Pilates is a form of exercise that focuses on core strength, flexibility, and body awareness, while manual therapy involves hands-on techniques to address soft tissue restrictions, joint mobility, and alignment.
By combining these two approaches, I provide a comprehensive and integrated solution for my clients. Pilates exercises can help strengthen weak muscles, improve posture, and enhance overall body alignment. Manual therapy techniques, such as massage, joint mobilization, and stretching, can further address specific areas of pain or restriction, promoting improved mobility and reducing discomfort.
By incorporating mindfulness, relaxation techniques, and fostering a supportive environment, clients find they are able to not only work on their physical goals but also find mental and emotional relief. This approach can be particularly beneficial for individuals struggling with chronic pain, as it acknowledges the complex nature of pain and the need for a multifaceted mind-body approach.
What is Pilates and Manual Therapy?
ABOUT JENNA
Jenna is a nationally certified massage therapist, Pilates instructor and yoga teacher with over 20 years of experience. She specializes in combining movement with manual therapy to restore balance, rehabilitate injuries and get to the root cause of chronic pain. She enjoys working with a diverse group of clientele ranging from seniors to athletes to pre-natal women.
Jenna grew up in an environment where she was introduced to Reiki, yoga and sound healing at a young age and naturally gravitated towards the healing arts. Jenna began practicing yoga and studying yoga therapy in her late teens and became a certified yoga instructor in 2004 through Anusara yoga. In 2005, she traveled to Thailand to become certified in Thai Massage. Thirsty to learn more, she then completed a two-year massage certification at the Southwest Institute of the Healing Arts. While studying various massage modalities, she was additionally certified in Cranial Sacral Unwinding (Polarity Healing Arts), Cranial Sacral Therapy (Upledger Institute), and became an AP Polarity Practitioner.
Jenna discovered Pilates while searching for ways to strengthen and rehabilitate her injuries from dance and reduce pain and muscle tension from her scoliosis. Wanting to help others achieve the same results, she became a certified Pilates instructor in 2012 through Polestar Pilates.
In 2014, Jenna began studying the Hendrickson Method with Tom Hendrickson and has completed three years of training under his guidance. This style of Orthopedic Massage is a gentle approach which blends Eastern philosophy with evidence-based manual therapy techniques. It combines very specific soft tissue unwinding strokes with joint mobilization and muscle activation. These sessions are very effective at re-educating the nervous system by strengthening communication to the muscles and joints, relieving pain and dysfunction at its source.
Jenna is always interested in growing as a therapist and learning more to help her clients. With her free time, she dances and loves to garden, hike, camp and paddleboard.
