Personal Training and Movement Coaching

Personal Training and Movement Coaching with Joann

Feel better. Move better.
Function better.

You’ve been in and out of varying degrees of physical pain, and it’s a drag. Whether it’s anxiety, injury, loss, chronic pain, depression, stress, or trauma you seek relief and self-understanding. Maybe you have hobbies, athletic pursuits, or a job you miss dearly. You believe there is a way to heal, but haven’t found your recipe for success yet. You want to feel strong in your body again.

You know you need to move more, maybe build some muscle for your bones, or take better care of your joints but you’re not sure what to do or where to start.

You might be walking a bit, taking a yoga class or two, but if feels like something is missing in your movement practice.

You’d like to feel stronger for the daily activities of life. Opening jars; picking up children or grandchildren; getting up and down off the floor; tying your shoes; making your bed. These are starting to feel like olympic events!

You are busy. Life feels stressful. You’re not having very much fun. Exercise can feel like one more thing on your long to-do list. You’d like to integrate more movement into your day to relieve stress, not add to it. You want to play and find joy in your movement practice!

You start to exercise but can’t seem to keep it going. It seems there is often something in the way. You could use more support with planning, removing internal and external obstacles, and gaining the confidence to rest in your internal knowing and connecting to your inner drive.

Individual Training Sessions Can Help

As your personal movement and healing educator I bring many tools and practices from a variety of arenas of study and practice: personal fitness and movement training with advanced studies in trauma informed weight lifting; pre & post rehab; fascia and anatomy studies; self massage; yoga; meditation and movement practices; and more! I offer trauma-informed care that includes safety, trust & transparency, collaboration and mutuality, empowerment & choice; and I’m continually building my cultural, gender, and historical awareness. All this, as well as my own personal experiences in these arenas!

Personal training sessions are designed around your particular goals and needs and flex and grow with you. I do not use a cookie-cutter template. Together we identify your areas of interest. That may be picking up heavy things; improving balance and agility for fall prevention; improving joint mobility for less pain and more movement options. Your sessions can include private yoga; recovery tools like TRE® and self massage; coaching support; and most often combinations of these approaches to support you on your health and wellness journey.

Because I teach self-healing through an embodied experience, our goals always include cultivating awareness of your inner body sense as a primary pathway to wellness.

[image by benzoix on Freepik]

If this sounds like you, then either Personal Training or Movement Coaching could be a good solution for you.

Personal Training packages are great for folks new to training; learning body awareness; desiring more accountability and guidance within exercise sessions. This is the nuts and bolts of doing the workouts. You are managing behavior changes on your own or with another coach, counselor, support system as needed.

Movement Coaching packages offer ongoing coaching support for your health and lifestyle goals. Coaching includes email support; coaching software; detailed workout plans; multiple tracking options; additional movement practices; self care prompts; and more!

Read on to find out which one would work better for you…

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“I came to my work with Joann due to a high-speed ski collision. I knew I would not be able to return to my regular workout routines with ease, as I was recovering from 5 fractures in my lower leg that were put back together in a 4-hour surgery with a lot of internal fixation hardware. Joann has met me where I am with understanding and compassion. Her knowledge of various yoga and healing modalities are enhanced by her years of experience. She listens carefully and is extremely thoughtful in her planning for my sessions. She is a competent and sensitive instructor. If you are recovering from an injury, are experiencing any health challenges, or just want to feel better, your time will be well spent with Joann.”

~Patti Tursi

Personal Training Sessions Are For You If You:

have a hard time sticking to regular movement practices.
would like educated advice and guidance for your particular needs.
aren't sure where to start with exercise after illness or injury or a bit of time away from regular exercise.
like supervision and support during your workouts.

new to training.
need increased flexibility, strength, mobility, and stability.
want to improve your overall resiliency.
prefer to work 1-1 vs a group environment.
need accountability and motivation.

This Is Not For You If You:

"Joann is an amazing teacher. I began taking private lessons from Joann because I loved her classes at the studio. I trust her because she is very professional, super perceptive and has a lot of integrity. I like her holistic teaching style too. I have confidence in her because she has extensive knowledge of human anatomy, breath work, and mindfulness. Joann has years of experience as a personal trainer and yoga teacher, she has studied a variety of body, mind and healing techniques. Taking private sessions from Joann helped me become more attuned to my body and focus on the areas that need special attention. I would recommend Joann for private sessions, she is observant and sensitive to people's bodies and what they might need to heal and achieve goals."

