THE STORY BEHIND THE OBA METHOD
My name is Kris, and movement has always been my outlet and my joy. Whether I’m hiking, kayaking, paddleboarding, or walking my dog along the beach, I feel most like myself when I’m in motion. Over 20 years ago, I discovered Pilates through group classes and was instantly hooked. It became the perfect complement to my strength training and love for functional, intentional movement.
In 2019, my relationship with movement changed dramatically. A severe spinal injury left me bedridden and facing the recommendation of a level-two spinal fusion. Each doctor I consulted had a different opinion, and none of the paths forward felt right. Trusting my intuition, I chose not to undergo surgery and instead committed myself fully to understanding my body and exploring alternative approaches to healing.
In my search for answers, I became a student of the body. I spent countless hours not only receiving treatment but observing, asking questions, studying movement, and learning how the body creates stability, transfers force, compensates for weakness, and adapts to injury. What I discovered was that education itself became one of the most powerful tools in my recovery. The more I understood what was happening within my body, the more awareness I developed, and the more effectively I could move, heal, and rebuild trust in myself.
That experience became the foundation of what is now known as The OBA Method.
That journey led me to a gifted Pilates master instructor, a chiropractor practicing Directional Non-Force Technique (DNFT), and a mentor who introduced me to Dynamic Neuromuscular Stability (DNS). Through their guidance, I began to rebuild my body from the inside out—learning how breath, nervous system regulation, deep stabilization, and intelligent movement could restore strength, support, and confidence in my body once again.
As my healing deepened, so did my awareness. It was through integrating Reiki and sound healing into my own movement practice that I realized true change doesn’t happen through movement alone. When the mind, body, and nervous system are supported together, healing becomes more complete, more sustainable, and more profound. This integrative approach transformed not only how I moved, but how I lived.
Inspired by my own experience, I felt called to teach. I pursued extensive training through Balanced Body, studying across all Pilates apparatuses, including the Reformer, Chair, Cadillac, Mat, Barrel, and Spine Corrector. Driven by a deep curiosity and commitment to understanding movement, I often repeated modules multiple times to further refine my knowledge and clinical eye.
My education extends beyond any single methodology and continues to evolve through ongoing study of movement science, Dynamic Neuromuscular Stability (DNS), breath mechanics, pelvic floor function, nervous system regulation, and integrative healing practices.
Today, I blend movement science, breathwork, DNS principles, pelvic floor integration, nervous system regulation, sound healing, and Reiki into a deeply personalized approach. Every session is designed to help clients better understand their bodies, build stability from the inside out, and develop movement patterns that support them both in and outside the studio.
I now teach from my private Laguna Beach studio, where I guide clients through The OBA Method—an approach rooted in education, exploration, stability, connection, and intelligent movement.
Originally inspired by the concept of Optimal Body Alignment, The OBA Method has evolved into a framework that helps clients better understand how their bodies create support, move efficiently, adapt to stress, and build lasting resilience.
My mission is to help others reconnect with their bodies, regulate their nervous systems, and build strength from within so they can move through life with greater freedom, confidence, and awareness.
