Kari Ball - - Chicago, IL Review

I have been a client of Kari Ball's for the last year and she has literally helped to change my body.  I am 37 years old and over the past 5 to 10 years I have had lower back pain that was either painful, annoying or at times debilitating 

To address my immediate back pain, I went to see Dr Richard Reshke in Chicago who is a Naprapathist. (I will write a review of him as well)  Through massage, ultra sound and stretching he was able to help me get back on my feet.  I have been to him about 10 times over the last 5 years. Anyway, he recommended that I try Pilates to loosen up some of my muscles.

Around the same time my wife started working with Kari Ball.  We do mat classes together and work in her River North Pilates Studio on Institute place.  At first I just stuck to the mat class, but my wife suggested I try the studio and I have found that they machines (called the Reformer and the Cadillac) have really helped me make progress.  I think it might be because they are a little easier than a mat class and therefore I can do them for the full hour. 

In any case, I could not recommend Kari more as a pilates instructor.  The thing that I like best about her teaching style is that she really watches and listens carefully. She is knowledgeable enough about Pilates to suggest new exercises and push you in different ways. She always keeps the workouts just challenging enough and vaired to keep me coming back. 

I am not the kind of dedicated work out king that I usually stick with things over the long haul so it really says something that I never feel quite right when a week goes by and I haven't had at least one session with Kari.

My bottom line is that I give Kari Ball my highest possible recommendation for all levels of interested Pilates students.

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Some info about Kari

Kari Ball received a bachelor of arts degree in theater from Southern Illinois University in 1996. After performing in numerous children's shows, her interests turned to her second passion: health and fitness. She became certified as an aerobic instructor in 2001 and a personal trainer and Pilates instructor in 2003. Her emphasis is conditioning the body to promote uniform development of all muscle groups, flexibility, and skeletal alignment. In her training using a combination of weights and Pilates, Kari focuses on the quality of each exercise. She applies the 6 basic principles of stabilization, control, concentration, efficiency of movement, full range of motion, and breath. Using these principles, clients will reach challenges in their bodies more effectively, as well as create ways to deal with life's physical and emotional stresses

Some info about Chicago River North Pilates where Kari works

Chicago River North Pilates offers private, duet, and group session in Pilates, the Gyrotonic Expansion System®, and Gyrokinesis®. Each method of body conditioning is designed to strengthen and lengthen muscles, increase flexibility and energy, and improve overall balance using both the body and mind. We offer an integrative approach to health and wellness through education in movement systems-empowering you with the knowledge and tools to obtain your goals. The integrity of the studio is to design a personal program to fit each individual need in a peaceful, supportive, and positive environment that provides the ultimate in body/mind conditioning with the finest instruction in Pilates and the Gyrotonic Expansion System®.

Chicago River North Pilates is conveniently located in Chicago's River North district, just one block north of Chicago Avenue between Wells and Franklin. We are easily accessible by car, foot, or CTA public transportation. Our studio has omore than 1,900 square feet within a beautiful open loft space. You will find our tranquil and unique studio the perfect environment to help you achieve your goals as well as enjoy each and every session. Please call to schedule a session or to make an appointment to tour our facility. We look forward to meeting you and making a difference in your life.