real results
“After a serious car accident and three years of physical therapy, I had given up on ever returning to my pre-accident level of strength. I had difficulty even lifting a grocery bag. Working with Alia has been life changing. Not only do I lift a bag of groceries without pain, but I can lift my 50 pound suitcase and toss it into the Uber with no difficulty whatsoever. Alia's expertise, warmth and encouragement have kept me focused and consistent. Not only have I improved physically, but I have improved self esteem and a new commitment to my health.”
—Dr. Mary-Laura Klesaris
“Alia’s work with me has given me greater awareness, strength, flexibility, range and freedom of movement and breath. Her coaching and teaching has empowered me with a greater sense of control. I experience less pain and stress. I am able to access and use my body and breathe in ways unimaginable without our work together. She is an extraordinary communicator and problem solver. She is able to adapt to my needs, drawing on a deep reservoir of techniques with practical and actionable steps that raise the quality of outcomes and experience. Having experience with many who teach movement, breath or yoga, Alia’s comparative and absolute value is unmatched. Worth every dollar and minute of investment, I have and will recommend her without reservation.”
— Michael Strine
“Casually talking to a friend, I was surprised by the change in the firmness of her legs… and voilà I was stirred to “Alia’s ways” of wisely working my muscles in ways not known before. Since then, I love the ongoing progression of my capabilities to move and lift while finding a strength that I thought was lost with aging. I am always amazed at Alia’s attention to detail during our training, but also at her professionalism in preparing ahead of time a training protocol that is in tune to my needs and is never boring, instead it is motivating and challenging. The most important aspect of her training is that all my pains are gone. Honestly, I don’t know what her technique is, though I call it “Alia’s ways”… of unusual movements that I have grown to trust and have fun with. Overall, Alia has a knowledge and dedication to her work that is not easy to find, and for which I am very happy to be working with her".”
— Ada Frasca
“I have had the good fortune to be working with Alia for almost two years. I didn’t really know what to expect from a movement coach, especially online. My grown children wanted me to do something to improve my strength, mobility, and balance. At 75, I no longer feel comfortable playing competitive tennis, and walking doesn't feel like enough. With Alia’s help I am standing taller, walking on icy streets with more confidence, playing with my grandchildren for hours at a time and sleeping soundly. Alia always starts by asking how I’m feeling, and she revises whatever detailed plan she had in mind so I can succeed. She keeps meticulous notes — she can remind me of the progress I’ve made on each and every exercise and movement, month-by-month. I trust Alia to give my well-being top priority, but to also help me set goals so that I can handle everyday movements and physical challenges more effectively.”
— Larry Susskind
“Over the past couple of weeks I’ve been dealing with some of the more undignified ailments that pregnancy has to offer, but I’m incredibly grateful to report that I haven’t had much musculoskeletal discomfort, which I attribute largely to our sessions. Despite having gained a lot of weight and a huuuge belly, I don’t have the same aches and pains as last time and am able to continue to go grocery shopping, walk to the places I need to go, cook and pick my toddler up.”
— Syamala Kalyanasundaram
“Returned just this morning from a week with my daughter Emily and new grand-baby Evelyn. It occurred to me several times as I was caring for the babe, up and down from the floor with Ev in my arms, carting seats and strollers and baby stuff around, hoisting my luggage in the overhead compartment etc… I take all this stuff for granted. But I look around and see how able I am compared to others my age and I want to say how grateful I am for the way Alia helps me keep my health and strength a priority.”
— Sharon Strine
“I’ve worked with Alia for years now, first as a yoga teacher, and then as a mobility and movement coach. During that time, she has challenged my ideas about my own body, and my own physical and mental abilities. I’m much stronger and capable because of working with her. My carpal tunnel issues are gone due to the regular use of Alia’s wrist program, I’ve lost weight in all the places I wanted to. But the main thing is that I know now that with her guidance, and my consistency, I can achieve the results I set for myself, no matter how out of reach they used to seem to me.”
— Jane Wilson
“I have had a wonderful experience working with Alia for more than 4 years. Her strength training and mobility sessions have elevated and invigorated my body enabling me to perform exercises (like jump roping) I never dreamed I could do in my late 70’s. Her sessions also relax my mind. As a result, I am often the most productive and creative in the hours after our sessions. I also love the challenge of learning new movements Alia introduces and appreciate her kind understanding when (as is often the case) I reach my limits. In a few words, Alia is a gem.”
