Arlene and her story

Arlene Corcoran

Arlene Corcoran, MFA, CPT

Studio Owner & Master Instructor

Arlene came to Pilates and her current Myofascial practice after a lifetime of battling with chronic pain. Through her work she has been able not only to manage, but to overcome what was once a debilitating struggle. She received her Pilates education through The Kane School in New York City (now Kinected Pilates Center) in 2006, and opened her own studio here in Tucson in 2007. Since starting her own practice, Arlene has studied with Brent Anderson, Marie Jose Blom, Karen Clippinger, Amy Taylor Alpers, Anna Marie Vitali and many others. In addition to Classic Pilates Equipment and Mat training, her training also included Anatomy, Biomechanics and Special Needs Populations. She began studying the Fascia as well. This study has led her to an expanded knowledge allowing her to practice and understand the function of Fascia in her own body and in the complex patterns of her clients’ bodies.

National Pilates Certification Program
Certificate: N42975 Valid through 11.04.26

Kane School Pilates Certification :: C.P.T.
Kane School of Core Integration, New York, NY
January, 2004 – June, 2006

Her Story

Arlene’s Story

At the age of 36, Arlene was in chronic, persistent pain. Since the age of 13, she had been periodically incapacitated by an ‘awry’ neck: an extremely painful condition that caused her to be bedridden and immobilized by pain several times a year. As time passed, three auto accidents, multiple ankle sprains, weight swings, miscarriages and childbirth took their toll on her body. She was left with accumulated injury patterns and no knowledge of how to manage the changing environment her body had become. Doctors prognoses were of little long-term effect as she moved through many cities and continued her search for relief.

Over the years she saw chiropractors, osteopaths, orthopedic surgeons, massage therapists, healers, and acupuncturists. She found some relief with certain modalities but never found full relief from the menacing pain patterns. She found her way to Core Fitness in Manhattan where she trained as a client for 11 years. Along the way, she developed her unique methodology that ceased her chronic pain patterns.

With her chronic pain at bay, she was certified to teach at Kelly Kane’s Pilates Studio in New York in 2006. In addition to Classic Pilates Equipment & Mat, The Kane School specializes in Anatomy and Special Needs/Special Populations. This expanded knowledge allowed her to finally understand how she had rid herself of her lifetime pain patterns and led to the development of Body Flossing®. This history informs her eclectic program at The Belly Studio to this day.

Fascia Education

Continuing Pilates & Fascia Education:

2025 7th International Fascia Research Congress Attendance. New Orleans

British Fascia Symposium 2020” 45 Hours of online educational content with Worldwide Experts & Researchers in Fascia. Virtual, May 15-19th 2020.

“Fascia as Sensory Organ” with Dr. Robert Schleip and Tom Myers of ‘Anatomy Trains.’ Boston, February 2019. 3 days of workshop.

Oov 3D and Assessment with Daniel Vladeta, D.O. Neuroscientist & Amy Broekemeier, DPT, CMPT, PMA-CPT May 6-7, 2017, Salt Lake City, UT Polestar Education at Pinnacle Performance

Oov Fundamentals (2nd) with Daniel Vladeta, D.O. Neuroscientist & Amy Broekemeier, DPT, CMPT, PMA-CPT Fletcher Pilates Conference, May 4, 2017, Tucson, AZ (1 day)

Oov Fundamentals (1st) with Daniel Vladeta, D.O. Neuroscientist & Amy Broekemeier, DPT, CMPT, PMA-CPT Body Quest, February, 2016, Tucson, AZ (2 days)

Fascia & Pilates Workshop / Italy with Anna Marie Vitali, Dr. Carla Stecco, Dr. Antonio Stecco: 5 days workshop studying Fascia, Movement Pilates. July 2015- Terme District, Italy

FAMI: Functional Anatomy for Movement Instructors
Kinected Pilates Center/ Mount Sinai Hospital Medical School, July 2013

Polestar Advanced Assessment Workshop I
March 2011, Tucson, AZ

Education

Arlene’s Education

Workshops:

Embracing the Curves & Unraveling the Mystery of Scoliosis: Marie Jose Blom (4/7/2017) 6 hr workshop
Pilates On Tour, Rehab Conference 2017, Phoenix, AZ

