Health Update: Health Update: Local experts share advice to whole-body wellness • Paso Robles Press – What Experts Say– What Experts Say.
Wellness isn’t one-size-fits-all — it’s a journey that blends physical fitness, nutrition, relaxation, and more. In North County, local businesses and organizations are helping residents of all ages take steps toward healthier, more balanced lives. From strengthening the body and improving flexibility to nurturing mental clarity and promoting self-care, these wellness leaders each offer unique ways to support overall well-being.
We spoke with North County Pilates, The Natural Alternative, Spa Central Coast, and the City of Paso Robles Recreation Services to learn how their programs, treatments, and guidance help the community feel stronger, healthier, and more connected.
How does Pilates at your studio help people improve their physical health, like strength, flexibility, or pain relief?
At North County Pilates, we teach Pilates as the method was intended to be taught using concentration, control, and breath. Creating strength throughout the whole body while building flexibility, in a safe, supportive environment. Our small class size allows us to individually help each client, ensuring proper form to build core strength, build better posture, and increase joint mobility. All of this helps prevent injuries, improves balance, and helps manage back and joint pain by building strength in the supporting muscles.
What advice do you give beginners who want to start Pilates but aren’t sure what to expect?
Pilates can seem intimidating, but it is actually really fun! The equipment seems a little scary, but it was designed to support and help you move your body through space, so it actually feels really good!! You can expect to feel like you are working your body in a supportive way during class, and the next day, instead of being so sore you can’t walk, you will feel more a little more flexible, a little taller, and like you did something good for your body!
Can you describe how your classes or private sessions support overall wellness, including mental and emotional well-being?
Pilates creates more than just physical well-being. The incorporation of intentional breath helps calm the nervous system, and improve lung function. You leave class feeling g more calm and connected to yourself. Maybe one of the other most important benefits is the sense of community our studio provides. From day one new clients are welcomed in with open arms, and from there the community just keeps building.
North County Pilates
5815 Traffic Way, Atascadero
(805) 466-9642
How do you help clients improve their overall health in a way that fits their everyday lifestyle?
At Natural Alternative, we start by listening to each customer’s specific concerns and do our best to help them to find a good solution that works for their individual need.
What are the most common health concerns people come to you with, and how do you typically help address them?
We hear all kinds of health concerns every day, everything from cold and flu to detoxing the system, and everything in between. We take each person’s individual needs into consideration, we ask the questions, and try to suggest products that are tailored to each individual’s issue.
What advice do you most often give people who want to feel healthier but aren’t sure where to start?
Everything starts in the gut — so we typically start with asking about what they are ingesting and then go into what they are experiencing/feeling. Diet and exercise are hugely important in a healthy lifestyle. It is all about finding balance and coming up with your own program that works for you!
The Natural Alternative Nutrition Center
1213 Pine St., Paso Robles
(805) 237-8290
naturalalternativenutrition.com
How do your spa services, like massage and detox treatments, help people feel healthier overall?
At the Spa Central Coast, we offer a variety of modalities to detox, de-stress and rejuvenate! From facials, to infrared, massage to body scrubs and wraps we have many ways to relax and restore harmony.
Our treatments such as infrared provide deep detox via infrared light energy, flushing toxins from the body via sweat. We offer a myriad of forms of massage: Swedish, for relaxing the nervous system, integrated, and deep tissue to ease muscles and tension. Our therapies can improve circulation, which aids in faster recovery and lowers stress which provides better rest as it calms the nervous system. All modes result in mental rejuvenation. The treatments return the body to a more relaxed state. Recovery from injury or exercise is faster. Improved circulation, detox, and relaxation is important for physical and emotional health.
What advice do you give clients about making self-care and stress relief a regular part of their routine?
Regular maintenance should look like minimum once per week for massage, especially if you suffer chronic stress or have physical job, or exercise four to six hours per week, which applies to most people. Meditation, calming the nervous system and getting mental clarity should be practiced daily.
Can you explain how different treatments, like body wraps or facials, support both physical relaxation and mental wellness?
Some treatments, such as body wraps, are a warm, nurturing way to rejuvenate the skin and flush toxins. The treatment by nature is nurturing. It provides as sense of wellbeing. Facials, not only purge the pores and remove surface debris and atmospheric pollutants, but they also restore moisture and balance oils for healthier-looking and feeling skin. The esthetician incorporates a massage that the works the trigger points at the temples to decrease headaches and the Masseter (jaw muscles) where we hold tension as well. The client looks and feels pampered and restored after a basic facial. Spa Central Coast also does events. We bring the wellness to you!
Spa Central Coast
617 12th St., Paso Robles
(805) 591-7157
What types of classes and activities does your department offer that help people stay active and healthy?
We offer a wide variety of classes and activities designed to help community members of all ages stay active and healthy, from little ones to seniors. Our schedule includes everything from dance and yoga to aerobics, Zumba, karate, Krav Maga self-defense, volleyball, futsal, basketball, and soccer. We also offer aquatic programs for all ages, including swim lessons and water-based fitness classes like Aqua Fit and Aqua Jam, which provide fun, low-impact ways to stay active.
How do your programs support overall wellness for different age groups, from kids to seniors?
Our programs support wellness by meeting people where they are in each stage of life. For young children and their caregivers, classes like YaYa Yoga, Music and Movement focus on playful exploration, body awareness, and shared experiences that often lead to new friendships for both parents and kids. For adults and seniors, classes such as 50+ Yoga and Aqua Fit emphasize balance, mobility, and low-impact movement in a welcoming environment. No matter the age, our programs are designed to support physical health, social connection, and overall well-being.
What advice would you give to someone in Paso Robles who wants to start being more active but doesn’t know where to begin?
My biggest piece of advice is to start small and try something that feels welcoming. Many of our activities offer a free first class, which gives people a chance to see if the activity fits their goals and the kind of environment they enjoy. We also offer full and partial need-based scholarships to help remove financial barriers. For those who prefer less structure, our after-school open gym program at Centennial Park offers a casual, all-ages option to get moving. Paso Robles is also fortunate to have beautiful parks and trails, and places like the pump track at Barney Schwartz Park, which make being active feel more like play. Whether someone is looking for a class, open gym time, or outdoor options, we’re always happy to help people find a great place to begin.
City of Paso Robles Recreation Services
600 Nickerson Drive, Paso Robles
(805) 237-3988
prcity.com/268/Recreation-Services
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