Functional Fitness Archives

Marlene | April 22nd, 2020 | Categories: Nutrition, Community, Current Promos, Nourish

So far, 2020 has transformed into a year we will never forget with the outbreak of COVID-19 resulting in all of us being in varying degrees of stay-at-home orders. As the quarantine goes on, are you starting to think “Wow, I need to dial in my nutrition.” Nourish is our 21-day group health coaching program that helps you take a more holistic view of your health. This round of Nourish we’ve optimized for quarantine! QuaranTime is the best time to sign up for Nourish – here’s why:

1 – YOU ARE HOME Due to our current circumstances, you are home, sans travel, soccer games or social events. If there is ever a time to prioritize your health, it’s now. No excuses. Fill your pantry and fridge with nourishing food and leverage our guidance to learn simple ways to take better care of yourself and your family. If not now, when?

2 – COMMUNITY SUPPORT AND ACCOUNTABILITY We are currently practicing physical distancing for our health and wellness, but that might be leaving you feeling very alone. Nourish is a wonderful online community of people who can make you feel more connected. We also are more likely to reach our goals when we tell others about them, and more likely to succeed when we have support, help, and encouragement along the way. Nourish will give you all of this and more! Join Nourish and you will join our private Facebook group lead by our team which includes certified health coaches who can answer all your questions.

3 – STOP STRESS EATING Stress-eating is as real as the ‘Quarantine 15.’ Nourish is an exercise in mindfulness and accountability. Pay attention to what you eat and how it makes you feel. Learn what does and does not work for you. We are in a worldwide reset of epic proportions. If we can adapt our macro behaviors so dramatically in such a short period of time, surely you can make a few small changes to what, when, and why you eat.

Now that you have our top 3 reasons to join, sign up with us today and start feeling like the best you possible.

Core Plus Unlimited Members and returning nourishers, email us for your discount codes at info@alkalignstudios.com.

Alkalign Sparks Joy – 5 Years Strong

Erin Paruszewski | April 14th, 2020 | Categories: Community, Fitness & Exercise, Motivation, Functional Fitness, Fitness, Franchise

It has been an amazing, and lately crazy, journey and one that I’m grateful to be on with all of you. Five years ago, in April 2015, we taught our last 3 classes as a barre studio and closed Sunday for Easter (and some serious studio renovations). Monday, we re-opened as Alkalign.

Fast forward 5 years….four weeks ago, we closed our doors due to Covid-19. Twenty-four hours later we opened our online channels to an entirely new way of connecting via Live Stream classes. In the course of a month we have completely pivoted our business to 100% online and are now offering 35 classes per week that can either be taken live or later, providing the most flexibility possible to our amazing client community. Thank you to Lizzie, Marlene, Kate, Elise, Danielle B, Danielle E, Andrea, Erin G, Cathy, Pauline, Brigetta, Chelsea and Matt who have all stepped up to make this offering possible. Teaching and engaging virtually is no easy task and you all make it look so easy. Thank you to Tony, Ava, and Elle (and Bindi Blue!) for your patience and unconditional love.

I’m beyond grateful for the support of our die-hard Blue Crew. Whether you’ve been around since the very beginning, or you are newer to our Alkalign community, you are part of our family. I see you. I feel your love and support. Alkalign will not only survive, but it will also thrive because of you. Thank you to everyone who has purchased packaged, upgraded memberships and invested in more Alkalign flare than you could every possibly wear. Your acts of kindness do not go unnoticed. Your generosity and selflessness will never be forgotten.

On the outside, Alkalign is a fitness studio. On the inside, it’s so much more. Movement education is at the heart of what we do. Community is at the heart of who we are. Alkalign prioritizes safety, sustainability and long-term success while also providing a comprehensive, challenging and very effective workout with immediate benefits. It is proven. Time and time again, Alkalign is the place people that helps people feel better. It’s the place they return to when they are beaten up broken down from everything else. All of the reward of exercise without any of the risks that many other types of fitness present.

