ABOUT

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WHAT IS PILATES?


Joseph Pilates was decades ahead of his time, as we now know that developing a balanced body, mind, and spirit—his main goal—lies at the heart of optimal health. 

At Integration, we incorporate the latest in the science of exercise, physiology, and wellness into Joseph’s original technique.

We work with a wide variety of clients: 

  • Those with chronic pain and injury looking for alternatives and adjuncts to traditional western medicine;

  • Those with sedentary jobs needing to improve posture and relieve repetitive strain;

  • New mothers wanting to reconnect to their core;

  • Athletes cross-training to address overuse injuries;

  • Seniors wanting to build bone density and maintain full range of motion;

  • Anyone who wants to feel strong, long, relaxed, and centered!

The Integration Pilates Matwork System makes traditional pilates more functional, user friendly, effective, and fun.

The unique Pilates equipment uses springs to build strength, flexibility, control and coordination simultaneously.

See the “What we offer” page for more info.

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WHAT CAN PILATES DO FOR ME?


Pilates helps you live more fully: Improve your golf game -  have shoulders that don’t ache anymore - handle stress more effectively -  
or just feel more connected to yourself.

You can expect to: 
  • Feel muscles that you did not know you had – the deep core muscles of the torso, hips and shoulders

  • Build your overall strength and tone without adding bulk (Pilates creates long, lean muscles!)

  • Improve your posture and balance

  • Learn simple exercises to relieve tension and stress that you can do anywhere, anytime

  • Discover breathing techniques that give you energy and clarity

  • Manage injuries and chronic conditions safely and recover from them quickly

  • Increase flexibility

We now define our age by how well we can move. Our age in years may be much more than our "functional age" if we are able to move with ease from the floor to standing, if we can balance, and if we have full range of motion of our joints. It is possible to live fully at any age.  Pilates gives you the tools to total body health.

