No Cookie Cutter Private Pilates Sessions Here!

, ,

IMG_7104As a professional Pilates instructor I see a variety of clients with a variety of needs concerning their movement programs. Here’s a short list of why clients come to see me:

  1. Learn to move better
  2. Create a regular Pilates practice
  3. Stress Relief
  4. Overall Better Health
  5. Finding exercises suitable for their bodies even when they have injuries
  6. Accountability to exercise on a regular basis
  7. Core Strength
  8. Variety in their exercise program
  9. Positive body image
  10. Create balance in their body

As a someone who might be considering taking private sessions with a Pilates instructor we want you to know that your sessions will be tailored to what your body can do and to your “why” for coming to see us.  As an example, I have a client who is a busy mom and has a hard time fitting cardio in so we always start her sessions with a 15-30 minute walk and then spend the rest of the session doing a Pilates workout.  Rivercity Pilates is conveniently located right near the North Liberty biking and walking path and we love to use it when we can!  I have another client who is the caretaker for her husband and we spend a lot of her session time focusing on strengthening and stretching in alignment, and also practicing functional movements (like how to lift something properly or how to push a wheelchair with proper body mechanics).

 

During your first complimentary private session at Rivercity Pilates we’ll have you fill out a health intake form where we also include some questions about your health and fitness goals.  We include this as a way to start the conversation with you about what you want to get out of your experience with us and how we can best help you.  Please don’t skip this question!!   We know that having a regular workout program that you actually enjoy and is meeting your goals can make all the difference in the world and we’re excited to have the chance to work with you and help you find that!

Click here to learn more about our instructors!  Sign up for a complimentary session today and let us help you with your health and fitness goals!!

 

Worried about germs?

IMG_1747We are too!  At Rivercity Pilates we want you to experience an enjoyable session or class and not be concerned about the germs maybe left over from the last person!  Besides our regular studio cleaning we have clients wipe down all the surfaces and props that they may have touched or used after their workout.  You’ll find in each studio room a stack of towels and spray bottles for your use.  When you are done simply put the used towel in the basket for used towels.

As instructors and staff we know that sometimes clients forget, so rest assured it’s no big deal if you forget. We make sure to check and will gladly take care of it for you!

[tweetthis hidden_urls=”http://pic.twitter.com/AcaivzPecZ”]Are you a germaphob? C our #recipe for keeping the studio clean![/tweetthis]

Wondering what we use as a cleaning solution?  Shelley, our office manager, has done her research and created a cleaning solution using a castile soap and germ fighting essential oils that is gentle on our equipment and mats but also tough on germs!!

rcp cleaning solution

My Back Hurts…..

, ,

What does a Pilates instructor do when her back hurts?

I have to admit I have not ever had to deal with chronic back pain, but like many people I have an occasional day when my low back aches or hurts.  Many times it is after I have been driving in the car longer than normal or sitting at the computer too long.   Some days I couldn’t tell you exactly why it happens.  So what do I do?  Pilates!

IMG_1728

My go to treatment for a tight achy low back is to move and stretch and use some traditional Pilates exercises.  I turn to the same wonderful work that I use with my clients day in and day out!  I generally focus on stretching and lengthening the backs of my legs and my hips.

[tweetthis remove_hidden_hashtags=”true”]Help! I teach #Pilates and I have #BackPain[/tweetthis]

Some of my favorite exercises are Single Leg Circle followed by stretches for my hamstrings and inner and outer thighs, Shoulder Bridge followed by a supported bridge stretch (with a yoga block under my hips), a slow straight leg lower with a foam brick under my hips to lengthen my psoas and just hanging out in child’s pose.

FullSizeRender(21)

For me the movement helps almost immediately and I continue to play around with finding movements that help my body feel good.  Often times a sore low back is a reminder that I need to incorporate more mindful movement into my day,  be a little more aware of how I’m moving my body and how much I’m sitting throughout my day.

One of my favorite lessons learned from my Pilates practice is that we are much more powerful and capable than we think when it comes to healing and taking care of our bodies.  So if you’re feeling a little achy or tight don’t be afraid to try out some movements at home.  Listen to your body and trust that your mindful movement practice can change how your body feels!

 

 

What is the Pilates Reformer?

, ,

 

Are you new to Pilates?  Ever wonder what is this thing called the Reformer?