We’ve been through a lot together the last 5 (really 11 years). Birth, death, sickness and health. I vow to continue to do whatever I can to deliver what you need to the best of my ability. Let’s face it, we need this community and connection now, more than ever. I need YOU now, more than ever.

Thank you again, from the bottom of my heart. I couldn’t do it without you, nor would I want to.

In gratitude,

Erin

Smart Bite: The Pandemic Made Me Eat It

Marlene | April 1st, 2020 | Categories: Nutrition, Community, Nourish

We are so excited to share a guest blog from Sally Duplantier at The Smart Bite from the Healthy Series on Zing! Learn more about Zing on their website.

People who know me know that I am a disciplined eater. I can slice off the top of a muffin, eat half, and save the rest for later. So they would have been surprised to see me stuffing myself with heavily buttered sourdough bread shortly after the shelter-in-place edict came out. My husband and I had both gone to separate grocery stores searching for produce. I came home with a limp head of romaine and two apples. He came home with a crusty loaf of slightly warm, fresh-baked bread. I tore off huge chunks and put them in my mouth, stopping only to butter, until my husband pulled the remaining loaf from my outstretched hands.

The next day I put on my researcher hat to understand why this happened.

Why Stress Makes Us Eat More

The hormone cortisol is released when we are under stress. It increases the amount of glucose in the bloodstream so our muscles are equipped to fight off the next lion. Unfortunately if we are under chronic stress, the blood sugar levels stay high, about six times longer than on a stress-free day. This plays havoc with our metabolic system which releases insulin to bring down blood sugar. This combination of high insulin and falling blood sugar makes us crave sugary carbs. In addition, cortisol is also a powerful appetite stimulant.

Stress and Sleep

To make matters worse, high levels of stress can interfere greatly with our sleep. Poor sleep, in turn, releases two more hormones: one makes you hungrier and the other tells you that you aren’t full. It’s no wonder that researchers at Kings College in Cambridge found sleep-deprived people ate about 385 calories more per day – the equivalent of a large muffin.

Taking Control of Stress Eating

To ensure that the COVID-19 isn’t synonymous with the Freshman 15, here are a few tips:

Commit to a healthy weight during the next 30 days. The first step is always the right mindset.
Re-enlist regular routines. For example, stick to a schedule for showering, dressing, exercise, meal time, bedtime, and wake up time. If you’ve tracked your food in the past or weighed yourself regularly, re-enlist those habits.
Choose your treats wisely. It’s human nature to want some treats in the house, but make sure they are ones that you can control, and they don’t control you. Also be aware of what foods your family can’t say no to, so you don’t set them up for disaster.
Work somewhere besides the kitchen. Trust me, foods will call to you from the refrigerator and pantry if you are sitting there.
If all else fails, go negative. A friend in San Diego lost 84 pounds in a year, but has now found herself at home with too much time on her hands. When temptation is at its peak she watches past episodes of My 600 pound Life.

Top Takeaway

There are many things we can’t control right now, but eating isn’t one of them. Recommit to healthy habits now. It will make the summer months so much sweeter.

Purpose & Passion — The Antidotes to Uncertainty

Erin Paruszewski | March 25th, 2020 | Categories: Community, Fitness & Exercise, Motivation, Functional Fitness

Our current situation presents us with a good opportunity to reset, re-evaluate, and re-prioritize what it means to BE — to Live Present and with purpose, to do something each and every day that we are passionate about.

Some of you will read this and nod your heads in agreement. Perhaps you already know how good it feels to do something in life that you are passionate about. Some of you are shaking your heads or rolling your eyes and thinking: “Does she have any idea how much I have going on? I have bills to pay, mouths to feed, and enough daily stressors to manage. The last thing I need to worry about is purpose and passion.”

Do you know that to be true? I challenge you to think again.

Is it possible that purpose and passion can make all that other “stuff” seem less stressful?

For me, the answer is yes. I found my purpose by chance. Helping people via teaching fitness classes wasn’t part of my “plan.” And trust me, as a Type A+ extra double-stuffed Virgo, I had a plan for everything. I certainly didn’t go to Georgetown thinking I’d leverage that education to become a fitness instructor. It’s something that unfolded organically, and I’m grateful every day that I followed my heart versus my head.

