Pilates Teacher

Meet Polestar Pilates Educator: Alix Sorrel

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Alix Sorrel PT, DPT, OCS, Cert DN, NCPT is a Polestar Educator based in Lafayette, Louisiana, USA.

In your own words – describe “the Spirit of Polestar”

AS: The spirit of Polestar to me is Positivity. Positivity from each individual I have come across in the Polestar community, Positivity from my career as a result of being involved with Polestar, and Positivity in my own body from practicing the Polestar curriculum.

Describe Polestar in Three Words:

AS:

Community

Evidence Based Education

Progression

What do you love about teaching Pilates and owning a studio?

AS: Pilates has provided me tools to help each patient overcome injuries, but more importantly the studio has allowed each patient the opportunity to continue their wellness journey in a safe environment. Nothing gives me more joy than witnessing an individual initiate an active lifestyle and continue it, making a change in their life for the better.

Where did you take your training?

AS: I transitioned in Miami with Brent, Christy, Shelly, and Karyn Staples. I had the opportunity to learn from each one of them and I am very grateful for that. Karyn has been a mentor throughout my profession as I have opened and grown a PT practice and Pilates studio. I mentored under her as I progressed to becoming an educator.

What are your current Inspirations?  

AS: Currently I am inspired by breath. I am intrigued by the pressure system of the core and how the diaphragm, pelvic floor, and abdominal muscles interact synergistically. I am currently working towards a certification involving treatment of pre and post natal women. Women’s health has always been an interest of mine, and the beauty of bringing children into the world is incredible.

To be part of the process of helping women regain their strength and mobility following this process is inspiring to me. Many women can be considered postnatal even when their youngest child is 30 years old. Polestar Pilates principles such as breath and axial elongation are critical tools addressing these limitations and creating balance in the trunk. My own children inspire me daily as well 🙂

Why Pilates?  How did you find the practice?

AS: I graduated from physical therapy school and got married 2 weeks after graduation. While I was in the planning process, I was trying on my wedding dress and experienced back pain from wearing the heavy dress for only 30 minutes. I was determined to enjoy my wedding and not have to worry about having back pain. I was on my clinical rotation at an outpatient PT facility at the time. There was a therapist working there that taught Pilates and I decided to try it myself on a consistent basis in order to help prevent back pain on my wedding day.

It was a success and like many other people, my own limitation led me to experience the wonderful benefits of Pilates. Once I graduated and got married I decided to take the plunge and enrolled in my first Comprehensive Pilates training program in order to provide each patient with the benefits of Pilates.

Why Polestar Pilates?

AS: I was originally trained through a different Pilates school when I graduated from PT school. I found myself searching for more. More education and more information on bridging the gap between my Pilates and physical therapy practice. I did the Passing the Torch mentorship program with Brent and was introduced to Polestar, the principles, and the community. I transitioned to Polestar shortly after. I have met lifetime friends and mentors that have guided me to take my career to another level.

What do you hope to convey in your teaching?

AS: Empathy, understanding, and encouragement. I work with patients in my practice that have seen other physicians, therapists, or fitness professionals without relief. The facility that I have is made up of a PT clinic and a Pilates studio. I and our instructors have created a safe space for individuals to have a successful movement practice with any prior injuries or limitations.

This is our priority when teaching in the studio. Some individuals come to keep their symptoms under control to continue daily life activities and other individuals come to continue running successfully and completing marathons. Above all, we encourage positive movement experiences regardless of any physical limitations that may affect their fitness journey.

What is your favorite Quote?

AS: “The wisest mind has something yet to learn” George Santayana. Throughout my life, I continue to seek further education not only for knowledge in my profession but also for every aspect of my life. Even though I am content in each moment, I enjoy learning and gaining wisdom from each individual and experience that I come across.

What is your Favorite Apparatus or favorite way to move? 

AS: My favorite way to move is in the coronal plane into side bending on any apparatus. We are sagittal beings and I like to take time each day to bring breath and mobility into the sides of my body, specifically my trunk.

You can find Alix on social media @Integratedptpilates

The Power Of Experiential Learning: Introducing Polestar Pilates Online

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Since the late 90’s, Polestar Pilates has been on the cutting edge of development and research in Pilates education. Originally, all courses were held in person and included lectures in conjunction with the practical Pilates training. As research on learning methodology grew, we found that sitting in a chair and listening to a lecture was sub-optimal. Considering these findings we decided to record our lectures and allow the in-person modules to be much more interactive.

