Are you dealing with hypermobility?

We are excited to offer specialized Private Pilates based movement sessions for those dealing with hyper mobility!

Did you know that besides being National Osteoporosis month it is also Ehlers-Danlos Syndromes (EDS) and Hypermobility Spectrum Disorders (HSD) Awareness Month!  We thought it made for perfect timing to announce Donny’s new sessions specifically for those dealing with hypermobility! 

What is hypermobility?

Joint hypermobility means that a person’s joints have a greater range of motion than is expected or normal. Most babies and children are naturally very flexible.

Many people become less flexible as they grow, but hypermobility continues into adulthood for some, up to about 20% of people. Being “flexible,” “bendy,” or “double-jointed” is not usually a problem, and for some, like dancers or gymnasts, it is an advantage.

Hypermobility that does not cause pain or other symptoms is referred to as “asymptomatic joint hypermobility” and does not need to be treated.

The problem occurs when joints are not just hypermobile but are also unstable. Joint instability occurs when the bones of a joint aren’t held in place securely. This can lead to joint subluxations, dislocations, sprains, and other injuries. Joint instability can cause both acute and chronic pain and interfere with daily life.

Pilates and Barre instructor, Donny Lindell has spent her lifetime learning to cope with the effects of hyper mobility in her body.  She was diagnosed with Ehlers Danlos in 2017 and early on in this diagnosis she found huge benefits from adding in Pilates and movement coaching into her life.  Donny went on to become a Pilates teacher, a barre teacher and a health coach so she could help others in the same way she was helped!

Donny is combining her love of movement and coaching to start offering her knowledge and expertise to others who may be coping with living with hyper mobility.   If you have hyper mobility or Ehlers Danlos and are looking for guidance on how you can use a regular movement practice to help you feel better in your body…you will love private Pilates sessions with Donny.    Schedule a complimentary first session with Donny to see if working with her would be a good fit for you.  

Email us to learn more about working with Donny!

Age Strong by Improving Strength & Balance!

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Looking for some accountability and coaching so you can stay consistent and improve your balance and strength? 

Here’s are our recommendations:

Strength Training Small Group Sessions

If you know you need to add strengthening into your exercise routine but are not quite sure what to do, how to do it or maybe you are just not motivated to do it on your own…our small group strength training sessions are for you!

Each session will use weights, resistance bands and body weight exercises to improve your strength and even help you increase bone density.  You’ll be able to start at your level and progress as you get stronger. No experience is needed.

Balance Small Group Sessions

Clients who attend this weekly session tell us they feel stronger and more confident in their ability to balance when life gives them a balance challenge! If you are finding your ability to maintain your balance is declining as you age…this weekly session is for you!

The entire session is done either seated in a chair or standing. Each session will include exercises to improve your overall strength, improve your flexibility and mobility, increase your core strength, increase strength and mobility in your feet and ankles and exercises that give you chance to safely practice your balance so you can improve it!

You’ll use weights and bands for strengthening exercises.    This session is safe and recommended for those with osteopenia and osteoporosis.

This weekly session is Thursday at 10 am.

On Demand Balance Classes 

(Same Great Instructor/Training – but you can take at home)

If you’re so busy you have trouble getting to the studio consistently – our on demand subscription for Balance & Mobility is just what you need! Get a variety of on demand videos focused on improving balance that you can exercise with as your schedule allows!   Only $19.99 per month!

Are your bones strong?

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Do you or someone you know have an osteoporosis or osteopenia diagnosis?  I often get asked about recommendations for those who have been diagnosed and I like to keep it simple and recommend these 3 things when it comes to your movement and training time:

1. Walk as much as you can. Walking is something that helps you build bone strength and muscle and is an easy thing you can add into your life just about anywhere!  Challenge yourself to increase your daily steps!

2. Add some sort of strength training into your life. There are lots of ways to add strength training into your life…lifting weights, body weight exercises, Pilates, and Yoga can all be great!    Find something you enjoy and add it in consistently.

3. Add some focused balance training into your life. Besides strengthening your muscles and improving your mobility, balance training specifically trains your body to improve your balance.  When your bones are not as strong as they could be, a fall can result in an injury like a broken bone that greatly diminishes your ability to navigate life. (i.e., It will sideline you for awhile,) By being proactive about your balance skills you can prevent falls and keep active, strong, independent and feeling great in your body!

Even if you don’t have an Osteoporosis or Osteopenia diagnosis….these 3 things are what I would recommend to EVERYONE as you age to keep your bones healthy and strong and to keep you active and moving well!

New Better Balance Small Group Session

If you are 50 or older I’m guesing you’ve found yourself thinking…oh, I should really work on my balance.  As we get older our balance can decline especially if we are not actively working on it.  Being able to balance is key to just navigating life and avoiding falls that could lead to injury.

We are sooo excited to welcome retired Physical therapist and Pilates instructor Mary Smith to our staff.  Mary is beyond excited to share her movement expertise with Rivercity Pilates as she starts teaching a Better Balance Small group session weekly.  Mary tells us that balance is something that she works on in her own body and she’s excited to help others create some consistent practice time in their lives because she knows how important it is!

Mary Smith, Instructor at Rivercity Pilates.

The Better Balance small group session will be held in our Inspire studio room and will be limited to 5 participants.  The entire session will be done either sitting in a chair or standing.

The class will focus on all the things that helps us improve balance.  Specifically you’ll work on building overall strength using hand weights and resistance bands, you’ll practice movements designed to improve mobility and flexibility, you’ll work on building core strength, you’ll work on strengthening your feet and ankles, and of course you’ll practice movements that specifically work on balance.  

Pricing for the Better Balance Small Group Sessions will be the same as our small group Pilates Mat sessions, Strength sessions and Yoga sessions.  This means if you have a Pilates Mat, Yoga or Strength package you can use those sessions for Better Balance Small group sessions.  

Pre Purchase a 5 package of Better Balance Small Group Session before May 1 and we’ll throw a sixth session in for free!  Click here to purchase!

NEW PILATES TOWER CLASS

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New Monday 11 am Pilates small group equipment session with Shiho!

Ready to create a regular Pilates practice in your life?  Need the accountability of coming to the studio?   

Shiho is now offering small group Pilates Tower sessions Monday’s at 11 am, Wednesdays at 9 am and Thursdays at 5:30 pm. 


The Pilates tower system uses a system of springs attached to various handles bars and specialized attachments to support and challenge your body giving you a whole body workout that is super effective!   The Pilates tower is a favorite of our clients who are just starting a Pilates practice because the springs assist you and even though it is assisting you — you are still working at a level that is perfect for progressing your strength and mobility!


Small group sessions are limited to 4 participants and often fill quickly.  Schedule in Mindbody under appointments or simply email us and we can get you scheduled!

Sign up for Pilates Tower

New Class! Yoga for Every Body!

Shuva is back teaching a Wednesday night small group Yoga session and we’ve created a new name for this session!  We love this name because we think it embodies what Shuva and all of our teachers are so passionate about…making movement accessible, fun and beneficial to your life no matter where you are in your practice!  

Whether you’re new to yoga or working on building a consistent practice, this class will help you de-stress and improve your concentration with common poses. With as-needed guidance of props, such as straps and blocks, you’ll focus on matching breath to movement while you transition into and hold different positions.

Each class will include warm-up exercises, balance poses, posture-correctors, and hip-openers to help facilitate a full-body workout that will leave you feeling more flexible, stronger, and relaxed.

Sign up for Yoga for 4 Weeks for $99