It’s interesting to hear all the financial comparisons between what is happening now and the 2008 crash. I remember it well. In July 2008, Tony and I signed the lease and the personal guarantee for our first studio in Menlo Park, CA. In September, I went to the bank and drew down 100% of our home equity line of credit. A week later, the market tanked, and the bank pulled back funding though it was too late to pull ours. We were in uncharted territory, unprecedented times. Honestly, the present is all a little deja vu-ish, with the added anxiety of an airborne virus that could sicken people and cripple the economy.

The one thing that keeps me going every day is purpose. I have a mission in life — help people feel better. After some trial and error, I’ve realized that I have to find balance in helping others while also taking care of myself. Alkalign has been the perfect blend. It’s a place where I get as much as I give. Being with clients and experiencing those a-ha moments is the highlight of my day. Teaching has gotten me through many highs and lows including 2 stressful pregnancies, postpartum depression, a husband who travels for a living, and 2 amazing girls who also need to “get” as much as they give in the love and energy departments.

If you have thought about doing something different to supplement your current life scenario, I highly recommend teaching at Alkalign. Now, more than ever, I appreciate the power of connection. I feel it so deeply when I’m teaching, even with everyone on the other side of a screen. I am thankful to be part of an amazing community and for the opportunity to both teach and learn, to give and to grow. Life is too short to have it any other way.

Alkaligned With Love

Erin Paruszewski | February 12th, 2020 | Categories: Community, Fitness & Exercise, Functional Fitness

To know thyself is to love thyself. In a season when we think about love and affection for others, it’s also important to remember that we can’t pour from an empty cup. Showing up for yourself and prioritizing self-care in your exercise practice is essential for well-being. But again, a lot of myths stand in our way. “I don’t have time.” “I don’t deserve it.” “Everyone and everything is more important than little old me.” Or we fall into the self-punishment trap. “It has to hurt to work”, “More is more when it comes to exercise and less is more when it comes to rest” or “How I look is who I am.”

In order to dispel these myths, we have to first acknowledge they are there, seek to understand why and to educate ourselves on how to overcome them. Knowledge is power and the more you pay attention and invest in self-care and self-discovery, the more fulfilled you will feel. Look back without dwelling on the past. Leap forward without obsessing about the outcome. Take a chance on yourself. There is no one with better odds. And in the unlikely event that you fall, your Alkalign community is there to pick you back up.

We look forward to seeing you and your loved ones for a month of fun, function, and connection.

Xo,
Erin

Testimonial: From Struggling to Confident!

Marlene | January 23rd, 2020 | Categories: Community, Fitness & Exercise, Motivation, Testimonial

Prior to starting class, I had been struggling with my weight and how I felt and looked about myself. I tried many different workouts ranging from high-intensity circuit training and classes at gyms, to hot sauna yoga and my own take on “home workouts.” I felt like I couldn’t get into a routine that was sustainable and functional enough. I felt like I just didn’t love working out. It wasn’t until my sweet husband decided to look outside of the box to find a cross between something I’ve loved to do growing up (dance) with a community feel that he knew I was craving.

My first impressions about general barre classes were that they were too “dancy” but when my husband called Kate to inquire about Alkalign Studios, Kate was warm and welcoming and invited me to come and try a class to see how I liked it. The first thing I really appreciated about Kate and her staff of highly-trained and well-equipped teachers, is that they are knowledgeable about the body and wanted to share their love for functional and fun workouts with everyone. Each teacher is sure to set you up in class with the best position for an accurate and wholesome experience. I started Alkalign in July 2017. Well over two years later, I have yet to experience the same workout twice! Keeping each workout fresh and new has kept me coming back for more!

If you’re ready to experience wholesome health and wellness, then you have to come to Alkalign! Get ready to experience the joy of working out and the peace of knowing that you’re doing something great for yourself.

