The Journey to Finding your Roots

 

Julie

“Roots are not in landscape or a country, or a people, they are are inside you.” 

Isabel Allende

 

As I celebrate one year back in the US after living in Mexico for 8 years I find myself nostalgic.   As I reflect on this period of my life I long for my friends, the language, the food and the chaos of the city but most of all for the experiences of great growth that living abroad brought about in my life.

It was an adventure that began as a student intending to study for (at the most) two years in Mexico.  The plan was to learn Spanish, have some adventurous fun, eat lots of guacamole, get my degree and be back.  But what ensued was a love affair and I don’t mean of the romantic kind.  It was a love affair with myself.

Yes, I got my degree and I learned Spanish and I did eat LOTS of yummy food but more than anything I learned about myself.  I learned who I was in the face of being completely different and out of place.  I learned how to navigate life on my own.  I learned how to let go and be led.  I learned how to be flexible and adaptable and how to live with less comfort and things. I guess you can say that I learned who I was and what I needed.

And what I needed was roots.  I needed a place to grow down into as well as growing out into the world.  I needed stability and fertile soil.  There is this sensitive, feminine part of me that I wasn’t allowing out to play.   I was smashing it down into the crevices of my being as I embarked on getting ahead in the world, on the search for a well paid job, on the hunt for what society and my family expected of me.

So in the midst of the chaos of Mexico City, a bit alone and confused, I was able to explore what truly made my heart sing.   It allowed me to set sail again on my own adventure, of going deeper into the ground that holds me, into the roots of my soul, into the depths of me.  It has been a journey, unimaginable and at times dark and difficult, and at other times light and frivolous.  It is a journey that continues…

As I think about what lies ahead for me, I am lit up by the thought of helping others along the path of creating authentic, rooted lives.  In the midst of life; in the heart of motherhood; in the darkness of divorce or joblessness; on the cusp of retirement; in the transition from dependent to independent, there isn’t a better time to embark on the journey to your roots.  Because roots are inside you, they are you and they will allow you to grow oh so much taller.   – JULIE JACK

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Julie Jack, whom many have already met as a Barre and Yoga teacher at Rivercity Pilates will be deepening her involvement with the studio as a Life Coach.  She will be offering private sessions by appointment, as well as a monthly (FREE) group for women focused on living authentic, vulnerable, full lives.

Inspiration of the Month Jennifer Reekers

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Empower your Body-Inspire your Life!Jennifer Reekers

Inspiration of the Month

November 2014

Jennifer Reekers

When did you start Pilates and what inspired you to start?

Given some weight gain and history of low back pain, I initially began Pilates with Rivercity back in 2012 in an attempt to strengthen my core and create that long/lean body we all seek! I was amazed how just one consistent mat class per week could strengthen my body.  That same year also became the time period when I decided to change careers and my Pilates practice became nonexistent as I allowed my full-time school schedule to dominate my life for almost 2 years. Today, my new career as a hairstylist requires me to stand and use my entire body for long lengths of time so I became concerned with how the physical requirements would impact my 30+ year old body. My goal is to have a healthy, strong body without my intermittent back pain. I figured if one Pilates class per week had such a positive outcome… completing multiple classes per week must feel pretty amazing?! Out of curiosity for how my body would respond, I decided to fully dedicate myself for the month of August to a highly-attended Pilates routine. I enjoyed it so much that I chose to commit to my new routine indefinitely!

How often do you practice Pilates and what type of sessions or classes have you been doing?

Thanks to the newest option to purchase MONTHLY UNLIMITED Pilates Mat classes at Rivercity, I currently practice 6 times a week in the group setting! I schedule all of my classes one month in advance which allows Pilates to be more of “an appointment” in my weekly routine vs. “do I feel like working out today?” With scheduling my entire month in advance, it holds me accountable. I attend Pilates mat class twice a week, barre class twice a week, and also the Arms/Abs and Thighs/Buns classes.

What benefits or improvements have you noticed in your body and life from doing Pilates and how has it benefited the other types of exercise you do?

I have always had a straight/boyish figure but now I’m beginning to see the start of a waistline (yay, for curves)! In just 3 months, I am definitely more flexible and toned, and I no longer experience the pesky back pain! My posture is much better and my core is the most solid I have experienced since my teenage years (and I’m excited for the continued progress)! My coworkers have complimented the difference in my body even through my clothes, which are fitting better. I also really notice tone and strength added to my legs. After my initial one-month stint of Pilates alone, I returned to the gym to complete my previous leg/machine workout… and my usual weights had become too easy! I had to add 10-15 lbs more weight to achieve the optimal leg workout. I even beat 2 large, muscular men in a friendly competition of “who can hold a wall-sit the longest.” Overall, Pilates is the ultimate form of exercise. It rejuvenates me mentally while toning from head to toe and reduces the strain I was experiencing from standing all day long.

