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Welcome, Michal Harvey!

October 30, 2020

Pilates teacher Michal Harvey

I’m thrilled to share that Michal Harvey will start teaching at Spiral Spine Pilates in mid-November. I had the pleasure of training Michal, and can’t wait for you to learn from her. Her unique teaching style is reflective of her background as a professional ballet dancer and her pure joy of movement. You can learn more about her background here and find Michal in the studio on Saturdays.

Below, Michal shares her favorites exercises for keeping a dancer’s body conditioned. Welcome to the studio, Michal!


Pilates has always been an important part of my life, especially when I was a professional ballet dancer. During that time, I used it to help my body keep up with the demands of ballet and balance out uneven muscles. Pilates also helped me recover from multiple, dance-related injuries, including those I acquired in my knees and back. It helped me heal and return to dance time and time again, so I have an intimate knowledge of its power to help heal dancers.

When I teach dancers, some of my favorite exercises are the ones I performed daily during my dance career. I’m so excited to share them with you, and can’t wait to teach them to you in the studio. Whether or not you’re a dancer, I’m positive you’ll enjoy their benefits.

Magician on the Cadillac with leg movements

trapeze magicianPush your feet firmly in the loops to help activate the posterior muscular line, which will help lift your bottom in the air. Your goal is to get your body in a straight line, from your feet to your mid-back. Once you’re in magician, keep your torso still and add your favorite leg movements, like scissors, circles, and walking.

I love this exercise because it strengthens the back of my body, especially my legs. I find the back of the body often forgotten in cross-training and can end up too weak in comparison to the front. The other great benefit of magician is you learn to move your legs independently from your torso. While this is important for many activities, like walking, it is especially important for dancers.

Side sit-ups on the Chair

exo chair side situpsLie on your side on the top of the Chair and place your hand on the peddle. Press the pedal down with your hand, making sure that your shoulder is above your wrist. Stack up your legs–hip over hip, knee over knee, and foot over foot. Exhale and lift the peddle up while curving your upper body up to the ceiling like a crescent moon. Once you’ve done 8-10 reps, go to the other side.

This exercise continually challenges my balance, which is always good for dancers who literally balance on their toes. I like that this exercise forces me to be constantly in tune with my alignment so I don’t fall over. Additionally, it gives my obliques a challenging workout and helps me quickly identify if one side is as strong as the other.

Arabesque on the Reformer

Pilates arabesqueStand on the reformer carriage with the hands on the footbar. Place the ball of one foot in front of the shoulder blocks and point the other foot and place it on top of the same shoulder block. Your hips should be piked towards the ceiling. Push the carriage out ending in a plank. When you pike up next time allow the leg with the pointed foot to raise into the air as high as you can lift it. Lower the leg back down and return to a plank. When the leg goes into the air, simultaneously allow the shoulder girdle to drop down as well. Do 3-4 times and repeat on the other side.

I love this exercise for the full body coordination and balance it requires. It’s also really nice for dancers because it mimics the arabesque we do in class. However, the involvement of your upper body makes it something new and different, forcing you to focus and be precise with your movements. It’s also a great challenge for my advanced clients.

Even though I hung up my pointe shoes many years ago, I still use Pilates to keep my joints mobile and happy. Whether you’re a current or former dancer, I look forward to sharing my knowledge and love of Pilates with you.

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1804 Williamson Ct., #106 & 107
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March 3-4 Scoliosis Retreat at @spiral_spine is al March 3-4 Scoliosis Retreat at @spiral_spine is almost full. There are only 5 slots left. When it’s full, it’s full and I can’t make any exceptions due to equipment at the studio that you’ll need. If you want to come in March to the retreat I’d suggest you register soon or there may not be space for you and you’ll have to come to June’s or October’s retreat. 🔗 in bio for registration and more info. See you soon! #spiralspine #scoliosis #bentbutnotbroken #scoliosisawareness #scoliosisexercise
This cup was in the studio when I arrived today an This cup was in the studio when I arrived today and it made me smile. Are you owning your journey? Are you owning your body “stuff”? Or, are you allowing yourself to be a victim to the current status of your body? All body issues can get better. I’m not promising they’ll go away, but all can get better. 

If you need help owning your scoli and your scoli journey, the Scoliosis Retreat is a perfect place for you to start. The next on is March 3-4 at @spiral_spine in Nashville. 🔗 in bio. We’d love to walk your journey with you. #spiralspine #scoliosis #nashvillepilates #bentbutnotbroken #scoliosiswarrior #scoliosisexercise #pilates
Reposted• @aliciafranklinludwig Push-ups anyone? Reposted• @aliciafranklinludwig Push-ups anyone? 
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Wow! What a journey I have been on! In 2016 I was told I had to have another fusion only this time it would be full spinal. I had already exhausted all “non” surgical options at that point and then I hit rock bottom. That is until a friend literally begged me to call her friend Erin at Spiral Spine.
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After delaying weeks, I finally made it in to the studio. I could barely walk and pretty much laid on my back crying most of the session. Bless Erin for loving on people. 💕
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Fast forward to Summer 2022. I have officially completed all of my Balanced Body courses to be an instructor and now focusing on my hours. I can only hope I have the same impact on someone else. 
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If you want to hear more of my Scoliosis Pilates journey from Erin’s perspective check out her 3 part blog. Link in bio. 
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