Liz Ann Kudrna has just returned from a X-Country skiing workshop. Her tousled short hair portrays a carefree ease while her intense eyes, almost in conflict to that carefree ease, hold an eager fire. “The workshop I went to made me want to challenge myself and I am thinking of getting into racing. I love to hand cycle, swim, ski.” Her exuberant nature is crucial in keeping up with the flurry of activity that is her life. Kudrna moved to Bozeman twelve years ago to be closer to family and the mountains and to live in a community where she could easily be outdoors and active.

In addition to the numerous physical outdoor pursuits she is passionate about she has just made a significant move in her other area of passion as a Pilates Instructor by relocating her studio. The bright and colorful new studio reflects the excitement Kudrna has about sharing Pilates with her clients. Excitement shows in her enthusiasm as she speaks, her radiant, glow, her positive attitude and energy level. Kudrna is alive, full of fire and ready to example how Pilates can change lives.

Kudrna’s devotion to the practice of Pilates began in 1990. She envisions Joseph H. Pilates, the founder of this method of exercise as “a man before his time”. The story of the origins of Pilates goes something like this-Joseph H. Pilates was a German immigrant who came to New York City in the 1920’s. As an avid boxer and dancer who also studied yoga, karate and Zen meditation he developed “contrology” exercises designed to stretch and strengthen the muscles without adding bulk. This method requires concentration, deep, coordinated breath and working the body with the mind. Every movement is controlled and puts focus on the body’s vital energy core. The benefits of Pilates on the body are many. In addition to building core strength and improving posture and balance it can relieve chronic pain such as headaches, release tension, increase bone density and reduce blood pressure. Additionally, from a holistic perspective-beneficial to the body, mind and spirit-Pilates training increases self-confidence and vitality.

Kudrna says,” Pilates makes me feel better. I am an advocate for mindful movement and feeling better!” Pilates strengthens the mind, concentration, clarity, being in the present. Certain movements can uplift your spirit if you are down. Pilates teaches you to function in the world doing what you love to do better. It helps you carry yourself better so that you feel good about yourself.”

Kudrna was trained in Pilates in the San Francisco Bay Area and felt it complimentary to her training as a Physical Therapy Assistant. Her education, training and certifications are numerous and include Polestar Education Certification, Gold Certified by the Pilates Method Alliance, Ron Fletcher Program Certified and additional movement education in Massage Therapy, Body Talk, Yamana Body Rolling, Dance, Buteyko Breathwork, Continuum and Skiing.

Pilates client Joanne Gardner, who has taken instruction from Kudrna for a number of years, said this about her experience, “I moved to Montana five and a half years ago. I had taken yoga before and was looking for something to tone my body in a different way. I had recently had gastric bypass surgery and lost 130 pounds. Liz Ann took extraordinary care to check in with me daily, body, mind and spirit, and adjust my routine to what I needed that day. If I was exhausted we would do a rejuvenation session, etc. She is an extraordinary teacher. She helped me develop a tone in my body I had never had. Liz Ann got me rooted into my own body. Now I am extremely sure footed.” Another long time client of Kudrna’s explained that for the first time in her entire life her posture has shifted and remained in alignment even though she is in her sixties.

Sitting beside Kudrna as she discusses her life, her work and her philosophy is energizing. The amount of effort and activity Kudrna exudes is amazing yet even more incredible is how this one person accomplishes it all. 2 ½ years ago Kudrna endured a T-5 complete spinal cord injury that left her lower body paralyzed. These days Kudrna gets it all done with help from a wheelchair and a tremendous amount of upper body core strength and mental focus-no doubt a result of her twenty years of work with Pilates. With the newness of the injury and its aftermath behind her Kudrna now has had some time to reflect deeply on the injury’s place in her life path, “The injury woke me up on many levels-it taught me to be more mindful. It makes me pay more attention to people and woke me up to their needs on a different level. It enriched my life and I appreciate it. I find gratitude in everything I do. I am thankful for the blue sky, a good friend, everything. I am grateful to be alive.”

Body in Balance Pilates is Kudrna’s way to give some of that gratitude back. “Knowing I need to show up for someone at the Pilate’s studio is inspiring to me. Working with them on personal growth-to shift their focus towards having a challenge and increase their sense of well-being. To teach them to take home and integrate Pilates into their lives,” she says with a grin.

Kudrna’s future plans include participating in Eagle Mount’s downhill ski program and becoming more involved in her volunteer work as a C.A.P. mentor, and of course building up her Pilates studio and participating in continuing education to enhance her work.
To learn more about Body in Balance Pilates go to www.BBalancePilates.com or call 406-581-7117.

Kathleen Johns is a Bozeman Holistic Advisor and Psychic with a desire to bring Bozeman’s metaphysical/holistic community into the spotlight monthly with her column  “Metaphysical Moment”. Kathleen can be contacted at www.KathleenJohns.com.