01
Roots
Breath, posture, and pain-free movement
Class · Mon–Fri · 7 amBallard · Seattle
Learn how to move without pain.
Small group classes and private lessons in between Ballard and Fremont.
Book a free trial
5.0 · 23 Google reviews
Who it's for
Where are you starting from?
Pick the one that sounds most like you.
Fighters & athletes
Athletic performance is self-expression
Power comes from range you can control. When your hips, shoulders, and spine move freely, you can generate more force, react faster, and handle the volume of hard training your sport demands. There's no better feeling than showing off your hard work under the bright lights; I can help you get there.
Functional strength and conditioning — trained the way your sport actually moves — builds an athlete who lasts. Nico is a professional Muay Thai fighter himself and builds everything from basic mobility to tactical reactions around what you need on fight night or game day.
“As a fighter for the gym Nico's S&C classes have already helped me immensely.”
Khalil Tate “Coach Nico's approach to muscle training is practical and well focused on real daily function, and a perfect complement to Muay Thai conditioning. The sessions are personalized, motivating, and deliver real results. Highly recommend for anyone!”
Bhon Bunnag “I highly recommend training with Nico. He's an experienced, versatile fighter that will make you tougher, improve your conditioning, develop your mental game, and deepen your understanding of Muay Thai.”
Kendal Harland “…My technique, fight IQ, and fitness levels have noticeably improved. If you're looking for a coach who actually has a program and a purpose behind every class, Nico is your guy!”
Germaine Gonzalez
Stuck at work all day
Your body wasn't built for the chair
If your neck aches by mid-afternoon and your lower back tightens every time you stand up, you're not alone. Hours at a desk hold your body in the same shape, day after day, and it adds up.
The answer isn't complicated, but it does take practice: learning to breathe, stand, hinge, and turn gives you the tools to change your posture and relieve some of the pressure you feel. These are the basics we study in Roots and Trunk — small, consistent practice with them adds up to a real difference in how you sit, stand, and move.
Trunk runs weekdays at 12:30 pm — a lunch break that gives something back. This is coaching, not medical care, and I'm happy to work alongside the recommendations of a doctor or physical therapist for any injuries you may have.
“Coach Nico understands deeply biomechanics and how our body should move! He is more than a superficial trainer! Hugely recommended if you have any imbalances — passionate, experienced, and knowledgeable.”
Tudor Sasaran “I started working with Nico in June of '24, to improve my mobility, coordination, and overall fitness, and I've found him to be an amazing coach and instructor. I've progressed a ton since starting with him and I can't recommend him highly enough!”
Noah Choi
Grinding at work all day
Relief for muscles that work overtime
Trades, kitchens, warehouses, hospital floors: physical work repeats the same motions for hours, and the same muscles carry the load every shift. They stay tight long after you clock out.
In Roots, you'll learn tool-assisted stretching — using simple tools to help release tension in overused muscles — along with breathing and posture work you can take home and use between shifts. It's a way to recover from the work, not just push through it.
Roots runs weekdays at 7 am, before most shifts start. This is preventative training, not medical care — if something starts to hurt sharply or isn't getting better, check in with a healthcare provider.
“I've had the pleasure of training with and learning from Nico and have also watched him teach students of all levels. Whatever your goals are, Nico has the knowledge and abilities to help you get there.”
Justin Li “Excellent training! Pushes past your limits yet mindful of your capabilities!”
Marjoe Jr Delacruz
Our method
Grow like a tree: roots, trunk, branches
Every client follows the same system, at their own pace — first move without pain, then build a stable core, then branch into real athletic performance.
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Trunk
Core stability, balance, and isometrics
Class · Mon–Fri · 12:30 pm03
Branches
Power, reaction, and athletic conditioning
Private lessons
Meet your teacher
Nico Aliaga
Nico is a professional fighter, Muay Thai coach, certified personal trainer, and former classroom teacher. He's been teaching, training, and fighting out of Muay Thai Iyarin since 2024.
