Moving Well Podcast

In this episode, Nikki and Janet sit down with physical therapist, certified Pilates teacher and professional yoga therapist, Paige Raffo to talk about the transition to coming back from an injury, so you don't get re-injured.

They cover:

• How to know if you need to see a medical professional for your pain
• The different types of pain and injury
• The typical process of transitioning from rehab back to regular exercise
• The difference between rehab and post rehab + the roles of the medical professional and fitness professional
• How to create a conversation between the medical professional and the fitness professional to get the best possible outcome for the patient/client
• How to find the right physical therapist to meet your needs

Links mentioned:

Soreness podcast with Janet and Nikki Paige's website

Paige Raffo, PT, OCS, PYT, CPT, OMT

Paige Raffo is a licensed Physical Therapist and board certified Orthopedic Clinical Specialist (OCS). She earned her BS in Health Science from St. Mary's College of CA and Master's degree from Samuel Merritt University, CA. She is owner and a practitioner of integrative physical therapy in Bellevue WA.

Special training includes certified Pilates instructor (BASI), Professional Yoga Therapist (PYTI), and Orofacial Myofunctional Therapist (AOMT). She is a voracious learner engaging a wide variety of continued education courses related mind-body manual and movement therapies yearly.

Paige enjoys the challenge and reward coming from working with clients from a whole body perspective. She has special interest in hypermoblity, spine care, women’s health, orofacial and airway health. It is her passion to educate not only her clients but colleagues on the importance of holistic physical therapy and wellness.

She is active and gains great joy from spending time outside of work with her family and friends, playing in the outdoors, cooking and eating. To learn more about Paige, please visit her website at balanceflowpt.com.

In this episode, Janet and Nikki chat with Tom McCook, Pilates teacher and movement specialist about what it means to create an embodied movement practice.

They cover:

• Why so many people struggle with proprioception and slowing down
• How to bridge the gap between embodiment and fitness
• Why taking a kinder approach to movement can transfer to a kinder approach in life
• How Tom integrates meditation, the Franklin Method, Pilates and Feldenkrais into his teaching

Tom McCook, founder and director of Center of Balance in Mountain View, CA, is an internationally recognized Pilates teacher and movement specialist. Beginning his full-time career in personal training in 1984, Tom designs programs for health and life performance for working professionals, people rehabilitating from injuries, and world-class athletes, including Olympic Gold Medal swimmers Natalie Coughlin, Jenny Thompson and Misty Hyman. Through years of continuous study and his strong commitment to a daily meditation and physical practice, Tom has developed a refined understanding of what it means to be have a balanced, functionally fit, intelligent body. His teaching integrates Pilates, Franklin Method, yoga, hands-on bodywork, resistance stretching, BodyCode system, somatics, and life coaching, which enhance his holistic approach to working with clients and teachers. Tom produced "Combining Pilates & Yoga for Balance," an exercise video that brings together the benefits of Pilates and yoga. Tom began his study of Pilates in 1991. He has been leading Pilates teacher training courses since 2001 for PhysicalMind Institute formerly, and currently for Balanced Body Education. He has certifications through the PMA, ACE, along with being a CEC provider. In 2010, Tom became one of the first Master teacher trainers in CoreAlign.

Since 2004, Tom has been studying the Franklin Method, an instrumental part of his teaching that offers a very effective approach to improving movement potential and health through imagery and experiential anatomy. Tom has completed all 3 levels of the Franklin Method training and is now a teacher trainer for the Franklin Institute.

Tom teaches workshops, conferences and retreats worldwide. He is part of the Passing the Torch Mentorship program offering continued education, insight and guidance to certified Pilates teachers. Tom also offers a 3-month movement and life coaching course, “Embodying a Balanced Life,” helping students to develop healthy practices, create momentum, and experience more freedom in their lives. Tom’s goal as a teacher is to empower, educate and inspire others to live more fulfilling and balanced lives. He lives on the coast outside of San Francisco with his wife and business partner Karen deMoor.

