Inspiration of the Month Anne Perreau

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Wade and mommy cooking 3Ann Perreau

When did you start Pilates and what inspired you to start?
I started Pilates in the summer of 2013, a full year after having my son, (now 3). I was looking for a change to my workout routine and being a “yogi” for many years, this seemed like a natural choice.

What benefits have you seen by committing to a regular Pilates practice?
Since starting Pilates, I have found more energy, more strength and flexibility, and most of all, less back pain. I have had problems with my back for years! Now after practicing Pilates regularly, my pain is reduced.

What were the benefits of staying active with Pilates during your pregnancy?
I had much more energy and less pain during my pregnancy because of Pilates. Because I stayed active during my second pregnancy, there was less weight gain and an easier delivery and transition after birth. All of these benefits were noted this time while doing Pilates, which I did not notice during my first pregnancy when I was not as active.

You are a busy mom, how do you make time to take care of yourself?
Knowing that Pilates is good for my body, I just make time to come to class regularly. I often plan ahead so that our busy family can adjust schedules to make it happen!

Do you have a favorite exercise or piece of equipment (or both)?
I know this sounds crazy, but I love the side leg series. It was something that I could do easily during pregnancy and I have always enjoyed leg lifts.

What would you say to other busy moms who are thinking about doing Pilates?
Make time and join a class! It is very important to take care of your body. Not only does Pilates help strengthen and tone your body, it also gives you some stress relief and much needed time for yourself!

 

Have you hit a plateau?

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mermaid adjustmentsAt Rivercity Pilates we are super passionate about movement and the amazing benefits movement brings to your life.  We find that our clients can often times be categorized into clients who are private clients- those who generally only take one on one sessions with their instructor and class clients-those who only do classes.  We think both options are great and we love to encourage people to do what works best in their schedule and their budget.

Our small group classes are an affordable way to get individualized workouts in on a regular basis and often are the best option for people.  If you are a person who regularly takes classes, we want to encourage you to think about doing an occasional private session to take your own movement practice to a whole new level.

If you’ve never had a private session or it’s been a really long time you might be surprised on how much benefit you can get out of 1 session.  Even though our group classes are small we aren’t often able to stop during class and specifically go over movements specific to your body.

Have you have ever asked:

  • Why can’t I do this exercise very well?
  • Why does this exercise hurt or not feel good in my body?
  • What specific things can I do to continue to progress in individual exercises and my practice as a whole?
  • What would be the best at home routine or exercises for me to do?
  • What type of movements and exercises should I be focusing on if I want to accomplish my goals(maybe running a 5k or just looking great for that summer wedding I need to attend!)

An occasional private session can help you answer these questions and create a focus for your personal movement practice.  We know that its not practical or affordable for many people to do a private session on a regular basis but we also believe in the difference it can make in your movement practice and we provide some great opportunities for everyone to get at least a few private lessons in each year:

  • Every new client at Rivercity Pilates can start with a complimentary private session.  Take advantage of this!!  Even if you never do another private session again this session is an individualized session with one of our awesome movement instructors and you’ll be glad you did it!
  • If you are on our email list we’ll send you a yearly birthday email with some special deals only for you and one of them is a half price private session.  Treat yourself or pass the email on to your spouse or mom or friend and let them treat you!!!  Let us help you fine tune your movement practice- it’s what we love to do!!
  • Every month we offer special deals and offers only to those who are on our email list.  Be sure to read our monthly newsletter and take advantage of those great deals when we offer them!!

Have more questions about private sessions at Rivercity Pilates?   Click here or call us to talk to one of our instructors!   Special Discount available for a private session in Pilates or Yoga if you call us and mention this blog!

 

Do You Celebrate the True Purpose of Memorial Day?

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Happy Memorial Day from all of us at Rivercity Pilates!  Memorial weekend is usually an exciting, busy weekend in most of our lives.  There’s student graduation celebrations, end of the school year activities, family gatherings and just the excitement of the start of summer(my favorite time of year)!!  We hope you are able to enjoy the weekend and also take a little time to honor those who have sacrificed their lives for us.

My 11 year old son Caden is a little bit of an American history buff and is fascinated by the Military, so I thought it would be fun to capture his thoughts on what Memorial Day is and how we can best celebrate.  As children often do, I think he really simply captures the essence of the holiday and how we can best honor those who gave their lives for us!

Top ten signs you might not be doing Pilates

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The Pilates method of exercise is everywhere…. or so it seems.    You can take a Pilates class at the gym, the rec center and at the yoga studio.    But are you really being taught the Pilates method of exercise?

Did you know the only true accreditation for Pilates instructors is through the Pilates Method Alliance?  Certified Pilates instructors must have a minimum of 450 hours of training and most require 600 to 1000 hours.   Here at Rivercity Pilates, our instructor training program is 654 hours.

