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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We would love to have you in our studio! July-August Summer Series packages are now available for 20% off.
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.
Kate Simpson is a Yoga Instructor, Holistic Nutritionist and Life Coach. She has been practising yoga for well over a decade and completed her RYT 200 hr at the Salt Spring Island Centre for Yoga. Kate has a passion for holistic health and helping people feel better in their body and mind. Kate teaches a challenging but accessible style of flow yoga that will help any student find more functionality and freedom in their body.
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.
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.
Kara has been in the health + wellness industry for over 10 years. Her accomplishments include personal training, group fitness, yoga, spin, pilates, kids yoga and pre/post natal training. She has a goal to create a connection between her clients' minds and bodies. Her classes are empowering and supportive. Whatever your level of experience, life stage, and aspirations might be she will help you create a regular movement practice in your life.
HAPPY CUSTOMERS
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Port Alberni
4457 Gertrude Street, Port Alberni, BC V9Y 6J7
Tel: 250-723-5112
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