
LET'S GET YOU MOVING!
POSTURE FIRST!
ABOUT US
Lauren Sonnen MA CEP
PAS CSCS RSCC USAW CFL1 FMS CFNS

I have a Masters Degree in Exercise Physiology from The University of Central Florida and a Bachelors Degree in Exercise and Sports Sciences from East Carolina University. Over the last 19 years I have worked as a strength and conditioning coach and personal trainer training both professional and collegiate athletes, as well as worked in the corporate, commercial and clinical world. Among these are Kennedy Space Center, Rippe Lifesytle Institute, The University of Central Florida, Rich Lansky's Optimum Performance Training Inc., and NYStrength. I owned and operated a successful personal training business (L-Fit Personal Training) for 5 years, that I sold to Studio South Fitness in May 2012. I have a board certification in Exercise Physiology, Postural Alignment Specialist (PAS 1 and 2) from Egoscue University, Certified Strength and Conditioning Coach (CSCS) and Registered Strength and Conditioning Coach (RSCC) through the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA), USA Weightlifting Club Coach and Sports Performance Coach, CrossFit Level 1 Trainer, Functional Movement Certified (FMS 1 and 2), and Certified Fitness Nutrition Specialist (CFNS).
I was a track and field athlete in high school competing in 300m hurdles, both 4x400m and 4x800m relays, and the 400m (still holding records in the 300m hurdles). My high school accomplishments were placing 1st in the District and 3rd in the State in the 300m hurdles. I went to East Carolina on a track and field scholarship, competing in the hepthalon, 400m hurdles, 4x800m relay, and cross country. My best collegiate accomplishments were 3rd in the conference in the hepthalon and going to the ECAC's in the 4x800m relay. I took up Olympic Weightlifting in
graduate school while learning how to coach athletes. I placed 3rd in the snatch at the American Open in 2005 and 3rd overall at Nationals in 2005.
Over the past several years I have had a passion to specialize in posture alignment through the Egoscue Method. I had found pain relief in my own journey through Egoscue and continue to incorporate a menu into my daily regime. This gives me the ability to continue to compete in CrossFit, which I love as well as coach it.
I believe our bodies have the ability to heal themselves. I've had my fair share of sports injuries... knee, hip, and shoulder pain and know what it is like to be told “your body isn’t designed to do something." Finding The Egoscue Method® of Exercise Therapy gave me the tools to get myself pain free and back to living an active and fulfilling life.... and now I want to teach you to have the same!

What WE DO
What is Re-align Exercise Therapy? It is not Physical Therapy, Massage Therapy, or Chiropractic. However, it works synergistically with all disciplines of pre-hab and re-hab. It's called the Egoscue Method and it's a holistic approach to changing posture through whole body exercise. When structural or postural muscles' function is compromised, the whole system is affected.
The human body reacts to the laws of gravity. Any trauma to the body (falls or sports injuries), chronic postural positions (positions that stay in one spot for a long period of time; e.g. dentists, surgeons, desk jobs), repetitive movement (marathon runners, long distance cyclists), joint replacements, or anyone with lack of movement affect your posture and how your body moves.
Whether it be that the hip girdle is tilted, or the back is curved, the whole body will compensate (muscles that move bones during movement that is not its job to do) - creating mis-alignments. These mis-alignments lead to abnormal wear and tear in the joints. Over time these mis-alignments can cause musculoskeletal breakdowns, including injury and pain. Mis-alignments can affect performance of other body systems as well (including cardiovascular, digestive and respiratory systems). When we locate any mis-alignments or compensations, we will educate you on the findings and prescribe you a menu of exercises to correct any of the found deviations. Each change the muscles make, receptors send new signals and the central nervous system re-calibrates.
The goal is to identify and eliminate the mis-alignments and compensations, teaching the right muscles to do the jobs they are intended to do. Symptoms or pain are merely the body telling us that something is wrong, like a warning signal. We do not apply treatments to the symptoms or the site of the pain, in fact we ignore the symptom entirely and address compensations and dysfunctions to eliminate the root cause of the pain and change your posture so you can MOVE BETTER!!!!
Postural Alignment Therapy focuses on your body as a whole. We treat the underlying cause of your chronic pain and injuries. Many types of chronic pain and injuries are caused by the slow deterioration of your posture and the only way to get complete, long-lasting pain relief is by correcting your postural mis-alignments through exercise therapy. Surgery, manipulation, injections, braces, exercises, and stretches designed to target your symptoms are only going to offer, at best, short term relief because they are doing nothing about correcting the cause of your pain – which is your postural alignment.
During your appointment you will learn why you hurt, a game plan to get 100% better, and a personalized set of exercises to get you started right away. It will give you peace of mind knowing that you WILL get better. You will meet one-on-one with a Egoscue University certified Postural Alignment Specialist (PAS) and Board Certified Exercise Physiologist (CEP) who will truly listen to you, your goals, and your expectations. Then we will formulate a plan to help you achieve them. As a team, you and your therapist will evaluate your posture, gait, and various functional tests to determine the root cause of your pain and limitations. We will have you go through a series of exercises (e-cises), created specifically for you, to start correcting your posture and begin eliminating your pain. You will be sent home with an email or app with pictures, descriptions and videos of your exercises making it easy to continue on your own. Take a look at what an initial visit looks like.
During each follow-up appointment we will discuss your progress, review your current e-cise menu and then go through any new e-cises that will help you to continue to improve. Each follow-up appointment is essential to your continued progression toward a pain free and active life. Postural changes happen over time and take time to correct. The average client will use about 16 sessions in the first 6 months to get pain free and back to doing the activities and sports they love. The clients who do the best long-term, continue to come in once every 1-3 months after they are pain free.
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SUCCESS STORIES
Lauren has changed my husband's and my life. She helped me get strong for our wedding day and recently helped keep me stay strong and without pain during my pregnancy. Once I finaliy convinced my husband to work with me he found himself free of back pain and taking pain medication. Lauren is extremely knowledgeable and motivational. She provides you a holistic approach to working on exercise, and your mental strength/confidence as well. If you want to feel good inside and out I recommend Lauren without hesitation.
CHRISTINA C.
Lauren is as talented as a coach, as she is as an athlete. That is impressive and something to look for in a fitness coach. She has the ability to demonstrate anything she asks you to do and finds a way to get you to achieve more. That says a lot in her profession. Lauren has such a passion for fitness and she has backed it up with certifications and education. This allows her to modify any element that meets the clients capabilities and fitness level. Working with Lauren has taken my fitness to the next level! Thanks Lauren.
SCOTT L.
Lauren is excellent. In addition to evaluating the specific needs of her clients, she tailors the exercises to improve strength, flexibility and balance. The method is thoughtful and provide enough of a challenge to keep things interesting. It has been a pleasure to work with her and I am reaching some of the highest levels of fitness I have ever experienced.
D. GRAIN
I highly recommend Lauren to anyone seeking to improve their e physical well-being & ability. She’s awesome!!!
T. BURY
Since starting Egoscue and practicing my menu most every day I have no pain in my neck and shoulders which used to bother me constantly. I have more energy and know that my posture has improved.
S. STRAW
Contact
Re-align Exercise Therapy
5210 Palos Verdes Dr.
Sarasota, Fl 34231
941-504-1630