"At Kona Pilates, each session we offer is as unique as you are. Our team of Certified and experienced instructors/therapists draw from the traditions of GYROTONIC®, GYROKINESIS®, Pilates, Yoga, Chi Kung, Meditation, Breathwork, Dance, Manual Therapy and Bodywork to create a custom program to accommodate each individual client's specific needs."
We are specialists in:
Injury recovery and prevention Posture Correction
Improved mobility, flexibility and overall strength Increased full function and balance
Core stability and strength Stress Reduction and Mental Focus
Improved athletic performance Increasing Bone Density
Intelligent Exercise with Profound Results
We offer a full range of sessions on the Pilates and GYROTONIC® equipment
Why train on the equipment?
Our wide range of Pilates and GYROTONIC® equipment is designed:
- to assist your body in making the exercises more accessible with a much decreased risk of injury (without the equipment: imagine lifting and lowering both legs straight, simultaneously, from the ground towards the ceiling without using momentum, assistance or compromising your low back; the equipment aids this movement, and others, to make it possible without strain or compromise)
- to challenge your body's stability via resistance and moving parts (versus simply moving in the air)
- to provide resistance in all planes of movement so that each exercise builds fluid strength and flexibility throughout your range of motion
- to provide a framework for movement
- we believe Pilates matwork to be THE most challenging of all (to actually perform correctly). Therefore, we begin all students on the equipment to ensure proper execution of the exercises, building strength from the inside out
Pilates Equipment GYROTONIC Equipment
Private Training (one student, one instructor):
- ideal choice for students who are just beginning their Pilates and/or GYROTONIC® exericse journey
- address your specific needs, health concerns, or injuries
- deepen your practice in a specific direction
- for clients who prefer the privacy and one-on-one attention that private lessons provide
Currently, 50% of our clients have chosen to train exclusively with private or duet lessons while the other 50% participate in group classes or a combo of private and group class instruction.
- Customized experience to meet the
needs of both participants. We suggest that level of fitness and goals
of the Duet partners be similar.
- Bring a friend or your partner for a private duet, or join a duet already scheduled.
- Duet lessons are NOT appropriate for clients interested in our Rehab program.
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(The Rehabilitative Benefits of Pilates and GYROTONIC for Injury / Pain Rehab - learn stability and core strength for Life!)
Private Functional Fitness Session (one client, one therapist):
Using the STOTT Pilates Method as a framework to assist your healing process, we respond creatively to your changing needs. We also make use of a variety of complimentary modalities and therapies, including GYROTONIC® exercise, yoga and the principles of Movement Therapy, coupled with experiences in such areas as Chi Kung, Somatic Body Awareness, Massage Therapy and creative visualization.
Recognized by Health Professionals
The Pilates Method is recommended by Medical Practitioners, Physiotherapists, Osteopaths and Chiropractors, who value its approach to Core Stabilization (ie the coordinated use of abdominal, hip and trunk musculature for the support of the body and safe movement), recognized as being of prime importance in the care and prevention of back pain.
The repertoire of the Pilates Method lends itself to endless modification, making it ideal in the rehabilitation environment. As you improve, we’ll challenge you to move with more complicated choreography and less help from the specialized equipment. This transition to more functional movement will take time, but with persistence and patience, it does happen.
The Secret(s)
One secret of a successful rehabilitation program is to approach each client as an individual. Your injury and/or pain is unique and will be looked at from this perspective throughout your time with us.
Together, we will discover what you can do, rather than focusing on what you can’t. We’ll explore your strengths and weaknesses, looking to find pain-less movement and improved quality of life. We’ve seen remarkable successes in the studio by focusing on the positive abilities of the client and fostering a respect for the client’s experience.
Another secret is consistency in your practice and sessions. This means scheduling sessions on a regular basis and consistently doing your "homework". This consistency is often what helps "make" the effectiveness of a program. We'll make sure that each and every movement and exercise you perform makes sense to you (we'll honor your intelligence) so that you understand not only the "what" or "how" of an exercise but the "why" as well. Many of our clients tell us that the body and anatomy knowledge they've gained while working with us makes exercising so much more than mindless repetitions of a movement. It turns exercise into something intelligent...with profound results!