If you answer yes to any of our top 10 signs that you may not actually be doing the Pilates Method of exercise – we encourage you to do your research and find a certified instructor!!

10 signs you may NOT actually be doing The Pilates Method of exercise:

1. You are in a room that is heated to 100 degrees.
2. You didn’t know that breathing was part of each exercise.jo star
3. Your neck hurts (or your back or any other body part!)
4.  Your instructor is working out along side you the entire time.
5. You have never heard of the Hundreds.
6. You are doing a downward dog.
7. You’ve never been corrected on your form or technique.
8.  You’ve never rolled through your spine.
9.  Everyone in the room is doing the exact same version of the exercise.
10.  You think Yoga and Pilates are the same thing.

Have questions about the Pilates Method of exercise?  We would love to share with you more about Joseph Pilates and his method that we teach!   Schedule a complimentary private session and learn what the Pilates Method truly is and what it can do in your body!!

Confessions of a Pilates teacher…sometimes I skip the Hundreds!

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If you’ve ever taken a class or a private session with me you know that I’m super passionate about the Pilates method of exercise.  I love to tell stories about Joseph Pilates, I love to share insight about how genius the exercise system Joe created is and I always have you doing some form of the Hundreds!!

The Hundreds were designed to warm the body up, increase circulation and prepare you for the rest of your work out. When I’m teaching it’s rare that I don’t have my clients doing some form of the Hundreds.

 But today I have a confession to make….   I make it my own personal practice to move daily and this always includes some traditional Pilates exercises, but sometimes I skip my Hundreds!!

Let’s face it- the Hundreds are hard no matter how many times you’ve done them.   And there was a time that I would just avoid getting on the floor or a mat to move because the thought of doing the Hundreds wasn’t very enticing.  Over the years my thinking has changed and so has my movement practice.

There are many times when I just carve out some time and do the traditional mat sequence or reformer sequence and I do my Hundreds.  There are some days when I only do my Hundreds(something is always better than nothing). There are also many days when I do whatever I feel like( AND I SKIP THE HUNDREDS)!

Yes I know the classic Pilates sequences inside out and upside down and could recite them in my sleep.  Yes I know the benefit and beauty of the sequencing Joe created.  But I’ve also learned through my own movement practice and movement teaching:

  • The best movement practice is the one that you actually do on a consistent(ie daily) basis.

  • Trusting your instincts and moving in a way that feels good for your body has big benefits both mentally and physically.

 So what do I do on the days I’m not following the Pilates sequences?

  • I LOVE to do Roll Ups and Rolling Like a Ball is my all time favorite Pilates exercise.   Shoulder bridge feels great on my spine even if it’s all I do.

  • Some days I pick my favorite exercises and at least start with them.  Some days I make up my own movements or practice some variations of exercises that I want to share with my clients.  Some days I just stretch or practice my favorite Yoga poses and sequences.

It’s OK to “break” the rules and skip ahead to your favorite exercises.  It’s OK to skip the Hundreds or not doing Swimming.  Do what feels good and create a practice you love- your body will thank you.  And you may be surprised to find yourself adding in some of those not so favorite exercises in on occasion( or maybe not….)

Pilates Day 2015 at Rivercity Pilates

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Thank you to everyone who came out to celebrate Pilates Day 2015 with us!!

 

We started off our Pilates Day 2015 with 2 Free Pilates Mat Class and we were super excited to have so many of you join us!!  Guest instructor Cassie Cumings-Peterson taught an all levels Fundamental Mat Class and Rivercity Pilates owner Carey Sadler taught Return to Life on the Mat.

After classes everyone grabbed a snack and watched the hard working students from Hillside Christian School as they demonstrated a mini Pilates Mat Class.  The students at Hillside Christian School range from kindergarten to 8th grade.  Every week for the last 3 years Carey has been teaching a Pilates Mat class at the school.   Be sure to check out the video clips of their fabulous demonstration!!

The Rivercity Pilates Staff had a special surprise for everyone on Pilates Day!  After watching Michelle Obama and Ellen Degeneres do a little choreagraphed dance to Uptown Funk in honor of Michelle’s Get Moving campaign, the staff decided to do their own version.  We had a blast practicing and performing for everyone and we hope you’ll watch the video and dance along!!

Everyone who came to Pilates day was eligible for door prizes!  We gave away T-Shirts, Toesox, headbands and a copy of one of our favorite Pilates books: Horatio Moves by Jenna Zaffino.

After prizes, our staff jumped on the reformers and demonstrated some of the wonderful exercises that can be done on this traditional piece of Pilates equipment!

Thanks again to everyone who joined our celebration!  We look forward to seeing you next year for Pilates Day 2016!!