Facing Your Fears!

I clicked my harness to the beloy and started climbing… it was fun and I was proud of myself for being able to climb so high. And then everything changed. The climbing instructor hollered to me to stop and come down. He says ,”Just lean back and let go to come down” Then I hear my kids say, “just let go….Mom! Just let go!” I stopped and looked down and realized how far up I had climbed.

“I know” I say… but in my head I’m thinking I’m really high up, it’s a long way down and what if this rope doesn’t work??.. my heart is racing, my body feels like it is paralyzed and even though I’m telling myself to let go I just couldn’t do it …. So I decide to just climb down…. And again I hear encouragement from the bottom of the wall… From the climbing instructor: just let go, it will be ok! From my kids:.”Mom you have to just let go, just do it!”

Ok I let go …kind of …and for a split second it felt like I was falling and then the tension caught me…It was super awkward, and clumsy and my heart was still racing.. and I made it to the ground..but it was not pretty!

I loved climbing and was totally fine until I got to the top and realized how high I was…and then the fear sank in! Paralyzing fear where I was having a full on conversation with myself in my head trying to convince myself I could do this, I could let go…but my body did not want to cooperate at first!

I hate not being able to do something and do not like when fear gets the best of me…so I did what I generally do when something scares me…I decided I had to keep practicing, knowing I could get better, knowing it would seem less scary and maybe I could become less awkward if I kept facing it.

I decided to just climb up not as high and just practice coming down so I could get comfortable with it. I was still scared, it still freaked me out, but I did it and it was slightly better, slightly less awkward and I gained a little more confidence. Every time I climbed higher the fear pattern set in again and I had to remind myself I could do this. After almost 3 hours of climbing, I was getting much more comfortable with my descents. I was climbing higher and the intensity of that initial let go moment was almost gone. I had a fabulous time my my kids and husband, I got a great workout in and I felt proud that I had not let my fear ruin the great experience I had.

Jumping into something new is scary…whether you are descending from a rock climbing wall or just trying a new exercise program or making a change in your life. Isn’t it funny how even though our brains know we are safe…our mind and body naturally react to protect us, they naturally react in way that would make it easy and justifyable in our minds to just stop, just walk away. Yet if we don’t face fear and question it, I feel like we are probably missing out on what could be the most rewarding experiences for our selves.. for our health and for our growth as a person.

The next time you are nervous to try something, the next time something is a challenge or makes you uncomfortable …maybe you’ll take a moment to question…is it worth working through your fear?

Staff Highlight: Jane McKenrick

Jane McKenrick, instructor at Rivercity Pilates from Tiffin Iowa.

What do you love about teaching Pilates? I love the challenge of helping clients move their bodies- becoming stronger and more flexible in the process- and watching them become more confident in their capabilities. There’s nothing better than hearing a client say, “That felt great!”

How has teaching Pilates changed your life? I’m stronger, more flexible, and no longer possess a “fear of falling” that can be present in people my age. The discipline of routine practice is extremely beneficial to my mind, as well as to my body.

What did you love about the teacher-training program? Everything! The classes. The observations. The practice teaching. The process of creating a Pilates discipline. Even though I’m retired, I schedule my day around Pilates practice (at home or at the studio) and/or classes (that I take or teach). I’ve learned so much from teachers I observed and from classes I took, and continue to adapt many of those components to my own Pilates teaching.

What would you say to someone thinking about becoming a Pilates teacher? “Just do it!” That slogan has worked well in anything I have ever attempted to do. :-) You won’t regret the decision. Teaching Pilates continues to change my life in many positive ways.

Inspiration of the Month Jeff Miller

Jeff Miller of Solon Iowa at Pilates class

When did you start Pilates and what inspired you?
I began with an introductory course by Carey in January, almost a year ago. I am normally active, but I slowly realized my core strength was beginning to diminish, so being pro-actively searched, and discovered a remedy with Pilates.

How often do you practice Pilates?
I normally attend class at least once or twice a week, but prefer to participate twice a week to benefit as much as I can. 

What benefits/improvements have you felt in your body and life?
I’m quite active outside in the yard, on the farm, and with gardening. Normally I suffer from lower back pains after a long day. Hey, bending over with a chain saw for 4-6 hours is a lot of work, esp. when you get older.My body isn’t in the condition it was 20 years ago. I’ve definitely noticed an improvement in core strength and toning of my arms and legs.

What is your favorite piece of Pilates equipment?
I really appreciate the thorough workout a person can achieve with a 50 minute session on the tower. The various motions that can be accomplished is amazing. One morning session can definitely change your frame of mind for the rest of the day! It’s a “high” that is very gratifying and healthy for your entire body.

