Meet Us
Heidi Harrison
Certified Pilates Instructor and Massage Therapist
 Heidi Harrison is a certified Pilates Instructor through Body Arts and Science (Rael Isacowitz’s method). She has been working in The Studio since March of 2004. Also a certified massage therapist, she uses this knowledge to further benefit her Pilates clients.
Heidi was raised in a fitness-oriented family in Canada where her uncle, Frank Hatashita is credited for introducing and popularizing Judo. Her father, John Hatashita, owned a fitness center and Judo club. He produced three of Canada’s Olympic athletes, including her brother Roman. She trained extensively in ballet, along with numerous other style of dance. This history has not only greatly enhanced her teaching style, it’s as if it’s in her DNA to pursue the perfection of movement, which takes her Pilates dedication and instruction to another level.
Heidi’s introduction to Pilates was in Toronto. She had quit dance and needed to maintain her strength and figure for her 20-year career as an actor and model. She instinctually knew that Pilates was what really made sense to the body. Believing it’s “intelligent” movement, she also used it as therapy to recover from a back injury.
When she moved to Santa Barbara, California in 1998, she took Pilates at the Santa Barbara Athletic Club, working with instructors who taught mostly Ron Fletcher’s Method and Body Arts and Science (BASI) methods of Pilates.
Because of Heidi’s passion for mindful movement, she continues her education in this area by attending conferences for professionals in this field, put on by organizations like IDEA, of which she is a member. At the moment, Heidi is working with Glenn D. Wollman, MD, FACEP, www.livingsuite.net on an innovative exercise system, incorporating and connecting the body, mind and spirit.
She also accomplished the famous trek around the Annapurna region of Nepal, making it over the highest pass in the world. She gives Pilates full credit for even thinking an endeavor of this proportion would be possible. Credit is also given to The Cypress Center for not only allowing, but also encouraging this 5-week adventure.
|