Do you have a favorite Pilates exercise?

Call me crazy, but I really enjoy the side-laying leg series (because I used to absolutely dread it)! It’s a true testament to how your outlook changes given the small achievements over time. Initially, I lacked the range of motion therefore leg series felt really uncomfortable. Now that my body is more open with improved strength and flexibility, I enjoy the challenge of the movements while enjoying more toned hips, butt, and thighs!

What would you say to someone who is thinking about doing Pilates?

When I tell others that I practice Pilates, I find many people are intrigued but either confuse yoga with Pilates or assume that it’s not a “real workout” in comparison to other forms of exercise. Pilates is such an incredible, well-rounded form of exercise as it strengthens you from the inside-out! First, I definitely recommend someone come to Rivercity as this is the only true Pilates studio in the area! Second, I tell people that Pilates is something that an individual needs to EXPERIENCE in order to truly understand the benefits. If planning to give it a try, CONSISTENCY IS KEY! I highly encourage someone to COMMIT to Pilates for at least 8-10 weeks. Whether it’s one class a week… commit to that one class per week for a designated length of time and only THEN, determine how Pilates makes you feel. When you initially start, the smaller movements may not seem like much in comparison to the stereotypical workout… but you WILL notice a different kind of full-body strength, both mentally and physically, over time!

Starting to teach Pilates!!

Hello everyone!73759_1522883310332_2105133_n(1)

It has been a very busy couple of weeks and I’ve finally found some time to update you on everything that’s been going on!

It is finally Fall! And of course that means there is chocolate around every corner, the allergies are worse than ever, and it’s midterms! As you all know, I am in a graduate program to be a High School Social Studies teacher and am really enjoying my program so far. Of course the next two weeks include a paper, two exams, and two presentations, so maybe that will change as I start preparing for everything. =P

Even though it’s been busy, I have had the time to start with my practice teaching client! She is a good family friend of mine and has never done Pilates before.  I have been pleasantly surprised with how well it has been going so far. The first day I realized that even though I had taken Pilates mat classes a ton of times, I was completely and horribly unprepared to actually teach it.  Thankfully, being new to Pilates, my practice teaching client had no idea.

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I’ve also had the awesome opportunity to help Carey teach Pilates to the kids at Hillside Christian School (where her kids go).  This is pretty much the perfect combination of two things I love; working with kids and doing Pilates. Their seal noises rival those of actual seals, and I haven’t seen a group of people get that excited about plank contests in… ever.

 

Since the beginning of the program, we have had two sets of workshops. A workshop entails 16 hours of pulling apart and analyzing each of the movements so we can teach and do them safely and effectively. We just finished the second one at the beginning of this month and learned a ton. The focus was Mat, Reformer, and Cadillac/Tower through Level 3, but we also spent a lot of time on Anatomy. Although this definitely was a struggle to stay focused during, the plus side is that when it comes time to study for the test, I can color in my Anatomy book! Brand new box of crayons are already bought!

 

 

I have a long ways to go, but the totals so far are:

 Observations = 4/200 hours

Practice teaching = 9/250 hours

Lessons = 8.5/100 hours

Workshops = 31/124 hours

Misc. = 1/44 hours

 To do list for the next month:

  1. Keep plugging away at teaching (maybe even try some stuff on the reformer!)

  2. Get better at making time for my own Pilates practice!

  3. Survive midterms!

Stay tuned for more updates next month! – Abby

Actions steps to join our Pilates Teacher Training Program

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Interested in joining our Pilates Instructor Training Program?  Now is the time to get your plan into action!

The Body Precision Pilates Comprehensive Training Program is a lengthy process that requires dedication and commitment like all worthwhile endeavors.  Our program is designed to teach you the Pilates Method from the inside out.  You’ll learn the method comprehensively in your own body and learn how to translate your knowledge to others and develop as as unique, skilled Pilates instructor.

When finished with the program you will be ready to take the Pilates Method Alliance National certifying exam.  This exam is the only nationally recognized certification in the Pilates and fitness world and will allow you to teach anywhere in the world!

