Stay connected with Aly DiRoma and the Modern Body community: https://link.me/alydiroma

If you aren't already a member of the Modern Body Online Studio , you can experience that too with a free 7-day trial. Explore the full catalog of classes for free for the first 7 days.

Want to dive deeper? The Modern Mover’s Guide is your roadmap to understanding how movement evolves through life’s seasons. It’s the perfect complement to your Modern Body membership—or a great place to start your journey. Get your copy here: https://modernmoversguide.com/guide

Ever feel confused by all the buzzwords in the wellness world—especially when it comes to your core? In this episode of Modern Body, Aly DiRoma cuts through the noise and answers a surprisingly common question that surfaced during a recent Modern Movers meetup: “How do I know if I’m coning or doming in my abs—and what should I do about it?”

With her signature blend of expertise and approachability, Aly dives into what abdominal coning and doming really are, why it happens, and how to spot it in your core using two simple self-assessments you can do at home. The best part is, you’ll need nothing more than your breath, your body, and a bit of curiosity.

Using the visual of a soda can to explain how your diaphragm, pelvic floor, and transverse abdominis work together, Aly reveals why pressure management—not planks or crunches—is the real secret to a strong, functional core. Whether you’ve been pregnant, are returning from injury, or just want to understand your body better, this episode is a gentle nudge toward deeper body awareness and sustainable strength.

• What coning and doming look and feel like—and why they matter
• Why breathwork is more than just a calming tool—it’s foundational core training
• How poor alignment and premature load (hello, too much too soon) can disrupt your core system
• Two at-home self-assessments that help you identify and correct dysfunctional patterns
• Why Aly swears by simple Groundwork classes in the Modern Body Online Studio and continues to revisit these “basic” exercises herself

“These self-assessments aren’t just for postpartum bodies—they’re for every body. And they’ll keep serving you long after the first try.” — Aly DiRoma

This episode is a reminder that foundational movement isn’t flashy—but it is powerful. You’ll walk away with practical tools and a new appreciation for what it means to “reset” from the inside out.

Stay connected with Aly DiRoma and the Modern Body community: https://link.me/alydiroma

If you aren't already a member of the Modern Body Online Studio , you can experience that too with a free 7-day trial. Explore the full catalog of classes for free for the first 7 days.

Want to dive deeper? The Modern Mover’s Guide is your roadmap to understanding how movement evolves through life’s seasons. It’s the perfect complement to your Modern Body membership—or a great place to start your journey. Get your copy here: https://modernmoversguide.com/guide

Article mentioned in podcast: Influence of foot posture and the functioning of the Windlass Mechanism

If you've ever kicked off your shoes after a long day and felt instant relief, you're not alone—and you're not imagining it. In this episode, Aly DiRoma explains why foot health is essential to your overall well-being. She explores the underestimated role your feet play in posture, mobility, and longevity—and why spending more time barefoot might be the missing link in your movement practice.

Aly uncovers the problem with most footwear, breaks down the benefits of barefoot training, and offers real-life stories (like that relatable moment when everyone ends up barefoot at a wedding). Drawing from her background in dance and decades of teaching movement, she explains how strengthening the intrinsic muscles of your feet can ripple benefits all the way up your kinetic chain. You’ll also learn how foot health influences balance, posture, and even knee pain—plus how to make small, manageable changes to give your feet the love and attention they deserve.

You'll learn:

• Why traditional shoes can weaken foot function—and what to look for instead
• How barefoot movement boosts balance, proprioception, and posture
• What the “windlass mechanism” has to do with your big toe (and why you should care)
• The truth about arch types and why high or low arches aren't your fate
• Easy ways to incorporate barefoot training into your week—no pedicure required

This episode will leave you rethinking what it means to be grounded—literally. And remember, you don’t have to ditch your favorite boots; it’s all about balance (and maybe doing a few ankle circles after work).

Stay connected with Aly DiRoma and the Modern Body community: https://link.me/alydiroma

If you aren't already a member of the Modern Body Online Studio , you can experience that too with a free 7-day trial. Explore the full catalog of classes for free for the first 7 days.

Want to dive deeper? The Modern Mover’s Guide is your roadmap to understanding how movement evolves through life’s seasons. It’s the perfect complement to your Modern Body membership—or a great place to start your journey. Get your copy here: https://modernmoversguide.com/guide

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Follow Tina on Instagram @evolvexnicole

In this episode of Modern Body, Aly DiRoma sits down with fellow movement educator Nicole Roerick—a certified Yoga and Pilates instructor with a rich background in dance—to unpack one of the most common questions in the wellness world: What’s the actual difference between Yoga and Pilates? With humor, depth, and years of experience behind them, Aly and Nicole explore how these two systems intersect, where they diverge, and why the answer isn’t as simple as picking one over the other.

Expect to hear everything from the origins of each practice to how breathwork differs across disciplines—and why that matters more than you might think. Nicole shares stories from her teaching journey, busts myths about flexibility, and emphasizes that movement is never one-size-fits-all. Aly offers insight into how Pilates can bring core stability to a hypermobile body, while Nicole highlights the philosophical roots that make yoga a way of living, not just a workout.

Whether you’re a Yoga devotee, Pilates enthusiast, or total newbie, this conversation offers a beautifully nuanced breakdown of how both practices can support your body, mind, and spirit—sometimes in the same week, sometimes in the same class.

Want to know when to opt for flow over form—or when a shell stretch becomes a child’s pose? You’ll want to listen in.