How a Love for Health and Wellness Led Kaila McManus to Become the Head Trainer at Studio Lagree Toronto
Kaila McManus is not only a Head Trainer at Studio Lagree Toronto, she’s also an entrepreneur who’s about to launch her own health and wellness brand - The KM Method. Read about how she started with Lagree and how her passion for health and wellness has inspired her to become a better instructor.
Tell us about yourself and how you got started with Studio Lagree
My name is Kaila McManus and I am one of the Head Trainers at Studio Lagree in Toronto. I am a lover of all thing’s wellness, functional movement, and healthy holistic living!
My journey with Studio Lagree started on a trip to New York in 2016 when I took a class at SLT, a Lagree method studio in Manhattan. I was absolutely HOOKED and ended up going back to the studio every day for the rest of the trip. When I got back home, I was so happy to find out that there were four studios in Toronto that offered the Lagree method. I started out as a client and after about a year of being a regular, I decided to become certified to teach!
What made me fall in love with the Lagree Method was the fact that it was a low impact workout that didn’t compromise the aspect of high intensity. I really enjoyed how it touched every muscle group in a way that was intentional and thoughtful and put so much emphasis on the mind to muscle connection. I felt like I was so in tune with my body and moving in such a mindful manner while still getting an INCREDIBLE workout in.
What made you want to become an instructor?
Health and wellness have always been such prominent themes in my life. I grew up as a competitive athlete and the importance of staying in shape, proper nutrition and having a positive mental mindset were instilled in me from a very young age. After quitting ski racing in my late teens, I disregarded working out and eating healthy, and my body changed in an extremely negative way which really affected me. This led me to do a complete 360 and I came to the realization that I wanted to devote myself completely to living a happy and healthy life. I spent the next year working out regularly and focused on healthy eating and the importance of a positive mindset. I had more energy and zest for life and was addicted to the feeling of wellness and wanted to share it with everyone.
Fast forward a couple of years when I was faced with the decision of what direction I wanted my life to go. I had taught swimming lessons from the age of 14 and ran my own private swim school at university. It seemed almost obvious that I should combine my strength of teaching with my love for health and wellness to pursue the path of being a fitness instructor.
“I want to empower people to feel good in their body! ”
What motivates you to become a better instructor?
What motivates me to become a better instructor are my clients and being the best possible instructor I can be each day. To keep on top of my game I love going to other instructors’ classes who are knowledgeable, passionate and enthusiastic about what they do. Instructors who have a contagious energy and who are so enthusiastic about their craft leaves me feeling so inspired to be the best I can be for all of my clients and give them an experience that will go beyond the studio. I want to empower people to feel good in their body!
I heard Studio Lagree is moving away from the “New Year New You” messaging and trying to promote this idea of showing up as who you are. Can you tell us more about the inspiration behind this?
Yes, the whole theme that we have moving into 2020 is to focus on becoming the best version of YOURSELF no matter where you are on your fitness journey. We wanted to move away from the messaging of ‘New Year, New You’ as we felt that it signified to people that they are not good enough and need to work towards being someone different, which we feel is not something people should aspire too. At Lagree we are inclusive and although the method and machines may seem intimidating at first, we are for everybody and every body, and want to encourage people to improve and maintain their strength this year.
What does a typical exercise routine look like for you?
I incorporate different types of movement into my routine, but my favourites are as follows:
Lagree, of course!
Mat Pilates
Reformer Pilates
Barre
Yoga
Long walks
I’m really into low impact workouts that still deliver muscle group focused results so workouts like Lagree, Pilates, and Barre are my jam. These methods of movement bring me into my body and allow me to really connect to my muscles, joints and the way everything is moving together. It also allows me to connect to my femininity and calm my nervous system as workouts that are more intense and really get your heart rate up there can sometimes be too much on my nervous system. I am very ‘go go go’ in life so when I work out, I want to move in a way that isn’t extremely high paced.
