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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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It Turns Out She Was Talking About Me┃Tony Brutz

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 about his journey from running his first 5K to becoming a certified Pilates Instructor.  Enjoy Part 2 below, and click here to read Part 1. 

MOVE Wellness Studios wasn’t like any other gym or studio I have seen or visited. The studio was warm and welcoming. Instantly I felt like this could be a place I could workout and feel comfortable. The first question I asked was, “Is this place just for women or do men workout here as well?” The staff at the front desk assured me that men do in fact workout at MOVE Wellness Studios. I continued to ask questions and one of the trainers, Rochelle, was able to help answer them. It quickly became apparent that the people at MOVE Wellness Studios are just as warm and welcoming as you would expect. After that meeting, I signed up for a package of private sessions with Rochelle and my Pilates adventure was about to begin.

My first session was approaching. That stupid self doubt started to creep up. I can’t do this. What was I thinking? They are going think I am an idiot. Rochelle made me feel instantly at ease. There was no judgment. I felt like I had her full attention for the entire session. She was really paying attention to me, to what I needed and my goals. I was doing an AB prep exercise, and when I finished the first rep she asked, “Did you feel tension in your neck?” I thought to myself, yes, yes I did feel tension in my neck. How did she know that? She must be a mind reader. Well, maybe not a mind reader, but she just really knew what she was doing. The sessions went so well that I decided to get a membership to try the different classes.

The first class I took with a different trainer was the men’s class. Since I was the new guy, the instructor spent a little extra time with me to make sure I was using proper form and able to follow along with the class. Then I took a reformer class with Davy. Just like the other trainers, Davy spent time making sure proper form was being used with everyone in the class. With each new class, I got to work with many of the other instructors: Lauren, Nicole, Shannon, Sammy, Elaine, Jane, and Julie. The one thing that stuck out was that all of them are amazing. I know I named dropped a lot here but there is a reason for it but we will get to that later. After just four months at MOVE Wellness Studios, I decided to become a trainer.

Me…A Pilates Trainer?!

One day Elaine mentioned that they were going to do an instructor training course that coming February. I asked her if anyone could take the class or was it just for people who already had training experience. She told me that anyone could and asked me if I was thinking about taking the training. When I told her that I was thinking about it, she leaned over the front counter where we were having the conversation and said, “I would love to have a male instructor here.” That’s nice, I wonder who she has…Wait! …What? Did she just offer me a chance to teach at MOVE Wellness Studios? No, she couldn’t have been talking about me. I was thinking about just getting information for myself to maybe help out friends and family if I felt comfortable. It turns out she was talking about me. Our conversation went on for about an hour. At the end, she had me thinking about the possibility of teaching.

Shortly after my talk with Elaine, I had a session with Rochelle. During the session I told her that I was thinking of taking the training. To be honest I was still unsure about what Elaine had said about giving me a chance to teach at MOVE Wellness Studios (sorry, Elaine). I just wasn’t used to having anyone have that kind of confidence in me. It meant so much to have someone offer that kind of support. I mean I’ve only been doing Pilates for four months. Why would she give me a chance after only four months? Rochelle told me that if Elaine says it she means it, and also gave me her thumbs up as well. As the other trainers found out about me taking the training they all gave me their full support. I am telling you this part of the story because the support from this group of people is amazing. That support was a big part of me being able to get through the training.

Click here to continue reading Part 3.

Tony Brutz teachers 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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The Single Best Decision of My Life | Tony Brutz

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 about his journey from running his first 5K to becoming a certified Pilates Instructor. 

The Single Best Decision of My Life (Part 1)

So here I am, after almost one year of taking classes, studying, practice teaching, and starting my Pilates apprenticeship. I am now an official trainer at MOVE Wellness Studios. All that hard work has paid off. Being a trainer allows me to help others lead a healthier life and share my passion for Pilates. How did I get to this point? Why did I decide to become a trainer? So glad you asked. To answer those questions I have to go back a few years. Don’t worry; it won’t be that long of a story…well maybe a little long…ok, I promise it will be shorter than War and Peace.

It was October of 2014 and I had just finished my first 5K. Even though I should have felt great about running a 5K, I use the term “running” very loosely. I felt a bit depressed. Don’t get me wrong, I was happy that I finished the run, but after training for months my health still hadn’t improved much. The weight wasn’t coming off, and if anything I had gained weight. Even though weight is only one part of health, it was a big issue for me. It has always been tied to my lack of self-esteem and feelings that I was in some way less than others. Ok, this just got a little heavy. Don’t worry, just stay with me, it gets better. I wouldn’t be writing this post now if it didn’t. It was also at this time that it really started to play on my mind that it was only six months until I would turn 40. This was a big deal because I never thought I would make it to 40. Taking care of myself the way I should have just wasn’t a priority. In part, because I just didn’t believe I deserved that kind of care. Treating myself better, both physically and emotionally, had to become a new priority. It just took a few more months to make that priority a reality.

