picture of Rivercity Pilates instructor Shayna Boylen

Have you met Rivercity Pilates Instructor, Shaina?

/in

Photo by Nancy Kaff (in background)

What do you love about teaching Pilates?  
Watching my clients walk in with the stress of the day and walk out rejuvenated is super rewarding. We all live such busy lives and its difficult to find time to take care of ourselves. I love being part of the one hour a day someone is dedicating to themselves. 

What’s your favorite part about your pilates group classes at RCP? 
We have fun! I always look forward to seeing my regulars and introducing new clients to my style of teaching. There is growth in every class – whether its improving on something we’ve done over and over or its trying a new exercise or modification.

Give us two words that you think your students would use to describe your classes! 
As one of my regulars so kindly said – “Evil. Awesome. Good.” 

How old were you when you decided to take the pilates teacher training and why did you decide to take it?   
I was 26 when I decided to enter my Pilates teacher training program. I had discovered Pilates just a year earlier and found it to be the perfect balance for my body. I felt Pilates heal my decade long back injuries and I wanted to share that magic with others. I also love that I can teach Pilates anywhere – that level of flexibility is one of the reasons I was so easily able to move from NYC to Iowa in 2015.

 

Meet Kim Blackwell, a New Yoga Teacher at Rivercity Pilates

/in

As a physical therapist, I’ve had a lifelong love of movement and exercise. A self proclaimed anatomy nerd, I’ve always been searching for a way to connect my professional background with my personal interest in health and fitness, and I have found exactly that with yoga.  I completed my 200 hr certification in Vinyasa Yoga through Downward Dog Yoga and Fitness in Coralville, IA in 2017.  Vinyasa yoga is simply connecting breath with movement through a flow of yoga postures.  Yoga has truly allowed all my passions to come full circle and I love sharing my experience with students, friends, and even my 3 children. I practice yoga as a way to keep my body healthy and injury free, calm my mind amid my daily bustle, and connect with my kids by sharing guided meditations at the end of the day.

Yoga is truly for everyone…from the most gentle meditation practice to a powerful yoga class. My favorite moments in class are when students surprise themselves, discovering how much their bodies are capable of, when given the right opportunity and guidance. In addition to Vinyasa yoga, I also have particular interest in meditation, and prenatal and kids yoga.

Off the mat, you’ll find me just trying to keep up with the chaos…and loving every minute!  I spend my days chasing after my spirited 3 year old, cheering on my older kids at sports events, reading, and participating in church activities.  I also love exploring any and all kinds of exercise, from leisurely hikes to fun community events, to intense spin classes, kickboxing, weight lifting, or running.

Meet Jane McKenrick – our newest Pilates teacher

/in
Introducing our newest Pilates teacher 
Jane McKenrick!
Congratulations Jane on completing your Pilates Mat Teacher Training!
 
Jane will be teaching a new class called Mindful Mat Pilates on Tuesdays and Thursdays
at 10:00 am
Sign up Here!
She will also be teaching a Beginner Pilates Mat
4 Week Series of classes on Wednesdays, May 2, 9, 16, 23
5pm – 6pm
Sign up here!

Meet Yoga Instructor Nick Glasgow

/in
Tell us about yourself / your family.
I’m 32, an only child, born and raised in Iowa City.  Graduated City High in ’04, after that I had a cup of coffee at the University, then mostly worked at the family business until it was sold in 2016, at which time I decided to pursue yoga more deeply

Describe yourself in 5 words.     Fiercely loyal, flexible, freedom lover

When/Why did you start practicing Yoga? I was introduced to yoga in 2010 as a mode of therapy.  Along my path to mental, physical, and spiritual healing, yoga has remained the one prevailing constant.  The practice has had an incredibly positive impact on my life and I’m excited to share that with others.

If money were no object, what would you do all day?  Travel the world doing yoga

Why did you become a Yoga teacher?    I love yoga and want to share it with others

Describe why you love Yoga in three words.    The healing power

Would you rather hike or bike?     I can’t choose.  It depends on so many factors.  Hike uphill, bike downhill?

If you could live anywhere in the world — where would you want to live?   I’m currently in love with the Northern California/Southern Oregon area, somewhere out there, up in the mountains.

