Testimonials

Amy Osbaldeston

After spending so much time, energy and finances on physio and chiro trying to fix myself but not seeing any lasting results, I decided to become proactive rather than reactive about my health in July 2015.
I started off with a few...

Louise Nieder-Heitmann

I moved to Canmore just a little over a year ago. I had worked extremely hard in my previous job so there wasn’t much time for looking about my health. When I moved to Canmore, I decided that I needed to really make looking after my health a priority. I want to age well…to be able to ski and hike, etc.
When I was looking at my options, I was looking for something that wouldn’t be too hard on my joints, my core needed a lot of work, and a friendly environment where people really care about you, group atmosphere and with instructors that are really careful and professional and want to care for you and support you. That’s when I found Embody.
Everyone is very friendly & very helpful. Instructors are always making adjustments if there is something that is painful or isn’t working as well as it should. What’s great about Pilates is that you go at your own pace. You never get to the point where you say “now I’ve mastered it” as there is always something to work on.
It’s enabled me, not only to feel much better and be much healthier, but it helped me with joint pain, overall wellness, better posture, weight loss and firming my body. I’m very excited that I found Embody. They are a very supportive group…..very knowledgeable and they are always there to support you and encourage you. Even the people who attend classes and come here are a group of very special people, who want be be well and live life as fully as they can. Great sense of community.
When I began, I wasn’t in very good shape at all and I recall thinking, “on my goodness, can I do this?” I looked at some of the other people and they were all fantastic, but you just come and take it day by day. What’s nice is that it’s not like a regular gym where you can think, “oh, I don’t want to go today.” You sign up and you’re committed and that was very helpful to me.
I could see how I progressed. There were things that I thought I’d never be able to do, but that day that I can do it, I’m going to buy myself a bottle of champagne. And now I CAN DO IT!

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Corinne Percy

I came to Pilates because I was finding that I was very stiff. I would hobble out of bed in the morning and need to sit down to put my socks on in the morning and I didn’t want to live that way. I tried yoga and other things that didn’t work for me, so I tried Pilates and I LOVE IT!
I feel stronger, my posture is better….I think differently when I’m doing other activities such as biking, skiing, even walking. It applies to everything I do, even sitting in my desk.
I was very awkward when I started (definitely not graceful! LOL) and very inflexible, so I had trouble with several exercises when I first began. I really appreciated the coaching from the instructors who were so skilled in not focusing on what you look like but rather on HOW you are doing the movements. Eventually I was able to get to the point when you can feel what you’re supposed to be feeling and perform the exercises correctly. I remember in the beginning, something as simple as the Hundred, was difficult when I first started. I had to rest my neck after the first 2 or 3 reps because I hadn’t found the technique. But once I was able too figure that out in my body, I was able to do the full 10 sets of 10 without taking a break.
I really love the results I get from Pilates. There have been times where there has been a month or two when I couldn’t come and when I come back, I can definitely feel the difference. I like the community……there are great people here. I also like the convenience…..the schedule is great with lots of variety of options. It’s easy to get to this location and the studio is such a nice atmosphere. Once you get here, it’s easy to forget about everything else.

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Jack Aiken

I’m always on the lookout for the fountain of youth. I haven’t found it yet so I have turned to Pilates to ease my aching body. Without trying to sound like an infomercial, I can say that I have noticed a huge difference when it comes to...

Jacquie Warren

The first day I walked into Embody Pilates with my husband, Roger we were greeted by a vivacious Bonny-Lynn, who listened to our individual needs, and set us both on a journey of discovery and recovery.
Although I initially went along with my husband simply to accompany him, I too was carrying a few injuries. When I was younger I had a sky diving accident (I hesitated in opening my parachute so I hit the ground hard, and was dragged across a field, injuring my lower back). You don’t realize until much later in life, how an injury can affect your long term well-being. So over the years, I have suffered with lower back pain and tight, inflexible hips, which started to give me a limp and I was not able to even enjoy a dog walk. So needless to say, when I walked into Embody Pilates, I was eager to learn how to walk through life again without being in pain.

