Do you ever blame how you feel on your age?

My husband came home from his first “Daddy daughter” dance practice of 2023 with my daughter and said, “There is a lot of up and down in the dance and I was really feeling my old man knees”! My response, “Oh so what you’re saying is that dance practice is giving you an opportunity to strengthen your muscles and support your knees so they feel better?”  He smiled and said, “yes that’s exactly what I’m saying!”  

You see, he absolutely knows that actions like squatting and lunging and knee bends are exactly what helps his leg muscles stay strong and exactly what usually helps his knees feel better if they are feeling aching or sore, but out of habit fell into the mindset of deciding to choose to think that his uncomfortable knees were just a product of aging. His discomfort wasn’t because he was old…it was because he hadn’t been moving his body in ways that kept his knees happy lately!

Do you ever find yourself blaming how your body feels on aging? Have you found any benefit into thinking that way? (I’m guessing you haven’t!!)

As a Pilates teacher and a movement coach I want to remind you that your thoughts about how your body feels and about your movement time are are just as important as the movement time!  When clients first start with us one of the things they will notice is that not only are the learning how to move well in their body, they are also learning how to re-think movement, exercise and their body. 

So often people don’t even realize the negative mindset they have around exercise or their body and they find it so refreshing to be in a space with people who remind them of what they are capable of!

I’m giving you homework this week! See if you can catch yourself blaming how your body is feeling on your age and try changing that thought to a slightly more positive one! 

Try something like…”Oh that feeling is reminding me to be consistent in adding strength and mobility movements into my life…that’s a great reminder!” Try to avoid blaming your discomfort on your age and focus on things you can control!

If you’d like to find out more about how Pilates can help you feel terrific, email us here!

Would you like to try Pilates?

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If you are brand new to Pilates or it’s been awhile since you’ve practiced be sure to check out our free Pilates Day introductory group sessions! We would love for you to experience what a regular Pilates practice can do for your body and your life!

If you’ve been curious about exploring Pilates in your body…this is the perfect chance to try it out by signing up for a FREE introductory session! Contact us quick to grab a spot as space is limited and these sessions will fill up!   

Pilates Day is celebrated by the Pilates community worldwide on the first Saturday of May every year.  The goal of Pilates Day is to foster the public’s appreciation and awareness of Pilates.

Are you new to Pilates? Here’s a quick description of the Pilates method of movement:

Pilates is a mind-body exercise developed in the 20th century by Joseph Pilates. He and his wife Clara taught students this unique method of exercise. They called it ‘contrology,’ which teaches and encourages controlling your muscles with your mind by focusing attention on core postural muscles that provide spinal support and help keep the body balanced. Pilates’ exercises were developed to teach breath awareness, spine alignment, and abdominal muscle strength.

New to Pilates?
In honor of PIlates Day 2023 we’ll be offering special introduction to Pilates small group sessions at 11 am and 1 pm on Saturday, May 6th.  Like all of our small group sessions at the studio this session will be limited to 5 participants max. To sign up for this free session just click here and we’ll get you scheduled! 

These sessions are geared for anyone who wants to learn more about what Pilates is all about! We’ll start the session with a general talk about what Pilates is and the different ways to practice it. After that we’ll get you moving so you can experience the method in your body.  We’ll review the fundamental concepts and ideas we use in Pilates and encourage you to try some Pilates exercises.  You will get to try out some exercises on the Pilates equipment! 

In your session your teacher will show you how to adapt each movement to your body to make it most effective for you.  It will be a fun, informative session that let you explore the Pilates method in your body.

Email us to reserve your spot in a free session on Pilates Day

What is an Integrative Health Session?

Ready to feel better in your body? Start here!

  • If you feel like you’ve tried ALL the things but you are still frustrated with how you are feeling in your body…we suggest Integrated Health Sessions!
  • If you have life or health goals and want some help getting to the next step in your path….we suggest Integrated Health Sessions.

What is an Integrated Health Session?

Integrative Health Sessions are created uniquely for each individual. Choices for the session can include any combination of mindfulness, breathing, movement (yoga, pilates or physical therapy based), and health coaching.

Each individual will initially complete a personal health assessment based on the Wheel of Health with 7 areas assessed (nutrition, mental and emotional well being, fulfillment and purpose, physical activity and fitness, sleep and rest, and physical environment). This health assessment will be used as a guide using curiosity to explore the individual’s path to wellness.

