My name is Suvali. I am a movement therapist, offering my clients a journey into wholeness through embodied exploration. I aim to create a safe and supportive environment that allows my clients to learn about their bodies, discover inner strength, improve alignment and mobility, and explore pathways of more easeful, efficient movement.

Because the mind and body are one, as we work together, my clients discover how the psychological realm expresses itself through the body and how movement can help create psychological resource and resilience. As this understanding deepens, my clients develop confidence in their inner wisdom and a sense of wholeness within.

I draw from twenty-nine years of teaching experience and extensive training in multiple movement modalities, including personal and group fitness training, Pilates, Hatha Yoga, Restorative Yoga, Somatic Movement Therapy, Jill Miller / Tom Myers Myofascial body rolling, Brain and Sensory Foundations, and Dance.

Most recently, I am finishing a master’s program in Somatic Psychotherapy through Bodynamic International in Austria. Bodynamics is founded on a uniform understanding of human development through psychomotoric development (the relationship between cognitive function and physical movement). This embodied system creates psychological support by resourcing the muscles of the body through movement while client and practitioner remain in mutual connection.

Having travelled the world, I have gained international experience in the UK, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, USA, and India.

My name is Suvali. I am a movement therapist, offering my clients a journey into wholeness throug... Read More

Tara is a Clinical Exercise Physiologist though the Canadian Society of Exercise Physiology (CSEP-CEP) with a High Performance Specialization and additional training in pre and post natal health and fitness. As well, she is a Kinesiologist and member of the BC Association of Kinesiologists and an Affiliate of the Canadian Kinesiology Alliance. Tara incorporates Pilates and various manual techniques into active rehab and functional focused training. She is certified in Pilates Mat (Canadian Pilates Institute), Pilates Equipment (Reformer 1, 2, and 3, Chair, Tower, Barrels through Balanced Body), and Functional Movement Screening (FST level 1).

She is a certified Fascia Stretch Therapist (FST), something she often combines with Soft Tissue Release (STR), creating a session that is tailored to the clients specific needs. Tara is always learning and looking for ways she can provide the most efficient and effective help to her clients. She aims to help others restore balance in their bodies, heal pain and optimize movement.

Tara encourages lifelong enjoyment in movement and an important part of her job is helping clients find the tools to help themselves. Common issues that Tara works with are musculoskeletal conditions and related pain, back pain, postural evaluation and education, rehabilitation and functional re-training.

As a mother of two young children, she has a particular interest in supporting and helping parents care for their bodies through the journey of pregnancy and postpartum. Tara takes a wholistic approach to her work as a Kinesiologist to ensure clients achieve their goals. This includes connecting with other health professionals in order to learn from, and refer to whenever needed. Tara is a cluster member of UBC’s “Advancing the Science of Physiologic Birth Research Cluster”, where the mission is “to develop preventive approaches and early strategies to avoid the need for complex interventions and their sequelae leading to complications of labour and birth”.

As a cluster member, Tara has presented on the benefits of exercise in pregnancy and personally recounts “falling in love with pilates all over again while pregnant”, as it felt so good to move on the equipment!

For more information on Tara and Optimal Movement Kinesiology, visit www.optimalmovement.ca

Tara is a Clinical Exercise Physiologist though the Canadian Society of Exercise Physiology (CSEP... Read More

A graduate of Canada’s National Ballet School, I trained extensively as a professional dancer. I turned to Pilates to help me recover from several dance injuries, and I fell in love with its capacity to strengthen and heal through movement. I quickly noticed how the work deepened my understanding of my body, making me feel stronger and more connected to my movements.

I am a certified STOTT Pilates® instructor, and continue to augment my education through Pilates Process™ and a variety of courses and workshops. I have worked in rehabilitation and clinical settings, and trained intensively with Helen Walkley, a certified Laban Movement Analyst and Somatic Movement Educator.

With more than 20 years of Pilates practice and dancing to draw upon, I bring a unique perspective to teaching, tailoring clients’ sessions to meet their individual needs and goals.

Passionate about movement, I create a nurturing, playful environment, where clients can explore a dynamic sense of alignment, so that they may move with more joy, freedom and ease in their practice and in their daily life.

A graduate of Canada’s National Ballet School, I trained extensively as a professional dancer. I ... Read More