Since starting Pilates eight months ago, I go twice a week and my pain has largely disappeared. My mobility has vastly increased, along with flexibility, but most importantly my core strength has improved significantly. I have awakened a consciousness of how I lift objects, how I walk and go about my daily activities. As well, going to Pilates with my husband is a great couple activity with more than a few moments of laughter!!

The enthusiasm and encouragement from the staff in teaching classical Pilates is enlightening. In August, my ‘eureka’ moment was when I doing ‘seal’ I was able to roll up from the mat into a standing position without using my hands. Now this is CORE!!

So a huge thank you to Bonny-Lynn and her staff in giving me movement, and teaching me Pilates.

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Melanie Rosen

“I can’t even begin to tell you how much I love Pilates!

My Embody Pilates journey began in the summer of 2013 as a way for some colleagues and I to get out of the office and get moving on our lunch hour. Coming to an office job for...

Melanie Rosen

“I can’t even begin to tell you how much I love Pilates!

My Embody Pilates journey began in the summer of 2013 as a way for some colleagues and I to get out of the office and get moving on our lunch hour. Coming to an office job for the first time in 2010 from the food and beverage industry, I found that I developed back pains from sitting for extended periods, and was struggling to keep up the motivation for an active lifestyle. I had a little bit of experience with Pilates, though not the traditional method taught at Embody. I began with attending one semi-private equipment class per week with my co-workers, and quickly became addicted. I now attend 2-4 classes per week, mat and equipment. I can honestly say that I haven’t had any back pain since I started attending classes regularly.

Having been a ballet dancer when I was younger, I love the movement, extension and choreography that Pilates offers. I find Pilates to be both empowering and humbling at the same time! I love a good hour on the Wunda Chair that leaves me a little sweaty, a little shaky and pretty proud of myself at the end of it.
Moving into the Fall I’m excited to be joining up for the Joseph Pilates challenge, and I look forward to seeing where the next 3 months will take me with Embody! Thanks to Bonny-Lynn and her team for keeping me motivated and providing such a fun way to stay healthy! I keep “a hint of hundred” in everything I do!”

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Louise Pajot-Phipps

I was fortunate in relocating to Canmore around the same time Bonny-Lynn opened her first Main Street location. The space did double-duty as retail and studio space. I have fond memories of deciding to try Pilates mat classes – something completely new to me – and pitching in to replace those heavy Pilates mats back into the storage room after class and moving the clothing racks onto the vacated floor space. Bonny -Lynn taught every single class and managed all aspects of the store. She was the hardest-working person I knew in Canmore. I was hooked!
Today’s studio across Main Street is spacious, full of natural light and luxurious by comparison. However, what initially attracted me to Pilates and kept me coming for 3 years is the same:
– Bonny-Lynn ‘s enthusiasm and professionalism
-“no judgment” atmosphere where everyone is welcome to progress at their own pace
– continual learning opportunities through exposure to renowned elders and student teachers
– actual results!
I have found Embody Pilates classes to be an excellent complement to my active lifestyle. My core has strengthened and my balance improved, enabling me to tackle new sports like skate skiing and climbing with confidence. My flexibility has increased and I appreciate the ritual of stretching and strengthening that is the classical Pilates method.
I consider Pilates a “kindness” to my hard-working body. I consider Embody Pilates to be the best there is !