Describe your teaching style
Ou, this is a tricky one, but I would say that my teaching style is intentional. I foster an environment where clients can really listen to their bodies and challenge them in a way that is mindful and really leads them to that mind to muscle connection. I am thoughtful with my routines, clear with my instruction and do my very best to make sure everybody is in the correct position. I pay clear attention to form and make sure that all of my clients feel seen and acknowledged in class. I also have a killer playlist ;).
What’s your advice / what would you recommend to someone who’s just starting to work out?
JUST START, the first step is the hardest but at the end of the day, once you’ve made the first move, you’ll feel empowered to do more! Also, I encourage people to find a method of movement that feels good in your body and one that you get excited about! If you don’t love the form of exercise you’re doing, there is a very high chance you will not go back. Everybody is different and what works for one person may not work for you, and that is OK! When you are embarking on a fitness journey there will be a lot of trial and error but give yourself the time and space to try new things and see what sticks. I also tell new clients, drop the ego as it has no purpose and replace it with gratitude for doing something good for your physical and mental health!
Outside of physical exercise, do you have any self-care or wellness rituals?
Oh my….. where do I start lol. Here are my favourites
Meditation
Journaling
Gratitude Journaling
Stretching
Lymphatic Drainage
Colon Hydrotherapy
CBD & CBD Baths
Spending time in nature
Adaptogenic tonic beverages
The list could go on and on… if you are interested in all of my self-care rituals follow me on the gram, @kailaamcmanus and keep an eye out for my new brand, The KM Method launching in Spring 2020 for all things health and wellness!
Have you used CBD in your routine at all, and what do you use it for?
YES! I was first introduced to CBD when I was working in Los Angeles, and found it had amazing benefits to the human body – I’ve been obsessed ever since. I use CBD daily sublingually to aid in the calming of my nervous system, to promote relaxation and accelerate my recovery process. During this past summer, I sprained my ankle pretty badly and in addition to physio, a massive part of my healing was a topical CBD cream that almost immediately took the pain away and helped with the acute inflammation. The effects of CBD are quite remarkable and I’m so glad I stumbled upon its benefits.
What role do you think cannabis can play in enhancing health and wellness?
Oh my goodness, I think it can play a MASSIVE role! When people ask why I take/ use CBD and if I have found it beneficial, I tell them that it has been an absolute game-changer in my wellness journey. The positive effects that I have found from using CBD relate specifically to my overall state of calmness, a decrease of inflammation in my body and the reduction of muscle soreness after workouts. Before using CBD I would use several different supplements to aid in muscle soreness, decreased inflammation, and an overall sense of calmness but the fact CBD helps with all of these things is INCREDIBLE and it should really become a mainstay in the wellness industry.
Any favourite quotes or words to live by?
Ah! There are so many but some of the mantras I find myself always coming back to are the following:
“What you resist, persists”
Whenever I am resisting something in my life I come back to this mantra and it reminds me that whatever you are resisting will continue to show up and the best thing you can do for yourself is to face it head-on and get it over with.
“It’s nice to be nice”, and “Treat others the way you want to be treated”.
Growing up my parents would say these to me daily and it taught me empathy and allowed me to put myself in other people’s shoes.
“I relax, I let go, my life is in perfect flow”.
This mantra allows me to come back to the present moment and remind myself that everything is happening for me, not to me, to take a deep breath and just let things happen.
What are you most excited to accomplish in 2020?
Completing my traditional Pilates certification which is going to be a big undertaking but will be so pivotal in my growth as an instructor. And last but not least, the launching of my personal brand, the KM Method!! The KM Method is a wellness platform that offers people a wide array of health and wellness tools and practices that they can implement into their daily lives that will help them feel their very best and allow them to level up physically, mentally and spiritually.
This interview has been edited and condensed. Follow Kaila on Instagram @kailaamcmanus
Sign up for a Studio Lagree class at https://studiolagree.com/