Kevin Ott
I have been going to BodyMind Balance for more than 20 years— first with Pilates, then Gyro for the last 10 years. I credit it for keeping me active, on the tennis court, hiking, fairly close to 5’10” and pretty much injury free. BodyMind is a very well equipped and spacious studio with greatRead more “Kevin Ott”
Kim Chavez
The GYROTONIC® method is phenomenal. We are also fortunate to have a strong studio that Julie leads and gives her time and talents to. I was lucky enough to be trained as a student and as a teacher mostly by Julie. I did not understand the significance of this until I started taking classes and training elsewhere. Julie’s passion to the method intrigued me to become a certified training and if the method itself wasn’t rewarding enough, I have been fortunate to layer the teaching with it. Julie’s detail and commitment to the practice has kept the practice evolving and challenging since day one.
Now, I also grow and learn from teaching my clients. There is nothing more exciting than seeing people feel better, stronger and more confident in their own bodies. This practice and the studio community accomplishes these things. Teaching is wonderful because I get as much out of each interaction as the client. It is truly a rewarding practice from so many avenues.
Marty Ragland
I always return to Pilates and I have now found my exercise home with Julie and the teachers at BodyMind Balance. They are so knowledgeable about the body, muscle and mind connections and they explain it all so well. I’ve gained greater flexibility and strength and a stronger understanding of how my body shouldRead more “Marty Ragland”
Mirja Zielstra
Nancy Kleinhaus
Phillip Long
As a client of Body Mind Balance for the past twenty two years, I feel healthier and in better spirits from my thrice weekly visits. It makes a big difference in the quality of life gliding into those golden years. If you are not already a believer, why not try it. You’ll never regretRead more “Phillip Long”
Tara Kilcoyne
Sara Nawaz
Karen Zollett
Not too long ago, I reached an important realization. I needed to be working out smarter, not harder.
Then I found Body Mind Balance. Under the watchful eyes of well trained, encouraging instructors, I began to notice my posture improve, better mobility in my upper spine and shoulder and decreased back pain.
I am slowly gaining overall better body awareness, while protecting my aging joints.
I enjoy the calm and serenity I feel in this studio. It’s truly a place I experience BODY…..MIND…..BALANCE.
Irina Goncharenko-Rose
Before taking Pilates and Gyrotonic Method sessions in BodyMind Balance Studio (BMB), I tried
Yoga, Pilates, Tai Chi, and over the years I had strenuous sessions in a gym. Nevertheless, for
years I felt intuitively that something important in my workout routine was missing. Joining
BMB Studio changed my life forever: I understood why my previous fitness experiences were
never completely satisfying. The reason was precisely the absence of the strong body-mind
connection! This typically occurs because very little if any explanations of how muscles and
joints work are given by instructors during fitness sessions. Alas it leads to students’ minds
disengagement from movements. They try to mirror their instructors’ moves without
understanding what muscles, main and minor, they must use, and why they should perform a
particular exercise. For this reason, the body goes into default mode simply using momentum
and relies only on its strongest muscles and joints–badly overusing them while the rest of the
muscles stay rudimental. As a result, most VITAL benefits of a physical activity are lost.
I was fortunate to learn about Body Mind Balance Classical Pilates Studio from my friend, Gillian
Sella, and for this I am very grateful to her. During my first session with Julie, I learned of my
body’s significant imbalances, realized that I had no real understanding of posture and
alignment, and that I had never learned using different muscle groups “with control” that
makes any fitness activities intelligent and effective.
For me this initial knowledge was that “eureka” moment that started my exciting conscious
quest to integrate my mind and body, e.g., to mind-body awareness. Describing real Pilates and
Gyrotonic Method, I would use the following key words and word combinations: concentration,
control and precision, correctly executed movements, staying relaxed and focused,
coordination, and visualization. I learned that Pilates is not about mindless and endless
repetitions, but about learning, change, and growth. Now I know that by training my brain,
nerves, and muscles I can create new healthy movement patterns to improve my posture,
alignment, and strength.
Last year, in September, I had an operation on my knee. I went back to my sessions with Julie in
a month! Her carefully designed rehabilitative exercises allowed my knee to heal faster, and I
was able to continue my regular sessions in the Studio. Walking right, with more efficiency is a
central goal for Pilates. I feel stronger, more knowledgeable, and I walk a bit taller after each
session. My eternal gratitude and love to my amazing beautiful instructors and first-class
professionals Julie, Johanna, and Kim.
Regina Tippens
I first heard about Body Mind Balance and Classical Pilates in 1997 when working out regularly
with a personal trainer at the corporate fitness center where I was employed. BMB offered a
Pilates mat class there once a week. Though I was intrigued and curious about the Pilates
concept, the timing of the weekly mat class did not match up with my work schedule. Fast
forward five (5) years later and I had to quit working full time and transition to long-term
disability due to physical limitations caused by an exacerbation of a chronic illness diagnosed
eight (8) years earlier. I began looking for an exercise program and/or studio that was
professionally certified, convenient, and easily accessible. During the search process, I
discovered that the person responsible for the mat classes at the corporate fitness center
owned a studio in my Hyde Park neighborhood. I immediately signed up for the five (5)-session
introductory package offered at the time and the rest is history.
Fast forward another fifteen (15) years and BMB celebrated its 25th anniversary this fall. The
studio has relocated and grown by leaps and bounds; expanded its offerings to include
Gyrotonics; and offered virtual and hybrid workout options during the pandemic thanks to the
creativity and innovative ideas of the owner, Julie Cordier. Through it all, BMB has maintained
its fundamental principles and core values. It has continued to focus on meeting the needs of
its diverse clientele while providing quality programing and value.
In a nutshell, BMB has changed my life both physically and mentally. From minimizing the
impact of my scoliosis diagnosis and its related body alignment complications, to
complimenting the treatment of my bone health issues associated with aging and osteopenia,
my standard BMB Pilates workout has made a significant difference in the quality of my life. It’s
reduced the compression of my spine and lower back muscles, while improving my posture and
mobility. The focus on flexibility, core strength, and balance offered in a safe, calming
environment with a wide variety of quality equipment; an energetic, competent staff; and a
progressive owner who “walks the talk” are the intangibles that make Body Mind Balance
outstanding. Even my Bone Health Specialist appreciates the outcomes.
Judi Heile
After 25 years with BMB seeing me through the horrible back pain in the 90’s, the aftermath of surgery in 2006 and then two bouts of breast cancers. mastectomies, and reconstruction — I’ve been faithful to Pilates and Gyrotonics for all of this time and I am grateful for the numerous talented, caring and conscientious trainers I’ve worked with.
Ann Segal
I am honored to be one of Body Mind Balance’s longest clients! I started working with Jill Dema in her first tiny studio even before she opened the studio on Edwards…I remember seeing Julie the day she walked into the current BMB and have watched her and the studio’s evolution from Pilates to Gyrotonics…I love Pilates and still do some mat work at home…I have been doing Gyrotonics for maybe ten years and am always amazed at how therapeutic it is and how Julie’s level of teaching continually grows…to me Gyrotonics is advanced body work/Goddess work…combining so many kinds of movement, increasing strength, spinal fluidity and body awareness…only the most qualified teachers at BMB/I recommend to everyone…