Workshops

WORKSHOPS

INTRO TO EQUIPMENT: 5-Week Intensive
with Amy Moore

Thursdays, 7pm - 8pm
Upcoming start dates: 1/26, 3/9

Learn Pilates on the Equipment! Whether you're just starting Pilates or want to freshen up your skills, this intensive is a safe, effective and energizing way to do it! Intro to the Equipment will teach you the fundamentals and essential Pilates exercises, on the mat and using specially-designed equipment-the Reformer, Wall Unit and Chair. You'll increase your awareness and ability, with a noticeable carry-over into how you approach your everyday life. Upon completion of the 5 week Intro, students may continue with private training, repeat the Intro series, or transition into an ongoing Pilates equipment group, with instructor approval.

Learn the Pilates fundamentals and essential exercises

Develop a balance of strength, flexibility and body alignment

Enhance your current exercise program

Improve your quality of movement and core strength

Learn proper set up and use of the equipment

Have fun!

About Amy
Amy is a certified Pilates and Elvis ``the Pelvis" instructor. She completed her training with PhysicalMind Institute and Tom McCook at Center of Balance. An experienced teacher by trade, Amy enjoys motivating and encouraging confidence through goal setting and personalized instruction. Her passion is to help clients improve postural awareness and develop efficient, healthy movement patterns for everyday living. Through Pilates and a balanced lifestyle, she has experienced her own healing from neck and shoulder pain and brings energy and enthusiasm to helping others experience freedom of movement.

Cost: $215

To Register
This is open to all levels of students with some movement experience. No injuries please. Reservations can be made by contacting Center of Balance at 650-967-6414. Max 4 students

Cancellation Policy
Please allow at least 1 week notice if you must cancel your registration, otherwise you will be responsible for the full cost. We will refund your payment only if we can fill the slot. Unattended sessions are nonrefundable.

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INTRO TO PILATES MAT: 5-Week Intensive
with Meredith Bloom

Thursdays, 12pm - 1pm
Upcoming start dates: 3/9

Get the most out of the mat! You'll learn the fundamentals and proper technique of Pilates mat, focusing on body connections, breathing, alignment and awareness. Learn how to identify your own weaknesses and imbalances and work with them to restore healthier movement. Props - rollers, barrels, magic circles and balls - are used as tools to help students feel deeper into the subtleties of the exercises. The small group size allows individual issues to be addressed, so come with your questions! This 5 week series is great for newcomers to Pilates, who want to get the most out of mat class, and for those who want to refine their knowledge, understanding and ability.

About Meredith
Meredith is a certified Pilates instructor, dancer, and former physical therapy aide. Since 1999, she has been teaching a flowing and rigorous style of Pilates in combination with slower, more rehab-oriented work, to create tailored exercise sessions to meet her clients' needs. Meredith has studied with Tom McCook, Jennifer Stacey, and Mari Winsor. She is also influenced by Romana Kryzanowska, a master teacher who was personally trained by Joseph Pilates.

Cost: $215

To Register
This is open to all levels of students - no experience necessary! No injuries please. Preregistration and prepayment are required. Please contact Center of Balance to reserve your place! Max 4 students.

Cancellation Policy
Please allow a minimum of 1 week notice if you must cancel your registration, otherwise you will be responsible for the full cost. We will refund your payment only if we can fill the slot. Unattended sessions are nonrefundable.

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FRANKLIN METHOD: 5-Week Intensive
with Tom McCook

Thursdays, 1:15pm - 2:15pm
Upcoming Start Dates: 2/2, 3/9 (skips 3/30 week)

Let your body teach you how to move! In this 5-Week Intensive, you'll discover the benefits of mind/body connection through imagery, experiential anatomy, movement and touch. In an energizing group setting, you'll learn how imagery provides the brain with the feedback it needs to create ease of movement, flexibility and strength. And you'll expand your understanding of the human design by learning how bone rhythms lead the muscles in movement. We'll experiment with a rich variety of practices — from everyday activities, to dynamic stretching with the theraband and Franklin balls — to shift old patterns and help free up the body. This innovative approach will enhance your function and ability, release tension, improve balance, coordination and strength, and help you develop awareness that you can take into all aspects of your life!

