Today we’d like to introduce you to Alane Schechter.
Alane, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I majored in Psychology at UCSC and quickly found a career in fashion that took me to Las Vegas, NV. It was there I stumbled into a Yoga & Pilates studio in Henderson, NV that changed my world forever. Before I knew it, I was learning Pilates on the equipment and trying to retain everything I was doing. Within that year, I was not only addicted to doing Pilates but I loved how I felt after each session. I could feel my body lengthening and getting more toned. I quickly realized it made such a difference in sitting at my corporate job all day.
After a few years, thanks to my husband’s career our journey had us move from Las Vegas to Orange County, California for four years where I took more classes at different studios and realized that I was finally ready to become a Pilates instructor. As I was having this realization another move was on the horizon and just like that we were living outside of Phoenix, AZ.
It was in Arizona that I found an amazing intensive program that allowed me to learn the comprehensive Pilates repertoire, understand the foundation and principals of Pilates, and anatomy of the body and relate it to movement. After 560 hours and truly understanding the anatomy of the body related to a movement, I began teaching immediately! I decided to take it a step further and become a Pilates Method Alliance Instructor which adheres to a Code of Ethics set that defines professional responsibilities and conduct for Pilates instructors.
I have now been a member of the PMA for the past eight years and a Barre Instructor for 7.5. Meanwhile, life threw us a few more curveballs and a few more cities. We added Austin, Seattle, and Orange County (again) to the list. When we were in Orange County we became pregnant with twins and late last year, we moved to North County San Diego and finally planted some roots! I am now a mom of twin girl toddlers who are about to turn three years old and have the most amazing clients who are able to move more and be in less pain!
Has it been a smooth road?
There is never a smooth road to building a business especially paired with moving. Over the past eight years, I have developed my teaching style, learning how I best communicate with a vast array of clients. I have also found my niche and figured out that my average clientele is between 40 – 75 years of age.
With each move I felt like just as I was gaining momentum in my business, it was time to move again, it got frustrating, but this is the first year I can honestly say I know I am building something great and impacting the lives of many. I have been able to provide my clients with a new lease on life and have gotten many out of terrible pain so that their everyday life was positively impacted. No amount of money can compare to the gratitude given when people are able to feel relief and have more mobility without another shot or procedure.
I think that after I had kids, I doubted my ability again because my body had to relearn everything and I was more self-conscious because I was no longer super small and I was just trying to find a groove and balance of being a new mom, teaching and resetting some of my expectations for my clients. I think that an uncomfortable moment was great for me and actually helped me connect with more people.
I am still working on finding the perfect balance for me, but I do believe with every relocation I learned a little bit more about what I wanted my clients to get out of Modern Body. I want my clients to have a great workout, be challenged physically, and also leave each session in a better mental headspace.
I appreciate more and more that some of my clients come more for the therapy session than they do for their workout (don’t worry they still get a workout). The ability to be a part of someone’s journey and helping them get out of pain impacts people in more ways than they ever talk about. It can be very rewarding to be able to watch them succeed, do things they never thought they would be able to and get to be a part of their journey. I believe clients really appreciate when you are present and want to see them grow; it boosts their confidence and yours. The relationships that I have with my clients is special because they chose me to be a part of their journey when they could have picked someone else.
The best piece of advice I can give is: You don’t need to have a perfect plan put together, just a small piece. Take one small step at a time. Before you know it, you’ll be off and running! Take the first step no matter how scary. Nothing is scarier than not trying because there is nothing worse than looking back and wishing you did something.
So, as you know, we’re impressed with Modern Body Pilates – tell our readers more, for example, what you’re most proud of and what sets you apart from others.
My primary focus has been clients who seek 1:1 (private) or 2:1 (duet) training sessions in an intimate setting. It is in this intimate setting that I can really help them authentically learn about their own bodies and get out of pain. A lot of times this means getting out of pain, training for sport, wanting a private workout, doing the work correctly and having someone see your form the entire time so you can’t cheat, and having a unique workout designed for them based their personal needs, taking into account each individuals mental & physical limitations.
In my studio, we have a Reformer, Tower, Ladder Barrel, Spilt Pedal XO Chair, Bosu Balance and MOTR. My clients include people with Osteoporosis/Osteopenia, Pre/Post Pregnancy, Pregnant Women, healthy bodies, Pre & Post (after PT) Breast Cancer Patients, an extensive variety of hip, knee, low back & shoulder issues, Scoliosis, Herniated Discs, Spondylosis as well as professional athletes. One of the key differences I believe is Modern Body really focuses on the client’s needs and issues. From really knowing the clients we then work in the best form possible for your body as we try to achieve proper alignment in every exercise.
Are there any apps, books, podcasts or other resources that you’ve benefited from using?
My all-time favorite book is Surfing the Himalayas by Frederick Lenz. but I am a sucker for a good romance novel… and I may have a collection of cookbooks.
Podcasts: My best friend introduced me to Brene Brown who is awesome. You’ve had probably heard of her! If not go and check her out. I love that she calls it like it is and talks about all the hard topics. My favorite topic is “Be afraid and do it anyway”.
My Apps that are essential in my world are:
My Calendar, Reminders and Notes to communicate with my family and have everyone in sync. I personally love Asana for organizing my life at work!
Amazon is a must for most random things and essentials.
I love my 2 minute morning moment of reading my daily horoscope – even if I can’t relate to it.
PicTapGo for adjusting images quickly and Rhonna for Picture settings and adding graphics are a must for Instagram and Facebook posts.
My go-to games are WordStacks and Sudoku!
Pricing:
- 3 Private Personal 55 Minute Sessions for New Clients only are $150
- 3 Duet Personal 55 Minute Sessions for New Clients only are $185
- More pricing can be found on the Modern Body Pilates website
Contact Info:
- Address: 1428 Enchante Way
Oceanside, CA 92056 - Website: www.modernbodypilates.com
- Phone: 949-355-2880
- Email: info@modernbodypilates.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/modernbodypilates/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Modernbodypilates/
Image Credit:
Images by Alane Schechter
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