Resistance Stretching: Tara Hawkin

Resistance Stretching Trainer

Originally from Ontario, Tara moved to the Vancouver area in 1997. She instantly fell in love with British Columbia’s beautiful landscape and the active, outdoor lifestyle that is such a predominant part of west coast living.

Tara has always lived a very active life. In addition to earning the distinction of a black belt in tae kwon do, she enjoys boxing, running, yoga, hiking, swimming, kayaking and canoeing and, of course, resistance stretching. To broaden her worldview, Tara spent over a year living and working in Ireland. She returned home in 2007 with a renewed focus and began turning her passion for fitness into a career. Then in 2009, Tara graduated with honours from the Hilltop Academy Fitness Leadership program.

She also became a resistance flexibility and strength training instructor in 2009. In contrast to more traditional fitness programs, this hands-on technique provides the benefits of strength and flexibility training without the strain on joints or risk of over stretching tendons and muscles.  In early 2010, Tara was given the opportunity to experience an intensive internship with her trainers  and creators of the Ki – Hara method of Resistance Stretching Anne Tierney and Steven Sierra.  The internship shed new light on the many benefits present in the practice of resistance stretching.  As she was able to shadow her trainers and help mash and stretch all different types of bodies from star NFL players to Olympians to a couple celebrating their 49th wedding anniversary; it became more and more apparent that this is a technique designed for everyone. In September of 2010, Tara became the first and only Ki-Hara method of Resistance Stretching Master Trainer on the West Coast of Canada.

Tara takes a holistic approach to fitness, health and well-being.  She believes that although physical fitness is important, it is just one aspect of living a healthy existence and that we should strive for balance and mindfulness in all aspects of our lives. She continues to learn and grow everyday with the help of the practitioners at Port Moody Integrated Health and considers herself absolutely blessed to be given the opportunity to work with such a diverse and skilled team.

Tara’s next challenge will be the Registered Massage Therapist program at the West Coast College of Massage Therapy where she hopes to gain an even deeper understanding of human anatomy and physiology in order to become a more knowledgable and effective practitioner and healer.

For more information, or to book an appointment with Tara, please call (604) 931-2225 or email taratrainer@integratedhealth.ca