Pilates is a gentle low impact method that focuses on improving posture and breathing while creating a strong, stable and supple body. The original method, created by Joseph Pilates, was created around the first world war and focused on breathing, alignment and quality of movement. At Inspire, we teach the STOTT PILATES™ method, which is a contemporary approach based on science and the biomechanics of the body.

We use conscious breathing in order to engage our deep and superficial muscles, improve focus and develop our body awareness. Conscious breathing is the foundation of all the exercises in order to accomplish each exercise with control, precision and fluidity.

Pilates strengthens the body from the inside out while focusing on the integrity and quality of the movement, not the quantity.

Pilates can easily be practiced in conjunction with your other favourite activities and sports

When we finish a pilates session, be it on the mat only or using the machines, we feel taller, stronger, more supple and more balanced.

Improves posture

Strengthens the abdominals and the back

Improves stability and mobility

Improves concentration and breathing

Improves body awareness

Helps prevent injuries

Complements and improves athletic performance

Brain-Gym is the work developped over the last 30 years by Paul Dennison, neuroscience teacher, and his wife, Gail, artist, somatic movement trainer, Montessori teacher and trained in improving vision naturally.

Many Brain-Gym exercises were created by Paul through his knowledge on the relationship between movement, perception and their roles in fine-motor skills and scholarly competence. Others have been learned through his experience as a marathoner, his work with behavioural optometrists and his study of acupressure (Jin Shin Jitsu).

Gail brought her own experience in dance, natural eye vision improvement, digitopressure and Touch for Health.

Initially Brain-Gym was created to help children with learning difficulties. Now it's practiced by all to develop our senses through movement.

Through their numerous studies in the field of education, psychology and neuromuscular functioning, they created a method that explores the application of movement in learning, which helps improve educational and relational skills.

Through play and creativity, Brain-Gym can help reduce stress while improving performance.

When we can better handle stress, we feel more confident and our communication skills, creativity, school and professional performances are improved.

Education through movement can help learning at school, at home and in many daily tasks (ex: reading, writing, math, sports, concentration, memory, organisation, communication,...).

By moving our bodies in all directions, we discover all the ways our bodies can move. Through movement we get to know ourselves so we can feel good in our bodies and minds.

The Hypopressives™ method was created in Europe by a doctor in the 80s, with an intention to help postpartum women heal and prevent problems linked to pregnancy and birthing such as incontinence and prolapse.

The goal was to strengthen the core without compromising the health of the pelvic floor and the abdominals.

Today, Hypopressives™ is used by anyone: teenagers, adults, athletes, women and men.

``HYPO``pressive means a reduction in pressure. This form of exercise reduces the intra-abdominal pressure, instead of increasing it like typical abdominal exercises (ex: sit-ups/crunches).

The most important part to remember is not the pressure - because our bodies endure pressure constantly (just sitting up from a chair, walking, coughing or picking up a basket of laundry or baby adds pressure to the body) - but it's how we manage that pressure that's important.

When we do exercises that reduce intra-abdominal pressure such as Hypopressives™, we reeducate our core so it's more functional and better able to manage the pressures our bodies endure daily.

Unique program that can improve global health in little time (about 20 min)

Improves alignment/posture through all the poses which add a tensile force and stretch the fascia and muscles.

Breath apnea (or false inhalation) creates a vaccum effect which reduces the pressures in the pelvic, abdominal and thoracic cavities. This apnea/false inhalation creates a functional engagement of the abdominal and pelvic cavities, thus reducing the pressure in those areas. This reflex co-contracts the 4 core muscles (diaphragm, transversus abdominus, pelvic floor and multifidus) so they work together and contribute to the proper functioning of the body.

Increases the blood flow and improves breathing.

Brigitte first studied swedish massage but her approach now combines many of the methods she's studied, with a particular focus on fasciatherapy/deep tissue (done without oil, it's a technique that unglues the fascia and other tissues in the body), osteo-massage/visceral therapy (technique that gently mobilizes the bones, articulations, soft tissues and the abdominal viscera/organs), as well as TNC* (Technique Neuro-Cutanée/Neuro-Cutaneous Technique)

*TNC is a global approach that deals with muscular-skelettal problems that have a biomechanical origin. It can be done on all parts of the body via a specific hand movement. It is gentle, without force and can be compared to a general reflexology of the entire body.

TNC has been successful with problems such as sciatica, lumbar issues, carpal tunnel, neuralgia, tendonitis, muscle spasms, or any blockages in the joints.

In order to breathe and move freely, each articulation and tissue must move correctly. Many traumas in our lives can affect this fluid movement - accident, a sudden gust of cold, incorrect posture, etc.

Behind every muscular, skeletal or fascial blockage there is a spasm that we need to correct. Otherwise it can stay a month, a year, a lifetime. When spasms are left on their own they can accumulate and generate chronic tensions.

''TNC'' can be done in a variety of positions - standing, sitting, lying down, fully clothes. It can be a quick fix in an emergency situation. I often add TNC at the end of an exercise session

Releases muscular, joint and fascial tensions

Improves circulation and breathing

Improves concentration and sleep

Reduces stress level

Improves suppleness and tissue elasticity