About Tom
Founder and Director of Center of Balance, Tom McCook is a nationally-recognized fitness and movement specialist with over 20 years experience. Tom is certified in Pilates and conducts teacher training courses for PhysicalMind Institute. Through years of continuous study and his strong commitment to a daily meditation and physical practice, Tom now specializes in a range of training disciplines including Pilates, Yoga, Franklin Method, BodyCode, Resistance Stretching, Myofascial Release, Craniosacral Therapy, Bodywork, and Life Coaching. Tom designs programs for health and overall performance for working professionals, people recovering from injuries, and athletes, including Olympic Gold Medal swimmers Natalie Coughlin, Jenny Thompson and Misty Hyman. He conducts workshops and retreats in the U.S. and internationally. In 2003, Tom produced the video Combining Pilates & Yoga for Balance.

Cost: $160

To Register
This is open to students - no experience necessary! No acute injuries please. Preregistration and prepayment are required. Please contact Center of Balance to reserve your place! Max 10 students.

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PILATES ON THE BALL: 5-Week Intensive
with Ruthie Wahlborg

Tuesdays, 7pm - 8pm
Upcoming Start Dates: 1/26, 3/9

Try Pilates on the Ball! Enhance your understanding of the Pilates fundamentals through focused practice on the Mat and Exercise Ball. This 5-Week intensive will help improve your Pilates practice with the added challenge and variety of the Ball. You'll learn how to access deep stabilizing muscles for improved coordination and movement awareness. A full-body workout, classes combine cardio with core strength training. This series is great for intermediate students who want to deepen their knowledge of Pilates while building tone, strength, and stamina!

About Ruthie
Ruthie has been teaching Pilates since 2002 and is certified by Ellie Herman Studios. She has also completed a 12-week Rehabilitation course taught by Lizz Roman, emphasizing muscular re-education utilizing the work of Janda, gentle movement that places muscles into the correct muscle sequence and alleviates chronic and acute pain. This work of clearing the way for inhibited muscles to work properly leads the body to the next step of strength conditioning. Ruthie's love of dance and choreography lends flow and spontaneity to an energetic yet controlled way of movement. When not teaching Pilates, she is dancing with the Devil-Ettes, swimming or hanging out with her son Blue.

Cost: $215

To Register
This intermediate intensive is open to students with some Pilates experience. Preregistration and prepayment are required. Please contact Center of Balance to reserve your place! Max 4 students.

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ELVIS "the Pelvis": 5-Week Intensive
with Tom McCook

Tuesdays, 1:15pm - 2:15pm
Upcoming Start Dates: 1/31, 3/7 (skips 3/28 week)

Experience ELVIS "the Pelvis", a device specially-designed to help people become more conscious in their bodies. You'll learn exercises aimed at stabilizing and mobilizing ankles, knees, hips, back and shoulders, enabling you to improve your physical condition by strengthening and stretching in a three dimensional way. Elvis is an extremely effective tool for exposing weaknesses and addressing them simultaneously. It's part of the innovative BodyCode System of equipment designed by Pino Carbone of Italy.

Cost: $240

To Register
This is open to students with some experience in Yoga, Pilates or movement. Preregistration and prepayment are required. Please contact Center of Balance to reserve your place! Max 5 students.

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INTERMEDIATE / ADVANCED PILATES MAT: 5-Week Intensive
with Kristin Goldsmith

Tuesdays, 1pm - 2pm
Upcoming Start Dates: 1/24, 3/7

Take your practice to the next level! This intensive is for Pilates students committed to frequent practice, who are looking to deepen their understanding. Intermediate / Advanced Pilates matwork is designed to progress students to a higher level of skill and awareness. This 5-Week Intensive focuses on releasing tension, accessing the pelvic floor and deep abdominals, aligning the body and mind, and staying connected throughout each exercise progression. You will leave feeling energized, toned, and full of inspiration!

