Kim Butters was invited to teach a beginner Pilates class for the Sewanee Community at the Fowler Center Gym at the University of the South in September, 2007. The class of 10 people met twice a week, and private sessions in personal training and Pilates were quickly added.

Bruce Manuel graduated from The University of the South C’1980 with a degree in English Literature. A couple of years later, he joined the United States Navy and served for twenty years, retiring in 2002.

Bruce injured his back early in his military career and suffered from chronic lower back pain for many years. It was treated with physical therapy on several occasions, but always returned. After he retired, an MRI showed that he had a bulge in the L5-S1 vertebrae, but surgery was not recommended as an option.

A nurse at the Veterans Administration hospital, where Bruce was receiving treatment, suggested that he try Pilates to help with rehabilitation. That was over seven years ago. It has helped tremendously. Bruce started teacher training about six years ago through Body Arts and Science International (BASI) and completed their comprehensive teacher-training program in 2016.

"I truly feel thankful to have found Pilates, because it has greatly improved my quality of life. I am stronger, better able to manage my bouts with LBP when they occur, less dependent on pain medication, and better able to prevent re-injury. It has been a lot of work, but worth it. I love teaching Pilates. I hope to be able to help others experience the same benefits I have gained through my Pilates practice."

Liza is a psychology major and education minor at the University of the South in Sewanee, TN. She grew up in Nashville, where she danced throughout her childhood. She quickly fell in love with Pilates movements, principles, and people, and she knew she could never live without it.

Through amazing mentors, Liza found her passion for helping others find health through movement. She was certified by Balanced Body before graduating from Ensworth High School in 2018 and sat for her Pilates Method Alliance exam the summer before starting her freshman year at Sewanee. When debating where to attend college, Liza found Kim Butters, and it seemed obvious that her path led to Sewanee.

After graduating from the University, Liza plans to attend graduate school for psychology and to continue teaching Pilates. Creating genuine relationships with the community through healthy movement means everything to her. Liza’s goal is to continue to cultivate a safe, welcoming environment for her clients to thrive and grow while working together to reach their own goals.

Matthew Sias joined the US Navy in 1990, sparking his interest to achieve optimum physical health. That led him to want to help others do the same. He coached friends and soon learned that he could make a career out of it. Matthew then earned a BS in exercise science and a personal training certification, which he held for nearly 20 years. Then he attended Cumberland Institute to become a Massage Therapist.

Matthew understands the importance of proper body mechanics, how the body works, and the importance of manipulating soft tissue, in order to obtain optimum physical performance. He learned that the more he worked with soft tissue, the less his clients were sore or injured and the better they felt.

The combination of 18 years of personal training experience with his skills in massage therapy have proven to be powerful. In addition to relaxation massage, Matthew also assists clients with resolving a wide variety of physical ailments through a combination of massage and prescriptive ongoing body care.

"If caught quickly, physical issues do not have to transition to chronic ailments." Matthew’s approach assists clients in minimizing the pain and movement limitations they may be experiencing from ongoing issues. Every person’s situation is unique, which means he has a new opportunity to assist someone and learn from each experience.

THERAPIES
Deep Tissue • Sports Massage • Swedish Massage
Myofascial Release • Stretching • Range-of-Motion

Laurén Laurino, lovingly known as "America's Holistic Sweetheart," is a certified Life Coach, a tw-time best selling Amazon author, and award-winning Holistic Health Advocate. She hosted Think Healthy, an IMDb-listed Holistic Lifestyle show that aired on public access for four years and still makes monthly appearances on local news sharing Holistic Health Tips. She has multiple Dr. Oz Show appearances and even an invitation to the White House on her Holistic resume.

Lauren offers nutritional testing, including Hair Mineral Analysis, Food Sensitivity Testing, Breast Milk DHA and Toxicity Screening, and DNA testing to put together a comprehensive Holistic Lifestyle Plan to meet individual needs.

She is also is a Licensed Zumba Instructor, Certified Children's Yoga Instructor and RYT 200 in Kundalini Yoga for adults.

Available for private events or children's birthday parties.

The mission is to educate and empower people on how to take ownership of their own health (body, mind, spirit) by providing a clear action plan, while keeping the process upbeat and fun.