Continuing her education she has completed workshops and personal training with Dana Santi, Jerome Weinberg, Victoria Torre-Capan, Karen Frischmann, Amy Alpers and Rachel Segel (Boulder, Co), Marie-Jose Blom-Lawrence (Long Beach, Ca), movement specialist Thomas Myers and trainers such as Jacqueline Lewis and Noam Gagnon (Beyond Pilates – Vancouver), graduates of Jay Grimes (Vintage Pilates, LA), Matilda Christensen (Pilates From The Center, Vancouver). All of these teachers have helped Christine to keep growing as an instructor. Christine opened her first studio in January 2006 (Body Control Pilates). In August of 2011, The Pilates Tree took root and is now a permanent addition to the downtown core of Kamloops. Christine believes in smaller class sizes to allow for a more personalized experience. This results in greater attention to detail enabling clients to work on raising body awareness and begin making fundamental changes in their movement patterns while being in a fun, relaxed atmosphere. Her goal is to teach clients to bring Pilates into their day to day routine so they can continue to do the activities they love, building strength from the inside out.
Her goals as an instructor and practitioner, are to continue to educate herself about the body and to delve deeper into the Pilates world. Her goal for her clients is to help them achieve success with their own individual goals, as well as helping them to discover their own strength, a renewed energy and a return to healthy, pain free living. Through her knowledge and own personal discoveries, Deborah is well equipped to bring this body of work to others who are seeking change.
I am a 31 year old male who enjoys freestyle skiing, downhill mountain biking, surfing, sledding, shooting guns, weight lifting, and now Pilates. I will admit I was hesitant about trying Pilates for years as I was convinced it was just some weird pseudo-yoga with a bit of extra core work slipped in. It wasn’t until I reached a plateau while rehabbing from my fifth free-skiing induced leg surgery that I had a moment of weakness and decided to tag along and give it a try.
That first experience was exhausting, challenging, and very humbling when I saw that mature women all around me were flying through the exercises while I fumbled around like a newborn deer. A few days later I realized something I had lived with for 17 years had dissipated almost completely; my low back pain caused by countless knee, ankle, hip and back injuries was all but nonexistent.
After the next few sessions I began to notice how much more progress I was making in the gym and how my joints seemed to be lubed up with grease. I can honestly say that Pilates has helped me get my active life back. One year ago I could hardly walk for two blocks and now I am back to sending it down mountains with minimal pain afterwards. I cannot recommend Christine and her wizardry enough, give it a try and I guarantee if you put the effort in you will not be disappointed.
Brett McClelland
I came to The Pilates Tree post-spinal surgery and was immediately reassured that my limitations were not only respected, but understood. The personalized plan proposed for my private Pilates sessions was on par with my physio program. The mobility of my spine sky-rocketed in a very short period of time and within two months my core strength is noticeably better than it was before surgery.
Alan Vukusic, MD
I have been doing Pilates with Christine since 2007. I find Christine to be a very conscientious instructor and I appreciate the attention she gives to the smallest detail. I also appreciate the small class size, which also contributes to helping me in achieving the most from each exercise. I’m finding I am more in tune with my body now and definitely stronger. I’m learning to recognize tension in my body and what I can do to release it. I find I have less aches and am visiting the chiropractor a lot less than I used to. I really look forward to taking my classes each week.
Darlene D, Kamloops BC
Pilates has been the best thing for me. It has helped with my alignment and back problems significantly. I haven’t visited a chiropractor for over 2 years! Christine has a great sense of humour and makes the class very enjoyable and fun. It’s a great workout that covers every part of my body, mind and spirit.
I highly recommend Christine’s classes.
Lisa Fuller, Kamloops BC
I used to have poor posture and because of that I suffered multiple areas of pain: shoulders, neck, hips, knees, etc. I went to chiropractors and massage therapists to try and alleviate the pain and received no relief. I even went through 11 Rolfing treatments but still had pain.
One massage therapist recommended I take up fitness. I had already been involved with a gym but it wasn’t enough for what I needed. I hired a personal trainer to help teach me to correct my posture with some relief.
Christine, Tricia, and Deborah are all very professional and knowledgeable and are always watching and correcting body alignment. Most of all, they make it fun while we work hard. To watch the graceful moves of Pilates, you wouldn’t think it is hard work. Believe me, the movements may be slow and controlled but it’s tough. The sweat will drip and the muscles will ache.
Thanks you guys. It has made a big difference in my life.
Loralie Rodgers, Kamloops BC
Pilates has become a special part of my life. I have been attending Christine’s studio since 2006 now and have more core strength and flexibility than I could have ever imagined at this stage of my life.
My general body strength has improved and the time to focus and relax during class is great. Pilates has been a wonderful learning curve, contributing to my overall health.
Because I have osteoporosis, it helps me to stand tall and any back pain is kept in check. My bone density has even increased! The staff are wonderful, aware of individual needs, and present us with new challenges.
Pilates will be a part of my life for as long as I am able to take part. Above all, it is great to meet new people and you feel great!
Val Vicars, Kamloops BC
As a Chiropractor, I am always looking for ways to help my patients improve their overall health. Pilates was something I had heard about but never tried… until last year. From the first session, I discovered that a lot of the Pilates protocols are very similar to the exercises I give patients for the rehabilitation of numerous musculoskeletal conditions and overall well being.
Because Pilates focuses on the smaller stabilizing muscles of our bodies that are often weak in so many of us, it gives us the strength to carry on daily activities while reducing the risk of injury.
So whether you have been in an accident or just suffer from chronic tight and sore muscles from day to day activity, Pilates is something I would highly recommend!
Dr. Laura McCall – owner Active Health, Kamloops BC