About Kristin
Kristin is a certified Pilates, MasterStretch and Elvis "the Pelvis" instructor with a strong background in dance and movement. Her teaching goal is to help students gain freedom of movement through Pilates, Yoga, and resistance stretching exercises that highlight breath, stability and flow. She encourages students to bring these skills into daily activities for improved coordination, posture and balance. Kristin also incorporates principles of the BodyCode System of movement, Alexander Technique and modern dance into her teaching style.

Cost: $215

To Register
This is open to Pilates students who practice regularly, with one or more years of experience, and injury-free. Preregistration and prepayment are required. Please contact Center of Balance to reserve your place! Max 4 students.

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INTERMEDIATE / ADVANCED EQUIPMENT: 5-Week Intensive
with Kristin Goldsmith

Wednesdays, 1:15pm - 2:15pm
Upcoming Start Dates: 1/25, 3/8

Hone your practice! Learn the intermediate / advanced repertoire and go to the next level of body control, coordination and conditioning. This 5-Week intensive will move into the int/adv exercises with attention to stability, tone and alignment which is necessary for proper execution at this level. Each week, exercises will be added and reviewed for deeper understanding. Come prepared to focus and get a satisfying workout!

Cost: $215

To Register
This is open to intermediate / advanced Pilates students, with instructor approval. Preregistration and prepayment are required. Please contact Center of Balance to reserve your place! Max 4 students.

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STANDING PILATES: 5-Week Intensive
with Owen Grady

Wednesdays, 1:15pm - 2:15pm
Upcoming Start Dates: 1/25, 3/8

Take Pilates to standing! Adapting the Pilates floor exercises to a standing position helps develop coordination and balance in relation to gravity. You'll enhance your ability to move, stretch and bend with ease and control. This is truly functional fitness. Benefits of the work include building stronger bones, better balance, conditioning and improved posture. Through Standing Pilates work, you will inform and deepen your other exercise practices and day-to-day activities.

About Owen
Owen is a certified Pilates, Elvis "the Pelvis" and MasterStretch instructor, former competitive cyclist and Nordic skier. He completed Center of Balance and PhysicalMind Institute's Pilates teacher training with Tom McCook. He has practiced both Iyengar and Ashtanga Yoga extensively and trained with senior instructors including Manuso Manos, Ramanand Patel, and Nikki and Eddie Modestini. Owen's teaching style draws from his athletic background and strong influences from his Yoga practice. He teaches both Pilates and Yoga at Center of Balance.

Cost: $215

To Register
This is open to students with some Pilates experience. Preregistration and prepayment are required. Please contact Center of Balance to reserve your place! Max 5 students.

EMBODYING A BALANCED LIFE: 3 month course
with Tom McCook

Tuesdays, 5pm - 7pm
Full! Stay tuned for Fall 2006 start date

Using movement and meditation as a foundation to get focused and present, we'll look at what it means to be balanced in our individual lives. We'll look at the specific areas of work, play, inspiration and body care and the importance of establishing a personal plan in these areas every week. We will take time each week to identify ways to create freedom and to experience momentum in our lives. We'll learn how to ask for what we want and need in order to move through life with more balance, freedom, clarity and grace. The format is 40 minutes of movement, 20 minutes of meditation and 1 hour of coaching. Movement practices will incorporate Franklin Method, Pilates, Yoga, Resistance Stretching. Requires a 3 month commitment.

Cost: $675 (monthly payment option of $225)

To Register
Space is limited - Please contact Tom directly if you are interested in registering. This course requires a 3-month commitment. No refunds once the course begins.

