Paragon Pilates, Physical Therapy & Dance Medicine

01/23/2026

Live event at the Target Center happening now, after our community stood together in solidarity and strength for our neighbors today.

ICEOUT rally at Target Center Fridayhttps://kstp.com/kstp-news/top-news/thousands-rally-outside-target-center-on-day-of-economic-blackout-in-protest-of-ice-o...

01/22/2026

We must practice radical compassion in the face of this violence and encourage every Minnesotan to participate,
help your community, and raise your voice to end this occupation of our beautiful state.

On Friday, January 23rd, we will be standing together for a day of unity and freedom.

In support of the ICEOUT MN Statewide Shutdown, we are participating in a day of reflection and moral action.

No shopping, no school, no work, and attend the 2pm event downtown Minneapolis if you are able. Indoor options are Target Center downtown at 2:30pm, or MOA at 4pm. Stay safe, and warm!

Again, we must practice radical compassion in the face of this violence and encourage every Minnesotan to participate,
help your community, and raise your voice to end this occupation of our beautiful state.

01/14/2026

Last chance to save $50 with early bird pricing!

Pilates Mat 3: Enhanced Mat + Props
*In person or online attendance options*

Dates: Feb. 6-8, 2026

Friday 4pm-8pm
Saturday 11:30am-6pm
Sunday 9:30am-4:30pm

Fee: $499 + $60 materials ($549 after Jan. 17)

Enhanced Pilates Mat completes the Mat training by adding rings, rollers, bands and balls to the traditional Mat exercises. In addition, Enhanced Mat includes functional exercises for the upper and lower body, expanding the Mat work beyond the core to develop whole body strength and flexibility. The Balanced Body Programming System is introduced to make class design easy, effective and fun. Adding props to a mat class makes them more dynamic, creative and accessible!

Prerequisites: Movement Principles, Mat 1 and 2

Instructor: Matthew Hodge-Rice

https://www.paragonpilatespt.com/teacher-training/pilates-teacher-training/

Balanced Body, Inc.

01/12/2026

Anatomy for Movement Professionals was a success!

Next up is Mat 3 on February 6-8. Register before January 17 to save $50!

If you'd like to learn more about our Pilates teacher training program, visit our website!

https://www.paragonpilatespt.com/teacher-training/

Balanced Body, Inc.

12/17/2025

Last chance to save $50 with early bird pricing!

Anatomy for Movement Professionals
*In person or online attendance options*

Dates: Jan. 9-11, 2026

Friday 4pm-8pm
Saturday 11:30am-6pm
Sunday 9:30am-4:30pm

Fee: $499 + $60 materials ($549 after Dec. 20)

Anatomy is the foundation of our work as movement professionals. The more you understand about how the body works, the better equipped you are to teach your clients how to move better. In this course you will receive an introduction to the major tissues, joints and muscles of movement. Muscle origin, insertion and action are covered along with movement experiences to help you understand and remember not just the individual muscles, but how they work in synergy to create functional movements. The course includes a manual and video support.
Open to everyone!

Instructor: Matthew Hodge-Rice & Cari Riis Stemmler

https://www.paragonpilatespt.com/teacher-training/pilates-teacher-training/

Balanced Body, Inc.

12/16/2025

https://www.umnalumni.org/businessspotlight_stemmler

The University of Minnesota Alumni Association interviewed Cari to learn how her experience at the U of M has influenced her journey as a successful entrepreneur, and what advice she has for recent graduates aspiring to start their own business. Watch the video and head over to the MN Alumni Marketplace to find great deals from Alumni-owned small businesses.

12/09/2025

Reformer 1 teacher training was a success!

Next up is Anatomy for Movement Professionals on January 9-11. Register before December 20 to save $50!

If you'd like to learn more about our Pilates teacher training program, visit our website!

https://www.paragonpilatespt.com/teacher-training/

Balanced Body, Inc.

11/12/2025

Last chance to save $50 with early bird pricing!

