Karen Morian
Karen Morian hails from St. Louis, and has lived in Aspen since November 2012. She moved to the mountains for a quiet, simple lifestyle in a small town that values nature, activity, and community. Karen is a certified Personal Trainer, and loves teaching Lagree at Higher Terrain. She also teaches Pilates and Barre around the community.
If you’re taking Karen’s Lagree class, you can bet you’ll be doing some escalator lunges, and getting a lesson on the importance of shoulder stability in EVERY movement! Karen loves to share information about how your body works, how what you’re doing in studio helps you in “the real world,” and always encourages efficient movement.
Karen will tell you, “if you can focus on the intention of the exercises, and push past those hurdles of discomfort, you’ll unlock power you never knew existed… keep breathing through it!”
Recent Blogs
Fuel your Pilates workout with Plant Based Food
Here are our top picks for a plant based boost before or after your Pilates workout in Aspen, Colorado! These favorite, locals spots are right around the corner from Higher Terrain studio! Power up with a Kermit Smoothie at JUS Aspen Pack a protein punch with a Go Green Scramble at Spring Cafe Aspen Energize […]
How is Lagree different from Pilates?
Are you looking to get in the best shape yet this year? If so, you might consider trying Lagree Method and Pilates workouts. Both of these versatile total-body workouts are designed to help you improve muscle tone and range of motion, get in shape, and improve your overall fitness level. A Comprehensive Comparison: Lagree vs […]
Why is Pilates good for back pain?
We’ve all heard how beneficial Pilates exercise can be for back pain, but why is that exactly? “We spend so much time sitting, or performing flexion based movements”, say physical therapist and studio owner Jen Metcalf. “Over time, this can cause a break down of the disks in the spine, in addition to a forward […]
Stretch and Restore with Pilates
Calling all athletes in Aspen, Colorado! Prevent injuries, and muscle over use by spending time stretching after hitting the trails and slopes hard. ” Many of the outdoor sports we participate in here in Aspen shorten lower body muscles,” says studio owner and physical therapist Jen Metcalf. “Pilates is a great way to incorporate stretching […]
Get Ski Fit with Lagree
Winter is in the air, and the ski lifts are about to open in Aspen. “Lagree is one of the best ways to strengthen your lower body, and work on functional strength and endurance,”says studio owner and physical therapist Jen Metcalf. “Keeping your quads, hamstrings, and gluts strong will help protect your joints, and reduce […]
Pilates Reformer | Group Class: Survival Guide
So you’re ready to sign up for a Classic Pilates Reformer class in Aspen at Higher Terrain, great. Here are a few tips to get the most out of your workout for our Pilates newbies! Let the Pilates instructor know this is your first class. This will allow us to walk you through the use […]
Our Top Pilates Prop Picks of the Month
We love to use props in our Pilates Reformer classes to increase the intensity, and get more from each Pilates exercise. Engage more muscles, and ramp up your Pilates routine with our Pilates instructors favorite props of the month! ~Ultra Fit Circle: Used for upper, and lower body exercises, this little prop can be used […]
Lagree Exercise Break Down : Single Leg Squat
Form and alignment is key when you’re in a Lagree class at Higher Terrain. Follow these tips to get the most out of your workout on the Megaformer™! The Single Leg Squat is a Lagree move that targets the gluts, hamstrings, and quads of the moving leg. It can be performed on the front or […]
Pilates Has Your Back | 3 Reformer Exercises for a Strong Back
Everyone knows that Pilates is one of the best ways to strengthen your core, but did you know that your core isn’t just your abs? ” Your core is made up of your abdominals, gluts, and back muscles,” says physical therapist and studio owner Jen Metcalf. “If a student has lower back issues, it’s important […]
Higher Terrain Teacher Spotlight: Jen Metcalf
Higher Terrain studio owner Jen Metcalf, a Miami native, was brought to Aspen as a physical therapist and quickly became addicted to the healthy lifestyle in Colorado. When not in the studios she can be found spending time with her 2 kids, hiking, running, and skinning in the mountains. What inspired you to open […]