Balancing Strength and Flexibility: How Mandy Freilich Uses Yoga and Pilates to Support Lifelong Wellness

July 3, 2024

Featuring Mandy Freilich: Master of Health Science, Studio Owner, and 500-Hour Yoga Teacher

After 20+ years as a personal trainer, Mandy Freilich didn’t just stretch her hamstrings—she stretched her career. From marathon running to mat Pilates, Mandy’s journey has been one of movement, growth, and a whole lot of self-awareness.

In this episode, Mandy joins long-time friend and host Sara to dive deep into the why behind her shift from gym life to yoga studio owner, how yoga changed her perspective on fitness, and why flexibility—physical and mental—is everything.

🧘‍♀️ Mandy’s Wellness Journey in a Nutshell

Started her career with a Master’s in Health Science and early work in personal training.
Left her first job after realizing: “I’m not built to be an employee.”
Became a certified personal trainer in 2004 and trained for over 20 years.
Eventually burned out from the traditional gym scene and pivoted into yoga and Pilates.
Now owns her own studio focused on yoga, Pilates, and helping people reconnect with their bodies.

🧠 From Muscles to Mindfulness

Mandy shares how yoga allowed her to move beyond just reps and sets. The nervous system, breathwork, and proprioception (aka body awareness) became the new benchmarks of fitness for her.

“I realized I could lift heavy but couldn’t balance on one leg. That’s when I knew something was missing.”

She discovered:

Yoga helps you tune into your breath and body in ways traditional training can’t.
The breath is a direct line to calming the nervous system.
Flexibility isn’t about being bendy—it’s about giving your body what it needs.

💪 Pilates: Strength from the Inside Out

Pilates, for Mandy, became the bridge between muscle and mindfulness. Unlike traditional strength training (which targets muscles close to the skin), Pilates works the muscles closest to your bones, building stability and improving posture.

“Pilates teaches you to move consciously. It’s resistance training using your own body weight and gravity—and it's a game changer.”

🔁 Trying Different Styles (Because Yoga Isn’t One-Size-Fits-All)

Mandy and Sara geek out over the many styles of yoga:

Vinyasa Flow – Move with your breath.
Ashtanga – Structured, predictable, perfect for overthinkers.
Prana Flow – More fluid and expressive.
Yin Yoga – Deep holds, targets connective tissue, totally chill.
Anusara – Alignment-focused, cues like “lift your inner thigh to the sky” included.

Mandy’s advice? Don’t quit yoga (or Pilates) after one class. The teacher and style matter—a lot.

“Yoga is like dating. You’ve got to try a few before you find the right match.”

🔥 Deep Work & Self-Awareness

For Mandy, yoga and Pilates go beyond fitness—they’re tools for mental health and personal growth. She no longer just wants to help people lose weight; she wants to help them feel connected.

“I like going deep—what book are you reading? What’s your biggest insight? Let’s talk about that.”

✨ Final Takeaway

If you’ve tried a yoga or Pilates class and didn’t love it—don’t stop. There’s a world of movement out there, and the right teacher or style might just change everything.

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