What are your favorite ways to incorporate movement into your life in addition to Yoga?   I love a good hike out to a nice spot to relax.  I try to walk or bike instead of drive if I can.  I also enjoy a variety of exercise modalities in addition to yoga, including running, weight lifting, and plyometrics.

Do you have a guilty pleasure?     Something that is generally looked upon as wrong — but you keep doing it?  Movie theater gluttony

Meet the Instructor: Amy

/in ,

Tell us about yourself / your family.  I have been married for 17 years and have 4 kids (shockingly all teenagers)!  Yes, you can sympathize with me now.  :-)

Describe yourself in 5 words.   Prepare, practical, no nonsense (this counts as two words), Seeker

Tell us about your first Pilates experience.  When/Why did you start practicing Pilates?  2 years ago at Rivercity.  To increase the strength of my core and reduce my lower back pain.

Favorite food / or favorite restaurant – Bacon (EXTRA crispy), Bluebird gets it perfect (most of the time :-))

If money were no object, what would you do all day?  Golf, hang out with my kids

Why did you become a Pilates teacher?   I’m actually a Zumba teacher, but I love Pilates!  It makes my body feel so good, I would get on the reformer everyday if I had one!

Describe why you love Pilates.  I have old gymnastics injuries in my spine and Pilates gives me tools that empower me to take control of my body when I’m experiencing pain and get rid of the pain.

Would you rather hike or bike?  Hike

My kids on the first day of school 2017.

If you could live anywhere in the world — where would you want to live?  Switzerland

What are your favorite ways to incorporate movement into your life in addition to Pilates?  Zumba and yoga

Who would you want with you if you were stranded on a deserted island?  The hubs

If you won an amazing prize, and the choice was either take an incredible vacation or get the dollar value in cash — which would you pick?  Vacation, hands down – MEMORIES!

Would you rather enjoy a houseboat or a speed boat?  Houseboat

Do you have a guilty pleasure?     Chips n salsa

If you could live in a book, TV Show or Movie – what would it be? The Great Gatsby

 

 

Meet the Instructor: Dominque

/in

Dominque teaches hatha yoga at 8am on Saturdays!  

Tell us about yourself / your family. 
I am the oldest of three, the only girl. Grew up playing sports and going on lots of camping trips. I grew up in the Northwest, so I am used to the rain, pine trees, and people who commute to work by bicycle. I love the ocean, not the white sandy beaches most people imagine, but the rocky cliffs of the Oregon coast, full of tide pools, sea lion coves and often shadowed by overcast weather. I broke a lot of bones as a kid, some were the fault of my younger brother (I’m terribly competitive) and others were the fault of my own wildness. Dad taught me to be tough, I remember walking home from the park near my house after a spill, and then being in a foot cast the next day. My mother and I look the same, especially when I’m home for the holidays and raid her closet. I moved away from home rather young because of ballet, but we’ve always been a close family. We have a lot of matching pajama sets, its our traditional Christmas eve gift. Last years theme was polar bears, the year before that I think was red and green plaid- makes for a very organized Christmas morning family photo. 

Describe yourself in 5 words.
Confident. Self-critical. Passionate. Adventurous. Artistic.

When/Why did you start practicing Yoga?
I began my yoga journey my first year at Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre’s professional training program, as we had yoga classes bi-weekly as cross training. My first year in the program I had issues with a reoccurring injury and self-confidence, but I was lucky enough to have a phenomenal yoga teacher who recognized my struggle and nurtured me. I began to take yoga daily and it provided the balance I needed in my life.

Favorite restaurant:
Barley & Rye, it’s a farm to table restaurant in the quad cities

If money were no object, what would you do all day?
Dance!!

Why did you become a Yoga teacher?
I wanted to share something that I know works with others

Describe why you love Yoga in three words.
It feels good.  

Would you rather hike or bike?  
Hike

If you could live anywhere in the world — where would you want to live?
New Zealand

What are your favorite ways to incorporate movement into your life in addition to Yoga?
Dancing! Also, anything outside, I often take my yoga mat to the park, I love biking, hiking, I recently went kayaking for the first time in the Adirondacks, that was pretty neat

Do you have a guilty pleasure?    Something that is generally looked upon as wrong — but you keep doing it?
I eat peanut butter straight from the jar!