       OUR TEAM

Kara became interested in pilates in the mid 2000’s because of her love of fitness, and to mend a back injury.  While working as a full time personal trainer, she decided to pursue this new passion and trained under the tutelage of Tracy Friesen, entering into teaching in 2011.  She believes pilates can enhance anyone's life, from the serious athlete to the average person.
Tara’s interest in Pilates stemmed from a need to strengthen her back due to chronic pain. Her subsequent passion for Pilates grew as a result of her physical improvements and the fantastic way it made her feel. She holds a deep love for both the transformative and therapeutic aspects of Pilates.
Tara certified as a Pilates Mat Instructor in 2000 through the Physical Mind Institute and then in 2001 completed her Pilates Equipment certification at Body Harmonics in Toronto. Her love of movement and teaching started even earlier with her earning a Bachelor of Education degree specializing in Physical Education. During this period she was an active member of the University of Alberta Pandas Gymnastics Team. She also is certified in Yoga (RYT-200), Pfilates( Pilates for pelvic floor), Therapeutic Ball Release, TRX, and Post-natal Pilates.
In Tara's classes you will benefit from her emphasis on form and technique and her attention to detail. She creates engaging, safe, and motivating classes while incorporating flow and variety into her instruction. Fifteen years later, Tara still feels passionate about sharing with others the wonderful benefits of Pilates, core strength, flexibility and an overall feeling of good. When Tara is not teaching Pilates she can be found spending time with her husband and two children that she feels very blessed to have.
Shannon was first introduced to Pilates in 2000 whilst studying at the Melbourne college of natural medicine. Having suffered chronic back pain for years with no avail , until Pilates.
Shannon is trained in both mat and equipment. She also has her 200 and 500 hr yoga teacher trainings. She actively teaches both Pilates and yoga and guest teaches on several yoga teacher trainings.
She loves being a mother , travelling the world and all things health and well being.
Shareen has over 20 years of experience in the fitness industry. She is dedicated to helping people develop healthy, fit, functional bodies. Shareen was Mat certified in 2001 through Body Works Pilates Studio and Dianne Miller, a Master Pilates teacher in Vancouver. Shareen is the creator of Strollercise, Babes in the Woods, and is a respected trainer and certified postnatal specialist. She has an innovative and energetic style and lectures on various wellness topics. Shareen is also certified on equipment with Tracy Stafford at Integration.
Nicole Wassill discovered Pilates when she injured her knee while working as a professional dancer, singer, and actor. After surgery and extensive rehabilitation therapy, she struggled to reach her previous level of fitness. Through Pilates, Nicole was able to rebalance her body and regain the stability, strength, and flexibility required for her profession and lifestyle. Now, Nicole is a passionate advocate for Pilates and the benefits it offers, and she is driven to help others achieve their fitness goals. Nicole brings her diverse experience with her and incorporates them into her classes. Nicole's education and certifications • Pilates mat and full-equipment certification - trained by Tracy Stafford (PMA recognized) • Mind-body and Personal Training certifications - Can Fit Pro • Theatre Arts Program - Grant MacEwan College. Nicole is committed to continually learning and growing, and from information learned at conferences and continuing education classes she regularly incorporates new work and ideas in her classes.
Darci first heard about Pilates after many years of ballet training. After pregnancy she developed pain in her low back and found that Pilates re-aligned her body and helped her to stay strong as a busy Mom of 6. She fell in love with the movement and realized it was a missing piece from all those years of dance. Darci completed the 450-hour equipment and mat training program through Integration Pilates in 2018 (PMA recognized). She has taught amateur and professional athletes, including Figure Skaters, Volleyball Players, Rhythmic Gymnasts, Synchronized Swimmers, Dancers, Soccer Players, and Boxers. She has taught a wide range of ability and age levels from age 6 thru to seniors. Darci is also a Certified Essentrics® Instructor, teaches Stretch for Strength classes, and taught ballet for many years. She loves the mind-body connection that Pilates provides and how it helps people to recover from injuries, improve fitness and mental health & well being. Darci is very passionate about Pilates and encourages everyone to try it!
Melissa discovered Pilates in 2011, and has been active in it ever since. As a former gymnast, she was naturally drawn to Pilates, recognizing its shared principles of movement, core strength, flexibility, and body awareness. She further pursued her passion by recently becoming comprehensively certified in both Mat and Equipment in 2024, at Integration Pilates Studio. Melissa is strongly committed to inclusive fitness and wellness, and believes that Pilates is for everyone. She strives for her clients to achieve their fitness goals while promoting a balanced connection between body and mind.
Hi I’m Sandy, I’m thrilled to be joining the exceptional team of Pilates teachers at Integration Pilates Studio.
I am a long time student of yoga and Pilates and fell in love with equipment Pilates right here at Integration over 20 years ago!
I have been teaching yoga for the past 15 years and was inspired to expand my teaching repertoire to include Pilates from watching many longtime students at this studio move with strength and ease at every age and stage.
I am convinced Pilates is the most comprehensive modality to take us through a good life. From rehabilitation to developing strength and flexibility, Pilates will deliver us to healthy advanced age with grace, and I’m elated to be given the opportunity to guide you in a class towards this goal.

See you at the studio! I can’t wait to meet you.

Tara is passionate about utilizing the mind-body connection to support physical and mental wellbeing. As a certified Pilates (Mat and Equipment - PMA recognized) and Yoga Instructor (450+ hours), they take a holistic approach in their dynamic and empowering classes. Tara’s inclusive teaching style promotes accessible movement for all body types and abilities, fostering a supportive environment for personal growth and transformation. A dedicated lifelong learner, Tara continually seeks ways to enhance her ability to provide innovative and personalized instruction, focusing on postural alignment, core stability, strength, and flexibility. Join Tara in her mission to cultivate joy, strength, and resilience through meaningful movement.
MC (Marie-Claire) has always had a love for movement and complete wellness. As a former dancer and gymnast, she found Pilates following the birth of her first child. And she immediately fell in love. She loves how the mind-body connection, the focus on core strength, flexibility, breath, stability and control are all incorporated into the Pilates principles making it a true full body workout. She recently completed the comprehensive 450-hour equipment and mat certification training program through Integration Pilates in 2024 (PMA recognized). Pilates has changed her mind and body. She knows it could help you too! Pilates is for everyone.
Office Administrator.  Joined the Integration Pilates team in 2016
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