In this new model, students can digest the lecture material at their own pace and are given the ability to re-watch the lecture as many times as needed to understand the material.

Online & Interactive

This has worked so well that we decided to take it a step further and make our online platform fully interactive. Our goal is to provide an unparalleled learning experience that provides students with the strongest resources possible.  Our online platform has always bridged the gap between theory and practice. Now we are increasing our ability to connect with students and utilize technology to easily share videos and engage in discussion. This allows our educators to spend more time during the in-person courses facilitating movement, teaching, and discussing experiences. 

 With an understanding that every student has a unique way of learning, Polestar Online is just one branch of our education structure. This structure includes elements that supplement and support each other, giving each student opportunities to learn in various styles. These include, but are not limited to, observation, supervised and self-directed practice hours, and apprentice teaching.

Supporting In-Person Education

The largest branch includes our in-person training. Students meet with their cohort group monthly for 16 hours in a weekend of in-person, personalized training with their educator. These weekends are intensive and full of movement and teaching. This is the time for the educator to expand upon the information learned online in a practical and experiential way.  In between these monthly modules, students complete their online materials (lectures, discussions, quizzes), homework, observation, practice teaching, and self-study. 


“The new learning platform ensures that students stay engaged and connected with the course in between the modules. It is interactive, engaging, and very easy to use once they get started. [It] also gives students a way to ask questions and seek support faster and gives educators a chance to identify areas for development more quickly, enabling them to provide more targeted guidance, particularly for students who are coming from a distance.”

Polestar Faculty Kate Strozak, Polestar Pilates USA, Chicago

As we move further into the digital age, we are excited to be able to utilize these advances to enhance the learning and teaching potential of our students and educators. Technology allows us to realize our basic tenet as Pilates and movement professionals – to provide positive movement and learning experiences.

Ready to Learn? Check out our online Courses

Mentor Highlight: Laia Nart

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Laia Nart is a Pilates Instructor and Mentor for Polestar Pilates Spain

In your own words – describe “the Spirit of Polestar”:

LN: A Holistic approach to movement

What Three Words come to mind when you think of “Polestar Pilates”?

Health

Care

Challenging

What do you love about teaching Pilates? 

LN: What I love the most about teaching is that I can help people to understand how important is to have an active life and to move every day in different ways!

Where did you take your Polestar training and who was the educator?

LN: I did my training in Barcelona and my educator was Maria Herranz. Maria helped me in many ways, and she’s still my inspiration.

What are your current Inspirations? 

LN: Dancing, Circus, Capoeira Angola and all the different approaches to movement including Fighting Monkey and Ido Portal.

Why Pilates? How did you find the practice?

LN: I had a bad injury while I was training in circus (on the trapeze). I was desperate until a friend recommended Pilates.

How did you choose Polestar Pilates? 

LN: I did my teacher training before with another Pilates school and didn’t connect with the way they understood the body and the movement. I found Polestar Spain and did a course with Dawnna Wayburne which blew my mind.

What do you hope to convey in your teaching?

LN: As sedentary habits become more and more common in our society, I hope to help people move more (not just with Pilates) and help people enjoy movement in all the ways!

Is there a Quote you live by?

LN: In the last month I used this quote so much:

“Our arms start from the back because they were once wings”

Martha Graham.

I like this quote because it inspires understanding of the relationship between the scapula, collar bones and shoulder. The arm doesn’t begin in the shoulder, it begins in your sternum.

What is your Favorite Apparatus or favorite way to move?

LN: Cadillac! I love it because it is so magnificent and elegant.

You can find Laia on social media at: @laia_violeta and learn more about Pilates teacher training at PolestarPilates.com

Polestar Graduate Highlight: Lorna Jarrett MS, LPTA, AIB/VR-CON, NCPT

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What is your movement mantra?

LJ: Your purpose is fulfilled as it is lived in your best body.

How did you first hear about Pilates?

LJ: As a personal trainer and dancer, Pilates was part of my personal workout and training repertoire at the gym. I enjoyed how it connected to traditional dance choreography and I valued its ability to challenge my expert movers and support my special population clients.

Why Polestar Pilates?