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Wendy Everett

Introduction by Bonny-Lynn Russell:Wendy2
I’ll never forget the day Wendy inquired about doing Pilates back in 2010. Back then, due to mobility issues, Wendy transported herself on a motorized scooter and was accompanied by her service dog, Kuma. She arrived with pain behind her eyes and told me she suffered from debilitating headaches and neck pain. Upon further discussion, I learned that Wendy has a prosthetic leg, numerous reconstruction surgeries, as well as other conditions and factors that greatly impeded this young woman’s ability to have an active lifestyle.
Initially my heart started to pound in my chest and I thought, “I cannot work with her…. it’s too much. What if I hurt her more? This wasn’t talked about in my training program, etc” But then I got past the fear and thought, Pilates is exactly what she needs. Joseph Pilates developed this method to return us BACK TO LIFE.
We started very slowly with some basic mat and adaptive equipment work. Wendy came diligently to two private sessions/week. Slowly, her headaches began to become less frequent, less intense. Her neck pain improved. I remember one day she walked into her session instead of using her scooter. When I asked her where it was, she replied that she didn’t need it anymore. I literally watched Wendy Return Back to Life before my eyes. She started organizing charity walks, smiled all the time, and the pain behind her eyes began to disappear.
I remember when we were looking into relocating to the studio space on the second floor (where we currently are located), I was initially worried about Wendy making it up the stairs, as the building does not have an elevator. She proved me wrong and now literally skips up and down those stairs to her sessions. Our sessions have progressed to the point that you would hardly recognize them as being adaptive in any way. She does Classical Pilates and has excellent technique. Now this year she added skiing, both downhill and cross-country. Are you kidding me? Those sports are complex enough with two legs, let alone one.
Wendy has been one of my greatest teachers. I have learned so much from her from teaching her these past 5 years. I’ve learned to trust the Method. It literally has the power to change lives for those who are willing to learn and try. Plus I’ve learned never to put limits on anyone. Wendy has broken through any limits I initially thought she would have. I’ve learned to never say never with her….she has limitless potential.

Wendy Everett’s Story:
I have been coming to Pilates ever since Embody Pilates opened in 2010, at a small studio space across the street from where the studio is now. Pilates helps me stay focused, both in body and mind. I am able to move in ways I never thought I’d be capable of. Bonny-Lynn and I focus on what I can do, not what I cannot. If I’m struggling with something, Bonny-Lynn also finds a new way to adapt the exercise, so I always feel successful. I leave my equipment lesson feeling 1 foot taller (which feels great when you’re a shorty like me).
I never knew how much core strength affects your whole body until I started practicing Pilates. I feel stronger and more balanced then ever before. It’s allowed me to pursue the sport of skiing (both cross-country and downhill) with a new confidence. Next on my list is to learn how to kayak. All these sports are dramatically improved when you have good core strength.
I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate Bonny-Lynn on the studio’s success. I feel so lucky to do Pilates in what I think is the largest, most beautiful studio known to man. 🙂
Now that Bonny-Lynn is pregnant, I get to be taught by Basia and the other girls, who in my opinion, have been taught by the best. There has been so much time, love and effort put into the Teacher-Training Program (Embody School of Pilates), so it’s no surprise to me how great ALL the teachers are.
I see myself doing Pilates for many years to come and celebrate the milestones that are happening in our Pilates family. I’m also really looking forward to meeting the new arrival and addition to the family. 🙂

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Pilates …an Inside Job!

Many of the movement principles in Pilates align with “intelligent movement” I integrate through training and experience as a physiotherapist and an Olympic athlete.

After I completed a graduate degree at the University of...

Pilates …an Inside Job!

Many of the movement principles in Pilates align with “intelligent movement” I integrate through training and experience as a physiotherapist and an Olympic athlete.

After I completed a graduate degree at the University of Queensland, I taught a post professional course nationally and internationally, titled “The Good Cookies Don’t Crumble” which focused on assessing and improving movement dysfunction.

From my background as a: person who loves to move, an Olympian and a physiotherapist at 7 Olympic games, I obviously have a bias that “movement as medicine”. Our 21st century lifestyle tempts each of us to be strangers in our own bodies and to how we move. Each of us creates movement strategies, good and bad.
I had taken 2 Pilates courses at U of C in the dance faculty and I realized I was different than a “dancer’s body”. I did not feel I really had a full understanding of “Pilates”. From the emergence of Pilates DVDs, classes, it was evident to me, that different “empires” of Pilates had evolved around their “perspectives’. As a lifelong student of movement, I am open minded and willing to try anything to improve my understanding and teaching.

I was curious about the Classical Pilates teacher training program as an opportunity to invest in my health and carve out “me time” (and the fact that it was offered in Canmore sealed the deal)! I learn best by “walking the walk”, so the Classical Pilates teacher training, (all 850 hours), exposed me to the historical background and brilliance of Joseph Pilates. There are definitely easier choices to carve out “me time”! It was my hope that I would have the opportunity to undo some of my “bad habits” or “dysfunctions” I had acquired as an athlete, mother, life long student of movement and commuter.

