Reforming Foundations Pilates & Wellness stands out with its holistic approach, integrating modern Pilates techniques with physical therapy and comprehensive wellness programs. This method goes beyond traditional exercise, focusing on healing, strength, endurance, and controlled mobility while deepening the connection between mind and body. “I think Pilates is a system of movement that every human needs to experience in their body,” shared Brooke, owner of Reforming Foundations. “Traditionally, it’s known as a form of strength and resistance training using your own body weight, spring resistance or spring assistance. The method of Pilates, invented by Joseph Pilates, involves incorporating your breath when moving from your center, bringing awareness, concentration, and focus to it. Using principles of precision and the mind-body connection, Pilates becomes a beautiful form of movement that respects your body while building strength and mobility.”
Joseph Pilates envisioned his method as a universal practice, accessible to everyone regardless of age, ability, or purpose, a vision that lives on today. At Reforming Foundations, clients range from young children to seasoned athletes and those in their golden years. Brooke has worked with professional hockey and basketball players, as well as the Detroit Lions' special teams, training athletes like Ziggy Ansah, Kenny Golladay, Darius Slay, Don Muhlbach, Matt Prater, and Leo Koloamatangi. The beauty of Pilates lies in its adaptability, whether enhancing athletic performance, supporting dancers with precision, or helping grandparents play comfortably with their grandchildren, it meets everyone where they are. Pilates isn’t just for some, it’s for everybody.
This versatility makes Pilates a safe, functional form of movement grounded in exercise science. The approach feels natural and restorative, building balance and strength in the body without strain. “The beauty in Pilates is that time under tension, reps to fatigue, and focusing on what is moving versus what is stabilizing, all from a biomechanical perspective,” explains Brooke. “In order for movement potential to be achieved, something has to be strong, and something has to be mobile. If you don’t have the balance between the two, there will be movement compensation.”
Brooke's journey to founding Reforming Foundations Pilates & Wellness began as a deeply personal experience that blossomed into a mission to serve others. She envisioned a space where people of all ages and abilities could feel welcome, train safely, and connect with their bodies. Today, Reforming Foundations stands as a beacon of inclusivity and functional wellness, providing clients with a safe space to grow stronger, healthier, feel at home in their bodies and more confident in their movement. The lessons learned from early challenges in Brooke’s own Pilates journey, including the risks of improper technique, directly shaped the foundation of the business. This commitment to safety, education, and mindful movement remains central to the studio’s philosophy today and defines the Reforming Foundations difference. Dr. Lindsay Brandt, DPT, OMPT, brings her expertise as a physical therapist to Reforming Foundations, where rehabilitation and Pilates blend seamlessly into a harmonious approach to wellness. As co-author of the Reforming Foundations School of Pilates Teacher Training program, she collaborates with Brooke to modernize the traditional Pilates repertoire with contemporary movement science, ensuring safe and functional movement for everybody. At Reforming Foundations, clients are guided by highly trained instructors with multiple certifications and advanced degrees in fields like physical therapy, exercise science, kinesiology, and dance. The studio's holistic and personalized instruction, paired with beautifully crafted, American-made Balanced Body machines, fosters recovery, strength, and wellness. For those looking to share the transformative power of Pilates, this comprehensive Teacher Training program offers an inspiring path to a meaningful career in movement and is held right here in downtown Rochester twice a year.
Brooke’s decision to establish her studio in downtown Rochester was rooted in a deep passion for supporting historical downtown districts. Growing up in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, she fondly recalls family trips into the small downtown district of Manistique, where visiting local shops was an event in itself. “In this modern age of malls and suburban sprawl, I believe downtown districts are where true community happens,” she shares. This belief has guided her to ensure all three of her studios are located in downtown historical spaces, each chosen for its unique charm and significance.
The Rochester studio is housed in the town’s old historical library, a building steeped in community legacy. Built in 1926, the library served as a cornerstone of knowledge and gathering for decades. The space’s stunning architecture captivated Brooke with its high ceilings, exposed wooden beam trusses, and walls of windows that flood the studio with natural light. “The light in this building is incredible, it feels alive,” she says. “The exposed trusses remind me a little of the barn beams on my family’s farm growing up,” and that connection to history and nature just resonated with her. At over 6,000 square feet, this is her largest studio yet, offering the perfect canvas to bring her dream Pilates space to life while honoring Rochester’s rich history.
Reforming Foundations offers a variety of Pilates classes tailored to different fitness levels and goals, including, Foundations, Reform, Core Stability, Power, Total Body Hiit, Pilates Flow, Mat Pilates, Tai Chi and restore with Sound Healing. For a more personalized experience, Reforming Foundations offers private sessions, including one-on-one and semi-private options, allowing instructors to tailor workouts to individual needs and goals.
Pilates should never feel intimidating, and at Reforming Foundations, our mission is to make it accessible to everyone. Whether you're new to exercise, recovering from an injury, or simply seeking to feel at home in your body, we provide a supportive community where you can learn to move with confidence. It can be a life-changing experience to first understand how to hold your body in alignment before movement even begins, laying the foundation for growth, strength, and healing.
The Pilates method meets every person where they are on their journey, offering transformative benefits addressing the whole person, body, mind, and spirit, Pilates becomes a cornerstone of holistic health, empowering individuals to move through life with strength, balance, and vitality.
We believe in the art and science of holistic movement, combining mindful techniques, functional training, and a whole-body approach to wellness. At Reforming Foundations, our goal is to empower you to feel strong, balanced, and aligned, both in your body and in your life. Because when movement meets mindfulness, it’s not just fitness, it’s transformative wellness.