Teaching Pilates can be as centering and meditative as doing it!

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I have to admit I love my job.  There are so many job perks to being a Pilates instructor that I often forget how nice it is a to live in my Pilates clothes, be active all day long and spend my work hours teaching something I’m passionate about.

IMG_6734A job perk I don’t always think about is how present and centered I have to be as an instructor to do my job well.  I often forget how good this is for my brain and soul until I have a day when it’s a challenge for me to keep my mind focused on the task at hand.  Teaching Pilates isn’t something you can mindlessly do.  It’s hard to think about what you are going to make for dinner and walk a client through a sequence of exercises helping them find their best form.

Most days I have no problem staying and going into  “instructor” teaching mode, but a few weeks back I had an evening where a friend had shared some exciting news with me during the day and I found myself having to really work to be focused.  While I was teaching I was continually having to bring myself back to teaching and the body in front of me.

mindful2It reminded me a lot of when I meditate and use a word to focus on and the continual process of coming back to that word when my mind drifted to other places.  That’s when I had that “ah ha” moment  of realizing that the process of teaching Pilates probably has a lot of the same effects on my body and brain as a meditation practice.   Pretty cool and just another reason to love my profession!!

What should I wear to Pilates/Yoga?

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While you will see some classmates wearing colorful workout pants at RCP – by far the most common color is black!

When it comes to workout clothes there are a TON of options out there.  There are a lot of companies making very expensive Yoga, Pilates and workout wear and you may wonder do I need special clothing to take a Pilates class?  At Rivercity Pilates, labels and logos are not important.   You might see someone wearing exercise pants from Costco or Target or you might see someone wearing a logo some people recognize!  What is important, is that you are comfortable.

There are some things you may want to consider when deciding what you wear to class and they really have nothing to do with the price tag or the company who makes your pants.  Here are some quick tips to finding an appropriate pair of pants for your next Pilates class:

1.   No Zippers! 

In Pilates we articulate (aka roll) through the spine in many exercises so you’ll want to avoid pants that have zippers, buttons or even uncomfortable seams.   Those cute running tights with the zippered key pocket on your back side just might hurt you when you roll down to your mat!

2.  Consider your classmates/instructor!   Avoid Loose Shorts!

There are many exercises that involve you laying on your back with your legs reaching up to the ceiling and away from your body.  Avoid wearing loose fitting shorts or skirts or make sure you wear a biking short underneath so you are not exposing yourself to your classmates & instructor! 

3.  Consider a higher waisted workout pant!  

For me, higher is better. Hip bones or higher is a good rule of thumb.  Because of all of the rolling, twisting and just plain moving we do in Pilates most people find a higher waisted pant keeps them covered better through out movements.  It can be really distracting if you are seeing the underwear of the people next to you, and there is no need to share your back side with the rest of class!!  Pants with an internal drawstring are a great feature in a Pilates Pant!  While this blog concentrates on pants, a longer shirt can also help with this coverage issue!

4. Sweat Pants or Fleece will likely be too hot!  

Pick a lightweight breathable fabric.  A bulky sweat pant material can make it hard to move in and will be just plain hot!

5.  Choose a comfortable functional length. 

If you get hot easy -a shorter capri style pant might be best.  Avoid overly long or wide legged pants that might hinder your movement or may even get caught in your springs if you are attending a Pilates Equipment class.  I have found the pants labeled yoga pants make great pajamas, but not such great pilates pants.   They are generally longer and looser than other exercise pants.  

6.  Thoughts on Spandex!

Wearing a pair of fitted pants will allow your instructor to see your alignment and help you do the exercises.  However, they don’t have to be extra tight, or “girdle-like”.  There’s a difference between fitted and too much spandex!  Breathing is important in Pilates, and you don’t want to be fighting your pants when you take a deep breath!  My best advice is to try the pants on in the store before you buy them, to make sure they are comfortable.  I buy pants that say slimming, but the difference is they go up higher, not that they pull in more or hide my curves!   Sometimes I go up a size, simply because of the style or fabric. No one will check the label for a size at Rivercity Pilates!

