Sussanne discovered pilates over 10 years ago while recovering from a sports injury to her knee. She was also living with chronic back pain from a decade old work injury.
“I had come to believe pain and physical limitations were just part of my life. But pilates taught me how to move differently. I learned that pain and injury were often due to poor biomechanics and lack of awareness. Pilates taught me how to support my spine, protect my joints, and move through all aspects of daily activities without pain. I began to move with greater strength, efficiency, and ease. Mine was a therapeutic journey of self-healing through awareness and knowledge of the body.”
In describing her teaching philosophy, Sussanne offers, “Pilates student, know thyself!”
“Fitness and health goals can not be achieved by just going through the motions. Every body has its own unique set of strengths and limitations. My approach to teaching often focuses on the anatomical and biomechanical aspects of movement to help people develop the self-awareness necessary for personal growth and transformation. I will always consider myself a student of pilates, or more specifically, a student of movement and breath. Every session I teach is an opportunity for deeper learning for me and my students.”
Sussanne has been teaching pilates since 2001. Her professional pilates training in mat, reformer, cadillac and tower have been with Physical Mind Institute, Balanced Body University, Power Pilates, Transformations Studio, Bodies in Balance & Kinesis, Inc., Peak Pilates, and Thomas Myers/Kinesis, Inc. Sussanne is a CPI (Certified Pilates Instructor) and has an M.S. degrees in both Education and Resource Ecology and Management.
Just for fun….
My favorite exercise is… My favorite move on the mat is Teaser. I love the combination of flow, balance and control. I also love Advanced Swan on the Chair – it’s just fun!
The exercise I avoid or ‘forget’ to teach is… Advanced Swan on the mat. Normal bodies don’t move like that!
I find inspiration.… in watching my child grow, the natural world and in movement
My ideal day looks like…. Just enough and not too much
When I was a kid.…I wanted to be Shazam!
I dream of..…Daily maid-service
One of my favorite books is… Living Buddha, Living Christ
I won’t live without.… Family, friends, movement, books, learning, being outside
My secret super power is.… persian cooking
People are surprised to learn I..… was once a forest firefighter