In the heart of every community, I've found a tapestry of individuals seeking connection, purpose, and physical well-being. As I've navigated my own journey, I've discovered how Mat Pilates has become a powerful tool for me to connect with others, find purpose, and cultivate a deeper sense of well-being.
When I first moved to the Midwest, I felt lost and disconnected. As a transplant seeking to establish roots, I yearned for a sense of belonging and a way to contribute meaningfully to my new community. Little did I know that unrolling my simple mat would lead me down a path of transformation, not just for myself, but for those around me. My journey with Mat Pilates began as a personal quest for better health. Struggling with chronic low back pain and foot injuries from years of long-distance running, I was desperate for a solution that didn't involve endless medications or invasive procedures. A friend suggested I try Pilates, and skeptically, I attended my first mat class. From the moment I stepped onto the mat, I felt a shift. The focus on breath, the emphasis on core engagement, and the precise, controlled movements were unlike anything I'd experienced before. As weeks turned into months, I noticed significant changes. My back pain began to subside, my posture improved, and I found myself moving with an ease I hadn't felt in years. But the benefits extended far beyond the physical. In that studio, on my mat, I found a community. People from all walks of life, united by their desire for better health and movement, became my support system. We shared our struggles, celebrated our victories, and encouraged each other through challenging exercises. Inspired by my own transformation, I decided to become a certified mat Pilates instructor. I wanted to share this gift with others, to help them find the same freedom of movement and sense of community that I had discovered. The beauty of mat Pilates is its accessibility—all you need is a mat and some space. This simplicity allowed me to bring Pilates to places in my new community where it was needed most. In my new Midwestern city, I started teaching mat Pilates classes at community centers, parks, and even in office spaces for team building events. The response was overwhelming. People who had never considered themselves "fitness types" were drawn to the gentle yet effective nature of mat Pilates. I watched as individuals who struggled with chronic pain began to move with confidence and joy. One of my students, Sarah, had been living with fibromyalgia for years. She came to her first class barely able to lie comfortably on the mat. Week by week, I witnessed her transformation. The focused breathing techniques helped manage her pain, while the core-strengthening exercises improved her overall stability. Six months later, Sarah was not only pain-free most days but had also become one of the most enthusiastic members of our Pilates community. Another student, Tom, a retiree in his 70s, joined the class hoping to improve his balance and mobility. Initially skeptical about lying on the floor for exercise, he soon became our class's biggest cheerleader. The functional movements we practiced on the mat translated directly to his daily life. Tasks like getting out of a chair or reaching for items on high shelves became easier. Tom often joked that mat Pilates had given him a new lease on life. As my mat Pilates community grew, so did the connections between people. I organized downtown Pilates events, bringing together practitioners from all over town. These gatherings became more than just exercise; they were celebrations of movement, health, and community spirit. The affordability and accessibility of Mat Pilates made it possible for people from all economic backgrounds to participate. Unlike equipment-based Pilates, which often require expensive machines, mat Pilates could be practiced anywhere, anytime. This inclusivity strengthened my community bonds, breaking down barriers that might otherwise have kept us apart. Through teaching and practicing Mat Pilates, I found my purpose in this new community. I wasn't just helping people move better; I was facilitating connections, fostering a supportive environment where individuals could thrive physically and emotionally. The principles of Pilates—awareness, alignment (center), breath, balance, control, and core—became metaphors for how we approached our lives off the mat. We learned to move with intention, to find our center in challenging times, and to support each other with the same care and precision we applied to our exercises. As I reflect on my journey, I'm in awe of how a simple mat has become a powerful tool for transformation. Mat Pilates has not only freed me from chronic pain and foot injuries but has also allowed me to help others achieve the same movement freedom. It has given me a way to serve my community, to forge meaningful connections, and to witness the incredible resilience of the human body and spirit. For anyone seeking to improve their physical well-being, connect with others, or find a sense of purpose in a new community, I wholeheartedly recommend giving Mat Pilates a try. Under the guidance of a certified and experienced instructor, you'll discover that the mat is not just a place for exercise, it's a space for growth, connection, and transformation. In my community, mat Pilates has become more than a fitness trend; it's a movement towards better health, stronger connections, and a more vibrant, supportive community. As I continue to unroll my mat and engage in these community core conversations, we're not just strengthening our bodies, we're strengthening the very fabric of our community, one breath, one movement at a time.