7.  Most important find a pair of pants that is not only functional but something you are comfortable in and feel good wearing! 

Feeling good in your workout clothes is important!  You don’t have to spend a lot of money to get a great functional pair of Pilates pants.

Does A Pilates/Yoga Private Session Sound Uncomfortable?

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Rivercity Pilates offers Private and Semi-Private Training in Pilates and Yoga.     I saw that on the website, and thought — yeah right.    First there’s the price.    It’s more expensive than classes, and I wasn’t sure I wanted to spend that much.    Then there’s the scary thought.    For 50 minutes, I am the only person that instructor is concentrating on.

I watch reality TV.    I’ve seen the trainers yell and scream at the contestants on the Biggest Loser and other weight loss shows.  It doesn’t look that pleasant.    They yell and scream, and the contestants cry, vomit in garbage cans, and even collapse.  They also concentrate on really big challenges.   They run marathons for the right to stay on the ranch — even if takes them 20-24 hours.    I want to be healthy, but that looks like pain that I’m not sure my body could take.

I was apprehensive when I signed up for my complimentary session at Rivercity Pilates.   I didn’t want to get yelled at.   I didn’t want to end up with burning muscles and more pain than I started with.    I didn’t want to run a marathon.     I just wanted to reduce my risk of diabetes and heart disease.   My goal was to be healthier.

When I arrived at Rivercity Pilates for my first visit, I found a spa like atmosphere, friendly people and Carey gave me an orientation to the Pilates Cadillac.  I signed up for one of the new student specials that allowed me to take personal training sessions and small group classes (usually between 3-6 people), and I am still doing both of those today.   Every private session has been extremely encouraging and positive, and no one has ever raised their voice!   In private sessions, I feel free to ask questions about what I’m supposed to do or feel during a specific exercise, and Carey always patiently explains the exercise, and often demonstrates the correct exercise, and/or a modification if I can’t do the complete exercise.

Kimberly helping Nancy with foot position in a Private Reformer session!

Shelley helping Nancy with foot position in a Private Reformer session!

Do I feel like I’m being watched?   Yes, because my instructor is watching my alignment, my breathing, my working level, to ensure that I get the most benefit out of the exercise.  When having someone watching makes me self conscious I do what everyone does — I close my eyes!    The coaching and instruction that I’ve received in private sessions are some of my favorite exercise times ever and I believe the consistency of my Pilates practice, and the benefits I’ve seen from it start in these private Pilates sessions.

If you haven’t tried private sessions because you’re uncomfortable, I urge you to try 2 or 3 sessions to see how they work for you?    Then, please let me know, because I’m anxious to see if you have the same experiences that I have had!

Becky
Rivercity Pilates Student

 

I can’t believe I pay people to make me sweat!

dollars“I can’t believe I pay people to make me sweat!”   says a student after a Cardio Funk class.  Another student answers,” I can!  I know I could do it myself, but I wouldn’t and this is much more fun!”   The first time I bought a 6 month class package, I almost had a panic attack, because it’s a big investment.  The difference it’s made in how I feel, the new friends I’ve made, and how I deal with stress has made it well worth the investment.   I pay people to make me sweat, and it has made a positive change in my life.  When I say I feel better, it means I’m not creaky or stiff when I wake up, I am so much more flexible, and I rarely get sick!  Knock on wood!  

I know,  if you really want to, you can stay healthy and fit by working out on your own….but most people don’t!  There’s no reason to feel bad about the fact that you have a hard time motivating yourself to workout on your own or you just don’t enjoy it.  There are worst things in the world then paying to experience a workout you enjoy and one that is effective.  Your health and happiness are important!!

