Salamat Wellness

Alice Joy "AJ" Cruzat, MSPT, Physical Therapist, and Pilates Rehabilitation Teacher, Grounded in Gratitude and ready to help you build Resilience for the decades ahead.

Why "Salamat"?

In Tagalog, Salamat means "Thank You." But for me, it represents a philosophy of movement. It is the belief that when we lead with gratitude for our bodies—exactly as they are in this moment—we unlock the power to build a stronger, more resilient future. At Salamat Wellness, your movement is our "thank you" to the body for all it allows us to do.

Why I do what I do?

The Mission

I founded Salamat Wellness on a simple principle: Staying grounded in gratitude for the body you have today and building the resilience you need for the decades ahead.

As a Physical Therapist and Pilates teacher with nearly three decades of experience, I’ve spent my career helping people navigate the journey from injury to peak vitality. My years in outpatient orthopedics taught me how to fix a body once it’s broken, but my own journey as a runner, a woman in midlife, and a Pilates instructor taught me something better: how to keep it from breaking in the first place.

Clinical Insight meets

Mindful Movement

I believe movement is the ultimate tool for longevity. Whether you are navigating the hormonal shifts of midlife, recovering from a nagging injury, or simply want to ensure you can move with freedom twenty years from now, I am here to help. My approach blends clinical orthopedic expertise with the intentional practice of Pilates to build a body that doesn't just "last," but thrives.

Movement is My Constant

Looking back, one thread connects every chapter of my life: a love for movement. I wasn't a "natural" athlete—I was the cheerleader at the top of the pyramid and the gymnast who couldn’t quite nail the backflip. I moved for the pure joy of it, even when I wasn't the best in the room.

That passion led me to earn my Master of Science in Physical Therapy (MSPT). I was captivated by the body’s potential to heal. As my clinical career grew, so did my own practice—evolving from sprint triathlons and martial arts to the life-changing discovery of Pilates. Through this journey, I realized a fundamental truth: We are all athletes. You don’t need a gold medal to claim that title; you just need the courage to move.

More Than Just Exercise

For me, Pilates is movement meditation. It is my space to tune out the noise and tune into my breath. It has been my anchor through life's hardest seasons, providing me with the emotional resilience to show up for my husband, my two sons, and my community.

In our post-pandemic world, self-care isn't a luxury—it’s the foundation of a strong, healthy community. I’m here to help you find the purposeful movement that protects your wellness and keeps you moving forward.

Beyond the Studio

Pilates helps me participate in activities that feed my love for movement, creativity and travel.

50-State Explorer: As a family, we homeschooled our kids and traveled to 50 states. We hiked in several national parks, swam in lakes and oceans, and learned about our incredible country.
International backpacker: In 2000, for our honeymoon, my husband and I spent 1 year backpacking through the vibrant landscapes of Southeast Asia and Latin America.
The Maker’s Mindset: When I’m not in the studio, you’ll likely find me in my backyard, tending to plants and flexing my DIY muscles with home projects.
Vertical Challenges: Yes, I'm under 5' tall, some would say that I'm vertically challenged. Yet, I also like to take on vertical challenges by regularly rock climbing. It’s the ultimate practice in focus, precision, strength, and trust.
Culture & Grace: Recently, I've been practicing Kali, Filipino Martial Arts, connecting to my Filipino roots. I also enjoy swaying my hips in Hula, a beautiful discipline that keeps me connected to storytelling through movement.
Eagle Rock Community Pride: Although I've only lived here since 2017, my husband's family has been here since 1979. And my youngest is currently attending ERHS. We're blessed to be part of this hometown community.
Berkeley Roots: I am a proud UC Berkeley alumna and have been married to my college sweetheart for over 25 years. And currently my eldest son is attending UC Berkeley. Go Bears!
The "Non-Natural" Athlete: I was once the cheerleader at the top of the pyramid and the gymnast who couldn't nail the backflip. I used to be middle of the pack / last pack in sprint trithalons and 1/2 marathons. I learned early on that movement is for the joy of it, not just the "win."