Alia began teaching yoga in 2015, but quickly became frustrated with the limitations of a single discipline. It was clear that there was infinite value in helping people become stronger and more mobile beyond the purpose of performing yoga poses, but to improve function in daily life. She developed a passion for helping make inaccessible movements more accessible, especially for those left in the margins of the fitness industry – older adults, people with pain, and the average not-so-flexible-jane and joe. Alia uses a one-on-one style approach that allows her to build relationships with individuals and work with various movement disciplines to help people move, feel, and therefore live better. She operates from a belief system that the body is inherently strong and infinitely adaptable.

Working with Pain

Growing up, Alia witnessed loved ones suffer from chronic pain and the often dismissive treatment they received from medical professionals. This inspired her to support people with pain through empathy, encouragement, and scientific understanding. The evolving science of pain has reshaped her approach to her own pains and views on aging, fueling her belief in its potential to address the chronic pain epidemic. Alia is dedicated to contributing to this positive change and invites others to join her.

Philosophy

Alia's philosophy is shaped by three guiding principles imparted by her mentors: treating each client as a whole person, listening attentively, and recognizing the body's infinite adaptability.

If you'd like to learn more about Alia, or would like to work with her. Please follow the links below.

MOB Membership Website: CLICK HERE
To join Alia's free webinar "The Truth About Osteoarthritis": CLICK HERE
Visit Alia's website: www.aliabisat.com
Follow the MOB's Instagram: @themobmembership

Episode Summary

In this episode of the Practice Human podcast, Caitlin interviews Alia Bisat, a yoga teacher turned functional movement and strength coach. Alia discusses her transition from teaching yoga to incorporating strength and mobility training, driven by her own experiences with physical limitations and a desire to help people improve daily function. They also delve into the importance of understanding pain science and addressing the negative experiences people have with medical professionals, highlighting the significance of functional training for various populations, including older adults.

What's covered in this episode?

Why is strength training important for maintaining functional independence as people age?
How can an understanding of pain science influence your approach to managing your own chronic pain or injury?
How does your personal experience and history of pain/injury factor into finding the right coach or training format to meet your goals?
How can strength and mobility training impact your physical capacity, and help lessen the impact of injuries?
What is over-medicalization and how does it impact peoples' perception of their pain?