I’m Lenise and I’ll be writing regular articles on Sport and Exercise in Eindhoven. My go to exercise is running, because I can do it anytime, anywhere, and in any climate, but I am also a fan of bootcamp and Pilates. Sport has always played a huge part in my life and having lived in a number of countries, I think it’s the best way to get to know some locals, get rid of the occasional stress of living abroad and to feel fantastic – physically and mentally!
I’ll do any sport, and in this series I’ll be trying out everything I write about, so internationals can get an insight into what’s on offer in Eindhoven. Who knows – we might just run into each other on a tennis court, a tai chi class or on a hockey field?
So to kick off this new series, I’ll be taking a look at Studio Realign – a Pilates and physiotherapy practice, founded by fellow international, Nadine Hermann. Located in Gestel, Eindhoven, Studio Realign is a fantastic place to focus, activate that core, and energise your body and mind.
Nadine came to Eindhoven, from her native Germany, to study Physiotherapy. After successfully completing her course, she returned to Germany where she became a qualified Pilates instructor and worked for two years in her field. She once again packed her bags, this time for love, and ended up back in Eindhoven. Nadine opened her studio on 1st February 2015, and has been helping the local and international community realign their bodies ever since.
Studio Realign offers eleven group classes a week, including Pilates mat classes for beginners and advanced levels, Pregnancy Pilates, and from 1st December, Kundalini Yoga. Group classes are kept at a maximum of 8 students to ensure that everyone gets the attention they need. Although Nadine holds the classes in Dutch, she will also help out with instruction in English or German if need be – she has a knack for switching languages in an instant! Studio Realign also offers private sessions. You can choose from Personal Training (with a focus on movement education), Massage Therapy and Physiotherapy.
My first session at Studio Realign was for 1 to 1 Pilates and Physiotherapy. Years of running, and not always listening to my body, has resulted in niggling and recurring injuries. Hobbling into the studio, I immediately felt at ease. Nadine is friendly and welcoming and the space is organized and spotless! Mats run along one side of the room, ready for the next group class. The other side of a partition is set up for massage and physiotherapy. Shelves and drawers are stacked neatly with equipment and towels, which are available for use in the classes, and complimentary tea and water is also available.
Nadine went through my history of exercise, current issues, recurring problems and future goals. She thoroughly and carefully looked at a number of my specific movements, then got to work to reduce my pain, with physiotherapy, and also by teaching me how to position my body correctly and train it in a functional way – not only in this session or when I am exercising, but also in my daily life. These are Nadine’s core principles and in all of her classes she helps her clients work on overall stability, flexibility and strengthening the body in its natural position.
I am now a convert to Pilates and regularly attend a group mat class at Studio Realign. If you like to give it a try, Nadine offers a free trial lesson.
Lenise
