I am Emily JC Belanger, and I am the Founder and Principle Instructor at the Strong Body Studio, LLC.
In 2004, I placed second in my age group in my first triathlon in Boston. That would not have been conceivable to the me of 1994. Back then, I was 38 years, and I felt 80. I weighed 220 pounds, experienced debilitating pain every day of the week, and felt horrible about myself..
I was facing back surgery and a long rehabilitation process which I had been told might or might not ease the near-constant pain I was experiencing. I couldn’t pick up my one-year-old daughter without my back seizing or going into spasm. I had gained weight and that with the pain tipped me into a depression. A neurologist recommended Pilates and through it, I found a way to build myself back.
Within two years, I was a certified Pilates and Spin Instructor. I had dropped weight, gained muscle and bone mass, and had even grown a half-inch!!! And all because of Pilates.
I am now 55 years old and am in the best shape of my life!
The pain-ridden, fat 38-year-old has become an expert skier, scuba diver, skydiver, and (yes - at age 55!!!) model!!!
With Pilates, you are almost always moving, working into the muscles in an incredibly deep way that leaves you energized, not exhausted. As an instructor, I see myself in the role of interpreter/language teacher; I will teach you how to listen and understand what your body is telling you when you workout. I will help you to understand, communicate and work into your body strongly, deeply and with control. This is my passion and goal to bring you strength and joy!!
I can help you build muscle and bone density, while at the same time enhancing flexibility, alignment and strength, and sculpting shape and definition in all parts of your body. And when you work that strongly and closely with it, YOU WILL LOVE YOUR BODY!!!
I want to be a good businesswoman...and by that I do not only mean successful, but also good in others ways as well...to treat my clients withrespect, truth, and value; my colleagues with respect and integrity; my employees (when I can afford them!) with honesty, reward, and respect; and my community and planet with care and generosity by giving back with my time, my expertise, and my resources. In practice this includes offering rates lower than my competitors, choosing green alternatives whenever possible for the studio and giving back my time and money to local schools, non-profits and other community groups.