What is Pilates?
Pilates is a system of movement and exercise developed by German born athlete and physical therapy pioneer, Joseph Hubertus Pilates. Utilizing specially designed equipment, his innovative method educates, re-patterns, realigns, and balances the body. It promotes maximum muscle strength while increasing flexibility. The basic fundamentals for the technique can be learned in the Mat class, which requires no special equipment yet promotes full body conditioning, simultaneously stretching while you strengthen. The emphasis is on control, balance, bilateral conditioning, technique and alignment while simultaneously developing mind body awareness. Ninety percent of all exercises begin in the abdominal region or the "power house" thus creating a foundation from which all movements can be done free of injury. By strengthening the inner most abdominal layers and developing pelvic stabilization, the lower lumbar will be relieved of its work load and "back pain" will be significantly decreased.
One of the goals of this system is to create a fusion of body and mind, so that without thinking about it, you will move with economy, grace and balance; holding yourself in proper alignment and using your body to the greatest advantage, making the most of its strengths, counteracting weaknesses and correcting imbalances. The key elements taught in the Pilates technique are alignment, control, centering, precision, flow, and breathing.
With the finite understanding of the Pilates work and its many facets, clients can learn to challenge themselves and get "more" out of every exercise. In addition to the principle exercises developed by Joseph Pilates clients will learn variations on the theme which will take them "beyond Pilates" to discover more exciting ways to provoke and enhance their individual knowledge and skills.
Mat Work and Circuit Training This class is designed for learning a vocabulary of movements that can be done anywhere. Exercises can be adapted for those with injuries or done at an advanced level for those with healthy bodies.
Specialized Equipment The Pilates equipment was developed around the use of springs which help facilitate the development of maximum muscle strength and increased flexibility, while enhancing range of motion. Thus Control and absolute precision of movement become central to the exercises.
About Us
Jodi Calkins, Owner
Jodi Calkins, RN, CNP
Jodi assumed ownership and management of Pilates of Hawaii from Karen Santo, who founded the organization.
Jodi has been an RN for over 35 years, and a Certified Nurse Practitioner for over 12 years, seeing patients in Family Practice, Pain Management, Urgent Care, and Emergency settings.
Over the past four years, Jodi has built upon her knowledge of anatomy, physiology, disease, and movement disorders by receiving hundreds of hours of teacher training in Pilates. She has trained in Reformer, Mat, Barre, Ball, Chair, Cadillac, Tower, TRX, and Circuit Training, and along with this specific training, Jodi has taught Pilates for 3 years at Pendleton Pilates in Ohio.
Jodi spent five months of full-time mentoring under Karen Santo before assuming the control of Pilates of Hawaii and will continue the philosophy of Karen in the operation of the studio, and she will continue to offer group and private sessions in the above areas.
Karen Santo, Founder
Karen Stubbs-Santo, owner of Pilates of Hawaii, holds a Master of Fine Arts in Dance and has been teaching Pilates since 1992. Additionally, she is a Reiki Master Teacher. Pilates of Hawaii offers teacher certifications in the Mat work as well as comprehensive training on all the equipment.
Karen teaches Pilates for people from all walks of life: those needing exercise therapy, professional athletes and for those looking to maintain a healthy body. In 2000, she co-designed a full tennis workout program for nationally recognized K-Swiss and Altus equipment. She received her 750 hours of training from the Pilates Institute in Boulder, Colorado.
Cynthia Weeks, Instructor
Cynthia is so grateful to be able to teach such a spectacular form of movement therapy! She is continuously enriched by those that she has encountered within the Pilates studio, as teaching is one of the greatest gifts there are as it guides, nurtures and cultivates one's life journey.
Cynthia is a ballet dancer at heart and naturally fell in love with the precision, challenge and sense of well-being that Pilates and Barre movement offers. In addition to many years of intensive classical ballet training, she taught ballet and helped choreograph and guide young children through their own discovery of dance within Marin and Sonoma, California.
In 2008, Cynthia received her comprehensive training and PMA certification in Pilates through ITT in San Francisco, guided by Madeline Black and Jean Sullivan. In the midst of teaching, she naturally fell in love with Barre Fitness and became certified through BarreAbove. After multiple years of teaching classical ballet, group and private Pilates Reformer classes, including directing the Pilates program at Synergy Sports Club in Petaluma, California she chose to attain a degree as a Registered Nurse. She has worked as an Operating Room Nurse in both California and Kona and continues to share her true love for teaching at Pilates of Hawaii.
Cynthia hopes to help enrich the lives of others, by sharing how Pilates and movement can invigorate and change more than just the body, but one's journey of life...A journey well worth the time and effort!