He founded Tree of Life Training & Wellness to share the fundamentals of movement training that reverse the imbalances of a sedentary life. He spends his spare time gardening, asleep next to his cat, or building community.
- Professional Muay Thai fighter
- ISSA-certified personal trainer
- Former classroom teacher
Our reviews
What students say
“Nico has been my Muay Thai personal trainer for almost a year. I can easily say he's the best trainer I've had so far — I started with almost no experience and I can easily say that I've a much better technique now…”
Shubham Gupta “Nico did indeed take it seriously, and the results have been spectacular. Suffice to say that my formerly somewhat mousey grandkid is now a Muay Thai addict, and will be back for more…”
Scott M “Every class is well-structured. From warm-ups all the way through the learning outcome of the day, it all flows together intentionally. My technique, fight IQ, and fitness levels have noticeably improved. If you're looking for a coach who actually has a program and a purpose behind every class, Nico is your guy!”
Germaine Gonzalez “Coach Nico understands deeply biomechanics and how our body should move! He is more than a superficial trainer! Hugely recommended if you have any imbalances — passionate, experienced, and knowledgeable.”
Tudor Sasaran “Started training with Coach Nico because I needed to add S+C to my routine. And wow, what a difference it's made in a short amount of time. The classes are small and tailored to your individual goals. Nico is very knowledgeable and will make your experience equally challenging and rewarding.”
Renata Geraldo “Coach Nico is highly skilled and well versed in many aspects of training. He is patient and will meet you with your training slightly past where you feel comfortable — highly recommended.”
Emiel Madonna “I started working with Nico in June of '24, to improve my mobility, coordination, and overall fitness, and I've found him to be an amazing coach and instructor. I've progressed a ton since starting with him and I can't recommend him highly enough!”
Noah Choi
“I highly recommend training with Nico. He's an experienced, versatile fighter that will make you tougher, improve your conditioning, develop your mental game, and deepen your understanding of Muay Thai.”
Kendal Harland “I've had the pleasure of training with and learning from Nico and have also watched him teach students of all levels. Whatever your goals are, Nico has the knowledge and abilities to help you get there.”
Justin Li “Excellent training! Pushes past your limits yet mindful of your capabilities!”
Marjoe Jr Delacruz “Coach Nico's approach to muscle training is practical and well focused on real daily function, and a perfect complement to Muay Thai conditioning. The sessions are personalized, motivating, and deliver real results. Highly recommend for anyone!”
Bhon Bunnag “Nico designs each session to match participants' specific goals, whether they are beginners building confidence or seasoned athletes refining performance. Genuine care for each person who trains with him. Come take a class and see for yourself!”
Katherine “Great coach and focus on what you need to work on.”
Tony Deva “As a fighter for the gym Nico's S&C classes have already helped me immensely.”
Khalil Tate
“Nico did indeed take it seriously, and the results have been spectacular. Suffice to say that my formerly somewhat mousey grandkid is now a Muay Thai addict, and will be back for more…”
“Every class is well-structured. From warm-ups all the way through the learning outcome of the day, it all flows together intentionally. My technique, fight IQ, and fitness levels have noticeably improved. If you're looking for a coach who actually has a program and a purpose behind every class, Nico is your guy!”
“Started training with Coach Nico because I needed to add S+C to my routine. And wow, what a difference it's made in a short amount of time. The classes are small and tailored to your individual goals. Nico is very knowledgeable and will make your experience equally challenging and rewarding.”
“I started working with Nico in June of '24, to improve my mobility, coordination, and overall fitness, and I've found him to be an amazing coach and instructor. I've progressed a ton since starting with him and I can't recommend him highly enough!”
“Excellent training! Pushes past your limits yet mindful of your capabilities!”
“Nico designs each session to match participants' specific goals, whether they are beginners building confidence or seasoned athletes refining performance. Genuine care for each person who trains with him. Come take a class and see for yourself!”
Come as you are
You don't need to be in shape to start — most people begin because they don't feel it. Private lessons by appointment and weekday classes, inside Muay Thai Iyarin in Ballard, Seattle.
Book a free trial