~Nina Friscia, private client, class & workshop participant

Movement Coaching Sessions Are For You If You:

experience pain or other physical or mental barriers and would like to feel, move and function better.
have a hard time sticking to regular movement practices.
would like educated advice and guidance for your particular needs.
would like multiple tracking options; coaching software; additonal movement practices; self care prompts and more!

prefer more ongoing accountability and motivation between sessions.
would like to learn how to exercise on your own.
would like a complete program designed especially for you.
want to improve your overall resiliency.
Learn how to make any exercise more or less challenging in ways beyond just grabbing heavier or lighter weights.

This Is Not For You If You:

have an untreated major medical issue.
the 1:1 relationship feels like too much supervision.
don't believe you have time or resources for personal training.
just want to come to your sessions, have your workout, and manage your other movement practices on your own.

are not committed to making manageable and appropriate changes that serve your well being.
don't have a goal, objective, or intention for training.
don't want the accountability of working with a coach/trainer.
if you are managing behavior changes on your own or with another coach, counselor, or support system.

“In other, very exciting news: I went for a hike over the weekend and I had NO PAIN. None. Not my knees, not my hips, not my lower back. WOW! It was a short hike - only 0.6 miles to the peak - so my brain wants to put an asterisk on this, to say that it wasn’t a “real” or “hard” hike. But it is basically straight up, and it is a hike that, like last September, was painful for my knees/hips/lower back. I think I was afraid to try before now because I was afraid, not only of the pain, but also that pain would have indicated that I wasn’t doing enough, yet again. I never quite contemplated what it might be like to find out there was no pain. So. Thank you. I really don’t know that I’ve worked with someone before who has really been able to truly see me and support me in this way. You have been able to take my vague ramblings about aches and pains and mental blocks and have somehow translated it into real support and change. I’m eternally grateful, and excited to see what else I might be able to do!”

~Kristen W.

Personal Training & Movement Coaching Sessions Can Help You:

build, maintain, or recover your physical strength.
find more ease, flexibility, and health in your bodymind.
release chronic tension or holding patterns in your body, relieving you from chronic discomfort and pain and leaving you feeling more integrated and balanced.
feel your strength, enhance your confidence, and prevent injury.
calm anxiety, move depression, soothe symptoms of PTSD and improve your emotional resilience.
connect to the healing power of shared experience in our collaborative work together.
appreciate the value of caring for yourself.

As Your Movement Coach & Personal Trainer

My intention is to offer learning, healing, and movement experiences that demonstrate equity and inclusion for all human bodies, hearts, and minds. To guide experiences of learning that are co-created and human centered. To invite individuals to use their own discernment and knowing to make choices that best meet their needs.

Experienced Personal Trainer & Yoga Instructor

I began personal training in 2004 with the American Council on Exercise. During that time I hired every trainer that worked in my local gym for several sessions and gathered a wide variety of approaches and flavors to training. Within five years I had built a full time training business with a waitlist and absolutely loved supporting folks on their fitness journey. From weekend warriors, to student athletes, parent athletes (definitely an olympic strength and endurance event!), and senior clients that might be working on balance after an injury or tossing kettlebells with the best of them, this work was a true joy.

I continued my own training experiences with strength programs at the University of Vermont, Pilates, and Crossfit. I coached school age children in basketball and girls lacrosse, a sport I had never played but dove straight in to learn. I continued my studies in anatomy with Mount Sinai hospital’s FAMI program obtaining cadaver lab experience and began studying fascia with Tom Meyer’s work. I completed many Cross Country Education modules including rotator cuff therapeutics, spine & back care, osteoporosis and osteopenia programming and more.

After an illness in 2012 I closed my training business to focus on my own healing. During that time I immersed myself in a heart centered and alignment based yoga program earning my 500 hour RYT, continuing studies in anatomy. Alongside my yoga study I also progressed through the TREⓇ provider program and have been teaching individuals and groups tension and trauma releasing exercise, a powerful recovery tool for tight and tense muscles and body tissues.

Most recently I completed thirty hours of study in Trauma Informed Weightlifting with the Center for Embodiment and Trauma at JRI (Justice Reinvestment Initiative) and am currently undertaking Essentials of Elite Performance with Z-health’s neurocentric (brain based) education for movement professionals. I am CPR certified with the American Heart Association.