— Andy Berger
“Working with Alia has enabled me to do the things I enjoy most- hiking, cross country skiing, and playing with my grandkids-in spite of arthritis in my knees and hips. She has helped me gain strength in my legs and torso so that I no longer have fear of moving in a way that might initiate pain or potentially cause damage. I can walk downstairs now without trepidation! This experience is very uplifting and liberating. Even though I know the arthritis will always be there, I have a new attitude about how to function and what my capacities are due to Alia’s careful work program designed specifically for me. She is a patient listener who adjusts her program for each session according, not only to her plan for the day, but also to whatever concerns you might have on that day. Without being pushy or a cheerleader, she will guide you through exercises to fully develop the potential you didn’t realize you had!”
— Leslie Tuttle
“I’m so thankful to be working with you! Your energy, attitude, and approach inspire curiosity, play, and possibility. Thank you for being the guide that reminds me that my body is capable of so many things. It does truly feel like I am coming home to myself.”
— Natasha Cucullo
“I am a 74 year old retired computer programmer and decided to take my hand in Pickle Ball. On the second volley, I tripped and had severe pain in my left shoulder. Medical confirmation determined I have a massively torn rotator cuff in the shoulder. I used physical therapy for several months, finding some initial help and then a plateau. Regimen was followed with no deviation. My shoulder did not improve. I switched to Alia, a movement coach. Probably the most important part of her sessions is that she listens and modifies exercises as needed. She is not easy, and believes it is important to push a body to explore potential. As a result of her sessions, I am able to do many more tasks than I could when I first came to her. I am impressed with her abilities and can’t recommend her highly enough.”
— Alan Polinsky
“Working with Alia transformed my relationship to my postpartum body. After I gave birth to my twins, I was overwhelmed by incorporating movement back into my life. Her practical and supportive approach allowed me to make incremental progress in a way that felt safe, approachable, and fun. Three years later, I am stronger than I’ve ever been. That strength, in turns, gives me the confidence and stamina I need for all parts of my life.”
— Dafna Alsheh
“The opportunity to learn the infinite number of ways to move and challenge my body and to use that knowledge in everyday movement and tasks, has provided a path for real growth. But honestly, simply the confidence that comes from feeling strong is just fantastic. Thank you for your movement program, which I now cannot imagine life without.”
— Alison Melick
“These sessions are about far more than simply moving my body. They are challenge, play, thought provoking, grounding. I laugh at myself nearly every session. Belly laugh. A true testament not only to how often I am pushed past my comfort zone but also to Alia's ability to get me there. I honestly navigate the world differently now - walking up the driveway backwards or even very simply adjusting my stance as I wash the dishes. This is not simply movement to move. It is movement to live.”
— Molly Donahue
“Ever since I have started training with Alia, I have made some significant changes in my life. Having been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease for the last 15 years, my quality of life has improved with better mobility & flexibility. Alia creative methods makes it all the more fun to work with her.”
— JM
I began working with Alia almost 3 years ago, when at the height of the Covid pandemic, I developed debilitating – and undiagnosable – pain in my hip. Over the course of three months, I went from a fully-functioning, highly active person to a person who could barely walk a city block. Physical therapy, chiropractic treatments and even a steroid injection did nothing to help. There was even talk of an eventual hip replacement! Finally, my daughter in law introduced me to Alia saying, ‘Maybe she can help you. It can’t hurt!’ After an initial assessment, Alia and I started with the most basic of movements and strengthening exercises – which have led to full-on movement and strength training three times a week. Not only did the pain go away, but I am stronger and more mobile than I have been in years. Alia is a true pro and an absolute delight to work with. To say she’s changed my life is an understatement.
— Rebecca Lainovic
When I first started seeing Alia, I did not really know where to begin, but I knew that I wanted to improve my strength, confidence, and range of motion. Alia took these broadly defined goals and built a highly customized program that included a diverse set of exercises. The result has been that I feel far more confident in daily activity, from lifting objects to reaching for things and, more generally, moving in the world. I have a much greater awareness of my own body and what it is capable of. My quality of life has improved significantly with more strength and flexibility, and I tend to have fewer (and less severe) aches and pains. Perhaps most significantly, my work with Alia has made me feel confident when holding my child, and comfortable getting on the ground to play with him, when getting on the ground is something I never previously felt very comfortable doing.
Alia’s approach is unique in that it is obvious she spends a lot of time and energy planning highly customized sessions, but she is also able to tailor those sessions depending on how I am feeling on any particular day. Throughout the process, the sessions have been challenging but accessible. And Alia does all of this with a tremendous amount of patience and empathy.
— David K.