November 2018 Inspiration of the Month Debra Aegerter

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November 2018

Inspiration of the Month

Debra Aegerter

When did you start Pilates and what inspired you to start?

I was looking for a way to increase my strength so that I could continue practicing and teaching yoga. I was struggling with some of the more challenging yoga poses I had been able to do when I was younger but as I got closer to 60 I just didn’t have the strength. 

How often do you practice Pilates and what type of sessions or classes have you been doing?  

I try to take as many classes as I can. Sometimes that’s four times a week and sometimes it’s only two. Four times is always my goal because I feel the most benefit for me personally. I definitely feel as though I’m building at four and maintaining at two. I always book the reformer classes.

What benefits or improvements have you noticed in your body and life from doing Pilates? 

The first thing I noticed was that I felt stronger. It’s a mental and physical thing. I was getting stronger and the yoga poses that were challenging came more easily. In my daily life things became easier too and I didn’t have to worry about injury. I felt stronger and I was stronger.

Do you have a favorite exercise or piece of equipment (or both)?  

I love the reformer! Maybe it’s because I spend a lot of time on a mat in yoga but it is the class I always want to take. I also love working with props.  I feel like it really teaches you a lot and helps you identify your weak spots.

What would you say to someone who is thinking about doing Pilates?
I would encourage anyone who is considering Pilates to do it! Also, don’t be afraid of the reformer. It took me forever to learn to how to flow with the equipment but I never felt out of place in class with more experienced students. The studio is welcoming and helpful. You won’t regret starting something that makes you feel fabulous.

Meet the Instructor – Shannon

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What do you love about teaching Pilates and Barre? 
I love those moments when a client finds an exercise in their body, feels the intention of the movement, and a new connection with themselves. I really appreciate that Pilates and Barre both are not just about one thing or one muscle group at a time. Both exercise methods require that our entire selves are active, alive and participating. I like to tell clients: nothing is ever dead in Pilates or Barre. Feel energy everywhere.

How would you describe Barre to someone who has never done it?  I do not have a dance background, so I like to tell people that.  Dance experience is not required at all. Barre is similar to Pilates in that our focus is on the whole body working together; something is always stretching while something else is strengthening, all the while being supported by form and posture. Barre, like Pilates, is good at finding and working the smaller, supporting muscles that can bring greater stability, balance, and tone.

You have been teaching Pilates for a long time, besides being a mom and having a full time job. What benefits has this had for you in your life? 
I started taking Pilates mat classes about 18 years ago and really fell in love with the focus required by this movement practice. I began to learn my body and to become very in touch with it. That, more than anything, has served me over the years, through pregnancies and crazy schedules and periods of higher stress. When we practice Pilates with intention and remember to keep our mind engaged, then we really have an opportunity to come into ourselves. Pilates has consistently offered me a practice that helps me manage stress, spend time with like-minded and amazing people, a way to connect with myself, and a way to remain healthy, strong and flexible well into my 40’s.

 

Celebrate Purple Friday November Life Inspired: Roll, Release and Relax Class

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Need to relax after the holiday? Our free Roll, Release, and Relax class is the perfect way to destress and pamper yourself!

You’ll spend all 50 minutes of this class using specialized therapy balls to do self massage throughout your entire body. These self massage techniques are designed to release tight muscles and fascial adhesions, releasing tensions and leaving you feeling more mobile throughout your entire body. This practice is great for anyone…from those who want to combat tightness due to chronic sitting to athletes wanting balance out their training time and prevent injuries. Balls are provided by the studio. No experience necessary!

Stay after class for apple cider, snacks and shopping! This is a free class but space is limited and it will fill up- so sign up early here:

You can also email us at rcpilates1@gmail.com or call us at 319.665.2499 to sign up!

