How My Journey Began

My journey in the health and wellness industry began when I was diagnosed with Scoliosis at the young age of 10-years-old. Thankfully, I was blessed that my mother’s side of the family mainly consisted of chiropractors. When we noticed the development in my scoliosis my parents consulted with our family, and we decided to focus on rehabilitation through alternative methods of treatment. At the time, the surgery seemed too invasive and I didn’t feel comfortable with the thought of having metal rods placed in my back. I had always been extremely active and didn’t want to be limited in any way, which was another reason surgery didn’t feel right for me.   

Over the past decade I’ve been able to receive teaching on just about every Scoliosis treatment regimen in existence today including CLEAR Institute, the Scroth Method, Spine Core Bracing, in addition to many more. These teaching have been instilled in my brain and I refer back to the exercises and breath work during my own practice and flows every day. 

When I was 16, I was scouted by a modeling agency and so began my ten-year career in the fashion industry. I loved modeling but it left me feeling extremely insecure of my body, especially because of my scoliosis curve. Around the age of 25, my curve became more noticeable and started affecting my modeling career, so I decided to take it as a sign to step back from modeling and regain my focus on what I was truly passionate about: health and wellness. After graduating from FIU, I became a Certified Health Coach & continued exploring different ways to decrease my Scoliosis curve through exercise and regular chiropractic care. It was this focus and education that allowed me to live a healthy life, without resorting to surgery, and remain for the most part PAIN FREE. 

A few years ago, I had a conflict during a workout class where the instructor insisted that I do a certain pose in a way I was sure wasn’t good for me, or anyone with similar back issues. I found it frustrating to be trained by someone who didn’t respect my personal understanding of my own limits and publicly demanded that I do an exercise that would hurt me more than help me. Even with my explanation, she wouldn’t permit the minor modifications that would allow me to avoid unnecessary strain and pain. A couple months later, I experienced the same prejudice at a yoga studio, and it made me feel like I wasn’t being seen or heard. I would try to explain my condition to these instructors but was surprised how many of them didn’t understand the condition and let their own pride get in the way. 

In 2018 I received the opportunity to temporarily teach a friend’s ballet barre class while she was traveling, and I seized the opportunity. I’d taken the class many times, and loved its unique combination of yoga, ballet, and Pilates. This finally motivated me to create and teach a workout flow that felt good to not only my body, but one that my students ended up loving as well! This sparked my interest in teaching low-impact workouts, with a focus on lengthening and strengthening the spine. My method is a fusion class mainly consisting of yoga and Pilates, but I love incorporating ballet barre at times as well. 

In today’s culture, with people spending hours of each day hunched over a computer or phone, this type of exercise is more essential than ever. I don’t believe you need to spend an hour a day killing yourself in gym to obtain the body you want; I’m living proof that that! Since I started creating my own workouts, I’ve been working out 20-30min per day, 4 days a week. This is coming from a person who use to believe she had to spend 2 hours working out every day, seven days a week – and let me tell you, since I left that mind set, I’m happier, I’m leaner, and have no back pain! The key to a healthy life is movement, loving and accepting your body, and enjoying life. That’s what I hope to teach you on Organically Grounded! 

xx,

Marlaina