Pilates with my Love

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In honor of Valentines this week I thought I would write a little bit about my love, my hubby Jeff.  People will often ask me if he does Pilates and the answer is yes, but probably not as often as he would like.  Which of course seems like a shame since I own a studio and spend my life teaching and at the studio.

Jeff first started Pilates when I started the teaching training program 18 plus years ago.  He was my first guinea  pig!  I had picked him to be my practice teaching client for the program because I thought it would be fun to teach him and we were living together so clearly finding time to practice would be easy.  It turns out this was not the case and that was when it was just the two of us, no kids. We were both working full time and juggling schedules and we found that it was really hard to consistently get sessions in and really easy to just skip it on days when other commitments came up or one of us was tired or unmotivated.  So I decided to pick a new practice client because I needed to have someone consistent to get through my practice hours with.

Fast forward 18 years and we seem to have the same problem when it comes to him getting in for Pilates sessions!  Over the years Jeff has definitely snuck in to do Pilates with me and at the studio.  He even went through part of my teacher training program thinking it would be helpful for me to have an extra teacher at the studio. At the time that just didn’t work out because it was too chaotic trying to juggle him getting the training hours in with kids’ schedules and his work schedule. Now that our kids are older and we have a little more freedom in our time he has started back doing his teacher training hours again and he’s hoping to be able to eventually teach some mens only Pilates classes at RCP! 

img_3457Like most people our lives seem jam packed with work, kids activities, family time and along the way trying to take care of our own health by adding in some healthy movement and exercise.  As a studio owner’s wife, Jeff has inherited the job of studio maintenance guy and most of his time in the studio is when I need help with projects or something is broken!

img_7044One of our goals for Jeff is to arrange our schedules so he can get into the studio at least once a week for a session with me or a class.  For the most part we have been making it work and it’s been fun!  I love that I get to help him do something that is good for his health, but more than that I love the time we get to spend together when we do his sessions.  When we first started this I realized how little time we get to spend together that doesn’t involve the kids and home projects.  It’s kind of funny, but our Pilates time kind of feels like date nights.  It’s so nice to get to spend an entire session focused on Pilates and movement and nothing else…no phones to distract us, no kids yelling Mom! Dad!, etc.

Want to introduce your spouse to Pilates and try a Pilates date?  Schedule a complimentary private session to introduce him or her to Pilates! Want to try a class together? This month’s free Life Inspired Community class is a free Pilates Couples class on February 9th at 6 pm. This class  is designed to have everyone moving safely (no crazy hard exercises that will make newbies feel uncomfortable!) and having fun while exploring the Pilates method.  

What could be better than teaching Pilates Mat?

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Have you met the Pilates reformer? If you teach Pilates mat work and haven’t practiced Pilates regularly on the reformer….you are seriously missing out!  You are missing out on having a deeper understanding of the Pilates method in your own body and you are missing out on one of the best Pilates teaching tools EVER!!  Don’t get me wrong…I love Pilates mat work.  I love how easy it is to do anywhere because all you need is your body…but if you are someone who wants to explore what the Pilates method can do for your body and for the bodies of clients of all shapes, sizes and abilities: you need to study the Pilates method utilizing Joseph Pilates’ Reformer.

 Here’s just a few of the things you’ll learn while going through the training program:

  • The reformer will helps you (and your clients) find your alignment.  The design of the equipment gives feedback that allows you to self correct and figure out how to find your own best alignment.
  • You’ll find engagement in your body during exercises that you didn’t know you could or should do. The straps and spring of the reformer give your body support and at the same time teach you how to engage your muscles more efficiently.  This will build strength, flexibility and balance in your body in a way that will completely change your Pilates Mat work.
  • By studying Pilates in different places( ie different pieces of equipment)  you’ll learn new tools that you can use to help yourself and your clients safely and effectively train their body.  

Our Pilates Reformer Teacher Training Program starts on April 13th! The program is designed to help you learn how to use the Pilates Reformer as a teaching tool for yourself and your clients.  You’ll learn how the reformer can be ideal for clients overcoming injury and imbalances and you’ll walk away from the program comfortable teaching Pilates classes and private sessions on the Pilates reformer.  Read more about our program here.  Contact Carey today at 319.665.2499 or rcpilates1@gmail.com to learn more about signing up for the program.  

 

Inspiration of the Month-February 2019 Donny Lindell

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Inspiration of the Month
 February 2019 
Donny Lindell

When did you start Pilates and what inspired you to start? 
I started Pilates in April 2018. My reasoning for starting Pilates goes back to Memorial Day 2017.  I woke up that morning and experienced a sharp snapping sensation in my left knee and it wasn’t long until the right knee decided to join in. This turned into constant discomfort and pain.  After what felt like a million doctors visits, MRI’s, XRays and PT- I was diagnosed with a connective tissue disorder: Hypermobile Ehlers Danlos Syndrome (hEDS).  After learning there really is not a medical fix for this condition I was instructed to go to PT in order to strengthen my body to support my “loose” joints.   Throughout PT my physical therapists and doctors all recommended I try Pilates since it was something that would help me build overall strength.  I decided to give it a shot after my brother went and scoped out Rivercity Pilates and did a private himself. He came back to me with all the information and I decided it was worth a shot!!

How often do you practice Pilates and what type of sessions or classes have you been doing? 
I try to go to at least 4 classes weekly, but on the days I am not able to make it to class I incorporate Pilates exercises into my morning stretches/exercises.

