Body Harmonics, founded by Margot McKinnon, M.Ed., has been at the forefront of helping people move well, teach well and be well since 1998. At its two Pilates & Movement Studios and Health Clinics in Toronto and at a growing number of Teacher Training Centres worldwide, Body Harmonics has helped thousands of people transform their lives and their careers for the better. In 2015 the company launched its Shoptalk blog and its Mondays with Margot YouTube video series for enthusiasts and experts alike. To provide greater accessibility to its whole-person approach to wellbeing, Body Harmonics began expanding its online presence in 2015 with the launch of its Shoptalk blog and Mondays with Margot video series. It continues to reach a growing number of professionals and enthusiasts by making its ever-expanding line of workout videos and publications available at Body Harmonics On Demand.
Margot’s client-centred philosophy recognizes “ability in all” and the importance of being able to “move well forever.” This belief, shared by her 55-plus team of talented teachers, faculty, administrators and partners, underlies Body Harmonics’ services, programs and publications—many of which are designed to address often overlooked populations such as those with arthritic or neurological conditions, including Parkinson’s and Multiple Sclerosis.
1998: Opens Flagship Body Harmonics Pilates Studio at Dupont Ave. and Christie St. in Toronto
2000: Develops and delivers first Continuing Education workshops; Offers Pilates training for teachers in association with PMI, USA
2004: Creates Pilates & Movement Teacher Training curriculum and introduces first diploma programs; Publishes first Teacher Training manuals
2005: Announces first Affiliate Teacher Training Centre in Guelph Ontario (Pilates in Guelph)
2006: Opens Midtown Studio and Health Clinic at Eglinton Ave. and Avenue Rd. in Toronto
2013: Introduces Shoptalk blog-based newsletter
2014: Launches Mondays with Margot short exercise video series launches
2015: Renovates and expands Flagship location to accommodate Health Clinic services
2017: Moves and expands Midtown, Toronto location; introduces new website, online store and more than ten full-length workout videos
2018: Celebrates 20th anniversary
2019: Launches Body Harmonics On Demand to make its “move well” Pilates & Movement videos and eBooks available to an international audience.
2020: Responds to the world-wide pandemic by moving all of its Pilates & Movement classes, privates and Teacher Training programs and courses online, and by expanding its library of Body Harmonics On Demand streaming videos to 1,000-plus titles.
At its Flagship and Midtown Toronto locations, Body Harmonics offers close to 120 Pilates & Movement mat, reformer and springboard classes weekly. They are taught by some 30-plus Body Harmonics accredited teachers. Classes are available at three different levels of difficulty, and a variety of specialty classes—Pre and Post Natal Reformer, Teen Reformer, Neuro classes, Core Essentials for Back Care etc.—are on offer at any given time. One-on-one, semi-private and small group sessions are available to those who want more personalized attention. During these sessions teachers incorporate a variety of Pilates equipment and fitness props/apparatus for maximum effect.
Twelve different therapeutic services are offered at both Toronto locations by 14 qualified and experienced clinicians. Health Clinic services range from massage and osteopathy to holistic nutrition and Muscle Activation Therapy (M.A.T.). Services are designed to complement clients’ Pilates & Movement programs and/or address particular health, athletic or mobility goals/challenges.
More than 1,200 clients, ranging in age from 16 to 90-plus years, attend Body Harmonics Studios and Clinics each week. In their common quest for greater wellbeing, their goals range from improving overall strength and mobility to post-rehabilitation and athletic performance-enhancement to mitigating the effects of chronic illness.
In 2004 Body Harmonics launched its first Teacher Training program to share its science-driven, learner-centred approach to teaching Pilates and movement for greater wellbeing. Today, for those who aspire to advance their skills or become Body Harmonics accredited, the company offers three Pilates & Movement Teacher Training diploma programs (Comprehensive Pilates Track), a Pilates Bridge program, three Specialist diploma programs, a Coaching & Mentoring program, and some 50 Continuing Education workshops through its Toronto facilities. Selected programs and workshops are also available at the company’s more than 10 affiliated Teacher Training Centres across Canada and internationally. Unlike many other instructor training programs, the Body Harmonics educational curriculum goes beyond classical Pilates exercises and rote-style teaching techniques by providing students with the tools and knowledge to address different ages, abilities and health conditions.
Body Harmonics responded quickly to the worldwide pandemic in 2020 by moving all of its programming online via Zoom and offering numerous free professional development classes free of charge for the professional community that has suffered greatly due to the fact that gyms and studios had to go into lockdown.
Body Harmonics published its first Teacher Training manual, Mat Work Foundations and Mat Work Classics: Intermediate & Advanced, in 2004. To date the company has published over a dozen instructional manuals and guides, 100-plus workout videos (including the popular Mondays with Margot exercise videos) and has published more than 300 Shoptalk blog articles.
In early 2019, Body Harmonics launched Body Harmonics On Demand—a streaming video platform designed to help people to “move well forever.” With more than 1,000 videos on the platform, BHOD makes the company’s acclaimed approach to Pilates, movement and wellbeing accessible to a wider audience worldwide. Body Harmonics eBooks are also available for download on the platform.
Body Harmonics owns and operates two fully equipped facilities in Toronto. Each contains spacious studio rooms for Teacher Training as well as group mat-based classes and group Pilates machine classes. Fitness props and apparatus (e.g. fitness balls, bands, swivel boards, etc.) are provided and incorporated into most classes. Separate rooms equipped with the full range of commercial grade Pilates machines (e.g. reformers, cadillacs, chairs, barrels, etc.) are available for private and semi-private sessions. Health Clinic services are provided in calming, well-appointed private therapy rooms. A reception-lounge area and retail boutique, together with change rooms and washrooms, round out the Body Harmonics amenities.
Dupont & Christie Location, Toronto
672 Dupont Ave, Suite 406
Toronto, ON M6G 1Z6
Tel: 416. 537.0714
email
Yonge & Eglinton Location, Toronto
90 Eglinton Avenue West, Suite 501
Toronto, ON M4R 2E4
Tel: 416.482.4884
email
Details about affiliated Body Harmonics Teacher Training Centres can be found at bodyharmonics.com.
Alison Hope
alison@bodyharmonics.com
416.762.2313
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