Personal trainer discusses ways to feel better through Foundation Training

KANAWHA COUNTY, W.Va. (WCHS/WVAH) — It's getting close to making New Year's resolutions and a popular one is to feel better.

Some personal trainers in Charleston are encouraging you to give foundation training a try.

"I was like, 'I have to get certified to do this. This is going to be life changing to people once they've tried it,’” said Shalimar Wilder, certified foundation training instructor.

Wilder has been doing foundation training for about three years. She said she does it throughout her day.

Foundation training is a series of poses, postures and movements that help decompress the spine, find imbalances and weaknesses and learn how to correct and strengthen them.

"I have new people come in and all I ask them to do is be open to listening to your body and what it has to tell you,” said Wilder. “As long as you feel something different when you leave, it doesn't have to be good or bad, but as long as it's different I promise you when you come back you'll feel much better."

Training starts with breathing. Wilder said learning to breathe deeper and stronger can help improve posture. She said she's seen a change in the people who've done foundation training.

"They're moving better. They're running faster. They're lifting better. They're sleeping better. They don't have nerve pain in their hands anymore,” Wilder said.

The movements are all things she teaches during her classes.

"My life has changed mostly from changing other people's and see they can do stuff again and that they don't have to be so sedentary,” Wilder said.

Foundation training classes are available at Lifespring Yoga in Kanawha City.

On Sundays at 5 p.m. there are beginner classes. More advanced classes are on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 8:30 a.m.

A beginner foundation training workshop will be held on January 13 at 4 p.m.

For more information about other classes available, click here.