One can “know” movement and breathing organizes our body, soul and emotions yet there is a difference between knowing and “breathing and moving”! I wanted to reorganize and “move” the junk out of my body, metaphorically speaking. No one said taking the garbage out was easy.

For me personally when I move I feel alive. It is refreshing to see how each and every person benefits from their Pilates sessions. Joseph Pilates wise words, that our physical fitness is a pre-requisite of health and happiness is true for each of us, no matter what our passion or life’s journey.

Imagine a 7-story apartment building. This building is an analogy for the many floors of perception, truth, skill and reality that we have within us. The outside of the building may look similar to most of us, as many people may look similar, day to day from the outside. As we move and breathe with awareness, challenging ourselves daily; it is like ascending to a higher floor. Pilates is intelligent movement alters and shifts our world view continually.

I am thankful to explore the Classical Pilates movement system. Our health and happiness is an ongoing inside job.

Yes I am still a work in progress.

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TONY DESMOND

I work in the film and television business between six to eight months a year. The busy schedule and long hours (sometimes up to 14 hours a day) sometimes make it impossible to fit in a healthy lifestyle, and very difficult to find time for structured exercise. But now that I’m on hiatus, I’ve been coming to Pilates up to six days a week for the last couple of months. In this short time, I can’t believe the changes to my body. I’ve lost a lot of weight and many inches, although I think “lost” is probably not the right word, because I’m not planning on finding it again!

At first I thought Pilates was just another form of yoga. I couldn’t have been more wrong. Although Pilates does incorporate a few aspects of yoga, I was to learn that it also embodies disciplines used in dance, aerobics, and gymnastics. Not to disparage yoga, I find that a Pilates mat class is much more engaging. The instructor is there to help and inform, not just to lead the group through a set of poses and positions that you’ve already done a hundred times. And I like the fact that the class sizes are smaller, and you’re not crammed into a room with thirty other people.

I don’t think I’ve ever been bored in a Pilates class. There’s always something new and different to learn. It’s truly impressive to see the sheer amount of information and knowledge Bonny-Lynn and the other instructors have to share with us, and their patience with us newcomers that may not be getting it at first. I find the way they break things down really help me to focus better on some of the more challenging exercises, and I’ve noticed that each instructor brings something different to every class.

The equipment classes are amazing! The instructors are able to give us very close personal attention, and are super quick to correct us when we’re not doing something correctly. It’s that level of attention that keeps me coming back every day. The machines are set up so anyone of any age or fitness level can work all areas of the body safely, with low risk of injury. I like the fact that each machine and set of exercises are designed to work the core body in specific ways. You can do a set of exercises on one apparatus, and then do a very similar set on one of the others and feel very different results.

One of the fringe benefits of Pilates that I wasn’t expecting was waking up with no more back pain. I tend to flip around in bed a lot, and used to wake up with a dull ache in my lower back. But recently I noticed I was automatically using a sequence of moves I learned in Pilates to turn over, sit up, and get out of bed without putting stress on my lower back. The fact that my core strength has improved that much has made it all worth it.

There’s never a dull moment in class. Bonny-Lynn and the other instructors bring so much fun and enthusiasm that the hour just flies by, and sometimes it takes me by surprise when the class is over. With a job this much fun, I can see why so many students want to become Pilates teachers.

Thank you everyone at Embody Pilates for making my fitness crusade so easy and enjoyable!

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Monday	9:00 AM	8:30 PM
Tuesday	9:00 AM	8:30 PM
Wednesday	9:00 AM	8:30 PM
Thursday	9:00 AM	8:30 PM
Friday	9:00 AM	5:00 PM
Saturday	9:00 AM	1:00 PM
Sunday	Closed

Testimonials

Check out our amazing Success Stories

Amy Osbaldeston

Amy Osbaldeston

Louise Nieder-Heitmann

Louise Nieder-Heitmann

Corinne Percy

Corinne Percy

Jack Aiken

Jack Aiken

Jacquie Warren

Jacquie Warren

Melanie Rosen

Melanie Rosen

Louise Pajot-Phipps

Louise Pajot-Phipps

Wendy Everett

Wendy Everett

TONY DESMOND

TONY DESMOND

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