Pilates: The Gateway to Neuromuscular Symmetry: Allyson Cabot, MPT, Gabrielle Shrier, MPT (4/8/2017) 3 hr workshop
Pilates On Tour, Rehab Conference 2017, Phoenix, AZ

Testing the Core: Matt McCulloch, Elliot Fishbein, PT, OCS, DFMT,FAAOMPT (4/8/2017) 3 hr workshop
Pilates On Tour, Rehab Conference 2017, Phoenix, AZ

Ask the Expert: Pilates Rehab for Back Injuries: Matt McCulloch (4/9/2017) 3 hr workshop
Pilates On Tour, Rehab Conference 2017, Phoenix, AZ

Integrative Mat for Special Populations: Matt McCulloch (4/9/2017) 3 hr workshop
Pilates On Tour, Rehab Conference 2017, Phoenix, AZ

Karin Locher, PMA, CPT; ‘The Auto-Regulated Pelvis,’
2016 Annual Meeting of the Pilates Method Alliance, The PMA: Conference, Phoenix, AZ

Rebecca Hess, PMA, CPT; Developing & Conducting Quality Research 2016 Annual Meeting of the Pilates Method Alliance, The PMA: Conference, Phoenix, AZ

Real Isacowitz,, PMA, CPT; Wunda Chair Workout 2016 Annual Meeting of the Pilates Method Alliance, The PMA: Conference, Phoenix, AZ

Dr. Carla Stecco; Anthony Stecco, Dr. Anna Marie Vitali, Fisicamente Pilates, Italy
2015 Fascia Research Conference, Fisicamente Retreat. Montegrotto, Italy, Movement & Lectures with Dr. Carla Stecco. Fascia Modifications for the Pilates Repertoire.

Fascia Work: Marie Jose Blom
Pilates On Tour 2014, Phoenix

Dr. Brent Anderson, Founder, Director Polestar Pilates
2010 Annual Meeting of the Pilates Method Alliance, The PMA: A New Vision Conference, Long Beach, CA

New Science of the Human Body: Neurofascial Science and Application for Pilates
Sue Hitzmann, Founder of the M.E.L.T. Method – November 20, 2010

Special Cases: Impact, Modifications, and the Classical Approach
Lesly Levy, P.M.A.; C.P.T. – November 20, 2010

Lifelong Pilates and the Body / Pilates Plus Psyche
Mary Bowen, P.M.A.; C.P.T.; Jungian Analyst – November 20, 2010

Pilates Applications for Pelvic Floor Dysfunction
Allyson Cabot, P.T.; P.M.A.; C.P.T.; A.P.T.A. – November 20, 2010

Advanced Teaching Skills
Amy Taylor Alpers, P.M.A.; C.P.T. – November 20, 2010

Pilates and the Energy of the Movement Brain
Wendy LeBlanc Arbuckle, P.M.A.; C.P.T. – November 20, 2010

Balanced Body University: Pilates On Tour
2010 Phoenix: Rehab Summit

Working with Post-Mastectomy, Osteoporosis and Shoulder Pathologies: Using Fletcher Towelwork, Spine Corrector & Ped-O-Pull Sherri Betz, P.T. & Kyria Sabin – April 2010

Hip & Knee Biomechanics on the Pilates Reformer
Karen Clippinger, M.S.P.E. – April 2010

The Foot Workout
Kelly Kane/Kane School of Core Integration – April 2010

Release Your Neck & Liberate Your Shoulders
Eric Franklin – April 2010

Understanding the Low Back Through Understanding Psoas
Kelly Kane/Kane School of Core Integration – April 2010

Feldenkrais Workshop
Razumny & Razumny / Movement Educators – March 2009

Degrees

University Degrees:

Masters of Fine Arts: Creative Writing :: M.F.A.
New York University, NY, NY
January, 1996

Bachelor of Arts: English Literature :: B.A.
Minors: Math/Chemistry/Geology
University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ
January, 1979

Arlene stays at the forefront of movement science. Most recently, she led the Working with Hypermobility intensive at The Belly Studio, providing specialized strategies for the local community. If you are interested in a workshop with Arlene or 1:1 coaching, contact her directly.

Contact Arlene

Studies