Pilates and Movement Programs
Our bodies are designed, engineered and created for movement – all movement: reaching, bending, extending, spiraling, walking, or standing. Muscles are designed for and must experience contracting and releasing. When the body does not move or get enough movement it sends us a message, no different than the message of hunger when we haven’t eaten. When we receive a message, we identify it as “feeling stiff” or chronic pain, this is our body sending us a message to move!
Moving is fundamental to your body’s health; however, moving well and with correct body alignment and muscle recruitment is paramount. Accidents, workplace postures, or even family modeled postures can create an imbalance in body symmetry and changes to you body’s alignment. At Everything Movement, we believe that movement – particularly mindful, thoughtful, purposeful movement, can change the way we experience our lives. Movement is a key ingredient in becoming healthier, developing vigor, suppleness, strength, balance and coordination.
Movement at Everything Movement is a whole body, whole mind and whole person practice. It’s for everybody, from the accomplished athlete wishing to fine-tune their game to the person recovering from a hip replacement. Quality of movement and intention are key concepts integrated into every exercise. Time in the studio creates a new awareness that becomes a part of your everyday life and your everyday movement.
Classes are offered through The Alberta Dance & Drama Academy as well as through the private Everything Movement studio.
The Alberta Dance & Drama Academy
Pilates/Yoga: Body Blends Fundamentals
Motion is lotion! Movement is magic! Our class uses Pilates, Yoga and the latest in movement research and brain-based movement principles to help build strength, flexibility, balance and coordination. Change the way you move and then experience the change in how your body feels. Shoulders, hips, backs and feet are just a few of the body parts that will get some special attention.
Looking for more opportunities to stay active? Check out our Adult Dance beginner class right before Body Blends Fundamentals.
| 12 Classes | Online & in person | Alberta Dance & Drama Academy |
| Wednesdays | Jan 31 – May 8 | 11:15 AM – 12:15 PM |
Pilates/Yoga: Body Blends Experienced
A full body workout from the worlds of Pilates (classic and contemporary) Yoga and GYROKINESIS®, with significant influence via the most current education in neuro-movement and fascia research. Endurance, power and efficiency are intertwined with flow, balance and flexibility in this class designed for participants experienced in authentic core stabilization. The workout is streamlined, muscles are fatigued systematically, flow from one movement to the next, integrating each body system; keeping you focused, present and curious.
*Online participants will need to have, or arrange to purchase, small accessories used in the class.
| 12 Classes | Online & in person | Alberta Dance & Drama Academy |
| Fridays | Jan 26 – May 10 | 9:30 AM – 10:30 AM |
Pilates/Yoga: Movement Matters Workshop
Unlocking Your Core Potential: A Holistic Whole-Body Approach to Core/ Pelvic Floor Mastery
In this concise two-session course, delve into the profound interplay between the core, pelvic floor, and breath. Through the integration of innovative techniques and principles borrowed from Pilates, Yoga, and Movement sciences, discover how to unleash your body’s complete potential. Acquire knowledge, engage in practical exercises, and adopt mindful techniques to elevate core and pelvic floor health, nurturing a deeper connection within your body for amplified stability, enhanced mobility, and increased strength.
This course serves as an invigorating refresher for seasoned movers while laying an essential foundation for newcomers embarking on their fitness journey. It paves the way for subsequent advanced courses and whole-body work, setting the stage for ongoing progress. It’s your perfect launchpad toward fitness readiness.
| 2 Classes | Online & in person | Alberta Dance & Drama Academy |
| Wednesdays | Jan 31 – Feb 7 | 11:15 AM – 12:15 PM |
Register now at albertadanceacademy.com or by calling 403.938.3125! If you have any questions, please contact us directly.
Everything Movement Studio
Online, in-person or hybrid classes are available! Register for a group class, personalized private session, duet or trio.
Monday
| Equipment Fundamentals | 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM |
| Body Blends – Very Restorative (mat and equipment) | 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM |
Tuesday
| Intermediate Equipment | 8:30 AM – 9:30 AM |
| Advanced Equipment | 9:45 AM – 10:45 AM |
| GYROKINESIS® with Experience (online and in-person) | 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM |
| Equipment Fundamentals (hip/knee/back) | 5:05 PM – 6:05 PM |
| Advanced Equipment | 6:15 PM – 7:15 PM |
Wednesday
| Equipment Fundamentals | 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM |
| Pilates Chair (online and in-person) | 4:05 PM – 5:05 PM |
| Intermediate Equipment | 5:15 PM – 6:15 PM |
| Equipment Specialized Focus | 6:20 PM – 7:20 PM |
*Ask Lottie about renting a chair!
