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!
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:
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!
Beginner Yoga 4 Week Series
Our September series filled so quick we added two more Beginner Yoga series in October (Wednesdays at 7:30 pm) and in November (Tuesdays at 7:30 pm) This series is designed to introduce Yoga to those with limited or no experience. If you’re a beginner in Yoga or haven’t practiced in awhile, start here! Over the course of 4 weeks we will learn the basics of Yoga, breath work, postures and alignment and see how all of these combined will help you on your journey to more focus, balance, strength and flexibility. $49 for the 4 week series.
Sign up: Click Here!
Inspiration of the Month
Kathleen Knutson
When did you start Pilates and what inspired you to start?
I starting taking Pilates classes at Rivercity a little over a year ago. I had sporadically taken large group mat classes over the years at various gyms but was looking for a smaller studio to get better instruction on the proper form of Pilates.
How often do you practice Pilates and what type of sessions or classes have you been doing?
I usually take 2 classes a week, one equipment and one mat. I would like to fit in one more this fall/winter per week as my schedule allows.
What benefits or improvements have you noticed in your body and life from doing Pilates?
I’ve really noticed positive differences in my balance, range of motion and strength. Especially in my neck and core. Core strength is important to me because I have moderate scoliosis.
Do you have a favorite exercise or piece of equipment (or both)?
Any exercise that involves stretching my spine one way and then the other are my favorites. Feels great!
What would you say to someone who is thinking about doing Pilates?
Pilates is a great alternative to traditional strength training such as cross fit or HIIT. There’s less risk of injury. Cardio is also very important. I very much enjoy taking Jazzercize classes in Cedar Rapids too.