About the Owner and MidCoast Pilates
While training to become a Pilates instructor during the fall of 2001, Maurine Joy was in a serious car accident. Though she suffered a fractured pelvis, broken ribs, a punctured lung and internal bleeding and lacerations, she never required surgery and left the hospital a week after the accident. She attributed this to her physical condition and training, and found new purpose and motivation to achieve her goal of being an instructor. "It was just one more reason to share this form of body conditioning."

After completing 3 years of Pilates training, Pilates Certification and 600 hours of apprenticeship, Maurine founded MidCoast Pilates in Brunswick, Maine. She feels strongly that Pilates is not about the instructor's idea of the client, but the client's vision of him/herself, and sees her role as guiding clients through the process of achieving that vision. Her goal is to teach the classical Pilates method of body conditioning, focusing on positive body image and rehabilitative benefits, and she looks forward to working with individuals to personalize their Pilates experience.

Maurine is a Certified Power Pilates Trainer and a member of Pilates Method Alliance. MidCoast Pilates Studio is a participating Power Pilates Teacher in Training Center, where future instructors can complete some of their requirements.

About Joan Reynolds
Joan's Pilates journey began while recuperating from a spinal injury and unable to continue her traditional exercise program. She came to Midcoast Pilates on the advice of one of her students and her physical therapist and has been committed to Pilates ever since then. "I have learned to move, exercise and breathe differently than ever before. I experienced the rehabilitation effects of Pilates within my own body and feel like a whole person again."

Joan is a certified personal trainer, group fitness and Spinning instructor and particularly enjoys working with "maturing" clients. She is a certified Power Pilates beginner and intermediate mat instructor, member of Pilates Method Alliance and will be continuing her studies this fall in apparatus training.

About Pilates
Pilates focuses on developing the deep stabilizing muscles of the torso and strengthening core abdominal and back muscles around the spinal column. Pilates, a non-impact resistance exercise system, eliminates stress on your joints making this exercise method safe, and effective for all ages and fitness levels. Pilates helps you achieve optimal strength and flexibility simultaneously. The result: longer, leaner muscles without the bulk. Pilates improves not only your posture, but also your balance and quality of movement.  Your entire body will feel free of old tensions and capable of new challenges.

(The Benefits:)

• longer, leaner muscles
  
• improves postural problems
  
• increases core strength/stability
  
• helps prevent injury
  
• enhances ease of movement
  
• balances strength & flexibility
  
• heightens body awareness
  
• no-impact - easy on the joints
  
• can be customized for everyone from rehab patients to elite athletes
  
• complements other methods of exercise
  
• improves performance in sports
  
• improves balance, coordination & circulation