Integrative Health Sessions at Rivercity Pilates

These sessions are conducted by Jenny Fitzpatrick. Jenny is an integrative health specialist with over 30 years of experience in the health and wellness field. Jenny is a licensed physical therapist, a yoga teacher and has practiced Pilates for many years. Her approach is to address the whole person. Jenny partners with clients along their journeys in making sustainable changes to live the lives they desire. Jenny’s passion is to assist clients who seek greater confidence and peace in leading healthier lifestyles.

Pricing

  • Single Sessions $120
  • 4 Package of Sessions $460
  • 8 Package of Sessions $880

Schedule sessions in Mindbody or email us.

New Yoga Inspired Movement Classes

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Jenny started offering Integrative Health Sessions at the studio last year and she has added two small group Yoga Inspired Movement sessions to her schedule that started this week.

For those of you who haven’t worked with Jenny yet, I wanted to tell you a little bit about her and the small group sessions she’ll be offering, because it might be just what you’re looking for!   

Jenny is a licensed physical therapist, a certified Yoga teacher (200RYT) and is also certified in Yin Yoga. 

Jenny’s goals for her weekly group movement sessions are to create a Yoga inspired movement session that focuses on mobility in the back and hips, strengthens core muscles and brings a sense of balance to the nervous system.

Her sessions will be doable by ANY body and she’ll give lots of options on how to make movements work for your body.  If you are looking for a gentle, mind body focused movement session designed to improve overall strength, flexibility and mobility you will love these sessions! No Yoga or movement experience is necessary!  

Jenny is offering sessions Tuesday mornings at 9 am and Saturdays at 10 am.

If you want to schedule a small group Yoga session yourself you can look for openings under the appointments tab in Mindbody and request an appointment on the app or on in Mindbody in a browser.  You can also always just email us and we can schedule it for you!

Act fast and get a free strength training class!

We will be offering a new small group session simply called Strength Training Sessions starting February 4th!

  • Expect to get a whole body strengthening workout utilizing hand weights, various resistance bands, the magic circle and utilizing body weight exercises.  It’s important to ease into things and gradually increase the weight you’re lifting over time, so Shannon will help you determine which weights to use.    Our weights in the studio range from 2-12 pounds.  
  • Shannon will help you with proper form and technique so you know you are doing exercises correctly. She’ll make sure you are working at an appropriate range of motion and resistance for your body.   
  • Small Group Sessions are limited to 5 people per session maximum.
  • Small Group Strength Sessions are priced the same as our Pilates Mat Small Groups and our Yoga Small Groups  (If you buy a package of small group sessions, you can go to Pilates Mat, Yoga or Strength small groups!)
  • You can pick and choose which sessions you want to take or take them all!  NOTE:   The recommendations for women over 50 are to do strength training 2-3 times per week!

We have a deal for you!   Try a Small group Strength Session for FREE in February.   To claim your free session email us before January 31 and let us know which day in February you want to attend a session and we’ll add a free Small Group Strength session to your account and schedule you for your free session!

New In Studio Yoga Session

We are so excited to be able to add more Yoga to our in studio offerings.

Unlike other studios who offer drop in style Yoga classes, we’ll only be offering our Yoga Small groups by appointment only.  You will not be a person in a room of 20 yogis here.   You can easily request a spot in a session by requesting an appointment in Mindbody or by simply calling us.

Just like our small group Pilates sessions, our small group Yoga sessions are designed to be specific to those attending and you can be assured that your teacher will take the time to get to know you and help you create a practice that you love.  Sessions will be limited to 5 participants.

You might call Kim’s Wednesday small group Yoga sessions “functional yoga”. Each session is designed around very functional, doable movements that benefit the body of the average person. You’ll love these sessions if you are looking for a fun way to practice Yoga that improves your strength, increases your flexibility and mobility and leaves you feeling calm and content.   

Kim Blackwell will be teaching a Wednesday morning Small Group Yoga Session!  Kim is a physical therapist and Yoga teacher who loves to make Yoga accessible to all bodies!

Try the Wednesday small group Yoga session for free! Simply email us before January 31 and let us know which day in February you want to attend and we’ll schedule your session and put the free session on your Mindbody account.