- Recommended by Kona's leading physicians, physiotherapists, chiropractors and
orthopedists, our Therapeutic Exercise program is an excellent rehabilitative program designed to speed
the recovery of soft tissue injuries, other disorders, as well as re-educating
faulty movement patterns as a result of compensating for an injury or
condition.
- Our unique approach draws on concepts and exercises from the Pilates and GYROTONIC systems, along with Yoga and Therapeutic Exercise. We also add, when appropriate, manual therapy techniques and
traditional massage providing a dimensional and functionally complete
rehabilitation.
- Our Therapeutic Exercise private lessons are individually
structured to the client's needs, rather than simply following a textbook
protocol. Our rehab therapists spends the entire hour focused on you and your
goals.
- Many of our clients tell us that our Therapeutic Exercise private lessons gave them more hope, more gains, greater pain relief and more body awareness than months or even years of traditional physical therapy.
- Because the benefits of Yoga, Pilates and Gyrotonic are so profound, many of clients have continued using these systems for total conditioning after they completed their recovery and have now returned to other activities as well (golf, swimming, dance, gardening, tennis, and even professional surfing).
Prior to beginning our Therapeutic Exercise program, we ask that you consult with your physician or physical therapist for approval and together we'll build a plan for success. We are well versed in working with healthcare practitioners from many disciplines and are happy to work with yours.
To get an idea of how we may be able to assist you, Read our client Success Stories
Fundamental Pilates Equipment 
Class length: 60 minutes; Class size: 2-3
This level is designed for those who have just completed their New Student Intro Private Lessons or for individuals who have joined our Studio with prior Pilates Reformer experience. Fundamental Classes are also a choice for those students who like to work at a slower pace, focusing on mastering the basics.
The instructor leads the group through the fundamental
exercises on the Reformer, Cadillac, Chair, and Barrels (based upon
availability) along with matwork building initial strength to the core while
working on the principles of awareness, balance, activation, alignment, and
control. You will need to know the Fundamental curriculum before moving on.
Prerequisite: We suggest beginning with a series of 6 Private New Student
Lessons (3 minimum are required) and permission from the instructor.
Best results will be experienced when at least two lessons are attended per week.
Fundamental/Intermediate
Pilates Equipment
Class length: 60 minutes; Class size: 2-3
These levels are designed for students who have been taking Pilates
lessons at our studio for some time. Students will be introduced to the
intermediate curriculum on all apparatus (Reformer, Cadillac,
Chair, and Barrels) along with matwork. Students must be able to
maintain stability in neutral, perform exercises with precision and
control, and know the intermediate curriculum well before
moving on.
Prerequisite: Permission from the instructor.
A consistent practice of at least twice per week is suggested for optimal results.
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Intermediate/Advanced Pilates Equipment
Class length: 60 minutes; Class size: 2 - 6
Participants of classes at these increasingly advanced levels must be in complete control of the basic principles of alignment, possess dynamic stabilization, have few physical limitations, and experience with the Fundamental and Intermediate curriculum on all apparatus. During these classes, we pick up the pace. Depending on class size, we may stay as a cohesive group (working on the same apparatus and exercises together) or we may move through a non-stop circuit training program. These classes focus on continuing the development of core stability and strength, while the adding more and more challenging exercises at a quicker pace to these increasingly challenging repertoires.
Prerequisite: Permission from the instructor.
A consistent practice of at least twice per week is required due to the rigors of this class. (GYROTONIC training is considered to meet this requirement as is GYROKINESIS.)
GYROTONIC® Pulley/Tower – Open Level
Class length: 60 minutes; Class size: 2-3
Open Level GYROTONIC® Pulley/Tower Sessions are the appropriate choice for those new to the GYROTONIC® experience and have completed their initial series of private lessons***, as well as for those students who have more GYROTONIC® experience.
