Meet our founder, Rachel Lando
Rachel is a teacher of Yoga, Pilates, Self-Massage, and Anatomy + Physiology based out of Park City, Utah. She’s eccentric, she laughs loudly, and she’s bold in her softness.
Rachel has always loved to study and teach. After being raised in Miami, Rachel moved Northeast, where she received a Bachelor of Arts with honors in 2007 from Wellesley College. Her passion for education led her to enroll in a graduate program at Columbia University focused on Jewish Literature, but her adventurous spirit called her to drop out, abandon life in the city, and move out to the wild West.
In 2012, Rachel’s dreams and body grew disfigured when she was diagnosed with the autoimmune condition scleroderma. The five years that followed were focused on survival. Though filled with joyous milestones including marriage and motherhood, it was difficult for her to live a “normal” life. Following the perforation and emergency removal of her large intestine, Rachel grew singularly focused on health, wellness, and movement for those with limitations.
In 2019, Rachel completed her Yoga Teacher certification at Inbody Academy, and continued her movement teacher training with Movement Therapist Dana Levy. Since then, she has certified in Comprehensive Pilates through Balanced Body and became Tune Up Fitness certified after training in breath, rolling, and movement with “Roll Model” Jill Miller.
Her fascination with fitness is not limited to the external; she loves to teach on physiology, the subtle and internal movements within the body. In addition to her anatomy coursework, Rachel has completed three human anatomy dissections focused on fascia and tissue biomechanics, including cadaver labs with the renowned Dr. Gil Hedley and fascial experts, Drs. Antonio and Carla Stecco.
Rachel has also trained with and feels deep gratitude to Abigail Atkinson, Kyle Draheim, Rachel Scott, Mel Salvatore August, Tom Myers, Madeline Black, Dr. Edwin Bryant, Cindy Metcalf, Dr. Rebecca May, D’ana Baptiste, Heather Sky, Rebecca Brenner, Anna Lee Sanders and Yoga for Scleroderma.
She is thankful for the encouragement of her regular students, especially Linda and Cindy, and her incredible famiy, who push her to grow and laugh each day. She is also grateful to Dr. Tracy Frech for saving her life and her digits in 2013.
Outside of teaching, Rachel enjoys spending time with her wonderful family and friends. Getting outdoors in the winters can be hard on her, but she delights in mindful walks in the summer, travel, trying new flavors, writing, and delicious coffee or tea paired with fabulous conversation.
Sarah Hart
Sarah never dreamed of teaching Pilates. Inspired by her B.A. in Sociology from CU Boulder, Sarah held more interest in her work, organizing communities, and spending time in the beautiful mountains of Colorado than in fitness. It just happened.
After being diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis in 2022, Sarah’s outlook on the importance of exercise changed when she learned that it is one of the best ways to manage the progression of her condition.
Then, she reprioritized her focus to finding practices to help her sustain her health. When Sarah began exercising with the Patient Care Movement community, she found more joy, balance and coordination in movement.
Sarah began training in Pilates with Balanced Body in 2023. She loves helping others discover that feeling good in your body is possible–even after a tough diagnosis–as long as you move in a way uniquely right for you.
Outside of working with the PCM community, you’ll find Sarah making memories with her husband of 12 years, Sean, and her adorable son Callan. She enjoys good food, cozy movie nights, the feel of rain and creating warm, inviting spaces.