Kicking It Up a Notch with Pilates

Mid December of 2014 I had enough. January 1st, 2015 I was going to do it, I was going to take much better care of myself. First off, I needed to work on my eating habits. Eating whole foods and staying away from premade/prepackaged food was going to be the plan. Also, that year I was not going to eat anything deep-fried, no fast food, and no pizza. Spoiler alert, I did it, I didn’t eat any of those things for the whole year. Trust me that was big accomplishment because I love me some pizza! Now that I had a nutrition plan, it was time to set a plan for the exercise part. I decided to run at least one race per month from April to December. A friend of mine gave me a few running schedules to start training for my future runs. Now that I had my plan set, it was time to put it into practice.

The first few months of 2015 were going great. I was sticking to the plan and it was working, not just physically but mentally as well. My mood was improving and my confidence was getting better. Then I decided I wanted to kick it up a notch. Surfing the web I found a bunch of gyms that offer fitness classes. That is when I came across the website for MOVE Wellness Studios.   After my research, I made what I believe is the single best decision of my life – I walked through MOVE Wellness Studios’s doors.

Click here to continue reading Part 2.

Tony Brutz teaches a 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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MOVE Wellness Studios Was Featured in Michigan Homes Guide

MOVE Wellness Studios is thrilled to be featured in the Michigan Homes community guide as the top mind-body fitness and wellness center in the city! In the article, MOVE Wellness Studios’s President & CEO Elaine Economou answers some questions about the GYROTONIC EXPANSION SYSTEM®, Pilates, and how to get started with these movement systems. She also offers great advice for anyone new to Pilates.

Read the full article at www.michiganhomes.com/articles/get-up-and-go-at-move-fitness-and-wellness

Ready to get fit and recharge? Try a private training session or group classes at MOVE Wellness Studios Wellness.

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MOVE Client Spotlight: Nili Tannenbaum

 

This month the MOVE Wellness Studios Community Spotlight shines on Nili Tannenbaum, who overcame skepticism and fell in love with Pilates (and MOVE Wellness Studios!).

Nili Tannenbaum Community Spotlight

I started Pilates because I’m a woman in my 60s with a genetic disease resulting in muscle weakness and inflexibility, as well as arthritis and a history of injury in one knee. I wanted to be able to move without pain and stiffness, climb stairs without relying on a bannister, get up easily from chair, and function normally with everyday activities. Even more importantly, I wanted to be able to play and cuddle on different surfaces with my grandson!

When a colleague suggested I try Pilates, I told him that it couldn’t possibly work for me. I thought it was for very fit, Lululemon-wearing, Mercedes-driving trophy wives and that it wouldn’t be for me. I was skeptical, self-conscious, and very nervous before my first session. I felt intimidated by the Pilates equipment, convinced I would fall off or that I wouldn’t be able to succeed at even the easiest things.

My Pilates First Session Experience

MOVE Wellness Studios Spotlight Meet NiliMy first session was transformational; I suddenly was doing things I never could have imagined myself being able to do. I immediately was able to understand how my body works (and why things hadn’t always worked). I had walked in, certain that it would be my last time but it turned out to be a new door opening to a whole new chapter in my life.

I love working out at MOVE Wellness Studios because I feel I belong and that I’m always being encouraged, exposed to new realizations about my capabilities, and given solutions to help deal with my limitations. My amazing trainer, Angela, challenges me while showing me how much I’m already able to do.

I have experienced many physical and mental benefits from my MOVE Wellness Studios experience. Physically, these have included significantly improved range of motion, flexibility, and muscle strength, accompanied by much better toning, posture, and energy. Mentally, these have included growth in self confidence, thanks to the belief in me by my trainer and the ways in which she has taught me that my diagnosis and age do not define me. I also have an increased appreciation of wellness goals and activities, which have also helped me lose 35 pounds so far. All together, this experience has really been life-changing.

By the end of the year, I hope to improve my strength, flexibility, and range of motion to improve my ability to climb stairs, do floor-based mat work, bear weight on my knees, and run around/play on the floor with my grandson (joined by his cousin, due to be born next month!).

To learn more about private training sessions click here, and to book a private session with one of our experienced trainers, click here.

 

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MOVE Pilates Trainer Spotlight: Sara Schuman

Sara Schuman is a pilates trainer at MOVE Wellness Studios. She used to be a runner and hiker but became less active because of the increasing demands of work and family life. She became re-acquainted with fitness after a visit to her doctor in 2012. Since then she has lost over 50 pounds and has discovered many fitness options to keep her interested.

ilates Trainer Sara Schuman“After having a regular fitness routine, I’m able to think more clearly and am in a better mood, both of which help me deal with life’s day-to-day stresses. I love the joy that my colleagues and clients find in learning something new about their body and its capacity to adapt to certain challenges, and the willingness to share such.

To me, wellness means flourishing in any given environment. 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.”

 

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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MOVE Pilates Trainer Spotlight: Sarah Cohen

This month, we shine the spotlight on Sarah Cohen, who recently completed the MOVE Wellness Studios Pilates Instructor Training Program. We hope you enjoy getting to know Sarah.

