4 minute read
ACTIVE PILATES STUDIO
Active Pilates Studio opened on West 41st Avenue this past April. After briefly closing for renovations this summer, it reopened in early August to the delight of its clients.
The company was founded in Toronto in 2019 and now has three additional locations: Richmond, Burnaby, and Dunbar’s studio, the most recent addition.
The Dunbar studio contains two private rooms and one larger room for group sessions.
Clients can choose from various group classes, which foster a supportive and motivating environment, or they can opt for personalized, by-appointment, one-on-one, or one instructor with two client sessions to address specific fitness goals or rehabilitation needs. Instruction is provided in English, Cantonese, and Mandarin.
This popular exercise method improves core strength, flexibility, and body conditioning.
Pilates is a low-impact exercise done completely in movement and helps stretch, strengthen, and balance the whole body. It develops core strength, elongates muscles, improves posture, increases joint flexibility, and focuses on proper breathing.
Vivian Li is the manager and instructor at Dunbar’s Active Pilates. She says, “We have some clients who are pregnant or new mothers. Pilates helps them prepare for childbirth and have a faster recovery after their baby is born. Other reasons people turn to Pilates include building strength after surgery or sports injuries and releasing shoulder and neck pain. The exercises also help control weight. You don’t have to be super fit. People who want to lose weight or get fit benefit greatly from one-on-one classes.”
Active Pilates caters to individuals of all ages, fitness levels and abilities.
“Dunbar is a quiet area with very friendly people. People were keen to see a Pilates studio open here.”
Vivian suggests doing Pilates twice weekly to benefit from the exercises and notes that people immediately feel the results.
Gyrotonic exercises are performed on specialized equipment with pulleys and weights. They focus on flowing, spiraling movements that promote increased flexibility, strength, and body awareness. This unique method is particularly effective in improving posture, balance, and coordination and relieving muscle tension and joint stiffness.
The Gyrokinesis method is practiced on mats and chairs; it incorporates seated and reclined movements, fostering a deeper connection between breath and motion. These exercises enhance mobility, release tension, and boost energy levels by stimulating the spine and articulating all major joints.
The Gyrotonic and Gyrokinesis methods share the benefits of enhancing core strength, promoting relaxation, and reducing stress, making them valuable practices for people of all ages and fitness levels.
In addition to its commitment to fitness instruction, Active Pilates Inc. owns its education department, the Active Treatment Academy. The academy offers a certified Pilates instructor course, which has received approval from the prestigious Pilates Method Alliance (PMA). Active Pilates Inc. takes pride in being one of the first 13 schools approved by PMA in 2022 under the International Teacher Training Program.
Client feedback has been highly positive.
One client reports, “The instructors are exceptionally knowledgeable and attentive, ensuring every session is customized to meet each participant’s needs and skill levels. The studio's tranquil ambience creates the perfect setting for concentrating on technique and mindfulness throughout each workout. Active Pilates welcomes everyone, from beginners to advanced practitioners, providing an encouraging environment where you can push your limits and achieve tangible improvements. I strongly recommend this studio to anyone aiming to strengthen their core, boost flexibility, and elevate their overall well-being.”
Another happy client mentions, “I'm thrilled they've finally opened a Pilates studio near UBC! It's super convenient for students like me. The studio is clean, and the instructors are both professional and friendly. They even incorporate physiotherapy elements into the workouts, which have helped with my chronic back and neck pain. Highly recommended!”
Vivian says, “One client had trouble sleeping due to pain and came back a month later to thank me. Some clients return after giving birth to introduce us to their babies. I like to help people see changes and feel better through Pilates.”
Active Pilates Studio
3584 W 41st Avenue
Vancouver, BC V6N 3E6
Phone 236-996-6998
Story by Sarah Gordon (August 2024) PALLA MEDIA