In this episode, Janet and Nikki chat with self-care expert and yoga teacher Alexandra Ellis about how to integrate self-massage, mobility, and strength work into a movement practice to improve function and decrease the risk of injury.

They discuss:

• The current scientific theories on what's happening when we perform release work with balls or foam rollers
• The best applications for self-massage tools and how to know if you need a soft or hard tool
• The importance of strength work in reducing pain and tension + improving function
• The difference between flexibility and mobility
• When stretching can be beneficial (and when it might not be)
• Areas of the body that are often skipped over in release and strength work that would be helpful to target

Creator of AE Wellness, Body Nerd, and Self-Care expert, Alexandra Ellis has made it her life’s mission to better understand how the body works to help her clients DIY their self-care, strength, and injury recovery. Her teaching and studies focus on injury prevention, rehabilitation and wellness, inspired by her studies at UC Davis where she earned a BS in Exercise Biology. With a strong background and keen interest in anatomy and physiology, Alex strives to empower people to improve their health and well-being through a personal movement practice and enhanced body awareness.

Her programs have helped many people worldwide to be an empowered part of their health, rather than relying solely on their healthcare provider.When not Instagraming her food, workouts or Teacher Training adventures, Alexandra can be found teaching public classes in Los Angeles.

Learn more at www.aewellness.com

In this episode, Nikki and Janet talk with Pilates teacher Carrie Russo about working with different populations using the authentic Pilates method as a framework.

They cover:

• Carrie’s experience coming back to Pilates after abdominal surgery and how it’s informed her current teaching practice
• Myths about Classical Pilates (e.g. no modifications, always pointed toes, ect)
• Examples of how to work with special populations while still staying in the “Classical Pilates box”
• Similarities of the approaches between Classical and Contemporary Pilates
• Elements of what makes a good instructor

About Carrie Russo

Carrie first began studying Pilates as part of her curriculum as a dance minor. Years later she decided to pursue teaching Pilates as a career. After a rigorous year and a half long program, she earned her certification from the prestigious Romana’s Pilates in 2005. While in training, Carrie studied under the direct tutelage of Romana Kryzanowska. She continues to study with the Master Teachers of Romana’s Pilates to ensure she is always challenging herself and growing, both as a practitioner and a teacher. Carrie’s unique style of teaching combines her expert knowledge of the craft and genuine enthusiasm for helping people transform their bodies. Her clients will tell you that although she can be tough, there is guaranteed laughter to be had in every session. She takes to heart what Romana always said, “If you’re not having fun, then what’s the point?”

Carrie is a sought after instructor and teaches workshops for both teachers and Pilates enthusiasts. She takes great joy in sharing her knowledge and passion for Pilates. To learn more about Carrie, visit her website or say hello on Instagram.

In this episode, Janet and Nikki chat with Anula Maiberg, Pilates teacher and co-owner of Sixth Street Pilates in NYC about body image and Pilates culture.

They discuss:

• Why showing diverse body types performing Pilates is important
• Possible reasons why Pilates isn't easily defined by the general public and fitness community
• What we can do as Pilates instructors to help define Pilates culture in and out of the studio
• The impact of marketing on Pilates culture and how to appeal to younger generations
• How we can make the studio a more welcoming place where people feel empowered to move and not self-critical of how they move
• How to handle criticism when putting yourself out there

About Anula

You were once wild here. Don't let them tame you. - Isadora Duncan

Pilates is about finding success in movement its not about making ideal shapes. That's my approach to teaching. I try to bring that across by finding joy in the practice and not taking it all too seriously.

I have a major leggings obsession and now that American Apparel is out of business I am not totally sure what I'm going to do with my life.

In my studio we like to have a little background music playing. Currently its the XX all day every day. They are just mellow enough to not be distracting but still really beautiful.

I go to the ballet more times than my budget will allow... the perks of living in NYC and I take full advantage of it. Romeo and Juliet makes me cry every time.

Favorite TV show of all time: Twin Peaks or My So Called Life

Favorite Movie: Gone With the Wind or St. Elmo's Fire