This quick and easy Pilates move feels great and works amazingly to strengthen your core, stretch your upper back,shoulders and chest and increase the mobility in your spine. We know it sounds like a lot for one exercise- but that’s the magic of Pilates! Try it yourself and let us know what you think!!
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As a former Pilates teacher, I know the importance of moving throughout the day. I loved being able to stretch, roll, curl, and balance along with my students. When I started a new job that involved sitting at a desk for a large part of the day along with a hefty commute, I quickly realized that something needed to change.
I could feel my shoulders rounding forward, my low back aching, and my hip flexors tightening from all the sitting. Not to mention that the mantra “sitting is the new smoking” played on repeat in my head. Luckily, my new boss is a fellow Pilates enthusiast and was all ears when I told her that I was searching for ways to bring more movement into my workday.
When you first start practicing Pilates, it may appear to be nothing more than a series of exercises taught in a particular order. After a while, however, it should become apparent that the method of Pilates is something that transcends any particular exercise. Pilates is the way we breathe. It is moving from our center. Pilates is fierce concentration coupled with precision and flow. It’s a mindset and can be applied to every part of your life.
My first task in bringing Pilates into my workspace was to move more. I started standing up to complete certain jobs and eventually built a standing desk based on this model (http://iamnotaprogrammer.com/Ikea-Standing-desk-for-22-dollars.html). I love my standing desk! It was extremely reasonable and has changed my outlook on the workday. Standing desks are not for everyone, but the freedom to move around not only helps push me through the 2 p.m. slump, it allows me to dance a little at my desk, too.
I’ve found that the standing desk helps with my posture and low-back tension. Being upright also makes it easier for me to interject Pilates stretches into my day. I sometimes slip off my shoes and roll up to the balls of my feet to balance. I also keep a 4-inch green ball in my desk to massage my feet when they feel tense.
When I need a shoulder stretch I’ll hold on to either side of my filing cabinet and walk back until my back is flat. And if I need to recharge I’ll do a standing roll down and hang in a rag doll position for a minute. This not only releases my low back, it sends blood to my brain for optimal productivity. Most importantly, I sometimes stand at my desk and take deep, powerful Pilates breaths.
I still love practicing Pilates on my own and in a studio setting, but one of the hidden blessings of my new job is that I get to apply the Pilates principles and movements in an entirely new way. To borrow from Carey and Rivercity Pilates, I’ve always known how Pilates empowered my body, but the last six months have shown me how it inspires my life.
The New Year is here and we are super excited for our first Life Inspired meeting of the year! This month’s gathering will focus on exploring what your intentions are for the next year. We’ll spend the evening talking, dreaming and laughing about what we want our year to look like!
We are getting out the crafting supplies and we’ll play around with creating a intention board or vision board that captures what we really want. If you have some extra magazines laying around- please bring them with you!
We’ll start the fun at 6pm on Friday, January 16th. We’ll provide drinks and light snacks and the gathering is completely free(so bring your best freind or your sister!)
Click here to sign up and let us know you’re coming. No worries if you don’t sign up- you can always drop in!!
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Everyone likes to save money — right? If you save money on your class package, then you can divert that savings to a new pair of workout pants, or a Rivercity Pilates Tee! Here’s a hint!
At Rivercity Pilates one of the places that we post specials is on Facebook. Usually when we do this, there are a limited # of packages at that price! There’s a slight complication for us as a business. Facebook decides the posts that you want to see and depending on whether you’ve clicked on “like” or “commented” on a past post. Facebook probably shows different posts to your friends and families. Facebook has some programmers that have created algorithms to decide what you want to see, and your personal newsfeed is one of the mysteries that makes Facebook successful.
Facebook might not even show you that great offer that will save you money! Facebook wants businesses to purchase ads, thus they make more money. In response to it’s users, Facebook developed functionality that would allow you to decide what to see first in your newsfeed. You can go use the “See First” to tell Facebook you don’t want to miss a post from Rivercity Pilates. Here’s How
In the Facebook App!
On your computer:
If you do this — you’ll see Rivercity Pilates posts first! If a limited time special is posted, you’ll see it the first time you open facebook. Win! If you have any questions about this, we can help you at the studio!