Should I be in a more advanced Pilates class?

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I teach a weekly class that I call Return to Life on the Mat. In this class we practice the entire advanced Pilates Mat sequence that Joseph Pilates created in a very flowing tempo.  Most of the classes on our group class schedule are considered all levels, but Return to Life is not and because of that I require that students be approved by a teacher to take the class.  This is because we do exercises that are often not taught in an all levels class and the pace is pretty quick so there is not a lot of time as a teacher for me to stop and “teach” an exercise to an individual body who has not done it before.  As a teacher it’s always first on my list to keep all students safe in their body.  Truly this class flows enough that at the end of class your heart rate is often raised and you are dripping with sweat as if you just went for a brisk walk or run! If the challenge of being able to safely practice the advanced mat sequence is something you would love to do, definitely talk to me or your teacher about how we can help you get there!

Now that I’ve told you all about the advanced Pilates Mat class, I have something VERY important to tell you:

There is absolutely no need to be able to do advanced Pilates Mat exercises to get the amazing benefits of a Pilates practice in your life!!  

If you practice Pilates on a regular basis I probably don’t need to tell you this.   You’ve probably had some “aha” moments in your practice when you say to yourself:

“The more I learn about how to move my body correctly, the harder the exercises are!”

“I think that going slow and at a “beginners” pace today was harder than when we have more flow?!”

You can practice Pilates for your entire lifetime without doing the “advanced exercises” and you will still feel amazing in your body and you will still be progressing! 

The reason so many of our classes are “all levels” is that you don’t need to do a more advanced exercise to improve your Pilates practice.  When you practice Pilates exercises on a regular basis, when you learn to focus and concentrate more on each movement and be more precise, you are advancing in your Pilates practice!  And I’m guessing you’ve probably noticed that and said to yourself, “Why is this Pilates thing feeling more challenging the more I do it?!”.   It’s because you are progressing, improving and becoming a better, more efficient mover who is stronger and more balanced in their body.

The goal of your Pilates practice is not (or should not!) be to “get to a certain level” or to be able to do a particular exercise.  The goal is to move your body in a way that brings balance and uniform development to your body, which in turn allows your body to function at its best.  I believe the best way to achieve that goal is to find movement classes that you enjoy coming to and create an at home practice that supports your goal to create optimum health in your body.  Probably the most challenging part about a Pilates practice that I see in clients is consistency.  The method itself is amazing, and if you practice on a regular basis you will feel results and reap daily benefits from it.  But let’s face it…life gets crazy and movement and exercise time is often one of the things that easily gets thrown aside.  If you want to make a commitment to advancing your Pilates practice simply make a commitment to keep practicing!!

 

 

 

 

 

Inspiration of the Month – Jane

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Jane balancing on the rocks of Ellesmere Island, arctic Canada, August 2017.  Photo by Bill McClelland

When did you start Pilates and what inspired you to start?
I started Pilates in 1999 with a terrific instructor, but when she left the area I eventually stopped.  I finally restarted about a year ago doing private sessions with Carey.  I was terribly out of shape and out of balance – mostly due to a major surgery that severed the balance nerve on the right side of my brain – and these sessions have really helped me get “centered’ again.  Carey is absolutely fantastic at analyzing my body’s problems and working with me to improve form and function.  I am a field geologist, so fitness is important to me.
How often do you practice Pilates and what type of sessions or classes have you been doing?
I try to take 2 Pilates classes a week.  The private session with Carey keeps me honest.  Carey targets my trouble spots and really helps me with flexibility.  I also enjoy Shelley’s Every Body Mat Class.  I don’t have the patience to do 50 minutes of Pilates at home, but time flies in Shelley’s class.  The equipment classes are also great if you remember to sign up in time.  Recently, I tried Zumba for cardio … the jury is still out … but it is also good for coordination.
What benefits or improvements have you noticed in your body and life from doing Pilates? 
Since I started Pilates again, I notice my body moving better and my posture improving.  I really believe that keeping the body moving is the key to a healthy life, especially as I age.  My old rock climber balance will never be what it was, but I want to maintain what I have and maybe even improve.
Do you have a favorite exercise or piece of equipment (or both)?   
The challenge of doing Pilates on the reformer boxes really pushes me to the limit of my comfort zone, and I like that.
What would you say to someone who is thinking about doing Pilates?

Rivercity Pilates is a VERY welcoming place.  The classes are small by design, the space itself is cheerful, and best of all … the staff are amazing.  So if you are thinking about doing Pilates – go for it!  I convinced my husband to try it, and he is hooked.

Do you do your side leg kicks with Precision?

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Nominate a Breast Cancer Survivor for a Pilates “Scholarship”

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Nominate a Cancer Survivor and give them the gift of strength, inspiration, empowerment and encouragement… 


One of my passions as a movement teacher is helping people use movement to improve the quality of their life.  I truly believe that whatever is going on in your physical body, movement can be used as a tool to help you feel better in your body.  I’m so excited to be part of the nonprofit organization called Core Compassion.

Core Compassion Project is a non­profit organization dedicated to offering Pilates scholarships to cancer patients in order to reduce the side effects of cancer treatment. Specialized Pilates fitness training helps to restore physical strength and mental well­ being.
Click here to learn more about Core Compassion.  Click on Scholarships and be sure to read some of the amazing stories of those who have earned Pilates scholarships through Core Compassion!  On that same page you can apply for a scholarship or help a friend or loved one you know apply.  (It’s a really easy process!!)
Send us an email to learn more or if you need any help with the application process!!
P.S.  This is an ongoing program and scholarships can be applied for at any time! 

October Life Inspired – Free to the Community

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Happy, Healthy Holidays!

Sunday, October 22
  6 pm to 7:30 pm
  
Life Inspired is a free monthly event that we host for us to connect, learn something new, and have fun!
Join Health Coach Amy Boelk and discover how to not just make it through the holiday season, but actually THRIVE!
…and join us afterwards for wine and chocolate!!
Sign up for the FREE Life Inspired Event:

Do You Practice Pilates with Precision?

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This month’s studio focus is the idea of “Precision” in your movement practice. For me, precision is simply fine tuning.  Precision is the challenge of continuing to practice a movement so that each time I do it, it gets a little better and I get a little bit “more” out of the exercise.  Precision is what keeps my mind occupied when I’m doing an exercise that I’ve done thousands of times.  Precision is also what creates movements that are controlled and refined.
Precision is one of the qualities of a Pilates practice that I believe really sets it apart from other movement modalities.  Our focus is rarely how many reps can we get in, or how fast can we move.  Our focus is on how we can move in a way that coordinates our breath and movement and use our muscles in a balanced way to move with ease.
As a Pilates teacher I am talking about precision in relationship to my Pilates practice, but the great thing about this idea of precision is that you can apply it to practically any movement practice.  If you are flowing through a Yoga pose or lifting a weight I think you’ll find that just changing your mindset to think about precision takes any movement you are doing to another level.  It makes it a little more challenging, it helps you move with more ease, with more balance and it helps you move better!