If you hate crunches because they hurt your back, read this!

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Do you remember someone sitting on your feet and you had to do crunches in gym class? Or maybe you took a fitness class where you were trying to do as many sit ups  or crunches as you could in a short amount of time?  It wasn’t any fun and hurt your back.  

The Pilates Roll Down works your abdominal muscles in a slow controlled movement that actually feels good as you are doing it. The movement is designed to strengthen your abdominal muscles and help you gain flexibility in the muscles of your back at the same time.  

Pilates can help you ….Breathe Better

Maybe you’ve never even thought about how you breathe and how it affects your health…if not you should! Joseph Pilates talked a lot about the importance of learning to breath correctly in his book, Return to Life.  Joseph Pilates said,” Breathing is the first act of life and our last and our very life depends on it. It is deplorable to contemplate about the millions and millions who have not mastered the art of correct breathing.”   The Pilates method of exercised is based on the fundamental idea of learning to breathe fully and properly and to use breath to help our body movements more efficiently!  Want to learn about some more benefits of practicing your breath?  Check out this great article about all of the reasons you might want to learn to breathe better:

 

http://breathing.com/articles/benefits.htm

What is Gentle Yoga and would you like it?

picture of yoga classAre you wanting to try Yoga or maybe you’ve practiced in the past and you’re looking for a class that fits you?  Let me tell you about our Gentle Yoga classes so you can decide if it might be a good fit for you!

Gentle Yoga is a slow paced class that focuses on the making Yoga accessible to any body. No need to worry about standing on your head or doing any of what I hear called “crazy poses”!  You’ll learn how to focus your mind and use your breath to move with ease into poses that are very doable for your body.  Your teacher will give lots of variations of the pose to help you find one that works best for your body.  You’ll learn to use props like a Yoga strap or Yoga block to help poses work better in your body.  The class atmosphere is relaxed and mindful, but you’ll always feel comfortable asking a question if you have one.

How will your body benefit from Gentle Yoga?  You’ll find yourself building strength and flexibility in your body.  Your body will start to feel more and more balanced. The sense of calm you get from taking this class will ooze into your daily life. You’ll be moving in a way during class that will teach you how to move better indoor daily life.

If this sounds like a class you would enjoy we encourage you to come in and try a complimentary class!!

Have you thought about starting Pilates?

Watch this video, with quotes from some of our inspiring students! 

Free Community Event: Pilates Every Body Mat Class

Life Inspired Monthly Group 
Sunday, January 28th 
6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. 
 
We’ll have a free Pilates Mat Class and you are welcome to stay after for wine, chocolate and hot cocoa!
Join Shelley Oglesby for an Every Body Pilates Mat class for our January Life Inspired. You’ll focus on the fundamental concepts and ideas we use in Pilates in a workout designed to leave you feeling longer, stronger and energized! This class is great for beginners and those who enjoy a slower paced Pilates Mat Class focusing on proper alignment, functional movements and how you can incorporate Pilates into your life!
This is a free class, but space is limited, so sign up to reserve your spot!