S2. Ep 8: Tom McCook | Creating an embodied movement practice

05/18/18 • 54 min

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 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

Previous Episode

S2. Ep 7: Hunter Cook | On mobility, injury mitigation, and FRC

In this episode, Janet and Nikki chat with Hunter Cook, FRC and Kinstretch instructor about mobility training for injury mitigation.

They discuss:

Why injury prevention is a myth + why you should train for injury mitigation instead
Common mobility training myths
How training for strength can improve your mobility
Flexibility versus mobility
What it means to have "good" range of motion
Why your mobility goals should match the demands of your sport
The theory and science behind Functional Range Conditioning® (FRC)

About Hunter Cook

Hunter has been personal training for the last 11 years, and has also worked as a physical therapy aide for 6 years in both New York and California. Hunter is well qualified as a fitness professional to work with any demographic of clientele, however, excels in nutritional guidance, mobility and flexibility, and post-rehabilitation clients due to his background working in physical therapy offices.

He holds a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology with the option in Exercise Science from California State University, Long Beach. Hunter’s certifications include the National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM), and the Aerobics and Fitness Association of America (AFAA).

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S3. Ep 1: Jill Harris | On Fitsprings, product development, and Instagram

In this episode, Janet and Nikki chat with Jill Harris, Pilates teacher and master instructor about the product development for inventing Fitsprings.

They discuss:

Why Jill created Fitsprings and how she is using it to fill a gap in the Pilates and fitness industry
What it takes to create a physical product and how to scale it to mass market production
Jill's inspiration for creating unique, engaging content on Instagram
#Pilatesandpets and how Jill is using her Instagram following to help animal shelters and save bunnies

About Jill Harris:

Master Pilates instructor Jill Harris is a fitness innovator with over 20 years of teaching experience. In her San Francisco studio, Jill offers Private and Semi Private Pilates and FitSprings training. Jill's creative exercise ideas make your workouts both fun and challenging. These ideas were the foundation for her Reformer Box Workout workshop which is available to studios and trainers now.

To connect with Jill, visit her website informedbody.com or say hello on Instagram.