My formal education background includes earning a BA in Psychology and Sociology, graduating from UVM Phi Beta Kappa, Magna Cum Laude.

How we work together

Online

My Home Studio

I see private clients in my home studio outside of Burlington, VT.
Here I offer you a dedicated movement space with a wide variety of props, toys, and tools including TRX trainer, TRX rip trainer, dumbbells, kettlebells, olympic bar, sandbags, agility ladder, spin bike and more.
COVID info: I have invested in a high quality air filter for the studio space. Masks, face shields, and hand sanitizer are provided. All unvaccinated folks are asked to mask. Thank you for your consideration!
Sessions are 60 minutes Wednesday-Sunday.

The FitSpace Gym, Hinesburg, VT

In Your Home or Office

“Working with Joann has been a transformative journey helping me learn the nuances of my own body mechanics. Her extensive background in fitness, yoga, and trauma sensitivity all combine to make working with Joann a no-brainer. She understood what I needed in each session, personalized a helpful program from her deep well of knowledge, and made sessions feel safe. Joann offers deep compassion, great listening skills, and playful explorations. I have learned how to honor my own specific ranges of motion and some workarounds that allow movements to feel better and more fluid. Investing in your one true home, your body, is priceless and Joann is fully committed to providing you with tools to empower you and your body within a safe, friendly, and caring environment. I have gained a deeper awareness, respect, and confidence of what my body is capable of doing. I feel stronger & have more body confidence from our workouts. I loved the daily check-ins that are motivational, like tiny seeds being planted for ongoing assistance in self discovery and evolution. Our weekly workouts have been fun, interesting, juicy explorations that bring me much joy. I am excited to continue learning from her and building more accessibility and strength in my body with her.”

~Jane P.

Are you ready to feel better, move better, and function better? How it Works

FAQs:

What happens if I miss a session?

I ask for only 12 hours notice for cancelled sessions…life is bumpy, right? AND, if you have to cancel later than the 12 hours, your paid session is still yours! I spend that hour on you. If you can be in touch with me before your session starts, you can give me an assignment. If you forget about it all together, I will spend that hour working on programming for you, based on your goals.

What is the time commitment?

Each session is 60 minutes and we can meet as often as you want (and I have space for). Shorter sessions can be made available for special circumstances.

Session packages are sold in 5/12/24 and monthly coaching packages.

What is the financial investment?

This varies based on training location, experience, commitment, and whether or not you want more regular interaction with me in the coaching relationship. Here’s a monthly estimate based on one session weekly:

Personal Training only: $480-$500

Movement Coaching: $605-$650

Small group and partner training (grab a friend or 3 and save!): $180-$300

What if I want a single session?

Reach out! If you have a short term highly specific goal we can tackle in one 60-90 minute session, I’m game! Usually, however, it’s simply not that simple, ha! My intake process is specialized and takes time, up to 90 minutes…and well, we’re already way over one hour.

For the client on maintenance or not ready to commit I do offer a smaller 5 session package.

What forms of payment do you accept?

Cash, check or credit card payments are accepted.

Do I also have to pay a gym membership if I'm meeting you at the gym?

No! Your gym use fee is included in your training fee.

Do I need any special clothes or equipment?

You do not! Of course clothing you can move comfortably in and clean shoes for the gym and home studio space is requested.

If you are training online you will need computer access to use Zoom or Google meets. As you progress you will want to invest in some equipment, and we’ll get creative!

Will working with you help me lose weight?

That’s actually not the point here. Sure, it’s a possibility you will lose weight as you add muscle, reduce your stress, and make different lifestyle choices. I’m not a nutritionist and your body weight is not a barrier to wellness. I completely understand if you want to lose weight, but for a variety of reasons I do not coach intentional weight loss. I do offer, in the Movement Coaching packages, practices for cultivating mindful eating habits and exploring your relationship to food if desired. If weight loss is your main focus, you’d probably enjoy working with a different personal trainer.

Do you only work with women?

Most definitely not! I work with all humans, no matter how you identify, you are welcome here!

Still Not sure?

Please let me know if you have any questions or concerns.
I am not here to put a hard sell on you, I’m here to help you find what's good for you!
All questions are welcome. Happy to coordinate a 20-minute meet and greet with you!