Testimonials

Full Circle is a wonderful environment to get fit, develop a regular exercise practice and learn nuanced ways of being in one's body. The teachers are warm and not the least intimidating with an uncanny ability to bring focus to areas that need attention. After several months of regular equipment and mat classes I have felt a surge of energy that continues to sustain me from week to week.. Having done yoga for many years I am enjoying the shift to pilates work which seems to lengthen and strengthen muscles and all the connective tissue. It feels like deep work both physically and mentally. Each class seems to go by rather too quickly. This is a good sign that the experience is enjoyable and effective especially during the following days when I feel a profound connection to my muscles and general well being. Pilates has encouraged a deeper connection to my core and proper postural realignment.

When Full Circle opened up on my street, my first thought was 'how convenient'. I had wanted to start Pilates work again after a very long break, but my life was so busy that I couldn't imagine scheduling the travel and time. I needed help, as I have sciatic pain, scoliosis, some spinal stenosis, and bursitis in my hips (I had been using a cane for almost two years). The location made it easy to begin.

Six months later, after working twice a week (one mat class and one equipment class) with Darcy and her very skilled group of instructors, my body pain has been greatly reduced, and I am stronger and more mobile than I have been in two decades. No more cane, no more limping. The work has also positively affected my life as a professional singer (breath and posture being crucial elements)and the lives of my students who now have a more physically fit, happy and energized teacher to work with.

I hope Full Circle stays in my neighbourhood forever, but I would willingly take a cross-town bus to get there. First rate studio and teachers, and a friendly and welcoming space.

Full Circle Pilates is an intimate studio where the instructors give attention to detail: you'll work on your core, plus develop overall body strength, and increase your range of motion. You'll also learn new, more efficient ways of moving your body. I have come to realize that it's not about moving the individual body parts, but about how to use them together, to get a whole body workout. The result is a stronger body, that works and looks better.

I have enjoyed watching Full Circle grow and evolve over the years. I started classes in the little house with the lovely garden on Ontario St. several years ago and have been coming to as many classes as I can ever since. Pilates has been an important component in my life, as taking the classes and focusing on core strength and improving my posture were critical to helping me recover from a severe whiplash injury. I love working on the Reformer and the Cadillac, but the Chair and mat classes are also really effective. Full Circle has become a constant for me, and I’ve thoroughly enjoyed working with many instructors over the years. Everyone that works at the Studio brings a wealth of information and commitment to their students and the Full Circle community. It has been a pleasure to get to know everyone, instructors and students alike. Darcy and her team have created a welcoming and comfortable environment and I hope they are around for years to come.

I’ve been going to Full Circle Pilates for a number of years now. From walking, to running, to biking and various exercise classes I’ve always tried to pursue something to help stay in shape. I would try one for a while and then move on to something else. Once I reached my 50’s I found myself leaning towards something that would help me stay flexible. I had tried a few Pilates mat classes and had wondered about trying an equipment class. I started at Full Circle and loved it from the first time. The whole atmosphere of the studio was peaceful and welcoming and I love the instructors. It’s more than an exercise class. The instructors are so knowledgeable about anatomy and kinesiology in general and constantly impart that knowledge as they help you maintain or regain movement and flexibility.

Shortly after starting at Full Circle, I had a fairly serious biking accident. In addition to a badly broken hand, I injured my shoulder and muscles through my rib cage. It was going to be a long healing process. I stopped by the studio to let them know I would not be able to make my classes for a long time and Darcy encouraged me to return as quickly as possible and they would adapt the movements for my limitations.
I came back the next week and my instructor Stephanie was wonderful in being able to keep me moving even with my hand in a cast. We worked the muscles that weren’t affected and started to gently work in getting the injured ones moving and healing faster. I was so happy with the results and I really feel that my recuperation was speeded up immensely.

Over the years I’ve seen the dedication that the studio has to their clients. I think one of the biggest testaments to them is the number of familiar faces I see every week. I loved the old house they used to be in but the new studio is even better. Even though it’s a new space, it still has that intimate, welcoming feeling.

Through my 30's and 40's I had pain of varying degrees in my mid-back, a result of some scoliosis and postural misalignment. I'd also broken both wrists and separated both shoulders several times through the years doing various things. At times I had wondered if I'd have to give up two of my loves, cycling and hockey, as the discomfort level was often high and I could tell it was affecting my mood.

For many years I had been telling myself I should get back to Pilates, I had done some in my early 30's but didn't stick with it, partly because the regimented program was, well, boring. But yoga wasn't doing it for me either so I finally got in touch with Full Circle. I'm so glad I did! Almost immediately I began to notice the difference as my many kinks started to unkink, my core strength grew, my flexibility and mobility returned. For me a key difference between yoga and Pilates is the focus on movement, of restoring movement patterns lost to injury or time that I was not getting by holding poses. And I found STOTT Pilates to be endlessly refreshing, never knowing exactly what would happen from one appointment to the next is I think good for the body and mind, a little surprise to wake you up.

I also really enjoyed the staff and ambiance at Full Circle, which is easy-going and fun, as opposed to "must get it right" approach in my previous Pilates experience. Full Circle is also affordable. It's true that Pilates can be expensive but for me it's like a cheaper visit to the physio or chiro, which you perform on yourself. I'm now cycling without pain, and my hockey game is better than ever. I'm the oldest guy on the team, but top 5 in scoring, and I credit Full Circle with a lot of that success. I fully recommend going there.

As a final note, I think if one is going to pursue Pilates they need to take a long-term view of it, stick to twice-weekly visits if possible, and combine it with other forms of body work and sports or movement for best results.

I was blessed my whole life with an active and flexible body. I noticed over the years as I was aging that I couldn’t rely on strength and flexibility alone and my body was chronically achy with my mobility waning; I started feeling like the Tin Man. After frustrating years of pain, I was diagnosed with a birth defect in my spine. Through Pilates at Full Circle I am learning to unravel old habits. I leave a private session or class feeling so much lighter and freer in my movement. I love that I have so much range of motion in class; not just sitting, standing, walking, running or biking, my body can move in many directions. I feel centered, balanced and strong and this also gives me great mental clarity. I feel like I can bounce all the way home after a Pilates’ session. The instructors at Full Circle are amazing, highly qualified and very motivational.

Pilates has changed my perspective on so many things: posture, energy, physical and mental state of mind... Full Circle Pilates Studio has welcomed me from the start no matter how inexperienced or experienced I was. Through my practice I have gained strength, mobility and wonderful side effects like a feeling of self confidence and power of good health!

Darcy and her team are warm caring and professional people. The new facilities are spacious and very pleasant to be a part of. Don’t miss your chance to open your mind and body to a gift of movement from FULL CIRLCE!