Lara began pilates in 2003 while living in the mountains of Crested Butte, Colorado, her home & outdoor playground for 22 yrs. She was lured to a new pilates studio in town with a 'core- focused' fitness program that offered a low impact, muscle strengthening, stability and flexibility exercise as an adjunct practice to balance out her outdoor lifestyle filled with high impact sports. As an avid ultra runner & skier, Lara felt that she needed to build and strengthen her glutes, hips, upper back and abs; all key muscles related to core strength. Her love of pilates continued once she moved to Portland, Oregon in 2014. Joseph Pilates felt, "civilization impairs physical fitness". Working as a home health nurse, Lara has seen first hand the many negative patterns the body has adapted from injuries, disease process, illnesses & lifestyle choices. Lara firmly believes that if you take care of your body, it will take care of you. In 2015, Lara received her PEAK mat certification. She continued with PEAK pilates Master Instructor, Jessica Schultz completing Levels 1 and 2 PEAK pilates comprehensive certifications. In March of 2023, Lara completed her level 3 comprehensive classical training including mat and apparatus equipment. Lara feels passionate about the benefits of pilates for one’s posture, alignment, spinal health and overall core strength. Most importantly, Lara wants you to know that pilates should not be intimidating and can benefit every body at any fitness level and any age.