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  One Brain. Three Integrated Systems:
Vision, balance (vestibular) and movement (proprioceptive) are skills that can - and should - be trained Vision is your brain's most important system and sits at the top of the “neural hierarchy.” We often think of 20/20 as “perfect vision.” However, it really means that at 20ft you can see what the average person can see at 20ft. It means that your eyesight is perfectly average. But vision can be improved. Your eyes have muscles that can all be trained and strengthened like any other muscle in the body, enhancing your eye’s ability to move and focus in a coordinated and accurate fashion. When we think of testing our eyes, mostly we think of reading an eye chart when we see our optician. We look at a well-lit, highly contrasted letter that isn’t moving. But life - and vision - doesn’t work that way. Things move; we move, and we use our eyes in many different ways, including looking at static objects and tracking moving objects as we (and they) move. In your NeuroPower sessions, we’ll look at and train your eye’s ability to see clearly and move well. Our vestibular system (in our inner ear) is our brain’s second most important system. It’s so automatic that it’s often overlooked as one of our senses. With it, we have an innate sense of which way is up, and which way we are moving. Without it, we are virtually unable to move. It is such a sensitive and responsive system that even small deficits can have outsized impacts on our movement. A small deficit in one ear will send imbalanced signals to the brain incorrectly suggesting that you are moving or turning. In response, the brain adjusts your posture and muscle tone to compensate. Over time this can manifest as long term pain, tension and postural issues. You can be manually “adjusted” or “manipulated” back into correct alignment, but without addressing the underlying vestibular issue, your brain and body will continue to contort in line with the sensory input your brain is receiving. Assessing and retraining the vestibular system is an essential part of NeuroPower movement. Movement begins with the brain’s ability to judge where your body is, before sending signals to your muscles to move. The ability to judge and move your body is proprioception. However, a lifetime of accidents, injuries and habitual movements can blur your brain's map of your own body, making it harder for your brain to judge where it is at any moment. Much like driving with foggy windows, any lack of clarity in the brain's map will impact movement, resulting in reduced speed, strength, and range of movement. You move more slowly and cautiously when your brain is unsure of where you are and what is around you. Both fortunately and unfortunately, the brain adapts to what it does - and doesn't do. This means that our capacity for movement is always either growing or declining. Through NeuroPower, you will develop your brain’s ability to judge and move your body. We train the proprioceptive system, not just a muscle or joint in isolation. The Unspoken Power of Body Language: How Pilates Can Boost Your Confidence, Poise, and Grace1/21/2025  Body language is a powerful form of nonverbal communication that often speaks louder than words. It can convey emotions, attitudes, and intentions without uttering a single syllable. From the way we stand to the subtle movements of our hands, our bodies are constantly sending messages to those around us. Mastering the art of body language can significantly impact how others perceive us and how we feel about ourselves.