LJ: I am a Polestar Graduate (Rehab track) and NCPT. I chose Polestar Pilates because for me there was no other option. I researched many certifications. Polestar certification discussed the founder Brent Anderson along with his background. The focus of the certification coincided with physical therapy practices and evidence-based research. This is what interested me. I am a Physical Therapist Assistant with a corporate business background and wherever my career took me I needed my education and practice to be sound.

What is your Teaching Philosophy?

LJ: I specialize in those with neurological disorders and the special population i,e, Myotonic Dystrophy, MS, Stroke, Parkinson’s, spondylolisthesis. Most of my clientele have chronic conditions. During our sessions, we focus on movement potential. This approach allows my client to redirect and discover that they can still have joy in movement no matter the diagnosis. This practice creates an opportunity for me to instill hope on an ongoing basis.

How has Pilates impacted your life?

LJ: Pilates as a tool has allowed me to serve a cross-section of the population with varied needs and abilities. Its principles have provided a level of discipline and organization to my own movement. It has provided a common theme to which I have built lasting relationships. It’s an industry that is rooted in tradition but remains progressive, contemporary, and relevant.

What is your favorite apparatus?

LJ: My favorite apparatus for the last two years is the Core Align. It allows me to challenge every client and support the principles in a standing position. I am excited to complete Core Align for Rehabilitation at POT Rehab Summit 2020.

What is your favorite thing about your Job?

LJ: What I love most about coming into the studio, is creating an environment of peace and tranquility so that clients can have a pain free, enjoyable yet challenging mindful movement experience. An atmosphere, where every sense is impacted, to evoke mental, emotional, and physical change. In creating this environment, I myself get to experience it over and over again. I value being able to help people improve their abilities. Movement ability is taken for granted and this work reminds me of what a blessing it is to move.

What is Unique about your studio?

LJ: I co-founded Whole Pilates studio with two physical therapists. It is unique in that we offer an integrated and holistic approach to our studio. Utilizing music and essential oils assist with focusing the senses. We partner with a Doctor of Naturopath, who provides complementary alternative therapies in our studio space i.e. infrared sauna, vibration plate, IMRS table. Therefore, our clients can receive nutritional counseling along with complementary alternative therapies with their Pilates training. Our staff is certified in Pre and postnatal Pilates, so we value meeting the needs of every season. We value education and our offerings based on an integrative and holistic approach are real and very important to us.

What do you find intriguing?

LJ: The concept of the mind and thoughts determining gene expression. The fact that the brain can rewire and change the physical state of the body.

What are you reading?

LJ: I am reading about Decision making in healthcare leadership as I am completing my Doctor of Health Science with an emphasis in leadership and organizational development from AT Still University, Osteopathic Medicine/College of Health Studies. I am an entrepreneur and have developed a non-profit and wellness business. I realize that effective leadership is at the foundation of any cultural change or initiative. So, one day I decided instead of writing another proposal that instead, I would become the decision-maker.

Also, I am reading “The Bridge Across Forever: A true love story” which is a book about experiencing your soul mate.

What are you excited to learn about?

LJ: As a rehab practitioner, I have completed CEUS for stroke therapy, certification as a Stroke Recovery specialist, Pilates for MS and other neurological conditions, Vestibular Rehabilitation and Concussion Management Certification/ American Institute of Balance 

What is something Unique about yourself?

LJ: I love chocolate! I have jumped 15,000 feet with a parachute, Arizona mountains make me feel like I am coming home, I am my happiest when I am dancing, I believe a new thought precedes any new experience.

Read more from Lorna on the Polestar Blog:

Patient & Client Safety: On The Blog

The Gift of Opportunity and Authenticity

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A Catalyst to Potential Health and Wellbeing – By Polestar Pilates Mentor Vikki Harris

So what supports a catalyst for personal transformation?
Sometimes a massive wake up call for existence shows up in the form of a disease or pathology. Currently, our environmental climate is in crisis and there is an absolute need for rebellion to call for action now, not in the future, to prevent both human extinction and our planet’s destruction. Are we listening and acting on the call? What about our own individual environmental climate? Are we inflamed, stressed, under-resourced physically, emotionally, and spiritually, and potentially ignoring it? What will it take to be heard and listened to? If we tune in and observe ourselves what may we discover? When we’ve been conditioned to say “yes,” and forgotten how to say “no,” for example, our bodies may end up saying it for us in some form.