Angie Carman

Why I Alkalign: From Pain to Enjoying Life!

Marlene | December 10th, 2019 | Categories: Community, Fitness & Exercise, Mobility, Functional Fitness, Testimonial

The reasons people walk in the doors of our studio vary from person to person, but the reasons they stay are powerful. We love hearing about the reasons our clients choose to keep coming back and how it has impacted their life. Our client and friend, Champa, recently connected with us to share her journey to Alkalign and how it has changed her life. Thank you for sharing your story with us!

I’ve suffered multiple knee and back injuries over the past 8 years, constant pain with no relief in sight and physicians have been unable to pinpoint the exact source of my pain. I was missing out on playing with my young daughter, had to give up cycling and running and I was dreading the quality of my life looking to the years ahead.

I happened to drive past Alkalign this past summer and decided to sign up for a month. Nothing else had worked and I had absolutely nothing to lose! I was immediately taken by the friendly staff, immaculate space, and positive vibes. It was the first time I had heard an instructor say it’s okay to listen to your body, to work with its current abilities and to modify any exercise.

The first “rolling” (Recharge) class with Erin was transformational for me – I was almost in tears as the pain I had once lived with was GONE! I felt a glimmer of hope, for the first time in many years, that I could actually live pain-free.

Today, almost 3 months after that first month of classes, I am pain-free and back to enjoying time outdoors and loving every minute that I hike, ride and play with my daughter. Every single day since that first class, I am so thankful and grateful for Alkalign. Strength-training and rolling helped me get my life back!

Testimonial: Growth Mindset, Thanks to Alkalign!

Marlene | November 12th, 2019 | Categories: Community, Fitness & Exercise, Motivation, Testimonial

Joining the Alkalign family has been a life-altering experience for me. I have always been an active person and a member at a few health clubs. I’ve taken yoga and pilates classes and had a personal trainer in the past. However, my experience with Alkalign has been so unique and special.

From the first class, I knew that this place possesses a different energy. It was warm, welcoming and gave me a sense of belonging that I had never experienced before. After a few months of attending 6am classes, I started to realize that I can walk outside of my comfort zone and it gave me the courage to take on new challenges. Some of the new challenges I took on were playing the piano and ballroom dancing!

I want to thank all the fabulous staff at Alkalign for being here and I hope that by sharing this, maybe someone else is tempted to push outside their comfort zone and discover a whole new outlook on life!

Fariba Nabavi

Testimonial: Isabella Montoya – Gratitude, Growth and Community

Marlene | October 16th, 2019 | Categories: Community, Fitness & Exercise, Motivation

When I reflect on my time working at Alkalign, I am filled with gratitude. One of the main reasons Alkalign is special is the communal environment created by Erin, the instructors, and the clients. As part of the staff, you become a part of the community that fosters a healthy mind-body connection in everything that you do. Every task is built with intention and detail, so you quickly develop leadership skills and a sense of pride with each duty. This is perfect for high schoolers especially because the purpose behind everything really guides the work you do. Suddenly, making sure that every client is accounted for in class becomes: Is Julie in class today? How is her puppy doing? Have her kids started school yet?

Alkalign is a home away from home, and the friendly faces you see day to day become a part of your life. In a time where technology is so prevalent and people lack real face to face communication, working the front desk and talking to clients or playroom staff pushes you out of your comfort zone and broadens your network. I was also very busy in high school applying to college, leading my school’s dance team and volunteering at the Boys and Girls Club, but working at Alkalign allowed me to slow things down, focus on engaging with the people around me and complete tasks with full attention and diligence. You put the cell phone down and organize the space, really making sure that everything is as it should be. Over time, this creates a high standard for which you hold yourself accountable: sloppily getting things done just to move on to the next doesn’t cut it anymore.

Working at Alkalign did so much for me as a growing individual and it gave me back everything I put into it. With most things, the more dedicated you are, the better the results will be. This is incredibly important for everyone to learn first hand, but especially high schoolers. I encourage anyone looking to work for Alkalign to evaluate what you want out of the job and how you will contribute to the community. What strengths can I bring to the team? What skills should I focus on improving? With that mindset, working at Alkalign will become a key learning experience and will transform the way you view organization, leadership, and community.