The Impact of Body Language Our posture, gestures, and facial expressions play a crucial role in projecting confidence and competence. Standing tall with shoulders back and head held high conveys authority and self-assurance. A genuine smile can create a sense of warmth and approach-ability, making others feel at ease in our presence. Even the way we move can communicate grace and elegance, leaving a lasting impression on those we encounter. How Pilates Enhances Body Language Pilates, a form of exercise that focuses on core strength, flexibility, and body awareness, can be a powerful tool for improving body language. A strong core is essential for maintaining good posture. Pilates exercises target the abdominal muscles, lower back, and pelvic floor, creating a solid foundation for confident body language. As your core strength improves, you'll naturally stand taller and move with greater ease. Improves Posture Pilates emphasizes proper alignment and body awareness, helping to correct postural imbalances. Through regular practice, you'll develop the muscle memory needed to maintain an upright, confident posture throughout your day. Enhances Body Awareness The mindful movements in Pilates increase your overall body awareness. This heightened sense of your physical self allows you to make conscious adjustments to your posture and movements, projecting a more poised and graceful demeanor. Reduces Stress and Tension The focused breathing and flowing movements in Pilates can help reduce stress and tension in the body. This relaxation translates into a more open and approachable body language, free from the tight shoulders and clenched jaw that often accompany stress. Practical Tips for Improving Body Language Through Pilates
By incorporating Pilates into your routine, you're not just working on your physical fitness; you're investing in your overall presence and the messages you send to the world. As you strengthen your core, improve your posture, and increase your body awareness, you'll find yourself naturally exuding more confidence, poise, and grace in all aspects of your life. Remember, elegant body language is a skill that can be developed and refined over time. With consistent Pilates practice and mindful attention to your nonverbal cues, you'll be well on your way to mastering the unspoken language of the body, communicating strength and self-assurance in every interaction. The Pilates Whole Body Body Language Tool Kit is an excellent go to for busy individuals. You will learn specific exercises targeting the areas your specific body needs based on where YOU are at physically. To find out more, please email: [email protected].  Life is like navigating a river in a kayak - you can't control the flow, but you can control how you respond to it. This analogy, inspired by Oliver Burkeman's quote "You're always in the kayak," encapsulates the lessons learned from a challenging year. 2024 brought both smooth waters and turbulent rapids. The smooth parts included growth in the Pilates Whole Body community, new classes, and inspiring stories from clients moving more confidently, stronger, and pain free! The rapids represented unexpected personal and professional challenges that felt overwhelming at times. Key lessons from navigating these rapids:
Keep Moving!  I receive emails and questions asking why do I do vision or balance exercises? To answer these questions, I need to start by giving you a short lesson about neurology. First, you have a brain. You can’t actually see your brain and that’s actually a test of your visual system. Your brain basically has 3 primary tasks: #1 - it receives input and basically what this means, you have eyes sending input. You have feet sending input. Your whole body is sending input to the brain. So your brain’s #1 job is to receive input and the quality of the input is incredibly important. So, if you were at your computer trying to type an email and you’re not paying any attention to the keys that you’re pressing, you’re giving a lot input, but it won’t give you the end result you’re looking for. Bottom line: your brain is receiving a lot of input and there is a lot of inputs that has to be sorted out.  Second, task for your brain is #2 - is to receive that input and interpret the input. The brain has to interpret and decide. So the brain has to take the input signals from your eyes and ask, “What is it? Is it the color blue? Is it the color red?” And that’s the interpretation and does it matter? “Oh, it’s a STOP sign. Yeah, it actually matters so the decision part is very important. Then we go to the third thing #3 that your brain or nervous system has to do and that is to create an output. An output is all about muscles and reflexes and visceral responses and heart function and blood pressure. So, you’re driving along and you see a red sign in front of you and your brain can INTERPRET that it’s red. Your brain can go “ah, it’s red and it says ‘stop.’” That’s a DECISION and sends an OUTPUT to your foot so that you can press the brakes. That’s Neurology in a nutshell!  So the inputs your brain is receiving, are they good ones? Are the inputs enough? Does your brain understand what the inputs are and can your brain interpret the inputs? Can it decide what to do with the inputs intelligently and then ultimately, can your brain send good signals out to the rest of the body to say “hey this is what I want to enact in the world.” That’s Neurology 101. This explains why Pilates Whole Body approaches movement from a brain-body approach. Because if we look at the human body, we can ask “what are the different ways that I can receive input?” Inputs can come through your eyes, your inner ear, your muscles, tendons, ligaments, skin, vibration and pressure and all of these things.  