Located in Woodstock, Georgia, Lift Pilates was founded in 2018 by Madison Montgomery. Our little studio specializes in Classical Pilates, a style that strives to adhere as closely as possible to the exercises, and intentions of the method's creator, Joseph Pilates.
Madison moved to Georgia in 2015. She had a difficult time finding many classical Pilates studio's in the area, and Lift was born. We are a private session only studio, with all traditional apparatuses manufactured by Pilates Designs. Each session is tailored to the individual client to address their needs, while always working the deep strength and mind/body connection that comes from the Pilates method.
We believe that overall health and wellness should be wholistic- treating the body, mind & soul. Madison initially sought out Holistic Nutrition as information for herself. She began to realize so many of her friends & clients were struggling with their relationship with food. Which is where the "Wellness" part comes in. We believe that you can nourish your body without restricting things that you love or living on and off diets. Madison hopes to help educate people, especially women, on how they can eat to fuel their body while still enjoying their lives.
Madison was born and raised in Dallas, Texas. After the birth, and c-section, of her first child in 2010 she was invited by a family friend to try Pilates at her studio. Madison immediately fell in love with the method. A few months after that session, she decided to enroll in the Power Pilates mat certification, and continued her teacher training journey from there. In September 2012, Madison completed Power Pilates 600+ hour comprehensive certification. Since then, Madison has completed 3 additional Pilates certifications specializing in Prenatal & Postpartum Pilates. As well as several hundred additional hours of continuing education. In 2017 she became a Certified Holistic Nutritionist through American Fitness Professionals & Associates.
Madison is passionate about helping people become the best version of themselves and find their inner strength. Exercise and nutrition are so individual. She wants to help break the cycle of exercising or dieting as punishment, and help you find what works best for YOUR body to feel strong and nourished.
Madison lives in Woodstock with her 2 sons (Almost 5 & 14). She spends most of her days with her clients and family. In her free time, she enjoys wellness podcasts, reading, taking trips to the beach, and is working hard on meditating regularly.
Joseph Pilates was born, by most accounts, in 1883 (there is some conflicting information on the year). He struggled with many ailments as a child, which led to his determination to find a better way to live. In 1912, Joe was living in England working as a boxer, circus performer, and self-defense instructor. During that time, he began to create his method. During World War I, he served as a hospital orderly where he worked with patients that were unable to walk. He attached bed springs to the hospital beds to strengthen and support the patient's bodies. *Picture the Pilates Cadillac*
He immigrated to the US in the early 1920's with his wife Clara, where he developed and taught the method in their New York gym. "Contrology", as Joe named it, quickly became popular with many celebrities and dancers. Originally, 60% of his clients were men. English was not Joe's first language, so everything was primarily done by hands-on adjustments. "They wouldn't talk, they would sculpt you" is how one Pilates elder put it. Joe wrote 2 books during his life- "Your Health" and "Return to Life Through Contrology". He spent his life sharing his method, and passed away in 1967, at age 83.
After his death, it became known as the "Pilates Method". The method was carried on by his wife Clara and the Pilates elders, who all helped carry it on to today. Pilates is not a trademarked term. Good and bad, you can technically call anything "Pilates". Joe based his work on 3 principles: Breath, whole-body health, and whole-body commitment. Honoring the Pilates principles are how the depth of the work is achieved. That is why it is Lift's mission to stay as close to what Joseph Pilates created and keep Contrology alive as he intended it.
*In case this did not make it clear enough- Pilates IS strength training. It is low impact, but always strengthening, building muscle and a full body workout every single time. =)
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