Movement Heals Pilates & Dance/Movement Therapy

Movement Heals Pilates & Dance/Movement Therapy Movement Heals, created by Megan Shaffer, seeks to provide opportunities for healing the body, mind,

06/15/2026

Welcome to my Misunderstood Series ~ today we are looking at The Elephant

Biggest mistake I see - IT’S NOT DOWNWARD DOG!

As with all exercises in Pilates, Elephant is a full body exercise. Is it intense like mountain climber on the wunda chair or the 100? No, but the work is deep and super beneficial for opening up our backs that are always so tight. The tailbone should point down towards the heels, not to the wall behind you.

There is a time and place for flat backs but the Elephant is not one of them.

Elephant teaches us how to engage our center and more importantly, move our lower limbs FROM our center. It’s a weird concept to grasp but it’s essential in Pilates.

The other mistake I see - Elephant is a SMALL movement. We move the carriage about 6 inches is all. Your heels should stay down and the upper body should not move back and forth.

If you’ve been wondering what Elephant is all about, give these changes a try and experience the difference.

Elevate your teaching with my summer workshop series ☀️I’ve curated a few workshops this summer to take your personal pr...
06/02/2026

Elevate your teaching with my summer workshop series ☀️

I’ve curated a few workshops this summer to take your personal practice and teaching skills to the next level. We will focus on flow, utilizing the whole system, progressions, and how to make classical pilates accessible for everyone.

Teacher’s Lab workshops have special early bird pricing so make sure to book early and SAVE!

Questions? Send me DM! I’m happy to chat all things Pilates!

xx,
See you at the studio!

Pilates has the power to transform not just the body, but the way we move through life.I believe this work is about so m...
05/22/2026

Pilates has the power to transform not just the body, but the way we move through life.

I believe this work is about so much more than cool choreography or interesting machines. Through the depth of its system and methodology, Pilates becomes a lifelong practice…one that builds strength, mobility, resilience, awareness, and a deeper connection to yourself over time.

It’s not about chasing trends or quick fixes. It’s about learning to move well, staying curious, trusting the process, and allowing the work to evolve with you through every season of life.

If you’ve been sensing a shift approaching in your practice or teaching, this may be your invitation to go deeper.

Work with me through:
➡️ In-person private sessions & small group classes
➡️ Virtual private sessions via Zoom
➡️ Comprehensive teacher training & bridge programs
➡️ Workshops, mentorship, and my weekly Contrology class

All the work asks of you is patience, curiosity, and commitment to the process. 🤍

They said she was a “busy” kid….I think that busyness paid off. I’m hosting a FREE Teacher Training Information Session ...
03/02/2026

They said she was a “busy” kid….I think that busyness paid off.

I’m hosting a FREE Teacher Training Information Session at the studio on Saturday, March 21st. This is the last info session before the next cohort begins in August.

If you’re interested in studying Classical Pilates whether that’s to become a teacher, expand your current teaching skills, or just to deepen your practice, come to the session! 🔗 link in bio to sign up.

02/13/2022

🥳Happy 1 year Anniversary!! It’s been a whole year since I started this account and really started investing in my own venture as a Pilates teacher and entrepreneur. It’s been a wild ride but a fun one for sure.

I’m super grateful for the support of my family, friends, and clients. I wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for all of those who continue to encourage me to keep chasing my dreams. A special shout out to my coach Lesley Logan- Profitable Pilates for being so encouraging. This year is going to be a big year for me but I know I can do it with the cheerleaders in my corner.

If you are new here I’d love to hear what brought you to my profile. If you’ve been around for awhile I’d love to hear how Pilates has helped you. Drop your story in the comments below.

Here’s to another year of making moves and chasing dreams ✨

10/12/2021

Dance with my as light dances with shadow🤍
I’m facilitating a mindful movement workshop on Saturday Oct. 16th at 11:30am. We are going to cultivate joy through creative movement. The world is crazy out there so let’s spread a little more joy and peace through our bodies and spiritual energy. You can message me for registration details.

10/07/2021

Pilates in under a minute…Seriously!

Sometimes I don’t feel like doing a whole workout. Yes, even teachers get this way. Sometimes I’m tired or running late. Life happens and that’s okay! But I’ve learned over the years that I still need to do some sort of movement to feel good throughout the day.

Enter in the Series of 5. This is a series of abdominal exercises that can literally be done on your carpet, no mat necessary. So if you roll out of bed onto the floor you’re all good!

Connecting to my center helps me feel confident and in control of my body and my day. I know that if I at least do this my day will be ok no matter how I got up.

So give this series a try every morning and see how you feel. You can save this post by clicking the little flag to the right and then it will be easy to come back to when you need to reference.

P.S. I incorporate this series in the mat class every Saturday with fun variations and props. So come take class and see all the ways you can shake this up!

Address

233 East State St. Suite 1
Redlands, CA
92373

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