Sandvi Studio, Charlotte, NC (2026)

Serving the Charlotte, Mint Hill, Matthews, NC area. An on-demand $19/mo membership is also available.

01/23/2026

It’s quite common for me to hear that a friend or doctor of a new client has told them they need to strengthen their core. And usually people think of their core as just their abdominal muscles. Sometimes this is a big part of the story. And sometimes, abdominal work shouldn’t at all be the star of someone’s workout program.

As a private Pilates-based instructor who also trains clients in targeted mobility, gait, and fascial conditioning, I can most definitely tell you that the abs are never the whole story. You may be able to do an ab exercise, but if those muscles aren’t appropriately responsive to the movement or load then proper support of the spine and other joints isn’t happening. Sometimes, the abs are OVER active. Yes, you heard me right. That’s a thing.

I love when clients begin to feel their core in natural, healthy bracing in response to load. Even better when they’re on their feet and feeling the magic of feet to hip, to pelvic floor, to core (abs & back). It’s also exciting when they learn to differentiate joints with minimal compensation as well as reclaiming movement in areas of a spine that’s been locked down making other areas overwork.

We need a more integrated approach to this “strong abs” theme that has dominated the workout world for too many years.

12/28/2025

Diving into a bit of the work of the heavy hitters in the world of fascia research on this chilly and overcast Sunday…

In my work over the years with those who are hyper mobile, I’ve learned a little simply through trial and observation in regard to the Pilates equipment. For instance, the Cadillac springs seem to have a very different training effect than the reformer springs and action. Now, I’ve learned why that may be. My theory- the oscillation of the Cadillac springs in movement or in isometrics are perhaps teaching the joints to better stabilize, activating a stronger connective tissue response, similar to the Bandbell in the world of weightlifting.

My Functional Range Conditioning and related courses opened me up to the use of isometric contractions and strength work AT and TO length which is an integral and daily part of my thought process in the studio.

I’ve also learned that hands on cueing is helpful when needed as is a strong enough load for each individual.

A couple of my EDS clients train with a partner who is not on the hyper mobile spectrum so that can mean I have to quickly call out very different cueing to each. One may spend some time in a passive stretch while my EDS client is cued to engage that lengthened tissue.

If you have EDS let me know where you are in your training journey!

12/24/2025

Hi friends!

I’m wishing you lots of curiosity on whatever journey you’re on! I’m so thankful for all of the wonderful educators I’ve had and will have. Knowledge and skill is not a one stop shop and my work with my clients keeps me excited, humble, happy, and CURIOUS!

We’re all individuals with unique ways of interpreting cueing and we learn new physical movements at different speeds. It’s my job to remain open and seek the best paths forward.

Asking good questions and learning from other educators also asking great questions is THE key. There’s no ONE magic movement but there is ONE magic “trait” - CURIOSITY.

:) Sabrina

12/12/2025

Wrists and elbows are commonly overlooked when training our bodies, yet they are so involved in our exercise and strength programs!

My clients with careers that involve long hours on computers or past injuries in this area often have issues that come up. Using a combination of fascial conditioning and release techniques along with targeted resistance can go a long way to providing relief from pain and opening the door to more challenging upper body training.

Here are a few examples of resistance training using a simple resistance band.

*Note: I never begin with resistance. First, a client needs to be able to show control of the wrist and elbow and to also determine whether or not there is pain while moving. Working in pain-free ranges is key.

1️⃣ Choose a light band and increase resistance as appropriate. I am simply standing on the other end of mine to anchor it.

2️⃣ Wrist CAR (controlled articular rotation) with a bias to wrist flexion

3️⃣ Wrist CAR with a bias to wrist extension. We can emphasize any zone with positioning to line of pull from our band set up.

4️⃣ Elbow CAR

5️⃣ Working elbow pronation & supination. Can do this throughout a zone.

12/05/2025

I will often hear clients tell me, “I wish I’d known all these things a long time ago” and I always say right back “So do I!”

It’s a process and we can only know what we knew at that time. Every new program of study I take on deepens my understanding and experience. The links take on endlessly exciting turns to my movement/training/anatomy nerd brain.

My passions - bringing to light the stuff that others have missed, sharing the delight of a stronger connection, the aha moments when clients understand THEIR body in an exercise, and of course the progress and progressive strength that comes with specificity.

11/17/2025

To be clear, I am emphasizing the dysfunctional aspect of our respiratory function in habitual postures that can be from spending extended periods of time either working or training in repetitive patterns. These “arrangements” of our bones and tissues can also absolutely be driven by our shoe choices over a lifetime. Also, to be clear, I’m not saying everyone should run out and buy zero drop shoes because I know nothing about YOUR feet and mobility. I make recommendations based on information because I’m not selling you shoes!

I know from experience! I use to be a major upper chest breather and found periods of relief from breathing reeducation, facial release methods using soft tools, and other methods. BUT! when I began relating my alignment to gravity and noticing tension patterns, a new and powerful way opened up. Not only does stacking/balancing the pelvis, ribcage, and head over the ankles encourage healthier breathing patterns, but it’s so great for an anteriorly tilted pelvis. (I’ll share more about this topic soon!)

I LOVE mobility work, but training joints isn’t going to necessarily shift habitual movement patterns. So many other methods - Pilates, yoga, dance, weight training all apply cues with the aim to correct a posture. We can also dole out even good information regarding breathing. But what if someone is adding tons of unnecessary tension simply because of how they are sitting or standing or walking?

EVERY SINGLE CLIENT I show this simple awareness exercise to always immediately notices the overall effect. It’s truly like a sudden relaxation moment.

For those who may be teachers of movement, we can of course also train good respiratory patterns in ALL the wonderful ways our spines move - flexion, extension, rotation, lateral flexion, and all the combinations. But if there’s no understanding of a home base and internal sensing of amounts of tension in the body, we’d only be adding MORE tension rather than facilitating an innate and independent ability to regulate and adjust based on the activity.

Try it and let me know what you notice!

Address

Charlotte, NC
28203

Website

http://www.sandvistudio.com/

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