Pilates Reformer 1 Instructor Training
*In person or online attendance options*

Dates: Dec. 5-7, 2025

Friday 4pm-8pm
Saturday 11:30am-6pm
Sunday 9:30am-4:30pm

Fee: $499 + $60 materials ($549 after Nov. 15)

This course introduces you to what Joseph Pilates called the ‘Universal’ Reformer, which is the centerpiece of the Pilates equipment studio and an invaluable training tool. Reformer 1 teaches you how to safely utilize the Reformer and many of the beginning and intermediate Pilates Reformer exercises. Reformer 1 also reviews common modifications and variations necessary for teaching the client in front of you and gives you the ‘why’ behind the ‘what’, empowering critical reasoning skills from the very start of your training.

Prerequisites: Movement Principles

Instructor: Matthew Hodge-Rice

https://www.paragonpilatespt.com/teacher-training/pilates-teacher-training/

Balanced Body, Inc.

11/10/2025

Our Mat 2 teacher training weekend was so much fun!

Next up is Reformer 1 on December 5-7. Register before November 15 to save $50!

If you'd like to learn more about our Pilates teacher training program, visit our website!

https://www.paragonpilatespt.com/teacher-training/

Balanced Body, Inc.

11/08/2025

Coming up next month...

Pilates Reformer 1 Instructor Training
*In person or online attendance options*

Dates: Dec. 5-7, 2025

Friday 4pm-8pm
Saturday 11:30am-6pm
Sunday 9:30am-4:30pm

Fee: $499 + $60 materials ($549 after Nov. 15)

This course introduces you to what Joseph Pilates called the ‘Universal’ Reformer, which is the centerpiece of the Pilates equipment studio and an invaluable training tool. Reformer 1 teaches you how to safely utilize the Reformer and many of the beginning and intermediate Pilates Reformer exercises. Reformer 1 also reviews common modifications and variations necessary for teaching the client in front of you and gives you the ‘why’ behind the ‘what’, empowering critical reasoning skills from the very start of your training.
Prerequisites: Movement Principles

Instructor: Matthew Hodge-Rice

https://www.paragonpilatespt.com/teacher-training/pilates-teacher-training/

Balanced Body, Inc.

11/07/2025

Challenge yourself with these exercises at home! Safety first!
These exercises should be done near something solid like a wall or kitchen counter that you can hold onto if you lose your balance. Let’s start with finding a safe space to challenge your balance. Find a corner that you can either back into or face, so that you have something to grab onto if you lose your balance. Another good place is in the corner of a kitchen counter, where you can grab either in front or behind you if needed. If you tend to fall backwards, put the wall or counter behind you. Or if you tend to fall forward, face your body toward the wall or counter.
#1: Semi-Tandem Stance
Put one foot slightly forward and the other slightly back, and bring them together so they’re touching. Find equal weight in both feet - you should feel a little challenge through the outer hip! To increase the challenge here, close your eyes. Lightly touch the wall or counter with your fingertips if needed.
#2: Full Tandem Stance
For the next challenge, bring one foot directly in front of the other, as if you’re on a balance beam. Again, find equal weight on both feet. Slowly turn your head to the left and then to the right, using your hands as needed. Then, look up and down slowly. You might find that one direction is more challenging! Next, move your head diagonally, looking up to one side and down the other. Now repeat in the other direction. Make sure to repeat everything with the other foot in front!
Give it a try!

11/07/2025

Challenge yourself with these exercises at home! Safety first!
These exercises should be done near something solid like a wall or kitchen counter that you can hold onto if you lose your balance. Let's start with finding a safe space to challenge your balance. Find a corner that you can either back into or face, so that you have something to grab onto if you lose your balance. Another good place is in the corner of a kitchen counter, where you can grab either in front or behind you if needed. If you tend to fall backwards, put the wall or counter behind you. Or if you tend to fall forward, face your body toward the wall or counter.
#1: Semi-Tandem Stance
Put one foot slightly forward and the other slightly back, and bring them together so they're touching. Find equal weight in both feet - you should feel a little challenge through the outer hip! To increase the challenge here, close your eyes. Lightly touch the wall or counter with your fingertips if needed.
#2: Full Tandem Stance
For the next challenge, bring one foot directly in front of the other, as if you're on a balance beam. Again, find equal weight on both feet. Slowly turn your head to the left and then to the right, using your hands as needed. Then, look up and down slowly. You might find that one direction is more challenging! Next, move your head diagonally, looking up to one side and down the other. Now repeat in the other direction. Make sure to repeat everything with the other foot in front!
Give it a try!