Each student will work on their own GYROTONIC® Pulley/Tower unit in our beautiful studio Sanctuary. An experienced and dedicated GYROTONIC®
trainer will guide the group through the various "families" of
exercises to provide a full body workout of mind, body, and soul.
Modifications for exercises will be given as necessary (to make them
more or less accessible or challenging). Students will be introduced to
various Specialized Equipment exercises as well (specifically the Ladder and the GYROTONER).
Best results will be experienced when at least two GYROTONIC® lessons are attended per week.
***Prerequisites for Open Level Sessions:
All clients entering our Pulley/Tower sessions are
asked to complete a minimum of 3 private lessons (many students will
need 6 private lessons) to learn the basic vocabulary and fundamental
elements of the work. This includes how to set up the equipment for your
personal settings, how to get into and out of the equipment safely, as
well as fundamental exercises and concepts using the equipment. Along
with instructor approval.
GYROTONIC® Pulley/Tower – Intermediate
Class length: 60 minutes; Class size: 2-3
GYROTONIC® Pulley/Tower sessions at the Intermediate level are for the experienced GYROTONIC®
practitioner and are by instructor permission only.
Students at this
level are familiar with the entire Level I curriculum and are working on
mastering the flow and rhythm each "family" of exercises. This class will move at a quicker pace, while also refining the "essence" of each exercise more deeply. We will also
be visiting many of the Level II exercises as well as introducing use of
the Specialized Equipment (GYROTONIC® Ladder, Leg Extension Unit, GYROTONER®). Familiarity with GYROKINESIS® is suggested although not required.
Depending on class size, class may be taught in a cohesive flow (everyone doing the same exercises at once) or may be taught in a semi-circuit format.
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GYROTONIC® For Your Inner Dancer
Class length: 60 minutes; Class size: varies+++
+++(two students will work "in" the equipment, while one additional student may work "out" of the equipment - instructor permission required)
Laura has created this unique program after completing her training in the GYROTONIC® Applications for Dancers program, taught and created by renowned Contemporary choreographer Adrianna Thompson and World-Class Contemporary Dance instructor Miriam Barbosa (both of whom are incredible Authorized GYROTONIC® Master Trainers), and has combined it with her years of GYROTONIC® and GYROKINESIS® training, dancing Hula and Belly Dance professionally, as well as her years of teaching and creating award–winning contemporary Martial Arts dance “forms.”
While no prior dance experience is required, we do ask that you begin a basic GYROKINESIS® program prior to joining this class, as those basic principles will be used throughout these classes. GYROTONIC® experience is recommended, but not required. Participation in class is by instructor permission. Talk with Laura if you’d like to join us! Call the studio at 345-2562. You'll be glad you did.
Can't make it to this class as scheduled, yet you are yearning to do some gyro-dancing? Talk with Laura about scheduling a class to suit your schedule. (It never hurts to ask for what you want.)
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NEW! Pilates / GYROTONIC® Circuit Class
Class length: 75 minutes; Class size: 4 or 5
Ready to experience the many facets of the Kona Pilates and GYROTONIC® Kona experience? Then this is YOUR class.
Pilates / GYROTONIC® Circuit classes are for the dedicated student who is familiar with the GYROTONIC®
Tower Pulley curriculum, the Specialized Equipment and wants to add in some Pilates equipment! In a circuit format, we will explore not only the Pulley/Tower but
also the specialized equipment (GYROTONIC® Ladder, Leg Extension Unit, and GYROTONER®), the Pilates equipment, and all of the "toys" in the studio.
Participation in this class is by instructor approval only. Participants in this class work in a semi-independent environment, and must be familiar with the basic repertoire of the Tower and Handle units as well as the Pilates equipment. These classes allow each student to work at their own pace and work within their unique creative expression in the arching and curling Studio environment, yet with instructor guidance, encouragement, and support.
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