Best,

Isabella Montoya

Motherhood, Self-Care and Being an Instructor

Marlene | August 22nd, 2019 | Categories: Community, Motivation, Fitness

At Alkalign we are fortunate to have a diverse set of instructors who bring their real, raw and human experiences to our studio. Our instructors range from college students to empty nesters to professionals to moms of little ones. We pride ourselves on community and our instructors are a key part of what makes it so great. If you’ve ever wondered if you can make teaching a part of your life, keep reading. We are so happy that Emily Travis of our Grand Rapids, MI studio is sharing her story with us. If you are interested in being an instructor, please contact us! We’d love to set up a meeting to see if we are a good fit.

My name is Emily and I am an instructor at our Alkalign Grand Rapids location in Ada Village. My husband and I are both West Michigan transplants and have fallen in love with the area, settling down with our daughter Madison, and our old boxer pup, Burton. We spend a lot of our time ‘up north’ and are truly Mitten mainstays! A few fun facts about me…I am a VERY passionate college football fan, I have two Bachelor degrees in Sports Medicine-Exercise Science & Nursing and I love a good thunderstorm.

When the opportunity to be an instructor came up, I wasn’t sure if I had the time to commit to teaching. I had been a loyal client since the day the Ada studio opened in 2017 while pregnant in my second trimester with Madison. I was passionate about the practice and knew from my own body how much healthier and stronger I felt (pregnant or not). I went back to work for 3 months as a nurse after Madison’s birth, but decided that stepping away from nursing for a while was the best decision for my family and I. This decision opened the door for me to seriously consider being an instructor at Alkalign. Becoming an instructor gave me the ability to continue to have a positive impact on people’s lives. It’s a professional outlet for me as an Exercise Science/Nurse junkie, it helps me in my own Alkalign practice and I can still focus on being “Mom.” Most importantly, being an instructor helps me maintain “Me.”

Some days I miss the impact I had on people as a nurse – helping people and being the best part of their day. Alkalign allows me to keep that feeling, but in a manageable way so that I can still be an important presence at home for Madison. Being an instructor and mom fits our lives! As an added bonus, it has helped me be more present when I am taking class. I’ve noticed as a mom that having true mind-body connection and focusing on myself for 45 minutes to an hour is so important. I am so much more present in my practice now than I was before becoming an instructor.

When I teach or attend class during the day, it’s nice to have the ability to bring Madie with me. Our playroom and staff are caring and attentive. It allows Madie to grow up with an awareness that self-care and exercise are vital to overall good health and that helping other people be the best versions of themselves has a far-reaching positive impact. I hope she looks back at her Mom one day and understands that I made the best decisions for myself and our family and she can too.

My advice for anyone with children who is considering teaching is to look in the mirror and realize that you truly are capable of things you might not think you are. Alkalign is a family, a great team to be a part of, and we all support each other. Some of the best parts of my day are in our studio in Ada. Madison cracks me up when she helps put my weights away after class — She watches everything, soaks it all in and by taking care of myself and others, I am teaching her to do the same someday.

Interested in learning more about joining Team Alkalign? Click the link below!

Become the Best Trained Fitness Instructor in 10 Weeks

Testimonial: 5 Years, 100 Alkalign Classes

Marlene | August 7th, 2019 | Categories: Community, Fitness & Exercise, Motivation, Mobility, Fitness, Franchise

Thank you to Lizzie, Katherine, Cathy, Pauline, Erin, and the entire team for creating a place where I felt like I could really fit in. I never played a sport and had no athletic experience of any kind. Aside from a year with a personal trainer getting ready for Half Dome in 2011, I had little formal exercise instruction. I have tendonitis and am pre-carpal tunnel, so I have issues with making sure exercises are safe. I also have perfectionist disordered thinking, so I want to give up when I fail (yes, therapy).

