Abel Wellness

🌿 Strength & Stillness Pregnancy Pilates Series

Pregnancy changes everything—your body, your breath, your rhythm, and the way you move through each day.
You deserve support that helps you feel more steady, strong, and connected through it all.

This series is designed to support mamas through pregnancy with intentional movement, breath-led strength, and nervous system support so you can feel more at home in your body as it changes.

Inside this series, we focus on helping you:
✨ build deep core and pelvic support
✨ reduce back, hip, and postural discomfort
✨ improve balance, strength, and stability
✨ prepare your body for labor and delivery
✨ support recovery for postpartum
✨ calm the nervous system and create more ease through breath and movement
✨ build confidence and trust in your body

And it’s more than just a class…

💛 a high-touch experience with personalized guidance
💛 a small, supportive community of mamas walking a similar journey
💛 an online movement library to support you at home between sessions
💛 a take-home toolbox with helpful tools and practices you can carry into pregnancy, birth, and beyond

This is one of my favorite spaces to hold, and with 18+ years of experience and specialized training as a pre & postnatal movement specialist, it’s such an honor to support women through this season.

Series Details:
📅 Begins August 26th
🕓 Wednesdays at 6:30pm
💲 $150 per month
💻Includes online movement library for home practice

If you’ve been craving support that helps you feel stronger, calmer, and more connected in your pregnancy journey, I’d love to have you join us.

Message me or check out the event for details 🤍

✨ Client Highlight | Meet Barbara ✨

When Barbara first walked through our doors, she wasn’t sure Pilates was for her.

After moving to Franklin, she had tried several forms of exercise but never found the right fit. When she saw our Pilates 101 Series, she decided to give it a try—even though she admitted she was intimidated.

“I thought I wouldn’t be able to do Pilates. I’m uncoordinated, have inner ear issues, and very little flexibility.”

What she discovered was something completely different.

She found a welcoming community of classmates who encouraged her, instructors who met her exactly where she was, and a movement practice that gave her the confidence to keep showing up.

Today, Barbara shares that she has:
💚 Less body pain
💚 A stronger, flatter core
💚 Better balance and stability
💚 Greater confidence
💚 More independence

One of the most meaningful moments in her journey happened recently.

Because of an early head injury and inner ear damage, Barbara has lived with significant balance and spatial awareness challenges. She has always avoided climbing ladders and working at heights whenever possible.

Recently, she climbed onto her roof using a ladder—and, just as importantly, climbed back down confidently.

“Using my increased core strength and stability, I was able to do something I would have had to leave to someone else before. Pilates has added to my independence and confidence to overcome my fears.”

Perhaps the biggest transformation has been something many of us never have to think about—simply knowing where our body is in space.

Barbara explained that because of her injury, “my ears, eyes, and the proprioceptors in my feet don’t work well together. It’s like I have a broken gyroscope.”

She shared that following movement in a group setting has always been difficult. Looking down at her feet and back up to an instructor often caused dizziness and nausea, and she struggled to know where her feet were without watching them.

After just six months of weekly Mat and Reformer classes, she’s experiencing something remarkable.

“I’m starting to know where my feet are underneath me and on the Reformer footbar. I’m becoming more aware of how different parts of my body are positioned and can make small adjustments to better engage my core and improve my stability.”

She beautifully sums it up by saying:

“For most people this probably happens unconsciously. For me, it is a major change to finally relate to my own body.”

When asked what stood out most about the guidance she has received, Barbara shared:

“The vast knowledge of the physical body and how the instructors individualize guidance to each person’s ability and way of learning with kindness and true caring for their students.”

One response especially touched us when she shared what keeps her coming back.

“I honestly thought I would just try it, likely not be able to do the movements, and politely bow out. But I was inspired by how my fellow students—some with several decades on me—move with such confidence. The instructors always provide alternatives for new students and those with physical limitations, giving me the confidence to keep going.”

She also loves that no two classes are the same.

“Every class is different and often customized to the needs of the students that day. It’s never the same old routine.”

When asked to finish the sentence, “Since starting, I feel…”

Her answer was simple, yet powerful:

“Stronger and better connected to my new community.”

To anyone thinking about beginning their own movement journey, Barbara offers this encouragement:

“Start with the Pilates 101 Series or a private session, and don’t be afraid to ask questions. You can do this, and your body will thank you.”

💚 A Personal Note from Patti

Barbara has been such a joy to watch over these past several months.

From the very beginning, she showed up with curiosity, determination, and a willingness to trust the process—even while navigating challenges that many people never see. Watching her confidence grow has been incredibly rewarding.

One of the things I admire most about Barbara is that she never lets fear have the final word. She asks thoughtful questions, embraces new challenges, and celebrates every victory along the way. Seeing her body awareness improve and hearing stories like confidently climbing onto her roof reminds me why I love what I do.

I also love how beautifully she has become part of our Abel Wellness family. The encouragement she receives from her classmates has become encouragement she now gives to others. That is what community is all about.

Barbara, thank you for trusting us with your journey. Your perseverance, kindness, and willingness to keep learning inspire all of us. We are so proud of everything you’ve accomplished and honored to be part of your story.

🎵 Background music selection of the day: EMDR Bilateral Beats.

Since Patti began intentionally integrating these sounds into the background of class, one comment has come up again and again…

“I love the addition of the music.”
“It helps me focus.”
“I leave feeling so relaxed.”

That’s exactly the goal.

For anyone who knows Patti, you also know she has traditionally been very selective about music in class. In fact, she has typically refused to use it because it can distract from the movement, the breath, and the awareness we’re working to develop.

But this is different.