Part scientist, mechanical genius and anatomy and movement guru, Pilates creator Joseph Pilates created a movement system he called “Contrology,” accompanied by a variety of equipment he referred to as “Apparatus.” The Apparatus was designed to help accelerate the process of stretching,strengthening and balancing the entire body. The best-known and most popular piece today, the Reformer, was originally called the Universal Reformer, aptly named for “universally reforming the body.”

In the video above you can watch Rivercity Pilates owner Carey Sadler during part of her Reformer workout.  The Reformer workout is a specific sequence of exercises designed to flow together to give the practitioner a complete body workout.  Practitioners learn these movements individually in the beginning and then continue to practice the sequence of exercises, adding in more challenging exercises as they progress.

Learn more about the Pilates Method of exercise, the Pilates Reformer and other Pilates equipment by scheduling a complimentary private session at the studio.

 

Carey

 

Shelly’s Story: 12 months of Pilates Teacher Training

, , ,

IMG_1933Today, as I finished another tally sheet for my teacher training log book, I realized that I have been on the road to becoming a Pilates instructor for just over a year. Wow, how the time has flown! Knowing that I have let other things in my life take priority over Pilates in the past month, I decided to take this opportunity for some self-reflection. So, I set aside my long, ever-present to-do list, and reflected on what I have accomplished in my first year in the Body Precision Comprehensive Teacher Training Program, and where I want to focus my energy in the upcoming months.

Before moving forward, I took a few minutes to look back at why I decided 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 physical 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.

Then I thought about what I have accomplished in the past year…
I completed all of the workshop hours and a little less than half of the observation hours, practice teaching, and lessons required for the comprehensive program. More importantly, I gained a deeper understanding of the Pilates method and learned what most of the exercises feel like in my body, or at least what they feel like right now.   And, most surprisingly, despite adding more “requirements” to my life, I found better balance. Better balance between work and personal life. Better balance in my emotions. Better balance in my body.

What has been my biggest challenge in the past year?…
Time!   When I contemplated starting the teacher training program, I was concerned about the amount of time I would need to dedicate to the program. I have a full-time job, and then some. I had just finished a 4 year graduate program, had a paper to revise, and had a fall class to teach. Did I really have time for Pilates? Maybe I needed to slow down and take a break. Was I really ready to jump in to another commitment? Well, I decided to take the plunge and I am glad I did. Finding time to dedicate to Pilates has been a challenge, however. I try to combat the challenge by scheduling time each week for observation, practice teaching, and my own practice. And when all else fails, I remind myself that even if I get in as many hours as I would like each week, I am still making progress.

Where I want to focus my energy in the upcoming months…
Getting back to scheduling time for me! Fall is a busy time of year for me, much like it is for other people…. It is back-to-school time (I teach a physical therapy class in the fall semester), football season (Go Hawks!), and a busy time of year for work-related conferences. Amidst all of the other demands on my time, I want to get back to making Pilates a priority on my schedule. I always feel great when I walk in the studio… the hard part is putting it on my schedule.  So, for the next few months, I am going to focus on getting Pilates on my schedule at least three days a week!

Shelly
IMG_6246

Keeping Pilates Fresh

, ,

IMG_6149I’ve been teaching Pilates for 15 plus years and the whole journey has been filled with learning and growing (which is part of what I love so much about the profession).   People often ask me how I remain passionate about Pilates or if Pilates gets monotonous for me.

I’ve taken endless hours of continuing education, workshops, conferences and online training.  I’ve taken lessons and classes with a variety of instructors and master instructors.   As much as I love all of those learning opportunities I think the most important teaching tool I use in my teaching is what I like to call “playtime”.

Playtime for me is what some might call my own personal workout time, yet I see it a little differently.  Playtime is where I get to experience the work I teach day in and day out in my own body on any given day.  It’s a time when I get to explore the exercises deeper.  I get to try a variety of different adjustments to the exercise and find which one feels best in my body.

If a client has struggled with an exercise, my playtime is a time where I put myself into my client’s body and imagine what an exercise might feel like in their body.  I call it playtime because its fun and just like a kid playing times flies by and I barely realize that I’m actually “working my body”.

[tweetthis hidden_urls=”http://pic.twitter.com/nXPprcm21N” remove_hidden_hashtags=”true”]#Pilates #workouts should be #FUN! Love what you do! [/tweetthis]

For me having daily “playtime” is essential to my teaching.  It keeps my own body healthy, its refreshes my spirit and inspires my teaching!!  I often start my day with my movement practice but you’ll also catch me playing if I have some time between clients or classes at the studio.