a PILATES "Pilates is complete coordination of body, mind and spirit."
— Joseph Pilates
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YELLOW DOOR STUDIO Come and join us at Port Alberni's newest studio on Gertrude Street! FIND US a a a a BACK in Shape An 8-week education and exercise program designed for those who have reoccurring lower back pain or who are recovering from a lower back injury. LEARN MORE a a OUR PHILOSOPHY "Change happens through movement and movement heals."
— Joseph Pilates
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GLA:D™ CANADA GLA:D™ (Good Life with osteoArthritis: Denmark) adapted for Canada 8-week education and exercise program. LEARN MORE a a a

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.

Clinical Pilates

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Mat Pilates

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Reformer

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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.

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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.

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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

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Marta Tomaszek

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.

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Lauren Siddall

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.

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Carly Thornton

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.

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Ludmilla Lyle

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.

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Kara Mackenzie - Maternity Leave

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.

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HAPPY CUSTOMERS

I have completed two 6 weeks sessions of over 55 Pilates with Caitlin and am eagerly awaiting the start of the next session. As a retired physiotherapist, I have had lots of experience with exercise but no prior experience with Pilates ( wrong era) I have found Caitlin to be a very skilled , patient and competent instructor and would recommend the class to others, especially as it is perfect for the mature client.

Christine T.

I signed up for the Postnatal level 1 series with Caitlin and found it to be exactly what I was looking for. It was a gradual build in strength and intensity while really focusing on proper pelvic floor and abdominal engagement. I also dropped into the Intermediate Pilates with Marta which was excellent. Great focus on detail and a wonderful workout, always with a focus on proper alignment and safety. I am not signed up for a reformed class which I am really excited about. Clean space, professional and approachable instructors and lots of creative classes.

Genevieve R.

I have been attending Stretch classes with Marta and Pilates classes with Caitlin and Marta since the studio first opened. Joining a new fitness class hasn’t been easy for me in the past because I’m working around various degenerative bone changes. Caitlin and Marta are true professionals, recognizing that not everyone simply needs motivation to keep up with the program. They have both been very supportive, encouraging, and have provided personalized assistance to ensure proper body alignment was maintained. I’m now moving on to twice weekly Pilates classes with a new instructor, and I have no doubt that the supportive and positive experience will continue. It’s great to finally be on the right track!

Kathie G.

I started classes in July and i am Now doing multiple per week. I love the supportive environment and the teaching from both Marta and Kaitlyn has me feeling stronger than ever. Love the variety.

Kristine M.

I started a very good class this morning with Caitlin and I thoroughly enjoyed it; she is very knowledgeable and therefore able to slightly modify an exercise to accommodate the needs of an individual. Very nice atmosphere in the Yellow Door; and a nice small class so that Caitlin is able to give individual attention. I am looking forward to my next class and future signups. Thanks Caitlin and Yellow Door!

Pamela W.

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    Port Alberni

    4457 Gertrude Street, Port Alberni, BC V9Y 6J7

    Tel: 250-723-5112

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