The LA-based yogi is on a mission to raise awareness and help individuals become their best selves.
Marlaina Pate was diagnosed with scoliosis when she was in fourth grade. As an active child of chiropractors, she immediately began learning how to treat her condition naturally. Healing her body without a surgery that may lead to restrained activity later in life was the number one focus for both Marlaina and her family.
At the age of 19 her uncle introduced her to yoga — a turning point in her health journey. The practice quickly became a treasured part of her everyday life. Shortly after this, Pate’s modeling career began, and her healthy yoga practice was paired with hours of intense workouts (an admittedly unhealthy routine for someone with scoliosis). “I was extremely tiny and they were telling me to lose two inches,” Pate remembers, adding how “it wasn’t as body positive as it is now.”
These drastic changes to her life — from a curved spin to an unhealthy modeling environment — brought Pate to health coaching. She needed to know how to use physical activity and nutrition to be the healthiest version of herself, without any outside noise or societal size standards to distract or confuse. Gaining accurate, helpful knowledge gave Pate the power to make positive changes in her life, as well as a new career path in health coaching. Thus began Organically Grounded, Pate’s health coaching company centered on holistic wellness, physical fitness, and well-rounded nutrition.
“I’m always conscious of how the movements I’m teaching may impact someone with an injury, or a condition like scoliosis. I’m all about lengthening and strengthening.”
Organically Grounded takes Pate’s experience with scoliosis, modeling, and health coaching, and provides an inclusive resource for individuals taking the next step in their mission for wellness. It’s not simply an Instagram account anymore — The OG Method app is launching on June 21, 2021, on the one-year anniversary of the original Instagram page’s creation. Now, individuals can subscribe directly to Pate’s workouts, experiencing her knowledge and consideration within their own weekly routines.
To celebrate the launch of her app, Pate will be going live from her kick-off event at LA’s Health House. She’ll be joined by a small group (due to venue COVID-19 restrictions), but everyone is invited to participate through her Instagram live. She’ll conduct a 35-minute class, followed by tarot card readings. Whether individuals join in-person or via Instagram, the class will be a fantastic opportunity to experience Pate’s workout style (and get a sneak peek of what’s available on her app).
“I want them to know that you don’t have to kill yourself in the gym every day,” Pate explained when asked about her app. Her personal experience has shown that more isn’t always best, but health is always the top priority.
Launching The OG Method during National Scoliosis Awareness Month is no coincidence — Pate is an advocate for the condition 365 days a year. While her workouts can be done by individuals with or without the condition, representing a scoliosis is always in the back of her mind. She understands the negative connotation of having doctors explain “a deformity,” having been in a state of fear and loneliness when she was first diagnosed. Pate isn’t just here to be your workout instructor — she’s always around to answer questions, share resources, and remind you that you’re never alone.
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