Thursday
| Intermediate Equipment | 8:30 AM – 9:30 AM |
| Intermediate Equipment | 9:45 AM – 10:45 AM |
| Intermediate Equipment | 4:20 PM – 5:20 PM |
| Intermediate Equipment | 5:25 PM – 6:25 PM |
To register for an Everything Movement Studio class, or if you have any questions, please contact Lottie directly.
Movement Systems
The GYROTONIC EXPANSION SYSTEM®
GYROTONIC® and GYROKINESIS® are movement practices that fall under the umbrella of the GYROTONIC EXPANSION SYSTEM®. These exercises are composed of spiraling, circular movements, that flow together seamlessly in rhythmic repetition with corresponding breath. Each movement flows into the next, allowing the joints to move through a natural range of motion without jarring or compression. These carefully crafted sequences create balance, efficiency, strength, and flexibility.
GYROTONIC® exercises are performed on custom-designed GYROTONIC® equipment, whereas GYROKINESIS® exercises are performed on a mat and chair or stool. GYROTONIC® equipment is designed to work in partnership with the body. GYROTONIC® method creator, Juliu Horvath, designed a specialized line of equipment around the natural movement patterns of the human body, facilitating every possible spinal movement. The even fluid smooth resistance of the pulley tower completely eliminates the most common place where injuries will occur, at the beginning and end of a sequence.
Because GYROTONIC® equipment is highly adjustable, it can be customized to fit each person’s unique physique, and ability, adapting for things such as height, arm and leg length and physical ability.
A GYROKINESIS® session often takes the form a group class. Participants are guided through seated, lying, and standing movements. A mind-body process begins, creating a more supple spine, mobilizing and decompressing joints, developing strength and power in the muscles, relaxing the mind, lifting and energizing the spirit, and stimulating the organs.
The GYROTONIC EXPANSION SYSTEM® is used worldwide by people of all ages, all body types, and all levels of health and fitness.
Pilates
Pilates is an innovative, interesting, engaging, challenging and yet safe movement system developed over a span of 60 years by movement pioneer Joseph Pilates. Pilates is a mind-body practice; a way of thinking about how the body moves.
A Pilates session can use a mat on the floor or variety of specialized equipment. The Pilates method and the specialized equipment helps inform the participants experience; guiding and supporting or challenging.
The Pilates repertoire is extensive. The movement concepts allow for a wide range of abilities from beginner to advanced, from fragile to athletic. The work will always start exactly where the person needs to begin, adding progressions as the body changes or intensity as the body conditioning improves.
Pilates can dramatically transform the way your body looks, feels and performs. Pilates builds strength without excess bulk, capable of creating a sleek, toned body. It teaches body awareness, correct alignment, and easy graceful organized movement. Pilates also improves flexibility, agility, balance, stimulating circulation and promoting neuromuscular patterns. It excels at developing movement efficiency and true core development and strength.
About Lottie – The Movement Specialist
Lottie is a movement educator. She believes that “you are how you move”. University Studies in Movement Sciences, Dance, and Kinesiology formed the foundations of years of subsequent professional studies abroad, but always returning to her current home of Okotoks, Alberta. Lottie is the owner and director of Everything Movement a specialized movement and equipment studio. In addition to working with clients individually, in duets, trios or small groups at her studio, she also instructs a variety of methodologies including Pilates, GYROTONIC® classes and GYROKINESIS® classes, Bartineiff, Yoga and Restorative Exercise in her studio and through a unique and historical partnership with the Town of Okotoks. Lottie’s client base is as diverse as she is; many are high level athletes that seek Lottie’s assistance to gain the cutting edge they need to advance in their sport that the latest scientific research provides. Others are referred to Lottie to assist with injury rehabilitation or long term physical conditions.
“I have a physical condition called Ehlers-Danlos type 3 as well as fibromyalgia which limits what I can do for exercise and in fact have been unable to do any form of exercise for many years. Every attempt has resulted in injury and I have been forced to quit. I found Lottie two years ago. Since then I have steadily gained strength, muscle tone and flexibility. No matter what part of me is injured she is always able to adjust my routine and work around my limitations. I have been able to do things in class I never thought possible. I always leave feeling better than when I arrived.”
GYROTONIC®, GYROTONIC EXPANSION SYSTEM®, GYROKINESIS® are registered trademarks of Gyrotonic Sales Corp and are used with their permission.