Real Results for Real People
Client Quotes and Testimonials
Bye Bye Diastasis Recti
Yes, you can recover long after birth
Everything else I tried didn't work
"After 3 babies I lost so much strength in my core. Everything I tried didn't seem to help or made matters worse. Working with Dannell has given me back hope that I can once again have strong abdominal muscles. I was amazed at how hard these little movement were & even more at how effective they were."
Faster Progress
"I have made so much progress so much faster than I expected I would. Dannell is such a wonderful & encouraging person to work with & I am thrilled to have taken this step in healing my body. I have more energy, strength & confidence in my body since starting her program. I am getting to a place I never thought I would again!!"
"So thankful I am no longer having to wear my pessary daily. ​"
Stronger than Before
"I didn't even know I had Diastasis Recti until I met Dannell. No only is my diastasis recti gone, I am stronger than I was before babies!"
Pelvic Organ Prolapse
Bye Bye Pain
Yes, you can live with greater ease
Back Pain
"My low back pain has noticeably improved. I know your Pilates instruction has made a HUGE difference in how I feel, work, and live this year. Thank you."
"I have been going to mat class a few months and it has helped my back pain a lot!!"
Hip Pain
"Before Pilates, I took Advil daily for persistent pain. My custom home program has made all the difference. Now I don't take Advil at all. Pilates has been a game changer for me."
Shoulder Pain
"When I first came to Elevate I had shoulder pain that didn't allow me to pick up my children. Pilates private sessions gave me the core strength and alignment that eliminated the pain. It is amazing!"
Hello Clarity and Calm
Yes, your body can be your friend
Postpartum Anxiety
"In experiencing postpartum anxiety Pilates has been such an enormous blessing. It is where I learn great strategies for how to handle moments of panic."
Body Awareness
"Before Pilates my body awareness was minimal, even problematic. Now I can feel and identify what is happening in the moment, like when tension creeps back into my shoulders. Now I listen and respond to my body's cues long before pain and fatigue sets in."
Inner Calm
"Pilates has become my main 'me-time' activity as a mom. I really notice the difference."
Hello Meaningful Change
Yes, who you work with matters
Client Education
"Dannell takes the time to really show you how to do the exercises properly and effectively. I can't wait until the next class!"
"I have participated in Pilates under three instructors, and no one else focuses on the importance of walking through the fundamentals of what your pelvic floor and core is and how to property engage it like Dannell does. She is amazing. All women, mamas or not, should work with Dannell.
Personalized
Attention
"Dannell is a wonderful Pilates trainer. She tailors the session to my needs. She is great at guiding me to get the most from each move. It has only been a month, I already feel the difference in my body strength and body awareness."
"Dannell is an excellent teacher. She has helped me to experience the full benefits of Pilates while making adjustments for my limitations. I recommend her to absolutely anyone."
100% Improvement
In a recent survey, 100% of Elevate Pilates clients reported increases in
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Core Connections
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Core Strength
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Body Awareness
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Reduced Tightness
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Alignment
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Ease of Movement
What We Do
Private Sessions
Ideal for moms with multiple factors impacting their recovery, post-PT, diastasis recti, limited schedules, desiring personalized results, focused 1:1 attention
Includes a customized home program allowing for integrated support while navigating mothering
Group Mat Classes
Ideal for moms who enjoy community, accountability, personable feedback, and real results as they recover
Effective low-impact exercises within a welcoming understanding community of women
What to Expect: Private Sessions
Initial Session
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90 minute private session
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Birth & Health Review
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Assessments
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Diastasis Recti​
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Critical Connections
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Core Score
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Goals Discussion
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Consultation
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Establish Recovery Plan
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Private Sessions​
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Home Program
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Home Program
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Pilates exercises selected to meet your needs and motherhood-realities
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Effective, safe, low-repetition movements
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10-20 minute program
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Recover while you Mother
Follow-up Sessions
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25 or 50 minute sessions
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Based on Recovery Plan, Home Program progress
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Warm accountability with individual feedback for advancement
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Updated Home Program
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Customized Real-time Coaching along a Guided Path
Meet Dannell
Dannell Shu is a Certified Pilates Trainer known as a strategic educator who inspires people to live engaged lives through soulful resilience. She is an insightful listener and coach who motivates students to physically engage with clear and focused attention.
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A Post-Birth Specialist, Dannell is trained to work with post-birth moms. She also has personal experience using Pilates for mending Diastasis Recti, post-birth recovery, bereavement, and more.
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An Integrative Provider with Pregnancy and Postpartum Support MN (PPSM), Dannell is the first movement specialist to be included in this vetted list of providers who are trained to support moms with mental health needs.
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A veteran professional dancer, Dannell holds a BFA in Dance, a Masters in Christian Worship Studies, an expansive somatic movement training, and a professional dance career spanning two decades.
Mother of two boys; one on earth, one in heaven.
Get in Touch
Additional Resources
Real Results blog series
Moms & Mental Health blog series
Group Mat Class
(see schedule for details)
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Private Sessions
Post-Birth Recovery
Addressing Pain Issues
Reformer & Mat
Scheduled directly with Dannell
NE Minneapolis