Need some justification for paying for your exercise? Here’s just a few:

  • The act of going into a space where you can purely focus on yourself and your body will decrease your overall stress, improve your overall health and decrease your chances getting sick (saving you money and and misery in the long run!)
  • You are much more likely to create a habit of exercise when you have instructors and fellow classmates that you enjoy being around and by creating that habit you’ll start seeing and feeling results!
  • You will likely work harder.    I don’t know about you, but when I work out at home I take breaks to go get water, to go to the bathroom, and I rarely stretch that extra inch that really cinches in my belly!
  • You feel more accountable because you made an investment!  With me, my dedication goes up in relation to how much money I have spent.    When I belonged to a gym that cost $38 a month, I had no problem not going to the gym more than once a week.      But when I pay $16 per session, and I have to sign up ahead of time, and pay if I don’t cancel early, suddenly I am much more self disciplined.   I make it a priority, and I go to class.

Rivercity PilatesSchedule Ahead RewardsAll these things being said, I truly appreciate all the things Carey has put in place in the studio to let me save money.    If I stop and add the money I’ve saved with Schedule Ahead Rewards, Referral Bonuses, VIP packages, and the longer term class packages, it would pay for another pack of private sessions!

Check out Carey’s blog about Budgeting for your Health here!

 

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Where should I be feeling this?

RCP-55As a Pilates instructor I often get the question,” Where should I be feeling this?”.  It seems like a simple enough question but often the answer can be complicated.  I often find then when people ask me this they want to know if they are doing the exercise correctly and if they are “feeling it” in the correct place.  Or maybe something is hurting during the exercise.

My short answer to the question is usually,” Everywhere!”  But that answer of course needs a little explanation.

What I have found through years of teaching the Pilates Method is that you can’t answer this question the same for every person or every exercise.  You see, Pilates works the entire body all the time.  The exercises are designed to have the body completely engaged and working as efficiently as possible.  So depending on what is tight, strong or weak in your body you may “feel” a particular exercise completely different than someone else and you are both doing the exercise completely correct for your body on that given day!

The Pilates Method of exercise doesn’t teach us to isolate specific muscles but to integrate our body and work as a whole.  Instead of focusing on one or two particular muscles groups I prefer people to focus on how an exercise makes their body feel as a whole.  Check in and find the whole body engagement, create a sense of moving from your center and creating length throughout your whole body.

If you are feeling like some muscles are overworking or something hurts than it’s important to let your instructor know that so he/she can give you some adjustments that will help you find a more balanced approach to that exercise.  And if you really want to know what muscles you are working feel free to ask your instructor.  Most instructors would love the chance to explain all of the different muscles that have to engage for you to do a particular Pilates exercise…..just don’t expect a short answer!!

 

 

Foot therapy with a super bouncy ball!

FullSizeRender(19)  If you are a parent you know exactly what a super bouncy ball is….they usually are fairly small, come in all kinds of fun colors and your kids are fascinated by them! ( at least for the first 10 minutes after they get one) You can pay 50 cents and get one out of the gumball machine or maybe your child earns them as a prize from school or buys one with their tickets at Chuck E Cheese. For the longest time they were an item that I would throw out when the kids weren’t looking and I considered them junk.

[tweetthis]Do your kids bring home bouncy balls? Give yourself a massage with them![/tweetthis]

Then one day I decided to try rolling my foot on one and discovered a whole new use for them!!  Now I keep one under my desks at work and at home and bring them in to the studio to give to clients.  So what do you do with them?

FullSizeRender(17)1. Roll the ball around on the bottom of your foot giving yourself a mini foot massage.  If you suffer from plantar fasciitis, have tightness in your feet or ankles or just want to gain a little more mobility in your foot- this will help!!

2.  You can also strengthen your feet and toes by using your toes like fingers and practice picking up the balls.

3.  Have a tight muscle?  Put the ball in the palm of your hand and roll it around on tight muscles anywhere for a mini massage!!

FullSizeRender(18)The great thing is that these little balls are small, portable and really inexpensive! The Super Bouncy Ball might become your favorite at home pilates prop!!