November Beginner Pilates Mat 4 Week Series

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November 7 -28, Wednesdays at 5pm with Jane McKenrick

This 4 week Pilates Mat class series is designed for those who are brand new to Pilates and want to learn what it is all about and how they can use the Pilates method of exercise to feel better and move better in their body. This class will move slowly and participants will get detailed explanations of how to do each movement in a way that is safe for their body and in a way that makes it most effective for them!  Expect to learn how to breathe better, how to engage your core muscles, and how to start thinking about movement and exercise in a whole new light!

Sign up here.

What is a barre class anyway?

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I’m guessing that some of you think that a barre class is only for people that have taken dance lessons in the past!   That is absolutely not the case.    The Barre classes at Rivercity Pilates combine attributes of Pilates, dance, and functional fitness training. This class incorporates small isolated movement to fatigue the muscles, large range of motion to elevate the heart rate, and sequencing that incorporates upper and lower body to make every minute count.  This results in a total body workout that leaves you mentally strong and feeling accomplished.

Here are some frequently asked questions we hear about barre class.

Do I need to have ballet experience or know the ballet terminology?
No, our instructors will explain and demonstrate each movement.

Is it ok to hang on to the barre?
Absolutely.    The barre is there to assist you in keeping your balance.

Will this hurt my knees?

The small controlled movements and the attention to form make this a great class even for those who have chronic knee pain or even a knee replacement. There is not any impact or jumping in the class!  By doing controlled movements that strengthen around the knee joint, we find the clients who have had knee issues in the past discover Barre class helps them to keep their legs strong and avoid future injuries!

Do I need to be able to stand on my tip toes (like a ballerina)?
No. If rising to the balls of your feet does not feel good in your feet our instructors will give you options to keep your whole foot grounded!

Is the entire class done standing?   
No, usually around half of the class is done standing at the barre. The other half of class will be a combination of Pilates and functional body strengthening exercises that are done on a cushioned mat.

Is it ok to take a break if my legs get tired?
Of course — we never want you to overwork!  You’ll see lots of different levels of fitness in our classes and our instructors are fabulous at reminding you how to work at your own level!

Do I need to wear a leotard and tutu?
No, just wear exercise clothes that you are comfortable in!  But of course if you want to put on your favorite tutu…we don’t mind!

Do you want to feel and move better? This is the class for you: Roll, Release and Relax with Carey

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People have been Raving about this Guided Rolling Class with Carey Sadler 
Saturdays at 8 am 

 
From reducing migraines, to reducing pain, to just plain feeling better, clients have been loving our Roll, Release and Relax class on Saturdays at 8 am.    Many of the principles we employ in this class are described in the book, “The Role Model”, by Jill Miller.    This class is appropriate for everyone from couch potatoes to runners and those who participate in regular fitness classes!     
 
Fascia is a type of connective tissue in our bodies that wraps around muscles, organs, bones etc. Fascia can be thick or thin, stiff or pliable, healthy or unhealthy. The composition of fascia depends on where it is in the body and what its function is. Basically fascia gives our bodies its structure and helps us to move efficiently.
 
In terms of our muscles, think of fascia as a sausage casing. The shape of a sausage is a result of the casing. If you remove the casing, all you have is a pile of chopped meat. One function of fascia is to give shape to our muscles as well as to connect groups of muscles together to function as units or chains. Wherever the Therapy Balls roll, they impact your body’s fascia.   You will find that by “hydrating” your fascia by rolling, you will erase pain, improve mobility and love the way you feel!   
 
While this is definitely something everyone can do at home with the right tools, often we find ourselves rushing through the rolling sequence, or feeling guilty about taking time for self care when there is so much to do in our home.    Many of our clients tell me, that rolling class on Saturdays is their favorite type of self care!    
 
You’ll spend all 50 minutes of this class using specialized therapy balls to do self-massage throughout your entire body. These self-massage techniques are designed to release tight muscles and fascial adhesions, releasing tensions and leaving you feeling more mobile throughout your entire body.
 
This practice is great for anyone…from those who want to combat tightness due to chronic sitting to athletes wanting balance out their training time and prevent injuries. Balls are provided by the studio. No experience necessary and drop ins are welcome!   
 
 
*Use any class card or membership option for these classes