About Yellow Door Studio
The Yellow Door Studio was created by local Physiotherapist, Jane Cruttenden. She wanted to create a welcoming space to encourage people of all ages and abilities to move.
Jane is a firm believer in movement being a great healer and hopes that the Yellow Door Studio will enable people to improve and maintain function.
The Pilates Method is the foundation of the Studio, however it fully embraces other teachings as a way to keep the mind and body healthy.
Physiotherapists study the science of movement. They help restore and maintain people's function, mobility and well-being. Physiotherapy helps through physical rehabilitation, injury prevention, and health and fitness making it the perfect partner for Yellow Door Studio.
“Change happens through movement and movement heals”. — Joseph Pilates
Pilates
Pilates is now a household name and is for everybody regardless of age, gender, size, race, ability or fitness level. Studies have shown that Pilates improves quality of life and is recommended by doctors for overall health, injury prevention and rehabilitative purposes.
The History of The Pilates Method & The Man Behind It
Born in Germany in 1883, Joseph Pilates suffered from many ailments as a child including asthma, Rickets and rheumatic fever. Determined to overcome these health issues he developed a love for exercise and became a competent skier, diver and gymnast.
He moved to England in 1912 and continued his passion for fitness, becoming a circus performer, boxer and self defence instructor.
It was during the first world war that the idea of Pilates, or Contrology as it was originally named, was first thought of. Joseph was working as an orderely in a hospital with people who could not walk. He tied bed springs to the hospital beds as a form of rehabilitation and the infamous Cadillac was born. In the 1920’s Joseph moved to the USA with his wife Clara where they developed and taught their movement concept, Contrology. In 1926 they opened their first studio in New York and it soon became very popular especially with dancers. As Joseph did not speak much English, he would often use his hands to make corrections. This is a tradition which is still carried on today when teaching Pilates.
Joseph died in 1967, aged 83, after which Contrology was renamed Pilates.
Clinical Pilates
Clinical pilates is used by health professionals for musculoskeletal rehabilitation and injury prevention. It can either be performed on a one-on-one basis or in a small group class.
Rehabilitation & Injury Prevention
Specific
Exercises are tailored to each individual’s injury and physical needs.
Enhances Recovery
Performing specific exercises under the supervision of a trained health professional is the optimal way to improve stability, strength, flexibility and coordination following injury.
Pain Management
Exercise has been proven to help decrease pain in people with many different diagnosis’ including arthritis, lower back pain, fibromyalgia and musculoskeletal injuries.
Extended Benefits
Clinical Pilates is often eligible for coverage through extended health benefit plans.
Mat Pilates
Pilates Mat is a contemporary version of Pilates aimed at restoring the natural curvatures of the spine and rebalancing the muscles surrounding the joints. It adheres to the major principles of Classical Pilates, but is distinguished by its approach to postural alignment, exercise sequencing and the use of props.
Five Basic Principals
Breathing
Proper breathing ensures circulation, prevents tension and enhances focus.
Pelvic Placement
Neutral and imprinted positions stabilize the pelvis and lumbar spine.
Scapular Movement & Stability
Stabilizing the scapulae helps to avoid strain in the neck and upper shoulders.
Rib Cage Placement
Ribcage positioning affects the alignment of the thoracic spine.
Head & Neck Placement
Proper placement of the cervical spine ensures its natural curvature.
Reformer
The Reformer was a piece of equipment invented by Joseph Pilates when he was working as an orderly in WWI. He realised that he could use bed springs to create resistance allowing patients to exercise at a higher level when they were in bed. Today the Reformer is a very popular form of exercise, it is a great way to enable you to strengthen as you lengthen.
Benefits
Strength
Pushing and pulling with arms and legs against springs of varying resistance. Eccentric contraction achieves long strong muscles without the bulk.
Flexibility
The reformer is large enough to accommodate full range of motion. The pulley system and carriage allow for a great dynamic stretch.
Coordination
The sequencing of exercises in a variety of positions connects your mind with your body to improve coordination.
Balance
Instability of the rolling carriage promotes better balance.
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The Yellow Door Team
Marta trained as an APPI (Australian Physiotherapy Pilates Instructor) in England in 2011. She moved to Port Alberni in 2020 bringing with her a wealth of experience as a Physiotherapist as well as a Pilates Instructor. She has taught all over the world and encompasses a great sense of purpose with every exercise she teaches. Her classes are challenging and incorporate a good warm up to get the energy flowing.
In 2019, Lauren completed her Polestar and Clinical Pilates training in Australia. A recent addition to Port Alberni, she is excited to work with the community as a Physiotherapist and Pilates Instructor. Whether your goals are to improve mobility, strength, or get a good sweat in a positive environment, Lauren’s classes are deliberately designed for all ages and stages - everyone is welcome! She will guide you through a series of specific movements that leave you feeling good in your body and mind. Lauren is currently away on Maternity Leave, but will be joining us again soon.
Born in North Vancouver, Carly has recently returned to Canada after living & teaching yoga in Spain for the last 10 years. Carly completed her first yoga training over 12 years ago in Dharamsala India to become a hatha yoga teacher. She has since trained in kundalini, ashtanga, and most recently completed a 3 year training through IAYT to become a Yoga Therapist. During her practicum she worked with students with a variety of health concerns: fibromyalgia, IBS, hypertension, hypothyroid, menstrual/women's health issues, hypertension, hypothyroid, parkinsons and more. She is an empathetic listener, with a trauma informed style of teaching. She believes in a holistic & collaborative approach, with other practitioners & especially with the students themselves. She also holds a BA in psychology from UBC & Holistic Nutrition Certification from CSNN.
Ludmilla started her studies of health at the age of 18 working in many places around the world refining and developing her practice. With an understanding of body mechanics and a need to help people move freely, she became a yoga teacher adding to her holistic healing approach. Ludmilla has come home to Port Alberni to offer acupuncture, massage, energy work and yoga.
Nicole was born and raised in Port Alberni, BC. Although she has spent some time away over the years, she eventually returned home in 2022. Nicole has been passionate about sports and fitness for many years, and has turned her passions into a career. She established Ruel Athletics 30 years ago, which specializes in movement performance, strength and conditioning, and nurtition for sports performance. Nicole has spent the last 8 years in the United States studying and applying Pre-Hab and movement performance training practices to athletes. She has a nursing diploma and holds certifications from various organizations, including NSCA, Barbell Rehab, Rehab-U, NASM, BCRPA, ACE, Reformer Pilates, and ISSA. When Nicole is not in the gym or playing sports, she enjoys spending time in nature with her family, friends, and dog.
Jane graduated from Brunel University, London, England in 2006 with a Bachelor of Science in Physiotherapy. Her love of traveling brought her to Port Alberni in 2007, where she fell in love with the community. She took over Port Alberni Physiotherapy Clinic in 2014 and started Yellow Door Studio. Jane is a well rounded Physiotherapist and Pilates Instructor with training in sports injuries, reformer pilates, a variety of manual therapy techniques, acupuncture, and craniosacral therapy. She enjoys spending her spare time exploring the Alberni Valley and enjoying the outdoors with her young family.
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Port Alberni
4457 Gertrude Street, Port Alberni, BC V9Y 6J7
Tel: 250-723-5112
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