Inspiration of the Month Amber O’Rourke

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

I started coming to Rivercity about a year ago, shortly after the birth of my third child. Though I lost the baby weight rather quickly, I definitely didn’t feel in shape and had heard many great things about Pilates. Specifically, I knew Carey from when my son attended preschool with her daughter so it felt less intimidating to start Pilates having known her outside of the studio.

How often do you take classes and what type of classes have you been doing?

It’s not easy getting to class on a regular schedule with three young children and a physician husband who works long hours, but I grab any chance I can to get to the studio! You’ll often find me at a Sunday evening Yoga or Barre class, but I also try to get to Tower and Mat classes once a week.

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

The biggest benefit for me has been the mental release of being a stay at home mom. For that hour I am in class my only job is to focus on myself. It’s often a challenge to leave “it” at the door, but Pilates and Yoga both require a physical and mental presence that force me to be in the moment. I’ve noticed a desire to take better care of myself all around since starting Pilates and getting back in to Yoga. I’m eating better and am slowly getting back in to running.

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

I really enjoy the Tower. Though it’s an intimidating piece of equipment to those new to Pilates, I quickly discovered that after each Tower class I felt as refreshed and rejuvenated as I do after a massage! I also like the challenge of doing “Seal” correctly. It appears easy but it’s actually quite difficult to rely more on the strength of your core rather than the momentum of the movement. Not to mention, it’s hard to take myself too seriously when moving like a seal!

What would you say to someone who is thinking about coming to Rivercity Pilates?

I would encourage anyone to try out a few private sessions at Rivercity. I was very intimidated to start Pilates but the individual attention at my initial private sessions gave me all the confidence I needed to start taking classes. The atmosphere at Rivercity is unique, I think, in that the instructors and members are very welcoming and helpful toward “newbies” and they do a great job of challenging you as an individual while also recognizing that each body has its own limits and capabilities that may even change from class to class.

Inspiration of the Month

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 Barb Rechkemmer

January 2015

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

 I started Pilates a little over a year ago.  A friend of mine who was familiar with my injuries and subsequent surgeries suggested giving Pilates a try.  She had also been practicing Pilates and thought it might help with over all health.

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

When I began I did 2 private lessons per week for several months.  I then started a group tower class along with the occasional private session.  Now I do one group Pilates class per week as well as attending Barre and Yoga classes.

What benefits have you seen by committing to a regular Pilates practice?  

The benefits of Pilates are numerous.  My spine health and flexibility has increased to a point that I have been able to start other disciplines.  I now attend Barre and Yoga, also taught at Rivercity Pilates.  In doing so I also am enjoying a great deal more over-all strength.

What is your favorite exercise?

I like the Cadillac.  Also I tend to like anything using the leg springs.  It feels wonderful to be able to feel your body lengthening against resistance.

What would you say to someone thinking about starting Pilates?

I would recommend Pilates to anyone looking for a gain in flexibility, better posture, strength and improvement in general well being.

Inspiration of the Month- Teena VanDaele

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DSCN0393December 2014

Inspiration of the Month

Teena VanDaele

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

I began Pilates about 10 years ago and was extremely diligent with my lessons, then my oldest child was born and Pilates fell to the wayside.  I restarted in May of this year because I was getting older and because of my occupation, I had horrible lower back pain.  I soon realized how much I truly enjoyed the experience of Pilates.  Not to say I didn’t have my struggles as I began taking classes again, but I was truly amazed that despite the few years I had been away from Pilates, I was still able to “maneuver” myself into various positions.

How often do you practice Pilates and what type of sessions or classes have you been doing?
I began in May with two sessions per week: 1 private and 1 class.   I enjoy the private classes for the individual perspective they provide.  Private classes enable you to perfect to your “working level” the techniques of Pilates, giving you a perspective on where improvements need to be made or where your strong points remain.  Class gives you the opportunity to work at a faster pace with a variety of sessions; i.e. mat, reformer, Tower.

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

My personal favorite is by far the tower classes; they provide an interesting mix of mat work/resistance combination.

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

In restarting Pilates this past May, I have noticed a vast improvement in my lower back pain and my energy levels throughout my day.  I no longer wake up in the middle of the night with back pain and I find myself sleeping better overall.

What would you say to someone who is thinking about doing Pilates?
What I have learned and would pass along as a piece of advice from someone who started Pilates in my late 20’s, early 30’s and did not restart until I was 40, is that you certainly do not have to master the skills within each aspect of Pilates to retain the benefit of what it can do for and to you.  Everyone has a varied skill level and no matter what that skill level is; simply trying Pilates will provide benefit to you… that is the art of Pilates.

2014 Rivercity Pilates Inspirational Clients

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It’s the end of the year and as we reflect on the year past we love the chance to honor our amazing, inspiring clients!  At Rivercity Pilates, our instructors and staff are truly dedicated helping others create health and wellness in their lives and our biggest inspiration is our clients.  We hope you enjoy this video honoring our monthly Inspirations of the Month for 2014!