Alkalign was the first group workout that I felt I could actually do. They’re super focused on form and offer lots of modification options, so I learned safe ways to exercise without pissing off my elbows and wrists. I learned “less is more” – do the best form with whatever movement that results in, and maybe it’s very little movement, or maybe no weights – and that’s ok! During class, they’re constantly checking my form and cueing me to check myself. Some of the teachers and regular class attendees are ripped AF for inspiration!

Alkalign took in my non-exercising self, my pregnant self (there are often pregnant, even very pregnant, women in class), and my postpartum post C-section self. After all my life stages, they also took in my working way too much self for several rounds! Each time I fell off the Alkalign wagon (because life happens), I came back in a different phase in my life, with a different body and Alkalign was always the right place.

Now that I’m moving, I’m going to be hunting people willing and worthy of opening an Alkalign franchise in the East Bay area so that I can keep taking classes there.

Thank you, Alkalign.

Diana Maltzer

Click Here to Learn More About Franchising

Testimonial: Why I Alkalign

Marlene | June 18th, 2019 | Categories: Community, Fitness & Exercise, Motivation, Functional Fitness, Fitness

After umpteen years of pounding the pavement and flirting with every new exercise trend – and having just received a “gnarly MRI” on my knee – the stars aligned and Elise Fiechtner brought Alkalign to Ada, Michigan. I quickly learned that “low impact” doesn’t mean “low challenge.” Alkalign workouts kick my butt! They work every single fiber in my body and awaken my core and muscle groups that I’d unknowingly ignored for decades. I now understand proper alignment and functional movement and have learned how to recover through Recharge (rolling). Beyond all the health benefits, I’ve become part of this uber-supportive, humble, fun, come-as-you-are community.

The movement/practice both feeds my body and quiets my mind. I’ve entered my 60’s with new-found health and gusto, and I credit Alkalign. I Alkalign so I can do everything else in my life.

Being active outside in nature is everything to me. It’s my happy, healing, and creative place. I’m hiking long distances with zero knee pain. My dogs, Obie and Emmie, love our adventures at Seidman Park and along the Lake Michigan shoreline and dunes. I can tackle my favorite mountain bike course with joy and relative ease. I call Riley Trails “extreme for seniors” but it thrills me to no end to fly through the forest and handle nature’s obstacles as they come. I catch myself smiling when I’m biking 🙂

With the knee diagnosis, I’d wondered whether I’d ever ski again – but on a recent trip to Montana, I not only skied for five days, but I received the ultimate compliment from my ski coach son, Peter. “You’ve never skied better, Mom!” Last year I took up Paddleboarding. Talk about recruiting your core!

Most important of all…I’m able to be an active Nana to sweet “Oh Henry,” who’s almost three. He’s also a nature lover and, like his dad was as a toddler, he’s loaded with energy and eager for everything. There’s so darn much to discover. I’m up for his cries of “One more time” and “Let’s do it again.” Put a price on that! Henry’s new brother will arrive in August. I can’t wait.

Grateful,

Marti

Announcing Alkalign Unplugged!

Marlene | June 10th, 2019 | Categories: Community, Fitness & Exercise, Motivation, Functional Fitness, Podcast

Alkalign founder and owner Erin Paruszewski and Master Instructor Cathy Purnell join forces as newbie podcasters to have conversations on health and wellness in their brand new podcast called “Alkalign Unplugged.”

As a lifelong athlete, Erin is passionate about health and wellness and Cathy is one of Alkalign’s Master Instructors. Cathy and Erin were inspired to start a podcast by the amazing clients they interact with each day. “We have so many wonderful men and women with a wide range of talents, experiences, and careers, we thought it would be fun to get to know our community and share that with listeners,” says Erin. Between Cathy’s secret desire to be a talk show host and the duo’s gift of gab, Alkalign Unplugged was born.

“People should tune into our podcast to learn something new about a whole host of topics they will find relatable and, ideally, entertaining!” says Cathy. The show’s focus is on health and wellness topics that are relatable to everyone. Cathy and Erin’s style is authentic and will feature a wide range of topics including mental health, nutrition, stress management, injury prevention, mindfulness and much more.

