Four Brands. One Collective

Something was missing! I loved my workouts , the cardio, the weights, the yoga, you name it and it was in my workout program. Yes, I was practicing the above disciplines and I was also an instructor. It sounds balanced, but something was not quite right, I was searching for the missing link.

In 1981, I saw my former college roommate and sorority sister at a reunion. She looked beyond fit, and so graceful. “You look fabulous Mari, what is your fitness regimen? What is your secret?” I inquired.’

“ I do Pilates, nothing else,” answered Mari Winsor. For those of you who don’t know, Mari Winsor was

destined to bring the practice of Pilates to the general Public with her Winsor Pilates workout DVD’s.

Now you know, Pilates was my missing link, and Mari was to be my first Pilates Mentor. My lifelong Pilates journey began. I was Classically trained through the New York Guild with Romana Kryzanowska and other pioneer teachers. I was later certified through United States Pilates Association and am a member of Pilates Alliance Guild. Continuing education is an integral part of my journey as a Pilates teacher and I am studying with the best, including Kathi Ross Nash and Dana Santi , to mention just two.

My love, my passion is teaching, I am an MSU Graduate in Kinesiology, with graduate studies in Biomechanics. I taught PE and coached for 30+ years. My love for sharing fitness lead me to the Michigan Athletic Club as an instructor. I have owned my own Pilates studio for six years.

I enjoy playing golf with my husband Fred and time at the family cottage. My greatest gift is spoiling our six grandchildren. I have recently taken up ice skating and love it.

Pilates has given my body the confidence, to move gracefully into any activity that I choose.

Pilates can do this for you!!!!

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I strive to be well; I strive to be healthy. I believe in my checkups, my doctors, I believe in supplements, chiropractic care, acupuncture, meditation, eating a healthy diet, regular exercise etc. Not only did I believe in it I practiced it.

Then why was I so sick all the time? I looked sick, I felt sick, I fought bouts of diverticulitis etc.

I took my antibiotics as prescribed, next it was thyroid meds, statins for high cholesterol, high blood pressure meds, maybe I was depressed, so I was put on anti- depressants.

Thank goodness those roller coaster days are over. I am off all of my prescribed meds and I feel wonderful most of the time. You might wonder, what happened? My dear friend introduced me to harmonic light therapy 7 or 8 years ago, at that time they weren’t approved by the FDA but the scientific research resonated with me so I bought a set., I used them daily and shared them with anyone who wanted to try my lights. The Lumiceutical Harmonic lights put my body into a parasympathetic state so that my body could heal itself as designed by nature.

I still live a healthy lifestyle and I use the lights twice daily. I am confident that the lights have helped my body heal itself.

Linda Reiff is a licensed Physical Therapist Assistant and Qualified Pilates Teacher with Fletcher Pilates, having worked in the Pilates field for 10 years before receiving her Associate Degree in Physical Therapist Assistant from Baker College.

She has worked the past 2 years as a Physical Therapist Assistant for Physiotherapy Associates, Willows at East Lansing, and currently at Willows of Okemos, Mindful Movement and Physical Therapy.

Linda's first love was dance, a career that she pursued in New York City and Cincinnati for 30 years. During this time she worked as an independent choreographer of Modern Dance, and self-produced in various venues in NYC as well as receiving grants to present and develop choreography from Ohio Arts Council and City of Cincinnati. Linda worked as a choreographer in 2 prominent children’s theatres whose missions were to develop musical theatre for family audiences, developing young talent in musical theatre and dance.

Teaching has always been a passion, and teaching movement in schools to children of all ages. Linda returned to school in 1986 to pursue her Master Degree in Dance and Dance Education from Columbia University's Teachers College. Along with teaching movement to children in public and private schools, she worked as a teaching artist and as a teacher trainer in integrating the arts into classroom curriculums.

Linda began to study Pilates as a student in 1999, and became certified with Fletcher Pilates in 2006. She became a studio owner in 2006, incorporating Pilates Zone in Cincinnati and in East Lansing.

Linda has been fortunate to be able to incorporate her knowledge of Pilates with physical therapy, to share her knowledge of movement with older adults at the Willows of Okemos and Mindful Movement and Physical Therapy, an outpatient clinic where she was to bring together the rehab side of physical therapy with the movement therapy inherent in the Pilates method.