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Christine Waterman

Christine began her personal Pilates journey as a student in 1998 while living in England. Originally training with the Body Control Pilates® Association in London, Christine received her first BCPA certification in 2001. She continued her education taking various workshops as continued education is key to growing as a teacher. In 2010 she embarked on a 935 hour classical Pilates training program under Noam Gagnon of Beyond Pilates, Vancouver receiving full certification of the classical Pilates method in 2011. In January 2018, Christine began yet another classical learning journey with Karen Frischmann (LA) studying with her for the next 18 months. Christine became one of the first to graduate from Karen’s Classical Progressions work. Classical Pilates practitioners aim to remain true to Joseph Pilates’ original work. Honouring this is very important to Christine and passing this work onto others is a true passion. In addition to completing her teacher training, Christine has completed numerous workshops and specialty courses.

Continuing her education she has completed workshops, classes and personal training with trainers such as Jay Grimes (LA), Karen Frischmann (LA), Noam Gagnon (Beyond Pilates, Vancouver) and Jacqueline Martin (Lineage Pilates, Vancouver Island), Dana Santi (Chicago), Jerome Weinberg (New York), Victoria Torre-Capan (New York), Amy Alpers and Rachel Segel (Boulder, Co), Marie-Jose Blom-Lawrence (Long Beach, Ca), Matilda Christensen (Pilates From The Center, Vancouver), movement specialist Thomas Myers. All of these teachers have helped Christine to keep growing as an instructor.

Christine opened her first studio in January 2006 (Body Control Pilates). In August of 2011, The Pilates Tree took root and is now a permanent addition to the downtown core of Kamloops in the Rex Theatre building. Christine believes in smaller class sizes to allow for a more personalized experience. This results in greater attention to detail enabling clients to work on raising body awareness and make fundamental changes in their movement patterns while being in a fun, relaxed atmosphere. Her goal is to teach clients to bring Pilates into their day to day routine so they can continue to do the activities they love, building strength from the inside out.

Several years after a major car accident I was left with a debilitating chronic pain pattern.  I had daily pain and stiffness for ten years and periodically my back would go into spasm that twisted and hunched my body, requiring me to step away from my life and rest until it recovered.  The last two years of those ten I suffered with back spasms every four or five weeks for one or two weeks duration.  I could not do any manual or physical task without painful repercussions.  I missed out on much of life and had to take many days away from my job.

One year ago, I started practicing pilates with Christine Waterman two days per week.  I have not had a back spasm for ten months.  I never dreamed that this level of recovery was possibility.  I had tried many other methods.  Through Christine and pilates I learned that my body compensated in its movements which was causing pain and after working with her I am able to find and strengthen the correct movement patterns and now bend, walk up hills, rake my yard, garden, ride a bike, and attend my workdays consistently.

Pilates is much, much more than exercise.  Christine’s expertise, experience, and wisdom is a necessary support for our community.  My life is changed because of her and her work.

Rachael Pasemko, RSW, RCC, RPT-S

I used to have poor posture and because of that I suffered multiple areas of pain: shoulders, neck, hips, knees, etc. I went to chiropractors and massage therapists to try and alleviate the pain and received no relief. I even went through 11 Rolfing treatments but still had pain.

One massage therapist recommended I take up fitness. I had already been involved with a gym but it wasn’t enough for what I needed. I hired a personal trainer to help teach me to correct my posture with some relief.

Christine, Tricia, and Deborah are all very professional and knowledgeable and are always watching and correcting body alignment. Most of all, they make it fun while we work hard. To watch the graceful moves of Pilates, you wouldn’t think it is hard work. Believe me, the movements may be slow and controlled but it’s tough. The sweat will drip and the muscles will ache.

Thanks you guys. It has made a big difference in my life.

Loralie Rodgers, Kamloops BC

I came to The Pilates Tree post-spinal surgery and was immediately reassured that my limitations were not only respected, but understood. The personalized plan proposed for my private Pilates sessions was on par with my physio program. The mobility of my spine sky-rocketed in a very short period of time and within two months my core strength is noticeably better than it was before surgery.

Alan Vukusic, MD