Meet Allie Christensen of Align Fitness By Allie

Today we’d like to introduce you to Allie Christensen.

Allie, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I am originally from Utah where I was born and raised. Being raised in a state that is predominately Mormon, and I not being of that faith, is something I am so grateful for. I have amazing friends who are Mormon, but I had a fair share of being stereo typed a certain way for not being the popular faith. It has taught me actions speak louder than words and to be compassionate, because everyone is just doing the best they can with the information they can digest.

I started dancing at age 7, mostly because my sister was doing it and I think I didn’t want to be left out. I danced at the local studio and through the next 10 years made some of my best friends, learned trying hard is never over rated, and being kind will bring amazing people and opportunities into my life.

One day I decided if I wanted to dance professionally I was going to have to search out all the instruction I could. I took privates early in the morning, commuted an hour to be enrolled in one of the best ballet schools in the state and spent extra time teaching dance so I could pay for my dance education.

At 18 I moved to San Francisco to dance with The LINES Ballet Ensemble and stayed there for two years, where I would start to develop my passion for the idea that each dancer has something different to give and a ‘cookie cutter’ approach to dance was not going to fly with me. A big part of that discovery was having time to dive in to what I do now, The GRYOTONIC® Method.

One day, I was told to go into a class that was being offered and “experience the choreographer”.

Half way through the class he pulled me up to the front, and asked if I would like to be part of The Kibbutz Contemporary Dance Company Masa. I had no idea what he was talking about! It turned out this was an audition, and this company was in Israel! With many stories and things to talk about, I spent a year in Israel, knowing nothing of the culture, customs, or language when I got there and it was the riches and best experience of my life.

When I came back to the states I had injured my hip quite badly which inevitably ended my time as a professional dancer. This injury challenged me to the max! Including the time, I had to use a wheel chair to get through the airport. I remember crying as I got pushed, and wondering how I could be here!

The Gyrotonic method came back into my life as I came back to the US and I became a certified Instructor. This method has allowed me to help others, athlete or elderly to heal their body and make a life they want to live.

I now have a program designed to assist aspiring dancers to be healthy physically and mentally, and am integrating it into dance schools all around Orange County. I have teamed up with a Sports Medicine Dr. who has a background in dance. Our goal is to give dancers the chance to train like athletes, and perform like artists.

Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
A sport is a challenge all on its own. A sport that has to be delicate, intelligent, and graceful is 100 times harder. There were many ups and downs with my training and career, and many moments I had no idea what was next in life. I had to just trust that I was a hard worker, and a sponge, something would come my way.

When I stopped dancing, I remember thinking how lucky I was to get away without an eating disorder. As I moved on from the professional dance world I realized I did not leaving the world of dance without a mental “dis-ease” about food. I was not throwing up or starving myself but the crazy, unhealthy thoughts that went through my head started to surface and I realized it was not the empowering, loving, compassionate way I viewed others.

When I was in Israel, I got a Labrel tear to the hip while I was dancing. I danced through it, (dancers are the best at ignoring pain) and when I got back to the US I tried so hard to tell myself it was a minor injury.

I was told it was a severe tear and would need surgery. When I asked what happened in the future, the story ended with a hip replacement by the time I was 30. I remember a trip to an audition where I had to ask for a wheel chair to get through the airport. I silently bawled at what my body had become. I went and didn’t even audition. It was at that point I decided there had to be a way for me to heal my body, stay involved with movement, and be happy

Gyrotonic is a movement modality that is not well known in the US. In Europe is used and praised for its healing and strengthening effect, and is actually paid for by insurance! Here, It is still building a reputation. Every time I tell someone what I do they say “gyro-what?”

Add this on top of building a business from scratch with no idea what to do. I remember the day I thought, “holy shit! I own a business and have to be good at it!” I have since then taken business classes, spend WAY more time on my computer then I thought I ever would, as well as continue to explore and learn what the body is capable of. It has had some many ups and downs but I’m so proud of not only the business I own, but the care all of my clients feel from me. After all, They are the reason I do this!

Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Align Fitness By Allie – what should we know?
I am a GYROTONIC® Instructor. This way of movement facilitates the body to move in a way that prolongs the health of joints and muscles. Increasing range of motion and strength with improved balance and alignment are just some of the benefits. It moves the body in a natural 3 dimensional way, (like our joints do) and is used by athletes and elderly alike.

I have studied Personal training as well as nutrition to give my clients the most information I can.

I specialize in dancers and athletes. It is such a natural fit for my life experience, as well as the GYROTONIC® system to aid them in performance enhancement. It’s amazing and I wish I had discovered this as a 12-year-old.

I also see a nice mix of moms, office executives, and elderly, looking for strength and longevity. My youngest client is 12 and my oldest is 95! With her we sing songs to find rhythm in her movement, she teaches me Japanese, and we work to keep her body, mind, spirits high. She is always a light in my week.

As I mentioned before, I have cofounded a program called Elite Performance and our goal is to educated dancers on their bodies as technicians and artist. So many dancers know how to move, but not why they move that way… They need to develop and opinion not only about their artistry and craft, but their body.

I am most proud of the numerous clients that have reached their goals. Professional dance careers, sports, eliminating pain, going on their trip without worrying about their knees hurting.

Any shoutouts? Who else deserves credit in this story – who has played a meaningful role?
Maurya Kerr, is Gyrotonic Trainer is San Francisco that let me trade Gyrotonic Sessions for me cleaning her apartment! It was under her guidance that I truly saw the potential of this system and what it could do for me. I want to do this for others and give opportunities to enjoy movement.

My Gyrotonic mentor Debra Rose brought healing to life through movement and I saw it was possible to influence people with movement (like dance) in everyday life

My parents are my number one supporters and the best at seeing the big picture.

Through all the dance auditions, stinky feet, education, late night rejection calls, and business “bounce ideas off” calls, they are always there to tell me I can do it with clear intention and hard work

My boyfriend, Sebastian. He owns his own Sports Injury Practice and has talked me through countless situations to success. And when I haven’t succeeded, he’s been my cheerleader and partner through it all.

Contact Info:

• Address: 17931 Beach Blvd., #100 Huntington Beach, CA 92647
• Website: alignfitnessbyallie.com
• Phone: 949-484-9765
• Email: [email protected]
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alignfitnessbyallie/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AllieChristensenGyrotonicInstructor/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/AlignFitnessAl
• Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/align-fitness-by-allie-huntington-beach
• Other: https://coregenx.com/allie

Image Credit:
Sam Anton
Ceriah Tedjamulia
Renee Castonguay

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