Welcome to Amber Stone Pilates

WHAT THE HECK IS A POWERHOUSE?

 (My initial thought upon receiving correction during my first classical pilates session. Hmm. Then I was made to FEEL it. Whoa. Got it, Joe!)

 The rest, as they say, is history.

You could say I grew up cutting my teeth on various forms of competitive athleticism. From a young age, I studied and competed in all forms of dance, cheered my way through junior and varsity levels (I was honored as my high school's first NCA All-American Cheerleader) and participated in a myriad of other extracurricular activities. After high school graduation, I decided to forgo studying physical therapy at St. Louis University and instead pursue my dream of a musical theater career at a private liberal arts school. Ironically, my first experience with pilates matwork was as a warm-up prior to ballet class!

Years later, following a massive auto-accident resulting in severe personal injury, pilates would resurface in bits and pieces.  As part of my year-long rehabilitative process, I began to learn how the naturally corrective aspects of the system's exercises can dovetail with a progressive physical therapy program on the road back to health. Through focus on core engagement, the subsequent stabilization provides a foundation on which to properly build all movement- this can be extremely effective for neuromuscular repatterning. I had still merely scratched the surface…..

Pilates, at this point, had shown me two very different practical applications. The first was for the having a healthy, athletic body- preparing for and sustaining through athletic activity. The second was for the vulnerable body with disconnect and damage, desperately in need of strength and balance.

The truth is that strengths and weaknesses are present in every body.  Fortunately, pilates is a fantastic equalizer and can meet you at your personal level.  It is a progressive system that begins basic and advances to extremely complex by balancing the body. When you are working and progressing within the system correctly, the possibilities for improvement are endless:

Pilates has…

…Stabilized me deeply

…Inspired humility

…Grown my aperture

…Strengthened my imbalances

…Deepened my breath

…Upped my stamina

…Perfected my posture

…Lessened chronic pain

…Sculpted my arms, back, and legs

…Toned me all over like nothing else!

Why I love it (and think you will too!)…

…because of the S T R E T C H

…because of the improved balance

…because It wears me out like nothing else

…because I learn something new every day

…because a great teacher's hands can mold your body like clay

…because it feels so good to master an exercise- then learn the variation!

Why should I be your teacher?

…because I see possibilities instead of boundaries with the work!  It's marvelously freeing to let go of perceived limitations in a session. Why not play and breathe and give yourself permission to sweat, have fun, and learn something new?

…because I've taught clients every type of client you can imagine (even ages 9-90!)

…because my dance/movement history gives me major insight when it comes to purity of body line and stretch emphasis within the work. I've had extensive dance/ movement training my entire life and have taught not only pilates but various forms of dance and movement to dancers and non-dancers alike- all across the country!

…because I personally understand trauma/injury.  I have compassion, patience, and compensation tools from personal experience and I love to get in there and break down the work into digestible bits. My clients inspire me! One foot in front of another is how we conquer mountains together!

So 'swan dive' in with me! Discover full-body rhythm, strength, and breath as you master your mind/ body/ spirit connection through pilates.

Amber