About Us

Welcome to no B.S. Mat Pilates classes for groups and individuals who want the hot body AND the feel good factor. My Backyard Pilates combines core strengthening, booty boosting, limb toning, and joint care to ensure you safely achieve your fitness goals. I offer detailed instructions and modifications for both beginners to advanced. No gimmicks or expensive equipment. I hold classes in my backyard on my mat, because…. why not?!

Wanna whittle your waistline and gain confidence in everyday activities? Hurt yourself getting out of bed? Sitting all day? Peeing your pants? Postpartum pouch? Loose booty woes? Backyard Pilates is for you.

Having been a gym rat most of my life, I never expected to find a better workout until several injuries led me to Pilates. Now, I’m 43 and in the best shape of my life! Get it right and keep it tight with this complete body workout that will change how you move for the better. It’s all about the core, hunny!

Certified in Mat Pilates and group fitness through AFAA, I’m eager to share the gift Pilates gave me – of feeling AND looking great!

Specifics

Mat Pilates Benefits

 

Pilates renewed my faith in my own physical capabilities to heal, rebuild, transform and counteract aging. We target problem areas with correct form, emphasizing quality instead of rushing through repetitions blindly. With neck surgery and a chronic lumbar strain, I was advised to seek out Pilates as a safe alternative to high impact activities. Although it was scary to switch at first, I now wish I had found Pilates in my 20’s! Focusing on joint alignment and deep core engagement creates a sustainable workout with results achieved SAFELY. The feel-good factor encourages us to keep working out instead of being too sore and exhausted to make it to the next class. Power and grace go hand in hand.

Specialization in Back Injury Prevention

 

Modifications are key to pursuing our fitness goals without sacrificing our overall health. We can push ourselves with proper form to build strength and conditioning without the wear and tear on our joints and connective tissues. Pilates was engineered with injuries in mind. This lends itself to individual assessments like watching for asymmetry, underdeveloped musculature and patterns of compensation that result. We’ve all had that “uh oh” feeling during a workout and felt guilty for not being able to prevent it. My goal is to present options like tools in a toolbox along with mindfulness, replacing “uh oh” with “ah ha!”

Pre & Postpartum Pilates

 

Pilates is wonderful for moms and essential for prenatal and postpartum bodies. Too often, we aren’t told about the changes our bodies go through and how they will impact everyday functionality. Exercise is proven to be highly beneficial for mom and baby’s health. Diastasis, sciatica, incontinence and metabolism changes can all be managed instead of just accepting it as part of motherhood. Drawing on my continuing education, I enjoy providing moms with real solutions. Breathing techniques, abdominal strengthening and key stretches rebuild with confidence while debunking the myths of the “mom bod”.

Pilates as Self Care

 

Exercise and self care can be one and the same thing. I add in a wide variety of stretches and self myofascial release (SMR) techniques to manage soreness and increase stamina. Simply engaging our core with our breath can retrain posture and reduce stress. The principles of Pilates are rooted in self care. The lumbar pelvic hip complex (LPHC) is our foundation for movement. Most body movement is initiated in this core area so taking care of it is a no-brainer. Pilates strengthens supporting muscles so our bodies move efficiently and beautifully through space. Once we understand that Pilates is the reward in itself, we look forward to working out. Add the bonus of aesthetically desirable results and you have a winning combination.