Alkalign Unplugged is more than just another fitness podcast. It’s an opportunity to connect with life stories that engage us on a real, raw and human level. Subscribe on Apple Podcasts or PodBean.

3 Reasons Alkalign is Good For Your Mental Health

Marlene | May 21st, 2019 | Categories: Community, Fitness & Exercise, Motivation, Fitness

“In case of emergency, air masks will drop from the ceiling. Please put your own mask on before helping others.” We’ve all heard this on airplanes and perhaps half-heartedly pay attention to those safety instructions before taking off, but there’s validity in that phrase…..both on a plane and in life. The message is clear: take care of yourself first so that you can help others. Unfortunately, we don’t always do that and our own self-care is not prioritized.

At Alkalign, we put the mind/body connection at the forefront of our practice. Here are 3 reasons why you should commit to your overall health and join us in our studio on a regular basis.

1. Physical Activity Improves Your Mood. If we sound like a broken record telling you what you already know, that’s probably because many people don’t make physical activity a priority in their self-care practice. So here’s your reminder! Exercise helps your body produce endorphins, aka the body’s natural ‘feel good’ hormones. The simple act of devoting an hour a day can de-stress and focus you, improving your overall mental health. Simply put….exercise feels good from the inside out.

2. Community & Human Connection Are Essential for Happiness. In our digital world, the need for human connection is more important than ever. Our studio is full of upbeat music, positive energy and Alkalign buddies that help you feel more connected in an increasingly disconnected world. You will also find camaraderie, accountability, support and motivation to move beyond your workout plateaus by positioning yourself next to a friend who pushes you!

3. We Invest in the WHOLE You. Alkalign provides the tools to help you change your life. We are built on the belief that balance is the foundation for life. Balance is what keeps us grounded and what challenges us to push our limits. Whether your life has become unbalanced or you just need a little alignment in your life, Alkalign aims to care for the whole you.

Ready to commit to your self-care routing? Check out your local Alkalign studio for the schedule!

Self Care is the New Health Care

Marlene | April 25th, 2019 | Categories: Community, Fitness & Exercise, Motivation, Functional Fitness, Nutritious Movement, Fitness

As I reflect upon the past year, I would never have dreamed that I would do one Alkalign class, yet a year later I’m at almost 200 classes! I never considered myself an “excerisey” person, and definitely not a barre class person. No way. Not me. I tried a barre class years ago and I was so sore for so long that I never wanted to go back.

A year ago, struggling with insomnia and joint pain from hypermobility was my normal, and it was exhausting. I knew this was not the life I was meant to live. It was time for me to focus on my health and time for me to find help.

On Valentine’s Day in 2018, I tried my first Alkalign class as a ‘love note’ to myself. My very first Alkalign class was a 101 class with Danielle. I was pleasantly surprised that the class practices the exact exercises I was instructed from my physical therapist to do daily but NEVER did them. Using a block between my feet reminded me to think about my gait. My Alkalign instructor helped me recognize that my shoulders, my neck, my knees, all my body needed to be in alignment. I described the class as “group PT”, and YES I would be back.

Eventually, I graduated from 101 to Align and I even was brave enough to try Cardio! I was hooked on feeling healthy, I was falling asleep easier and waking up without SI pain.

I am overwhelmed with gratitude and happiness. I have had the longest stretch of pain-free days in many years. The sharp, stabbing, fire pain of my SI (sacroiliac joint) has subsided. Alkalign has taught me life lessons in a supportive community with genuinely caring instructors. The most important thing for me, which I constantly repeat to everyone I meet, is “self-care is the new health care.” How true it is.

I’ve learned that taking care of myself helps me live pain-free and my feelings have trickled down to my relationship with my family. Here’s to 300 classes! Thank you Alkalign.

Sarah Wong – Alkalign Client

Category: Community Fitness & Exercise Motivation Functional Fitness Fitness Franchise

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