Gabor Mate writes in his book When the Body Says No: The Cost of Hidden Stress, “It’s about input, output, and understanding “flow”, the bio-psycho-social model where many processes form together in the creation of disease or health. Healing is finding a balance of flow and harmony.” 

The negative effects of stress on health are well-documented. There are many definitions of stress from both eastern and western philosophies and academic disciplines, including psychology and physiology. The paradigm of research is shifting toward a holistic approach in which the whole is greater than the sum of the parts. The healthcare provider considers the whole person by addressing their symptoms as well as the underlying causes including the mental, physical, emotional, and spiritual components of wellbeing. 

The Pilates studio is an environment where awareness of the whole individual can be supported through an integrative and experiential approach. With intention and autonomy, the “self” can be heard and directed by the client’s experience rather than by the teacher. My teaching and presence change as I look within myself and find integrity beyond the connectivity of body parts and systems, to where there is a wealth of potential learning and health. 

The focus in research on stress-disease models appears to be divided into the following areas:

  • Genetic predisposition
  • Energy medicine
  • Subtle energy anatomy

There has been an intuitive association with stress and disease for centuries but scientists from several disciplines have come together in the last decade to form a field of study called psycho-neuro-immunology.

Stressors have been characterized into three groups:

  • The bio-ecological influences of external influences, some of which are outside of our awareness, including sunlight, gravitational pull, solar flares, and electromagnetic fields that affect our biological rhythms.
  • The psycho-intrapersonal influences of perceptions of stimuli through our own interpretations, thoughts, values, beliefs, attitudes, opinions, and our identity or ego.
  • The social influences where individuals are unable to cope with their given environment, overcrowding, boundaries, and major life changes.

If we view the mind and body as two separate things, dividing that which is inseparable, we attempt to understand the body in isolation from the mind, describing human beings as if they function in isolation from their environment where they develop and learn. The unexamined assumptions both determine and limit what we will discover. If we become specialized in parts, theories, or knowledge, we become interested in only those parts and not on the whole where the parts reside, taking on a dualist binary approach. 

“Our present state of scientific knowledge suggests we can solidly affirm that kindness and compassion to the brain are what breath is to life.”  

Daniel Siegel

Presence, attunement, and resonance with yourself and your client create an environment that supports an open, non-judgmental potential of awareness. The attuned approach is where the gold lies. The guiding pole star helps us with a map, yet the territory and landscapes need to be explored, felt, and acknowledged to bring color, depth, individuality, and perspective that embody the true spirit of “aliveness” of our human existence. 

Polestar Mentor Highlight: Juliana Fabio

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The Spirit of Polestar is their ability to bring creative, intelligent, innovative, kind and loving people together to not only create a dynamic and positive community but also family.

Juliana Fabio

What Three Words come to mind when you think of “Polestar Pilates”

Community

Family

Knowledge

What do you love about teaching Pilates and owning a studio? 

JF: I love making connections with my clients and instructors and watching them grow through the Pilates work.

Where did you take your training and who was the educator?

JF: My Polestar training was with Mette Hansen at my studio Aligned Pilates Studio in Santa Barbara.

What are your current Inspirations? 

JF: I am currently inspired by how our emotional health affects our physical health. I love teaching Pilates as a way to help others feel better and more empowered.

Why Pilates? How did you find the practice?

JF: I suffered from chronic back pain as a child and young adult. Nothing helped until I found Pilates in my mid-twenties. I no longer suffer from back pain and feel stronger and healthier.

Why Polestar Pilates? How did you come to join the Polestar Community?

JF: I wanted a more in-depth knowledge of how to work with people who have different pathologies. Over and over I kept coming back and taking classes and workshops from Polestar teachers. Eventually, I realized I needed to be Polestar trained.

What do you hope to convey in your teaching?

JF: I want to give my clients the tools they need to help themselves and feel empowered.

Is there a quote you live by?

JF: We are only on the planet for a little while. Making authentic connections with others is at the heart of what I do and who I am. I try not to take myself or life too seriously. I feel my best when I am present with the person I am with and living in the moment.

What is your favorite apparatus or favorite way to move?

JF: I love doing all the Runity movements. They are functional movements and can be used on any piece of equipment. Since I am a runner it has changed my life for the better.