What benefits or improvements have you noticed in your body and life from doing Pilates?
Pilates has really helped me manage my pain/discomfort on a daily basis.  When I start my day with Pilates it always makes me feel so much better mentally and physically.  For those reasons I actually have decided to to the Teacher Training Program as well!!  I really feel that Pilates  has helped me so much and am excited to learn all I can and hopefully help others who may be experiencing anything similar. 

Do you have a favorite exercise or piece of equipment (or both)?
I really love the Roll Down or Neck Pull right now, but I have SO much to learn, so who knows what my next Favorite will be!!

What would you say to someone who is thinking about doing Pilates?
I would say “DO IT”! Not only is it a great way to get a whole body workout but it helps you so much in your daily life!!!  

Wait….those people in that Pilates class look normal

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Just last week I was chatting with a client during one of her introductory private sessions and we were talking about adding some more classes into her regular routine.  She mentioned that she was enjoying her beginner classes she had started doing and she thought she was ready to add in another time or two per week. She also mentioned how relieved she was to see that the people that were headed to a different class on our schedule that day were….well…normal.  I could tell that seeing a variety of ages and body shapes heading into class helped her realize that she too could do a class and not feel out of place! 

So many times in life I think the thing that stops us from doing something that might make a huge difference in our life and in how our body feels on a regular basis is our fear, our fear of worrying about what other people might think of us and our fear of not fitting in.   I know that my passion and “my why” in life have a lot to do with helping people realize how movement can be an amazing health tool in their life to live their best life.  I’ve also come to realize that the hardest part about sharing my passion with others is that for me to get to have the chance to share it with people I first have to convince them that their fears of not fitting in, not being strong enough, not being flexible enough, etc to start a movement practice are not really true!!    

If you are one of those people who really wants to add some movement time into your life but you are just plain scared that you might not fit in or you might not be able to do it..you are not alone!  Most of our clients feel that way when they get started!  But I have to tell you…it doesn’t take them very long to figure out that Rivercity Pilates is a place where everyone fits in. 

Let me help you out with rethinking some of those fears! 

  • I am too old…    nonsense!!   If you are wanting exercise and move at whatever age you are, doesn’t it make sense that there are others close to your age that feel the same way? 
  • I am too out of shape…..    I know you probably don’t believe me but I can promise you that our teachers are experts at giving you exercises that are within your abilities that can be done at a level you are comfortable at AND you will not feel out of place doing it! 
  • I’m not sure if I can do it because of …(fill in the blank with an ailment or injury)    Again….I know this might be hard to believe but our teachers not only know how to give you exercises that allow you to strengthen and move no matter what is going on….they do it all the time even in small group settings.  When you take small group classes at our studio you will see people in class doing lots of different variations on exercises because we know that not every body is the same.  You won’t feel out of place adjusting an exercise for your body because we insist that everyone does the exercise in a way that is beneficial for their body (and we of course will help you figure out what that way is!) 

Ready to get out of your own way and experience how movement can help you feel better in your body?  Schedule you complimentary session today!

 

 

 

Happy Hour Pilates may be your perfect FIRST Pilates class!

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Does the thought of attending your first Pilates class terrify you? You are not alone! Maybe you are worried you won’t be able to do any of the exercises and you’ll look silly?  Maybe you are worried everyone in class will be younger and more fit than you? Maybe you are just nervous that you won’t fit in.  If you’ve been wanting to start Pilates classes but have been a little nervous about your first class here are 5 reasons why our Monthly Happy Hour Pilates class may be the perfect first class for you!!

  1.  This all levels class is super beginner friendly!  With a name like Happy Hour Pilates this class is designed to be fun, relaxed and you’ll do lots of things that will feel good in your body after a long week!  You definitely won’t feel any pressure to be able to do anything perfectly and even if you are brand new to Pilates you’ll feel comfortable!
  2. The people coming to class want to chat with you!  Happy Hour Pilates class is just as much about the social connections as it is the movement and exercise time. The others coming to this class enjoy getting to talk with other clients and connect with others. By staying after class for snacks, refreshments and social time you’ll have a chance to meet some other clients who take classes at Rivercity Pilates and get a feel for if you will enjoy other classes at the studio.
  3. Even if you hate class, the snacks and refreshments after are always fabulous!  Ha,Ha…we know you won’t hate class but seriously we always have some great snacks and refreshments!!
  4. If its your first class ever at Rivercity Pilates…it’s free!  New clients can take advantage of a complimentary free first class!  Not only can you try out Pilates at Rivercity Pilates for free, you get snack and refreshments too!  #scoreforyou 
  5. You’ll leave happy!  What could be better than ending your week with a happy experience… using movement to take care of your body, connecting with others and sharing some laughs!  

Sign up for this month’s Happy Hour Class here or call us at 319.665.2499!  Drop ins are welcome for this class! 

 

 

Happy Hour Pilates for January!

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Celebrate the first Friday of each month with some “you time” to strengthen and align your body and de-stress! Jane’s Happy Hour Pilates class is an all levels Pilates Mat class (beginners welcome!) that will incorporate extra time at the end of class to relax and release tight muscles utilizing the foam roller and specialized therapy balls.
 
This month we are celebrating the cold with toasty warm drinks…peppermint hot cocoa, Carmel apple cider (non alcoholic versions available too!)
“Happy Hour Pilates” is Friday, January 4th at 5pm!