So, if I am working with you as your brain-body movement professional, as a Z Health Trainer®, I am interested in, for example, if I ask you to close your eyes and I touch your index finger and your ring finger. Can you tell the difference? Because if you have LOUSY INPUT, that’s a BIG DEAL because it makes it hard for your brain to INTERPRET. It makes it really hard to DECIDE and then ultimately your OUTPUT will be poor. Another example, if I ask you do a figure eight (8) with your shoulder, can you actually do that? Can you coordinate it and can you tell me the muscles to turn on and off appropriately as necessary because that also tells me, as your brain-body movement professional, Z Health Trainer® a lot about YOUR BRAIN.  So whenever you think about Pilates Whole Body’s (PWB) brain-body approach, a Z Health Trainer®, and you learn about what PWB does in a training environment asking why does a brain-body movement professional talk about the eyes? Because it makes a difference in sports performance. Because it makes a difference in the gym. It make a difference in pain. It makes a difference in rehabilitation. Everything that Pilates Whole Body, as a brain-body movement professional, is doing is based off of this basic concept of input, interpretation/decision, and output.  So what’s the next step or what does this really mean for you? It’s very important that you understand this part. #1, if you have stuff that you’ve been struggling with meaning you’ve got a bad shoulder, bad knee, or bad back, I guarantee you this is the answer somewhere. You’ve got an input problem, an interpretation problem or an output problem and you need to be working professionals that understand this (neurology) and can help you delineate or figure out what that problem is.  My recommendations are if you have been dealing with any kind of chronic issues, #1, make sure you don’t have anything serious. That means go to your doctor or your health care professional and get cleared for exercise. That’s very important. And if you’re looking to work on these things, work with me, a brain-body movement professional, that can have this kind of conversation with you. I would need to look at at all the different sensory input that you are getting, look at how your brain is taking the information in, and then do some tests to see are your muscles working, are your ligaments working, all your joints - essentially testing to see if everything is working like they are supposed to. Because somewhere in that chain is the answer to your problem.  Pilates Whole Body is more than just a Pilates studio. It has a signature brain-body approach to all movement that is based on the understanding that all movement starts from the top: your brain. As a Z-Health Trainer, I can help unlock your full physical potential by targeting the brain and nervous system to improve movement, eliminate pain, and enhance overall performance. Through scientifically designed exercises, I can "debug" inefficient movement patterns, enabling rapid gains in strength, flexibility, balance, and endurance while addressing chronic pain and injuries. This is an innovative, brain-based approach that empowers you to move confidently and live a more active, pain-free life. To learn more and to set up a brain-body (neuro) session with South Dakota's first and only Z Health Trainer, contact me, Jan at [email protected].  What makes Pilates so unique? What are some of the benefits that distinguish it from other forms of exercise?
Here are 4 ways that Pilates is a BETTER way to workout: 1. Pilates strengthens ALL the muscles - little AND big, movers and stabilizers. Why should you care about that? Because you need all your little stabilizing muscles to be strong to help the bigger muscles move well and not get injured. And although a lot of visible “tone” will come through nutrition, as a side perk, it also comes through Pilates! Strengthening those little muscles is what gives you more muscle tone closer to your joints. 2. Pilates also strengthens the muscles in a LENGTHENED way. (This is my favorite part!!) The FULL LENGTH of the muscle gets stronger rather than just the big, bulky part of the muscle. This, in turn, strengthens the tendons, ligaments AND joints that the muscles attach to - making your whole body move better and feel better. (AND SIDE PERK: this also adds to your flexibility and mobility!) This is also why someone who does Pilates has a different shape to their muscles…where the term “long and lengthened” comes from. 3. Pilates strengthens your body FUNCTIONALLY (in ways you need for everyday functions). Meaning the exercises were created to strengthen the good design of how your body is *meant* to move rather than push against that design with harsh or wearing movement like from some other forms of exercise leading to injury or weaknesses. Strengthening the correct placement, dynamic and stability of the body creates fluid and efficient movement. No wear and tear needed. Useful strength. Necessary strength. 4. Additionally, I believe Pilates is healing to our nervous systems. So much stress is held in our bodies whether we realize it or not. Science shows that moving your body in these gentle but beneficial ways will help get your blood, lymph, and fascia moving thus helping soothe your nervous system, turning on your vagus nerve and parasympathetic system, reducing stress, strengthening your ability to deal with stress, and lighten the load you carry. Pilates is a powerful way to connect your body and mind! Pilates gives you TRUE, deep-rooted strength. Come move with me! Get your online virtual training today!  As we enter Breast Cancer Awareness Month, our community comes together to support those affected by this disease and raise funds for vital research and support services. This year, Pilates Whole Body is happy to announce a special fundraising event that combines the power of Pilates with philanthropy, showcasing how fitness can be a force for positive change.