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EXPLORING THE PELVIS
&
UNLOCKING THE UPPER BODY

with Tom McCook

March 11, 2006

Exploring the Pelvis
10:30am - 1pm
In this workshop, Tom uses the Franklin Method of experiential anatomy and imagery to help free up the pelvis and hips, and deepen your Pilates & Yoga practice. You will develop an experiential understanding of the bone rhythms and the muscular relationship of the pelvic floor, abdominal muscles and lower back. You'll learn how to apply this understanding of function to refine your ability to self-correct and tap into your internal intelligence. This workshop will help you experience your body and life in a whole new way!

Unlocking the Upper Body
2pm - 4:30pm
In this innovative workshop, Tom bridges freedom of movement and conditioning by combining the Franklin Method with Pilates exercises and Yoga postures. You will develop a deeper understanding of the shoulder girdle, head and neck through experiential anatomy, imagery, touch and movement. You'll learn how to apply this new-found freedom and awareness to your practice for enhanced flexibility, strength and more satisfying results.

About Tom
Founder and Director of Center of Balance, Tom McCook is a nationally-recognized fitness and movement specialist with over 20 years experience. Tom is certified in Pilates and conducts teacher training courses for PhysicalMind Institute. Through years of study and his strong commitment to a daily meditation and physical practice, Tom now specializes in a range of training disciplines including Pilates, Yoga, Franklin Method, BodyCode, Resistance Stretching, Myofascial Release, Craniosacral Therapy and Bodywork. Tom designs programs for health and overall performance for working professionals, people recovering from injuries, and athletes, including Olympic Gold Medal swimmers Natalie Coughlin, Jenny Thompson and Misty Hyman. He conducts workshops and retreats in the U.S. and internationally. In 2003, Tom produced the video Combining Pilates & Yoga for Balance.

Cost
Each Workshop: $65
Both Workshops: $115

Registration
These workshops are open to students with experience in Yoga, Pilates or movement. No acute injuries please. Space for both workshops is limited, so sign up early! To reserve your spot, please make payment to Center of Balance by calling us at 650-967-6414

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MASTERSTRETCH: 5-Week Intensive

Stay tuned for next start dates!

Increase your flexibility and strength with MasterStretch! MasterStretch is a device created by Pino Carbone of BodyCode for exercises aimed at lengthening and strengthening your muscles and tendons. Based on a rocking movement of the ankles, these exercises help to move your center of gravity back and forth which improves coordination, stability and balance. Some of the benefits include reduced injury and muscles strains, better posture and awareness, increased blood circulation, improved movement!

Cost: $215

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HELP HURRICANE REBUILDING EFFORTS! Raised $900!
Wednesday, September 21
5:30 - 7pm

Please join us for a donation-only class to support the victims of Hurricane Katrina!

A Brief Introduction to Habitat for Humanity
(from Habitat website)

Habitat for Humanity International is a nonprofit, nondenominational Christian housing organization.

We welcome all people to join us as we build simple, decent, affordable houses in partnership with those who lack adequate shelter.

Since 1976, Habitat has built more than 175,000 houses, providing shelter for nearly 900,000 people worldwide. Now at work in 100 countries, we are building a house every 26 minutes. By 2005, Habitat houses will be sheltering 1 million people.

Local Habitat affiliates coordinate house building and select partner families.

Habitat houses are purchased by the homeowner families. Three factors make the houses affordable to low-income people worldwide:

Houses are sold at no profit, with no interest charged on the mortgage

Homeowners and volunteers build the houses under trained supervision

Individuals, corporations, faith groups and others provide financial support

Homeowner families are chosen according to their need; their ability to repay the no-profit, no-interest mortgage; and their willingness to work in partnership with Habitat. Habitat for Humanity does not discriminate according to race, religion or ethnic group.

Tom's Pilates and Yoga Progression class on 9/21 will be dedicated to the on-the-ground relief efforts underway in the South. Center of Balance will donate 100% of the money paid for class to Habitat for Humanity's "Operation Home Delivery," a long-term rebuilding plan for families victimized by Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans and along the Gulf Coast.