[tweetthis remove_hidden_hashtags=”true”]Want a job you will love? Considering becoming a #Pilates instructor? #JustDoIt[/tweetthis]

Program Prerequisites

  • Because the program is so intensive, we want all new trainees to start with a basic knowledge of the Pilates method in their own body before they jump in.  We require you to have in a combination of 50 Pilates private sessions, semi-private sessions or classes in before starting the program.mermaid adjustments
  • Set up an advisor meeting with Carey to talk about how you will incorporate the program into your life.   We want to make sure you realize the commitment of this program and we want you to succeed!!  Before committing to the program please set up a Complimentary 50 minute session to talk with Carey about the program.  This is a great time to get all your questions answered and start planning ahead!

Can I teach at the studio when I’m finished?

There are lots of great reasons to take the Body Precision Comprehensive Teacher Training Program at Rivercity Pilates.  You may want to teach Pilates in your community, you may want to take on this life challenge without the pressure of teaching anywhere, or you may want to teach for us at Rivercity Pilates!

At Rivercity Pilates we are always looking for qualified instructors and welcome the chance to help our trainees to teach at the studio.   While going through the full program there will be unpaid and paid opportunities for you to teach at the studio and of course we would love to have you stay and teach at the studio if we are a good fit for each other!

Need some encouragement?

“If you are on the fence as to whether to do the Pilates Teacher Training at Rivercity, I have some encouragement for you. I am officially ranking it as a top five life decision for me in the past five years (other decisions include having Finn and buying a king size bed). I just did a Level 3 mat workout at home and immediately felt stronger and less stressed. It is amazing to know that I will be able to practice Pilates with good form and breathing for the rest of my life thanks to the awesome teaching abilities of Carey Sadler and her staff. They’re the best!”

~Cassie Cumings-Peterson, 2013 Graduate and PMA certified instructor

 

Learn more about our program by clicking here!

 

 

 

Inspiration of the Month Shelley Mockler

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Inspiration of the Month

Shelley Mockler

September 2014

When did you start Pilates and what inspired you to start?

I tried my first complementary session in April 2013. I was inspired to try Pilates because I thought it might be a good option for some of my physical therapy clients. I wanted to learn more about the method to see if it would be a good fit for my patients, but I ended up enjoying my introductory session so much that I decided to come back to establish my own practice.

A few months after my introductory session (July 2013), I made it back to the studio to start my practice. At that time, I was a full-time student and was also working full-time. I had fallen out of my usual exercise routine and Pilates seemed like a great option to help me to get back in to a more consistent exercise routine.

How often do you practice Pilates and what type of sessions or classes have you been doing?

 I started out taking private lessons to learn the method and then transitioned to group classes. I took lessons and classes every other week when I started and gradually added in more sessions after the first few months.

 I currently take a mix of mat and equipment classes at the studio 1-2 times per week and also add in 1-2  mat sessions at home.  I am working on building up to a daily practice using the videos from Rivercity on YouTube.

What benefits or improvements have you noticed in your body and life from doing Pilates?

 From a physical perspective, I have noticed that my muscles are more toned and my posture is better.  I also pay more attention to how I am moving throughout the day.

From a more global perspective, Pilates has helped me transition focus to my personal wellness again. I always feel refreshed when I am done with a session, which keeps me coming back for more.

 

Do you have a favorite exercise or piece of equipment (or both)?

 My favorite piece of equipment is the chair.  I love that there are some many options in such a small package!

Some of my favorite exercises are rolling like a ball (because it is fun!), teaser (it’s hard, but rewarding), and elephant (because it feels good).

Why did you decide to go through the Body Precision Comprehensive Teacher Training Program?

 I decided to go through the program for both personal and professional reasons.  On a personal level, I wanted to learn the method in more depth and refine my own practice.  I enjoy learning on my own, but do best when I am part of a structured program, so the Body Precision Comprehensive Teacher Training Program seemed like the best way for me to take my practice to the next level.

On a professional level, I wanted to learn the method so I could incorporate Pilates principles and exercises in to my work as a physical therapist. Pilates incorporates many principles that are familiar to me as a therapist and I think the method will be a good addition to my practice. It was important to me to learn the method in more detail before incorporating it in to my professional practice.

 

What would you say to someone who is thinking about doing Pilates?   

 Give it a try!  Set aside an hour for the complementary introductory session and see what you think.  Pilates is appropriate for almost anyone, so don’t let wondering if you are flexible enough, strong enough, fit enough, etc. keep you from trying it out. Rivercity Pilates offers a supportive environment that will help you be successful!

 

 

Pilates Swan on the Foam Roller

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The swan is a Pilates extension exercise that helps open the chest and deepen the breathe while stretching and strengthening the abdominal muscles.  The foam roller allows you to really work on stabilizing your shoulders while articulating through the spine. Grab your foam roller and move with us!!