 

Be sure to share the inspiration with your family and friends by reposting this video on all your favorite social media sites!

Inspiration of the Month Gina Luegering

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 GinaInspiration of the Month

October 2014

Gina Luegering

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

I’m so happy that I made the decision to start Pilates. It has been something that I’ve always wanted to try and  I have found all of these things and so much more after starting at Rivercity Pilates. I wish I would have started sooner after seeing the changes in my body and the energy I have since starting in August!

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

My personal goal is to attend 4 to 5 classes a week, but with two busy teenagers I sometimes only get in 3 times a week. I love all of the Pilates classes and try to do at least one of each a week

What benefits have you seen by committing to a regular Pilates practice?

After a couple of injuries I really wanted to do something that was low-impact on my body while building strength, tone, and balance.

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

My favorite is the reformer classes.

What would you say to someone thinking about starting Pilates?

When I walk into Rivercity, it’s always a positive atmosphere, the classes are small, and the instructors are amazing. I would recommend Pilates to anyone looking to build strength, energy, and bring balance to their life!

Inspiration of the Month Jennifer Reekers

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Empower your Body-Inspire your Life!Jennifer Reekers

Inspiration of the Month

November 2014

Jennifer Reekers

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

Given some weight gain and history of low back pain, I initially began Pilates with Rivercity back in 2012 in an attempt to strengthen my core and create that long/lean body we all seek! I was amazed how just one consistent mat class per week could strengthen my body.  That same year also became the time period when I decided to change careers and my Pilates practice became nonexistent as I allowed my full-time school schedule to dominate my life for almost 2 years. Today, my new career as a hairstylist requires me to stand and use my entire body for long lengths of time so I became concerned with how the physical requirements would impact my 30+ year old body. My goal is to have a healthy, strong body without my intermittent back pain. I figured if one Pilates class per week had such a positive outcome… completing multiple classes per week must feel pretty amazing?! Out of curiosity for how my body would respond, I decided to fully dedicate myself for the month of August to a highly-attended Pilates routine. I enjoyed it so much that I chose to commit to my new routine indefinitely!

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

Thanks to the newest option to purchase MONTHLY UNLIMITED Pilates Mat classes at Rivercity, I currently practice 6 times a week in the group setting! I schedule all of my classes one month in advance which allows Pilates to be more of “an appointment” in my weekly routine vs. “do I feel like working out today?” With scheduling my entire month in advance, it holds me accountable. I attend Pilates mat class twice a week, barre class twice a week, and also the Arms/Abs and Thighs/Buns classes.

What benefits or improvements have you noticed in your body and life from doing Pilates and how has it benefited the other types of exercise you do?

I have always had a straight/boyish figure but now I’m beginning to see the start of a waistline (yay, for curves)! In just 3 months, I am definitely more flexible and toned, and I no longer experience the pesky back pain! My posture is much better and my core is the most solid I have experienced since my teenage years (and I’m excited for the continued progress)! My coworkers have complimented the difference in my body even through my clothes, which are fitting better. I also really notice tone and strength added to my legs. After my initial one-month stint of Pilates alone, I returned to the gym to complete my previous leg/machine workout… and my usual weights had become too easy! I had to add 10-15 lbs more weight to achieve the optimal leg workout. I even beat 2 large, muscular men in a friendly competition of “who can hold a wall-sit the longest.” Overall, Pilates is the ultimate form of exercise. It rejuvenates me mentally while toning from head to toe and reduces the strain I was experiencing from standing all day long.

Do you have a favorite Pilates exercise?

Call me crazy, but I really enjoy the side-laying leg series (because I used to absolutely dread it)! It’s a true testament to how your outlook changes given the small achievements over time. Initially, I lacked the range of motion therefore leg series felt really uncomfortable. Now that my body is more open with improved strength and flexibility, I enjoy the challenge of the movements while enjoying more toned hips, butt, and thighs!

What would you say to someone who is thinking about doing Pilates?

When I tell others that I practice Pilates, I find many people are intrigued but either confuse yoga with Pilates or assume that it’s not a “real workout” in comparison to other forms of exercise. Pilates is such an incredible, well-rounded form of exercise as it strengthens you from the inside-out! First, I definitely recommend someone come to Rivercity as this is the only true Pilates studio in the area! Second, I tell people that Pilates is something that an individual needs to EXPERIENCE in order to truly understand the benefits. If planning to give it a try, CONSISTENCY IS KEY! I highly encourage someone to COMMIT to Pilates for at least 8-10 weeks. Whether it’s one class a week… commit to that one class per week for a designated length of time and only THEN, determine how Pilates makes you feel. When you initially start, the smaller movements may not seem like much in comparison to the stereotypical workout… but you WILL notice a different kind of full-body strength, both mentally and physically, over time!