Your Local Pilates Studio In The Fraser Valley

Pilates
Today

Strong
Tomorrow

Winter Introduction to Pilates Series - Now Registering

Three attendance options to choose from:

Once a week Mondays at 1:00
Twice a week Tuesdays & Thursdays at 10:30
3 times a week Mondays, Wednesdays, & Fridays at 11:45

New Location Coming Spring 2024!

Breath & Balance Pilates is moving to Downtown Chilliwack, right across the street from the vibrant community of District 1881. Follow along with the construction journey on Instagram @breathandbalancepilates

New Location - New Website!

We are updating our website to make sure all the information is up to date and easy for you to find. Thank you so much for your patience and in the meantime please feel free to reach out by email or phone if you have any questions at all.

Send Us An Email

Welcome to Breath & Balance Pilates

Hello! I am so glad to see you here! Visiting this website shows that you are ready to begin your Pilates journey, and I am excited to be a part of it. No matter the question that brought you here, Pilates is the answer! I’ve tried to answer most of the common questions that I am asked here on this website, but if you have any other questions please send me a message. I’m happy to help.

A Little Bit About Me

Hi! My name is Sasha and I am looking forward to getting to know you. But first, here’s a little bit of info on me.

I had a long history of doing Pilates on again and off again following a car accident in my teens. I first started with some exercises from Physiotherapy, and then kept sporadically doing Pilates videos over the following decade. It really wasn’t until my first lesson in a studio though that I fell in love with Pilates. I knew after my first lesson with Veronica McClurg that I had found my passion. When I booked my first lesson, all I was looking for was a little me time and to tone up. But instead, I found a new career. Getting rid of my constant neck and back pain was an added bonus!

I had the great privilege of training with Matilda Christensen at Pilates from the Centre. This program is well-known in the Pilates community for being one of the most intensive and challenging programs out there, which is exactly what I was looking for. A year and a half long, it is also one of the longest courses offered for Pilates Training.

And now I am honored to be able to use my training to help you reach the goals you have – whether it be strength, flexibility, rehabilitation, or so much more. Let’s get started!

Interested In Taking A Class?

A Chilliwack Pilates instructor showing a student how to do a pose

Schedule A Class with Sasha

To book a session please click on the button below.

Interested In Taking A Class?

In 10 sessions, you will feel the difference. In 20, you will see the difference. And in 30, you’ll be on your way to having a whole new body.

- Joseph Pilates

Frequently Asked Questions

What Exactly Is Pilates?

Pilates is a workout system developed in the early 20th century by Joseph Pilates, after whom it was named. Joe originally called his method “Contrology” to represent the idea of being in complete control of your body as you move it through the exercises. It is a series of precise movements, being performed in a controlled manner. Pilates is a form of low-impact exercise that aims to strengthen muscles while improving postural alignment and flexibility. If practiced with consistency, Pilates improves flexibility, builds strength and develops control and endurance in the entire body. It puts emphasis on alignment, breathing, developing a strong core, and improving coordination and balance. The system allows for different exercises to be modified in range of difficulty from beginner to advanced or to any level in between.

What’s the difference between Pilates and Yoga?

The biggest difference between the two is the emphasis on the spiritual component in Yoga. Pilates classes do not have a meditative or spiritual component. However, there is a “mind-body” component in that Pilates movements require you to focus and concentrate on how you are moving your body. The emphasis on breathing and slower pace of some Pilates classes can also be stress relieving.

What’s the difference between Classical and Contemporary Pilates?

The simple answer: Classical Pilates attempts to stay as close to the teachings of Joseph Pilates as possible, and Contemporary Pilates has taken his teachings and modified or made variations of them. Both styles of training have good points; what really matters is the training that was involved in the certification process. The early training programs developed by Joe and his personal apprentices were rigorous and demanding and teachers were expected to not only gain an in-depth understanding of the method but to also be able to teach and demonstrate a wide variety of exercises on multiple pieces of equipment. The “good” training programs, in my opinion, stay true to these rigorous standards. As Pilates grew in popularity new certification programs have popped up; some only requiring a weekend course to be certified.

What Should I Wear To Class?

This is an exercise class, so please wear clothing that allows you to move freely. More fitted clothing will allow me to see how your body is moving without having to see through layers of loose fabric and is therefore preferred. Be aware that some movements may allow loose pants or shirts to slide up, so please wear bike shorts or sports bras underneath these if you choose to wear them. You will not be wearing shoes for the session; bare feet or socks that have nonslip grips are acceptable.

What Can I Expect At My First Lesson?

The first lesson I will take your history and ask you questions about your overall health and wellness as well as any injuries or physical limitations you may have. We will spend some time going over the fundamental movement skills that are needed throughout all Pilates exercises. We will then move into learning some of the basic exercises. On your second lesson, we will not need to take a history or learn the fundamentals, so we will jump right into the exercises. If you’re ready to get started send me an email or fill out the form at the end of the page.

Why Can’t I Just Start On Apparatus Classes Right Away?

There are three reasons I want you to do at least a bit of matwork first. 1) The apparatus has a lot of
moving parts, which makes it more challenging to learn the exercises. You’re trying to focus on the
exercise, and on the equipment. 2) The apparatus is meant to complement the way your body moves. In
order to benefit from that, you need to learn how to move your body properly first. On the mat, it’s just
you and your body – no distractions. 3) As I said, the apparatus is a lot of fun. This means,
sometimes if clients start there, they never want to do mat. Mat is (in my opinion) the hardest form of
Pilates, so if you don’t ever do matwork you will be missing out!

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