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A bit about empower
We wanted to create a space for people to see wellness and health as empowering, not a chore. Health and wellness are such broad terms that we think leave a little too much to the imagination. When you break it down, it's pretty simple. For example, as you sit here reading this right now, how healthy do you feel? Your gut instinct should give you a pretty good answer.
Creating a healthy relationship with your body, especially as a woman, is not a small feat. It takes some hard work, and some love. So we're here to make it just that little bit easier. Let's get healthier.
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We offer a range of solutions to your health needs, all under one roof. Classes for training strength and mobility, private and personal training, massage therapy, nutrition and health coaching. Our experienced team can help you find the best plan for you, your body and your life.
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Madelyn Skilton
Founder of Empower Wellness
Barre Instructor
Yoga Instructor
Personal Trainer
Massage Therapist
Nutrition & Health Coach
Email:
A bit about Madelyn
"Born and raised in Rotorua, I have always been surrounded and captivated by nature. Swimming and hiking are my favourite ways to appreciate being outdoors.
Inside, dancing is my sanctuary. I have danced since I was 6 years old and still love teaching and being in classes today.
Between swimming in the lakes and dancing in the studio, movement has been at the heart of what I love to do for as long as I can remember. So it seems natural that I would enjoy chasing a career in helping others keep their bodies moving. To be the person that enables healthier and easier motion is the goal for me.
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I am a fully qualified personal trainer, barre instructor and yoga instructor. The most recent addition to my toolkit is a sports and therapeutic massage diploma, as well as a nutrition certification. I've always felt that traditional gyms, while they have there place, don't necessarily lend themselves to everyone's needs. My passion is working with people who feel like they don't fit the 'fit' mold. Tailored plans are needed because while we all have a body, every single one is different - therefore we have different needs and different goals for where we want to be. I look forward to sharing what I can with you to help your healing, growth and movement journey!"
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- Madelyn
A bit about Myah
Myah has a 16 year background in dance with extensive training at AMJAZZ Dance Studios in Rotorua and teaching dance in the last 5 years. She's recently been working on completing her Junior Jazz Teaching Certificate and teaching Aerial Yoga classes.
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This accomplished gal has a Diploma in Sports, Recreation and Exercise giving her an awesome all round understanding of the body, training and how to get the best results from your movement. Her most recent addition to her tool box is Pilates, which she has just completed training in for both Mat and Reformer Pilates.
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You can catch the beautiful Myah in her Monday night Pilates with us or Thursday morning! Enjoy her juicy sessions and bubbly fun classes!
A bit about Philly
Philly had to be renamed for our team, because two Maddy's seemed too much to handle! Philly is a civil servant by day and one of our barre instructors by night.
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She danced as a child and travelled as a circus performer in her teens meaning movement was in her blood from a young age. Even as she moved away from this as an adult, she still dabbles in dance and circus arts now.
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Originally from the United States, she loves to bring a little extra pizzazz to every one of her classes and works hard to connect people to their bodies - and give them a good workout!
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You can join Philly for her amazing Barre class on Wednesday nights!
A bit about Pilates
Pilates is a juicy, slow burn class that really works on activating the whole body. Not only is it a great full body work out, and ideal for working all those little stabilizer muscles, but it really benefits the core.
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By working from the deep core out, this form of training is awesome for injury prevention, injury rehabilitation, and all round strength. It is highly recommended, especially by physios and other manual therapists for backpain as the root of this is often from a weak core and trunk. Our classes are a great way to begin your Pilates journey focusing on mat work and the fundamentals. We have drop in rates available, as well as discounted 'Blocks' when you sign up for 6 classes in a row.
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What is Barre?
What is Barre? If you've chatted to Maddy, she'll say it's "Pilates on crack". Barre incorporates a ballet barre (hence the name) and some VERY basic dance positions - it is not a dance based training. With this it has a basis of Pilates, incorporating mat and standing work, and some work at the barre used for balance. We use a range of props like light weights, resistance bands, resistance balls to challenge and work you that bit harder! Where barre really differs from Pilates is the music and intensity - we always have the tunes pumping and the tempo of class tends to be a little faster than Pilates to really get that heart rate working!
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Barre is great for a medium to high intensity workout but without any impact, perfect for those re-entering their fitness journey, pregnant, managing an injury or just wanting a good workout! There's plenty of both modifications and advancements meaning it can be tailored to you and your needs! Book a class through the Class Bookings tab. We have drop in rates available, as well as discounted 'Blocks' when you sign up for 6 classes in a row.
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A bit about massage
Massage therapy is a physical therapy that can be done through the clothes or directly onto the skin using balms or oils, which is how we offer massage at empower. Studies show massage therapy is effective in releasing oxytocin, which is known as a the 'love hormone' and very beneficial in reducing feelings of fear or anxiety.
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Slow, calming massage strokes with a medium pressure have been shown to lower activity in the sympathetic nervous systems, meaning it can put localized muscles or even the whole body into a deep state of calm and relaxation. In addition to massage we now offer Cupping Therapy, this is at no extra cost within a one hour massage session, however you can also have a stand alone session if you're short on time. You can read more about cupping in the massage page or on our blog. Cupping, along with our deep tissue massage are both amazing for muscle recovery whether you're an athlete, feeling those Pilates classes or managing an injury. Our therapists can help you to tailor a massage plan for longer term benefits and get you feeling good.
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Studies and research aside, massage is a great way to take some time out just for you. Life get's busy. We've said it before but we'll say it again, we want to keep it simple. The bottom line is that nothing leaves you feeling quite as zen as an hour long massage after a busy week. We've got it covered.
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We offer massage therapy as a mobile service, bringing relaxation to your door. We also have a brand new clinic space located in Okere Falls, Rotorua with both of our therapists Maddy and Alex. Bookings for mobile and clinic massage can be made via email or sending us a message on 021 085 14229.
A bit about Personal Training
The normal picture in your head when someone says personal training tends to be a big guy in a gym lifting weights. That's exactly the picture we're trying to get rid of. Our personal training looks a little (or a lot) more like the image on the right, with one of our current PT clients.
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A lot of people, especially women, tend to feel overwhelmed or intimidated by the gym and everything within it. We wanted to create a style of training that's as personal and tailored as it gets. Our PT options aren't in a gym, either training you one on one from the comfort of your own home, in a private studio space, or (weather permitting) in the glorious outdoors.
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With a focus on custom programs that are client specific in every way, from pelvic floor rehabilitation, mobility work post knee or hip replacements, to just general fitness and weight loss - we have you covered every step of the way. For more information on personal training or private yoga sessions please email or give us a call to have a consult.
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A bit about yoga
At empower, we offer yin yoga as our primary style of yoga. Yin is a slow and restorative practice, consisting of asanas (poses) held for any where from 30 seconds to several minutes. This allows the muscles and fascia to release and deepen into the pose. We also offer Hatha yoga which is slightly more of a flow and a slight increase in some strengthening and toning work as well as lengthening. Our classes are run by both of our experienced 200 hour yoga instructors Maddy and Phoebe.
You can check out our class timetable for classes on offer under the Book Classes tab. Our classes are open to drop ins at any time. However we also run in 6 week blocks for continuity of training both for students and teachers, which also offers you a discount so you get even better value for money! You can email us to enquire or check out the class page to book online.
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We also offer one on one yoga trainings for those wanting a more tailored practice from home or for specific rehabilitation or mobility.
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