Credentials and Philosophy

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Meet Ashley

Ashley Whitson has over 10 years of experience working with people of all ages and ability as a personal trainer and a group fitness instructor.  

She is an American Council on Exercise (ACE) Certified Personal Trainer, Pilates Instructor certified through the Kane-Kinected Pilates Center, Functional Movement Systems (FMS) Professional, NeuroKinetic Therapy (NKT) Practitioner, Pre/Post Natal Exercise Specialist certified through The American Fitness Professionals and Associates (AFPA), a StrongFirst Kettlebell Instructor (SFG), an Instructor of the Martha Graham Dance Technique through the Martha Graham Dance Center, and holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Dance from the University of Massachusetts Amherst. Ashley has completed all of the primary courses and several secondary courses through The Postural Restoration Institute (PRI). She completed her Doctorate in Physical Therapy (DPT) at Hunter College in 2020 and is one of the first DPT students to become a certified therapist in the Schroth Method for Scoliosis.

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As a professional dancer, Ashley performed with The Martha Graham 2 Dance Ensemble, The Martha Graham Dance Company as a member of The Cercando Picasso Italian Tour, 360 Degrees Dance Company, David Grenke TICM, and more.

The Philosophy

Ashley custom designs each program in a progressive manner tailored to the needs and goals of each individual client or class. After an evaluation of each client’s movement patterns, proper exercises to reset muscular imbalances and improve body alignment will be assigned if needed. Once a functional foundation is established, more advanced training takes place for optimal fitness. 
 
“Fitness is not solely about training the body but about focusing the mind while you move. By developing correct neuromuscular patterns we can re-shape our bodies. This focus leads to mental clarity that translates to our everyday lives just as training proper form changes posture. When clients understand why they are doing a specific exercise and how to perform it properly they will receive the most out of it.”