The bilateral beats are played very softly in the background—not to entertain, but to support. Rather than pulling attention away from the work, many clients have shared that it actually helps them stay present, regulate stress, and focus more deeply on what they’re feeling in their bodies.

Movement isn’t just about muscles. Your nervous system plays a huge role in how you move, balance, breathe, learn new skills, and recover from stress.

With over 17 years of experience teaching Pilates and movement, along with her work as a certified Nervous System Integration Facilitator and ongoing studies in psychology, Patti is continually weaving together movement science and nervous system research to create an environment that helps clients build strength, improve body awareness, and leave feeling more regulated than when they arrived.

Every detail of class—from the movement itself to the atmosphere we create—is chosen with intention. The addition of EMDR bilateral beats is simply another way to support how the brain and body learn, adapt, and move together.

It’s one of those small details that many people don’t notice right away, yet so many feel the difference by the time class is over.

This is what happens when Pilates meets a Nervous System Integration Facilitator… and someone who is endlessly fascinated by the science of how our brains and bodies learn, adapt, and heal together.

Movement. Awareness. Regulation. Strength.

They’re all connected. 🤍

Nervous System Reset for Anxiety | EMDR Bilateral Music for Safety & Calm Click here to Subscribe ➤ https://www.youtube.com/?sub_...

✨ Client Highlight | Meet Kim ✨

When Kim retired, she knew she wanted to invest in herself.

With young grandchildren she loves to play with, her goal was simple—to become stronger, more flexible, and ready to keep up with life’s greatest adventures.

What she didn’t expect was everything else that would come with it.

💚 New friendships.
💚 More confidence.
💚 Better balance.
💚 Increased energy.
💚 Weight loss.
💚 A deeper understanding of her own body.

Kim shared that Pilates has helped her become more aware of both her strengths and the areas that need a little extra attention, giving her the confidence to make better movement choices every day.

As Kim continued her practice, she began noticing something even deeper than physical changes.

“Pilates has given me a much better sense of my body and what works best for it. I’m aware of my strengths and my challenges, and I can address those accordingly each day.”

That kind of body awareness is one of the greatest gifts movement can offer. It builds confidence, helps us move more efficiently, and allows us to better care for ourselves both inside and outside the studio.

When asked what has stood out most about the guidance she’s received, Kim shared:

“I appreciate the approaches of both instructors and feel they are very knowledgeable in guiding each individual toward their best selves. Donnie and Patti strive to help us understand the reasons behind each exercise and always give us adaptations based upon what our bodies can handle. Gentle guidance with a lot of support is what you will receive!”

We believe understanding the why behind movement is just as important as learning the movement itself. Every body is different, and our goal has always been to help each person move with greater confidence, awareness, and resilience while honoring where they are today.

One of our favorite parts of her story is what she said about our studio community:

“I have met so many lovely people.”

Movement has an incredible way of bringing people together, and watching those friendships grow is one of our greatest joys.

When asked what keeps her coming back, Kim said it best:

“The kindness and knowledge of the instructors, the relaxed atmosphere in the studio, and the people taking classes. Such a warm and inviting place.”

And perhaps our favorite quote of all…

“Since starting, I feel more confident, stronger, and smarter about how I move my body.”

To anyone wondering if it’s too late to begin, Kim has one piece of advice:

“Do it! This was the best decision I made for myself, and my doctor agrees. Not only is my physical health improving, so is my mental health. We breathe, center ourselves, and work together to make our lives better. It’s truly the best investment I could have made after retirement.”

💚 A Personal Note from Patti

What can I say about Kim? She is one amazing lady.

She walked into the studio with clear goals and has been so committed to them. It has been such a joy watching her progress, celebrate her accomplishments, and grow stronger in so many ways. One of the highlights of my week is getting to see her every weekday in class.

Beyond her dedication to movement, Kim has become such a special part of our studio family. I love her friendship, her kindness, and the way she welcomes every person who walks through our doors. She has a remarkable gift for making people feel seen and included. Around here, I’d say she’s our unofficial Meet & Greet Director!

Kim has a tremendously loving and joyful heart. She is always smiling, always encouraging others, and her laughter is absolutely contagious. She brings a warmth to the studio that can’t be taught—it simply comes from who she is.

Kim, thank you for sharing your journey with us and for being such a beautiful part of our community. We are incredibly proud of you and grateful that we get to walk alongside you. 💚

This picture just makes my heart smile. 🥰 Some of the amazing ladies that come through our doors weekly, crazy to realize some have been with us for our 17 years as Abel Wellness. They have literally watched our daughter grow up, learn to walk, attend dance recitals, plays and loved on our family and every person that comes in the studio doors.

Some of the strongest muscles we build in the studio aren't found in the body—they're found in community. 💚

One of the things that makes my heart the happiest is watching the friendships that grow here.

These incredible ladies come together to move, laugh, encourage one another, celebrate victories, and offer support through life's ups and downs. Before long, those connections extend beyond the studio into coffee dates, walks, lunches, and their own "Pilates Pals" meet-ups.

Science continues to affirm something we've always believed: meaningful relationships are one of the greatest predictors of resilience, overall health, and longevity. Strong social connections have been shown to help regulate the nervous system, reduce stress, improve emotional well-being, and even support healthier aging.

Movement certainly makes us stronger...
But moving together makes us stronger in a different way.

Every class is an opportunity to improve balance, strength, posture, and mobility—but it's also a place where people are seen, encouraged, and welcomed exactly as they are.

That sense of belonging matters.

It's a beautiful reminder that wellness isn't just about exercise. It's about connection, shared experiences, and having people who cheer you on every step of the way.

Here's to stronger bodies, meaningful friendships, and a community that continues to inspire all of us. 💚