It's our THIRD ANNIVERSARY! As I reflect over the last three years I realize one thing - we have come a long way from our original 900 sq ft studio. - We are now operating in 2000+ sq ft, have 30+ classes on our schedule and dozens of private clients each week. Our class offerings have grown from Barre7, Mat Pilates, and Pilates Equipment classes to include functional training with the addition of TRX Circuit and Big Ball. We have also incorporated balance exercises into ever

Many of our clients know that Becky's husband was working overseas earlier this year for 3 months; I have many mixed emotions as I announce that they are officially moving overseas in October. While this is an amazing opportunity for her husband and will be a wonderful adventure for their family, I'd be lying if I said that her presence at the studio [and in my life] won't be missed. Becky and I have been friends and worked closely with each other for over 7 years; I don't th

Earlier this year we welcomed Kirsten Gradinger, a fellow KC native and fitness blogger (check her out on WTFartlek.com), to our studio. She spent a month trying all of our classes and was able to get a good read on our studio and what we are about. Many people believe that when you take a Pilates class you don't sweat - we know that is exactly the opposite! I believe it's safe to say that you will sweat in all of our classes and and work your body head to toe. But don't take

Did you recently have a baby? Congratulations! Eager to get back into working out? Wonderful! Before you grab your sneakers and head out for a run - STOP! I want to let every woman know there ARE do's and don't of returning to fitness after having a child. Despite what many will say, it is NOT safe to return to planks, jumps, or even crunches until at least 3 months postpartum. Let me repeat - it is NOT safe. If you are starting these exercises prior to 12 weeks it's most lik

​If you have recently starting running after a winter hiatus or are just starting to run for the first time, Pilates is the perfect complement to your training program. Since running is repetitive motion, runners tend to have overdeveloped muscles, usually the quadriceps. In Pilates we focus on training the posterior chain - your backside consisting of the glutes, hips, hamstrings, and the muscles of your lower back. A strong backside will offset the stress on your joints, sp

On April 1, 2014, I opened Studio 7 Pilates + Barre with the goal of providing premiere Pilates and Barre instruction in a friendly environment. We opened with a team of 3 - myself, Genevieve, and Shelby- then added Kris and Hannah. Since then we have had Becky, Callie, and Katie join us and wished Hannah and Genevieve goodbye as they moved out of state. As instructors we have always been a very tight group - we laugh together, support one another, and truly love what we do.

​ ​Aside from being a highly universal discipline for the development of strength, flexibility, coordination and balance, Pilates can also be a beneficial tool before, during and after pregnancy. The system of controlled movements and exercises can be instrumental in maintaining core strength in preparation for, or recovery from, pregnancy’s impact on the body. Prenatal Pilates works to maintain pelvic floor and abdominal wall strength. Throughout pregnancy your abdominal mus

If you're like me, overhauling your diet can seem daunting. It actually causes me stress thinking about what I can or can't eat; when I completed the Whole30 last year it provided me the necessary guidelines to be successful with this journey. Gluten and dairy have been linked to pain, inflammation, and skin disorders; sugar has been linked to countless disorders and ailments. The Whole30 is a program that consists of 30 days sugar, grain, dairy, alcohol, and legume free. It

In case you didn't know the KC Royals are World Series Champions. The last 5 or 6 weeks the city has been watching game after game, gathering with friends and colleagues to cheer on our boys in blue. I have never sat in front of a tv so much in my life. I hit up more baseball watch parties and sports bars than I can even count, and now that they have won I find my pants fitting a little too snug. My body is sluggish, my brain is jumbled, and my meal-prepping days are few and

I am so blessed to have Shelby Lewer in my life; from the time we met five years ago I was instantly connected to her. We both danced in Las Vegas, turned to Pilates, and moved back to KC after retiring our dancing shoes. At the studio Shelby is grace; she is poised, elegant, and a no frills kind of girl. I would not describe Shelby is loud, energetic, or happy happy joy joy but rather authentic, genuine, real, and an amazing instructor. Shelby has the ability to string seque

After initially meeting her I was struck by her energy, charisma, and determination. Callie is a little ball of energy and loves, I mean LOVES to learn new exercises and challenge our clients. She really has embraced the instructor side of life--she kicks my butt at the barre every time! I am so proud to have watched her become an amazing instructor, motivating and inspiring her clients. She always has a smile on her face and is just happy; she's also just about the most laid

My mom is a self-professed Zumba fanatic. She loves to shimmy and shake (I've seen it, and there is something seriously wrong with seeing your mom shake her groove thing. Just don't do it. It's awkward and weird on every level, especially when she can do it well.) Back to my mom. She's at the point in her life where she needs more weight bearing and joint friendly exercises to help her continue to age gracefully. She agreed to give up Friday Zumba classes to start taking Ulti

Kris brings to our group a sense of knowledge and experience that is calming. She is just COOL. I often wonder if her kids know how cool their mom is and appreciate her; I'm pretty sure they do, how could you not? Kris is constantly educating in her classes and it's great to take from her and hear a cue that I find useful and can steal. She is all about connecting people and comes up with the greatest exercises and ideas for the studio that I find to be priceless. My mom abso

​Generally speaking most people have an injury. It may not be diagnosed, it may not be something that takes you to the Doctor or a Physical Therapist, but you still hurt. Shoulder, lower back, hip, and knee pain are something that most people suffer from and find that their normal routine gets disrupted if they are experiencing a flare up. Private training for Rehab is beneficial because we will cater a program around your needs and we have experience with physical therapy--I

As an instructor we find that we do a GREAT job of inspiring our clients to get into classes, listen to their bodies, do what feels good, and so on. As an instructor we find that far too often our own bodies get neglected, our own workouts get put on the backburner, and pretty soon we are left in the same place that we helped pull our clients out of...that is the case for me. I'm not perfect (gasp, I know) and I am guilty of putting "me" in the closet under a pile of clothes

Recently someone told me that they learn so much from me in their classes at Studio7 that I should start sharing my knowledge with everyone, so here it is, my blog. Many people don't realize but I have two degrees--Bachelor of Science in Dance Management (dance and business) and Associates in Applied Science Physical Therapist Assistant. I have worked in PT settings from Rehab Hospitals to Outpatient clinics, was a professional dancer for a decade, and have been teaching Pila