In Bed or Seated
Residence classes
"The breathing techniques enabled me to calm myself and catch my breath more easily..." "In the beginning it was more difficult, but now I have more endurance to do the exercises and improve my health..."
Les Résidents, Centre d'Hébergement Louis Riel, Montréal
"For a year I have met weekly with John online (Zoom) to address my arthritis and mobility issues. It is a pleasure. I have noticed a marked improvement in my physical and mental state. The deep breathing and exercises have been very productive. I appreciate John's understanding of my conditions and feel that he even understands me!"
Nancy W., Toronto, Canada
Seated & Standing
I am a person of a certain age and have balance and flexibility issues. I began my sessions with John in early 2022, during the COVID pandemic, on Zoom and continue to do so.
John has many education and training accomplishments to recommend him, but, in my view, what sets him apart is his willingness and commitment to providing a program that speaks to my own personal needs which can change from session to session. I am very pleased with my progress and it is thanks to John.
Sylvia Z., Toronto, Canada
I have been working with John for about 8 months now via Zoom. I was a bit dubious about that mode for this purpose, but it works well with minor squeaks occasionally. Since I have a mobility issue, John has been guiding me through exercises of movement and breathing.
As of this week I can remark a considerable improvement in stamina, stability, strength, and flexibility. John is very attuned to temporary weakness and quick to adapt his instruction and monitoring accordingly. It is a pleasure to work with him.
Lynn M., Toronto, Canada
Standing & Stepping
"I worked with John as he coached me to reach my fitness goals. He prioritized core development even as we worked on overall strengthening and his introduction to the simple yoga posture allowed me to feel benefit right away in the muscles around my thoracic vertebrae.
He showed kindness, punctuality, knowledge of the material, perfectly demonstrated exercises, and patience combined with firmness."
Dominique T., Dorion, QC
"John is very knowledgeable in his teaching and he is very patient, making sure everyone does enjoy his class..."
Benoit P., Santé Active, Montréal, Canada
"I have the pleasure of using John's services for my residents at Chartwell: Belvédères de Lachine. He offers them a full 60 minute Tai Chi class geared specifically to their needs!
They love his class and feel comfortable in the safe environment with him! He can also easily adapt to individuals when it's required. He's reliable, very knowledgeable and has a genuine rapport with my clients! We are very happy with his services here!"
Cynthia L., Chartwell: Belvédères de Lachine, Montréal, Canada
“I use John as a private trainer. John’s zest for life, constant positivity and incredible energy levels make him a joy to train with. His high proficiency in kinesiology combined with his aptitude for different forms of yoga & meditation also make him very skilled at matching your needs and goals to the proper program needed to attain them, all whilst respecting your limitations.
He is also great at making sure you don’t try to push those limitations too hastily, and is very good at monitoring your every move in prevention of possible injuries.
Exercising is not always fun and can sometimes be discouraging or frustrating, and another one of John’s distinguishable qualities is that he is very good at providing a constant pillar of encouragement no matter how small you feel your progress might be... which not all trainers do well.”
Stéphanie H., Pointe-Claire, Canada
Tai Chi & Scoliosis Care
"John is a great Tai Chi instructor. I initially had some concerns trying to learn via zoom sessions, but John quickly put any concerns to rest. In just 10 sessions he took a complete novice to a level where I can now follow a daily routine on my own.
Tai Chi has been a valuable tool, along with core strengthening exercises, to help me deal with the effects of various spinal degeneration issues, including degenerative scoliosis.
I highly recommend John for anyone interested in exploring Tai Chi as a complement to traditional physical therapy, or just as a stand alone program to help with balance, coordination, and mobility."
Scott Smith, South Carolina, United States
"After 6 months, a 4-degree reduction in the thoracic curve."
"John Cloutier has been working with our daughter for the last 6 months. My daughter's scoliosis involves 2 curves close to and over 50 degrees which have been progressive over the last 5 years. John is a compassionate coach who engages with the whole family to support and facilitate the compliance needed in this scoliosis specific program. We really felt supported by him in what can be a lonely journey when you are trying to make a difference with a non-surgical approach.
His Scoliosis Relief Program is multi-facetted, involving stretching, strengthening, and targeted exercise for the specifics of your particular curves. He provides follow-along videos which are a great visual support for all the exercises assigned. He made it very easy to follow which was especially helpful for my daughter since she was able to follow the program independently once she learned all the exercises. It is very clear and extremely well explained. John is an enthusiastic and caring individual and coach who wanted my daughter to get stronger and improve as much as we did. Along with his scheduled coaching, there was time set aside for questions and discussion.
After 6 months in his program my daughter had an x-ray which showed a reduction of 4 degrees in her thoracic curve and her lumbar curve was stable since her last x-ray 9 months prior. We were extremely happy since we have never seen a correction before and her higher lumbar curve was stable. Her chiropractor noted the visible derotation of her vertebrae in the x-ray, and for the first time in 5 years it was noted at her hospital visit, through a scoliometer reading that her rib hump was surprisingly small for her curve profile.
Our hospital visits usually involved preparatory speeches for an eventual surgery. With this news we are confident that there IS a way to improve your curves and stabilize with targeted exercise if you are willing to put in the time and energy. It is a learning curve, a commitment and it will not work without discipline. However, if you or your child is willing, you can be sure that John and his program will provide an immeasurable support to help you reach your best potential on this journey."
Joan P., Montréal, Canada
Curious about the multi-part scoliosis approach? Get in touch.
"John is so knowledgeable, so kind and patient, and he helped me through every one of the exercises. I've become stronger, more flexible and toned up more and look forward to continuing the exercises and having continued results on the total spine, even considering I had surgery on 8 vertebrae in the past.
How I wish I would have known someone like him when I noticed something was wrong at age 13, to avoid the surgery I had when I was 15. I would recommend him to any candidate that is willing to stick with the program."
Darlene A., Pennsylvania, USA
"My osteopath has long said that the vertebrae in my thoracolumbar area are particularly difficult to mobilize. This is in spite of me being a committed athlete (dance) at a high level of physical fitness and postural control.
After a couple of months of me working with John on a personalized selection of scoliosis-specific exercises, she was surprised to notice more mobility in that area than ever before! And I'm feeling more aligned and more balanced in my dance movements than ever before."
Arlene, Montréal, Canada
"John is a very well trained, congenial professional who listens to client feedback and immediately incorporates it into his lesson plan. I enjoyed working with you!"
Karen K., Ocala, Florida, USA
"Thanks a ton John! You really helped reshape both my life and mindset in regard to my scoliosis journey! I want you to know this. I hope you don't take what you do for so many people lightly. I know the results truly come from us, but without someone like yourself to lead the way, many of us wouldn't know where to begin."