Habitat for Humanity has a three-stage response to the hurricane: First, to help Habitat affiliates that were hardest hit by Katrina restore some level of service. Then to organize with other organizations, governments, corporations, foundations, etc., to develop a plan for low-income housing and recovery; and third, to establish and implement the "home in a box project." This rebuilding effort will bring together many sectors of society in a program to pre-build homes and construct them in the devastated areas with the help of families, volunteers and builders.

Cost & Registration Info
Space is limited to 30, first come first served. If you'd like to pre-register, please call Center of Balance at 650-967-6414. The cost of the class is $18 for a drop-in (cash, credit card and checks accepted). Or payment can be made by deducting a session from your class card. 100% of the money paid for class will be sent to Habitat for Humanity. Students may also contribute additional funds, which we will add to the final amount donated.

To learn more about the important work of Habitat for Humanity, visit:

www.habitat.org

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DONATION-ONLY CLASS TO SUPPORT Raised $700!
the LANCE ARMSTRONG FOUNDATION
Saturday, August 27
3pm - 4:30pm

Please join us for a special donation-only class to support the work of the Lance Armstrong Foundation (LAF)! Center of Balance will hold a Pilates and Yoga Progression class taught by Owen Grady to raise money in support of LAF's work helping people who are battling cancer to live strong. 100% of the money raised will be donated to LAF.

The Manifesto of the Lance Armstrong Foundation
(from LAF website)

We believe in life.
Your life.
We believe in living every minute of it with every ounce of your being.
And that you must not let cancer take control of it.
We believe in energy: channeled and fierce.
We believe in focus: getting smart and living strong.
Unity is strength. Knowledge is power. Attitude is everything.
This is the Lance Armstrong Foundation.
We kick in the moment you're diagnosed.
We help you accept the tears. Acknowledge the rage.
We believe in your right to live without pain.
We believe in information. Not pity.
And in straight, open talk about cancer.
With husbands, wives and partners. With kids, friends and neighbors. And the people you live with, work with, cry and laugh with.
This is no time to pull punches.
You're in the fight of your life.
We're about the hard stuff.
Like finding the nerve to ask for a second opinion.
And a third, or a fourth, if that's what it takes.
We're about getting smart about clinical trials.
And if it comes to it, being in control of how your life ends.
It's your life. You will have it your way.
We're about the practical stuff.
Planning for surviving. Banking your sperm. Preserving your fertility. Organizing your finances. Dealing with hospitals, specialists, insurance companies and employers.
It's knowing your rights.
It's your life.
Take no prisoners.
We're about the fight.
We're your champion on Capitol Hill. Your advocate with the healthcare system. Your sponsor in the research labs.
And we know the fight never ends.
Cancer may leave your body, but it never leaves your life.
This is the Lance Armstrong Foundation.
Founded and inspired by one of the toughest cancer survivors on the planet.

The Lance Armstrong Foundation believes that in the battle with cancer, unity is strength, knowledge is power and attitude is everything. Founded in 1997 by cancer survivor and champion cyclist, Lance Armstrong, the LAF provides the practical information and tools people living with cancer need to live strong.

The Lance Armstrong Foundation's mission is to inspire and empower people with cancer to live strong. It serves its mission through education, advocacy, public health and research programs. More than 10 million Americans are currently living with, through or beyond cancer.

More than 1.3 million people in the U.S. will be diagnosed with cancer this year.

Of adults diagnosed with cancer today, 64% will be living five years from now.

One in three people will be diagnosed with cancer during their lifetime.

Three in four families will care for a family member with cancer.
(American Cancer Society, Cancer Facts and Figures 2004)

Cost & Registration Info
Space is limited to 30. If you'd like to pre-register, please call Center of Balance at 650-967-6414. The cost of the class is $18 for a drop-in (cash, credit card and checks accepted). Or payment can be made by deducting a session from your class card. 100% of the money paid for class will be sent to the Lance Armstrong Foundation. Students may also contribute additional funds, which we will add to the final amount donated.

To learn more about the Lance Armstrong Foundation and how you can get involved, visit http://www.livestrong.org

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