Pink Pilates: A Mat-Based Fundraiser Pilates Whole Body is proud to leads its 2nd Pink Pilates Fundraiser, a set of group mat Pilates classes that aims to raise awareness and funds for Amy Scherer-French, a Rapid City mom, wife, and business owner. Pink Pilates embodies Pilates Whole Body’s commitment to merging wellness with community support, demonstrating that every movement can make a difference. The Power of Group Mat Pilates Mat Pilates is an ideal choice for Pink Pilates: A Fundraiser to Help Amy Fight to Crush Breast Cancer because a mat is accessible and portable. Unlike equipment-based Pilates, mat work can be performed anywhere with minimal props, making it perfect for a local, neighborhood community event. Participants need only bring a Pilates mat and their enthusiasm to join in this empowering class. Pilates and Philanthropy: A Perfect Match Pilates Whole Body believes in the transformative power of group mat Pilates both for building community and educating along with stewarding the community about the importance of health and wellness. By combining Pilates with philanthropy, Pilates Whole Body is creating a unique opportunity for participants to:
This event exemplifies Pilates Whole Body’s commitment to holistic wellness, encompassing both personal fitness and empowering community members with a healthy lifestyle activity. Accessibility and Community Impact The beauty of group mat Pilates lies in its versatility and accessibility. Whether you're a seasoned practitioner or new to Pilates, the class offerings for the 2nd annual Pink Pilates Fundraiser will cater to all levels. By bringing Pilates out of Pilates Whole Body’s boutique studio and into a community space at Peak Wellness on 715 Omaha Street, Pilates Whole Body invites everyone to experience the benefits of this incredible low impact exercise. Portable Pilates: Bringing Wellness to You Mat Pilates' portability means Pilates Whole Body can bring Pilates to various locations throughout the neighborhood, locally, and anywhere in the Rapid City, South Dakota community. Pilates Whole Body is your Black Hills Pilates studio. From parks to community centers, Pilates Whole Body is able to reach more people and make a bigger impact. This flexibility allows Pilates Whole Body of the Black Hills to truly embed its fundraising efforts within the heart of our community. Join Pilates Whole Body in Making a Difference By participating in "Pink Pilates, A Fundraiser to Help Amy Fight to Crush Breast Cancer," you're not just attending a fitness class – you're becoming part of a movement. Every stretch, every breath, and every donation will help to the fight against breast cancer. Together, we can harness the strength-building principles of Pilates to build a stronger, more supportive community for those affected by breast cancer. Let's come together on our mats to stretch, strengthen, and support a cause that touches so many lives. Join us for "Pink Pilates" and experience the powerful fusion of fitness and philanthropy. Together, we can make a difference, one Pilates move at a time.  Did you know that I am a brain-based movement professional? What does this mean? It means that I can help you move better and feel great starting from the top: your brain. How? As a certified brain-based practitioner, I teach special exercises that stimulate different parts of your brain. The brain-based exercises activate your brain in a very healthy and good way. When this happens, your brain and body will "talk" to each other more effectively allowing you to move better.
When you move better, you can move more effectively and efficiently to: Ride your horse or Harley pain free and confidently, Play musical instruments like a virtuoso and fluidly, Sports perform like an elite athlete, Do everyday things (garden, hold your grandkids, pickleball, etc) pain free and injury free. As a brain-based practitioner, I can show you brain-based exercises that you can do anywhere. These exercises help your body feel strong and flexible. They also help get rid of pain if you have any. The best part is you will work safely while challenging your brain and body causing you to Improve your balance and getting rid of motion sickness, nausea, and vertigo, Improve your ability to move more confidently eliminating the propensity to trip or fall, Improve your workplace wellness from tired eyes, brain fog, and fatigue, And so much more! Being a brain-body practitioner, I can help you unlock all the amazing things your body can do starting from the top: your brain. |
AuthorHi! My name is Jan and I am a Certified Pilates Instructor and a brain-body movement professional, a Z Health Trainer. I hope what I have to share with you will be helpful. :D Archives
March 2025
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