Sarah Cohen Pilates TrainerI love the supportive feeling of being at MOVE Wellness Studios. When I workout, I feel clear minded and more relaxed. My family appreciates it when I work out regularly. I find that a combination of Pilates and walking keeps me feeling great! My favorite Pilates exercise is the Roll Up because you have to use so many muscles in order to do it properly. To me, wellness is the combination of being physically fit, eating well and taking care of yourself emotionally.”

Sarah’s current MOVE Wellness Studios class schedule includes Pilates Reformer on Tuesdays at 8AM at MOVE Wellness Studios’s Westside Studio. She also teaches a Strength & Conditioning class at St. Joe’s Livingston on Thursdays at 11AM and St. Joe’s Brighton on Thursdays at 12:15PM.  She is also available for Pilates private training.  Book online or call us at 734.224.2560.

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MOVE Launches New Program With Cancer Support Community of Ann Arbor

Moving Beyond Breast Cancer Program

MOVE Wellness Studios Wellness is partnering with the Cancer Support Community of Ann Arbor to offer a free 6-week program for cancer survivors in the community. Program participants will receive a combination of exercise training, fitness planning and tracking, emotional support, nutrition, and education. It will be offered free of charge for people who have completed their primary treatment for cancer and are making the transition to their “new normal.” The program, called Moving Beyond Breast Cancer, will focus on healing and consider the unique needs of individuals who are returning to life after cancer. The classes will run from 9-11:30 a.m. on Jan. 13, 20, 17 and Feb. 3 and 10.

The series is co-facilitated by MOVE Wellness Studios’s experienced fitness trainers and a clinical social worker. MOVE Wellness Studios will offer individual fitness assessments and planning, group exercise classes, and education around these topics. Program social workers will facilitate supportive discussion and address the emotional health of participants.

“The period of time following cancer treatment can be extremely stressful for cancer survivors; Often, medical providers and support has dissipated,” said Bonnie Dockham, Executive Director of the Cancer Support Community. “Moving Beyond Breast Cancer was designed knowing that people need support in recovering from both the emotional and physical trauma of cancer and its treatment. Partnering with MOVE Wellness Studios, experts in physical healing, made perfect sense for the program. Combining the skill set of MOVE Wellness Studios with CSC’s knowledge of survivorship needs will make an outstanding program offering.”

Co-owner of MOVE Wellness Studios Wellness, Elaine Economou, said, “MOVE Wellness Studios and the CSC both value an encouraging and caring community, empowering people to live their best life. Their commitment to participants reminded me of how much we care about our own clients. Both my business partner Robin and I have been impacted by cancer and we know the value of the services they provide to families. Partnering with the CSC seemed like a very easy choice when I found out they could use the type of training MOVE Wellness Studios offers with Pilates, postural support, and safe, effective fitness training.”

Moving Beyond Breast Cancer is offered once a year at the Cancer Support Community of Greater Ann Arbor. This special program is sponsored by Susan G. Komen Michigan. To register, please contact Rosie Morrison, Program Director at rosie@cancersupportannarbor.org or 734-975-2500.

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MOVE Pilates Trainer Spotlight: Colleen Rolland

Yoga and Apprentice Pilates Instructor Colleen Rolland’s love of movement runs deep. She  doesn’t believe there is only one path to health & wellness, which  is why she is working on becoming a certified Pilates instructor here at MOVE Wellness Studios. Read more about her below.

Colleen Rolland MOVE Wellness Studios Pilates TrainerWhat do you love most about working out at MOVE Wellness Studios? Robin and Elaine really emphasize Joy and Community here at Move. There is a genuine concern for our clients and giving them the best experience possible while here. I am super proud to be a part of that!

Favorite Pilates Exercise: I really love all of the Pilates Mat work. It feels great in my body and I love that it’s something I can do anywhere or anytime.

What physical and mental benefits have you noticed with a regular fitness/wellness routine?  Having a regular movement and self-care routine has always been a priority to me. It helps me to stay centered, focused and energized.

What is Your Fit Mix? I am a super bendy person by nature, so anything that helps me tap into my strength and gain more control over my movement feels great! The intermediate reformer work is a sweet and welcome challenge to my body.

What Does Wellness Mean to You?  Wellness means not only taking care of my body, but also taking ample time to sit and do nothing. I feel like our days are filled to the brim with “things to do” and we are missing the beauty of leisure and relaxation.

What Inspires You? I am inspired by watching other teachers and trainers. Being surrounded by folks who are so skilled and knowledgeable in what they do motivates me to keep moving forward to be the best version of myself that I can be.

MOVE Wellness Studios Ann Arbor Pilates Trainer Colleen Rolland

 

Our apprentice trainers are enrolled in the MOVE Wellness Studios Pilates Instructor Training Program and are well-equipped to begin working with clients in both group and one-on-one settings.  As apprentices, they also meet regularly with a mentor-trainer to continue to sharpen their skills and expertise.  If you would like to schedule a private session with any of our apprentices – just $30 per session – please contact us at 734.761.2306.

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