of yoga include three major aspects: breathing (pranayama), exercise (asana), and meditation. The following list describes the types of yoga offered at the Pilates and Yoga Center of St. Louis:

Astanga (Power) Yoga: Astanga yoga is a specific type of vinyasa (flow) yoga in which a set series of postures are linked together and synchronized with the breath and bandhas to increase concentration and build heat and energy in the body. This class helps release stress and tension, and develops strength, focus, balance, and flexibility.

Hatha Yoga: This is a branch of yoga which focuses on physical and mental well-being. With hundreds of variations, hatha yoga helps to make the spine supple and promotes circulation in all the organs, glands, and tissues. These postures stretch and align the body, promoting flexibility, strength, and balance.

Vinyasa/Astanga Yoga: These classes focus on connecting breath with movement to create stillness in the mind and energy in the body, leaving you feeling peaceful and relaxed. Some classes will be more traditional astanga yoga primary or second series and many will be unique sequences of postures. Classes are sweaty and fun. Intermediate level class is only open to students with at least 6 months regular vinyasa class experience.

Vinyasa Yoga: Vinyasa/Flow Yoga is a style of yoga that has evolved from the traditional hatha yoga practice. Hatha yoga integrates the principles of awareness and alignment while cultivating strength and flexibility. What Vinyasa yoga provides is a pathway to these principles by connecting breath and bandha with dynamic, fluid movement. Knowledge of Surya Namaskara A and B and Inversions required. This class is not suitable for beginners.

Click here to see our yoga schedule.

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Nia, Hip Hop, Zumba

Nia: Come to Nia to play and get fit. Our fun, unique cardiovascular workout combines dance, martial arts and yoga with world music to stimulate the body, mind, spirit, and emotions. Open to all levels, we adjust the activities to your skills, with no “right” way to move—pleasure, joy of movement, and dynamic ease are the guides. Follow our highly-certified teachers, Reneigh and Tracy, and enjoy the elements of tai chi, Tai Kwon Do, aikido, modern dance, jazz, yoga and more in one fun, invigorating hour!

Zumba: Dance your way to a fitter you with exciting and unique Latin moves and rhythms. Zumba, the class that is taking the world by storm, gives you a good cardiovascular workout and tons of fun. Instructor Kim Howard gears moves to your skill level—open to all—no dance experience required!

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Massage & Alternative Therapies

The following Therapists practice here at The Pilates and Yoga Center of St. Louis. Each of the therapists handles his/her own scheduling. Please contact the therapist of your choice to schedule an appointment or you may contact the front desk for more information or referrals. Thank you.

Tony Vitale NCTMB, LMT
314.616.7711
Structural Integration and Myofascial Bodywork

Structural Integration (SI) is a specific method of deep tissue bodywork and movement education that lengthens, organizes and balances the connective tissue of the body to improve posture, flexibility, breathing, efficiency of movement and enhanced energy.

Tony Vitale graduated Summa Cum Laude from St. Louis University in 1998 with a Bachelor of Science in Occupational Therapy. Since then he has enhanced his education in bodywork at the Kaleidoscope School of Massage and C.O.R.E. Institute where he received his certification in Structural Integration. Since 2002 Tony has worked in private and professional capacities, emphasizing his interest in the improvement of posture and movement as well as pain and injury rehabilitation.

Brandon Schuessel
314.265.9531

Specializing in Rehab Massage Therapy, Brandon is a Nationally certified Massage Therapist with 9 years experience. He has preciously worked with a Chiropractor for 4 years, gaining experience with a wide variety of aches, pains and discomforts throughout the body. He is currently attending the Upledger Institute for Advanced CranioSacral Therapy Training. Brandon's particular type of therapy incorporates multiple massage techniques which are used to help treat specific aches, pains and discomfort in the body naturally.

Dr. Bill Russell, MA, MFA, DC, DABCSP, CERT ACU
314.795.8839

Dr. Russell uses a combination of structural and functional analyses to uncover the condition’s underlying cause. He then uses treatments including physical therapy, joint and myofascial mobilization, acupuncture, and Pilates-based clinical rehabilitation to resolve the acute conditions and correct underlying imbalances, thus enabling you to return to your normal activity level. Pilates-based clinical rehabilitation is the use of Pilates exercise principles and equipment as well as other treatment modalities for (1) rehabilitation of past injuries, (2) pre- or post-surgery conditioning, or (3) pre-Pilates conditioning, should you need to address coordination or strength imbalances prior to starting Pilates training.

Acupuncture is used to treat arthritis as well as chronic and acute musculoskeletal problems. When combined with Chinese Medicinals it is useful in the treatment of a wide variety of medical problems. Herbal medicine and acupuncture have been shown to improve symptoms related to pre-menopausal and post menopausal syndromes, fibromyalgia, allergies, anxiety, headache, disease, asthma, and much more.

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Skin Care

From mini facials to full body scrubs, indulge yourself with a relaxing skin care service from Meaghan Malloy.

Meaghan Malloy, Licensed Esthetician
314.378.8734

Click here to download Meaghan's services brochure.

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