What would you say to someone thinking about starting Pilates?
A person has to make just one simple move by opening up the door and scheduling a session. Once you’re in the door you’ll soon discover this is the place for you and you’ll have fun doing it. I’ve never participated in any formal exercise since college, so for me it was a big step. The satisfaction I’ve received and the many laughs have been priceless. The atmosphere at River City Pilates is most definitely a “Happy Place”.

Can exercise be enjoyable??

How do you feel about exercise?  Is it something you enjoy and look forward to?  Or do you think of it as a chore, something you know you should do, but not necessarily something you want to do?

At Rivercity Pilates we believe that movement and exercise should be fun and enjoyable.  Exercise should be something you look forward to and something that leaves you feeling energized, accomplished and ready to face the rest of your day!

As instructors some of our most memorable moments are when our new clients are introduced to the Pilates work and have the realization that they are enjoying what they are doing and they actually are looking forward to their next session or class!

Rivercity Pilates client & instructor, Kimberly Burke, when talking about why she does Pilates, stated,” My mood is always better after class- even when I start out happy, I get more so.”

For many people, there is a belief that exercise has to be miserable and that if you aren’t dripping in sweat, huffing and puffing with muscles that are so sore you can’t walk up the steps, then it’s not doing you any good.

At Rivercity Pilates we know that this is not true and we would love to prove it to you!  We offer a complimentary private session to ALL of our new clients so you can experience the Pilates difference yourself!

Rivercity Pilates client Michelle Johnson, was asked what she would say to someone who was thinking of starting Pilates and here’s what she said, “I encourage everyone to try Pilates.  Pilates is gentle, progressive and movements are performed slowly so you learn to do each exercise precisely.  There is something for everyone and it will improve how you feel. You will walk away from every class feeling motivated and wanting to come back again.”

If you’re ready to find an exercise and movement program you LOVE contact us to set up your complimentary session.  We would love to share our passion for Pilates with you!

Mat Pilates or Equipment Pilates?

Have you ever wondered what is better- Mat Pilates or Equipment Pilates?  Or maybe you are curious about what the difference is between the mat work and the equipment work.  Keep reading and hopefully we’ll answer your questions!

First of all it’s important to realize that Pilates is a method of exercise and there are lots of different ways you can practice Pilates. The effectiveness of the Pilates work doesn’t necessarily come from having a particular piece of equipment to use, but really comes from HOW you do it. That being said, the Pilates equipment was to designed to help you learn the method more efficiently and to allow your body lots of different variations to do different movements.

What is Mat Pilates?
When we talk about Mat Pilates, we are talking about using the Pilates method to do exercises using only your own body as resistance.   Sometimes we use small props in the mat work such a a small ball, a theraband or a Pilates Magic Circle(a small ring that provides flexible resistance).   Joseph Pilates created a sequence of exercises that is often called the traditional Pilates Mat sequence. Since the method is highly adaptable to any body, there are lots of different variations of these exercises that can be incorporated into any workout. The mat work is especially nice when you are traveling or just don’t have access to any equipment.

What is  Pilates Equipment?


Joseph Pilates designed spring based equipment to support and advance the body while practicing the Pilates method of exercising. The movements that we do during mat work and while using the equipment are very similiar. The springs of the equipment are often referred to as extra muscles, or an extention of the body.  They allow the body to experience a movement that they maybe could not do otherwise. They help teach the body how to move properly so that it can repeat that movement in other situations.

What should I do?
I like to encourage our clients to do a mix of both mat work and equipment work.  During private sessions, your instructor will combine various mat and equipment exercises to create a workout program optimal for your body’s needs.  If clients are primarily taking group classes I really encourage them to take a mix of both mat and equipment classes.

What are the benefits of doing both?
Doing the Pilates Method in a variety of ways will create the optimal results in your body and allow you to continue to progress through the exercises.  The different pieces of equipment and mat work really work together to create change in your body.  For instance, there may be a particular movement or exercise that is challenging for you( for example: teaser on the reformer long box).  By practicing the mat variation of this exercise you will create the strength and balance to help you perfect it on the reformer.  Another great example is an exercise called the roll-up.  In the mat work we try to leave the legs anchored to the mat as we roll down through the spine to a lying position, and then roll back up to a starting position with the same control.   Doing this same exercise on the Pilates equipment called the Cadillac (holding on to a bar attached to springs), teaches your body this same movement and helps you build the strength to do the mat version, in a very supported way.

Is Mat or Equipment better? 
Both Mat and Equipment Pilates are great for your body and equally effective.   If you have the opportunity I suggest using a variety of both mat work and equipment work to help you strengthen, balance and align your body to receive optimal results!

Try it today!

January Life Inspired

“Life Inspired” Classes are free and open to anyone. Beginners and new to the studio clients are welcome, you do not need to be a Rivercity Pilates client to attend. Reserve your spot here!