Pilates Inspiration of the Month – Sandy Schaefer

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

 I started Pilates in July 2013 to improve movement and strengthen core muscles.

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

 I have issues with my back. Pilates is helping to increase my ability to strengthen these muscles.

Why did you decide to do the 2014 Empower Your Body Challenge? 

I started the Challenge so that I would begin a regular exercise and diet program.  With the e-mails, weekly goals, and class requirement I am getting into good practices. I also liked the ability to participate in unlimited classes.

 What was your favorite part about the Challenge? 

I am getting 6-8 classes in a week. I have started jump board, very fun! I am going to try ball mat class this week. I make a weekly schedule so I have planned in cardio time so I get it done.

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

I really enjoy the tower. I feel that it has helped me the most. I move easier with the tower and am able to get up into teaser position now.

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

I know that it took time for me to get into a Pilates program, but I am really finding that it is helping my movement and my spirit. All the instructors are so accommodating to my limitations and offer modifications which encourage me to keep working. The biggest benefit so far has been my ability to stand straighter because my back and core muscles are getting stronger!

Pilates Inspiration of the Month – Shelley Oglesby

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shelley o

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

 I started at Rivercity Pilates in January, 2012. My first introductory session with Carey reminded me how much I liked and missed doing Pilates and the emphasis on developing strong core muscles and flexibility. Carey was very encouraging and the studio was well equipped and not far from home. After being diagnosed with an auto-immune disease in June 2013, I knew I needed to make my health more of a priority and commit to regular Pilates classes.

 

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

 When I do Pilates consistently I see benefits in strength, flexibility, posture and balance from my fingers to my toes! I had some gaps last year when I couldn’t come to classes consistently and I noticed how quickly I weakened at my age. Committing to classes makes me accountable to taking care of myself and the teachers at Rivercity Pilates are encouraging. Pilates is very good for my mind and emotions too, and learning the proper breathing is a great stress reliever. It has helped strengthen my immune system and my thyroid condition has improved.

Why did you decide to do the 2014 Empower Your Body Challenge?

I wanted to be more consistent with exercise. I knew I would improve and strengthen by body and the healthy competition inspires me. Some of the Pilates moves like Teaser and Rolling Like a Ball are very challenging for me and I really want to be able to do them correctly and well.

 

What has been your favorite part about the Challenge so far? 

I am stronger and really making progress in my weak areas. The daily emails and logging exercise and food are very helpful in keeping me accountable to my goals. The group encouragement and prizes are great incentives too! After just one week I have lost pounds and inches.

 

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

I like Tower, the piece of equipment and the Tower exercise. I feel stretched and at the same time very strong during this exercise.          (Shelley is doing the Tower exercise in her picture above!)

 

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

Pilates is a wonderful form of exercise for all ages and body types. You will gain strength and flexibility all over and the movements can be modified for all levels of ability.

Moving through the exercises with just the sound of the teacher’s voice and no distracting music keeps you very conscious of what you are doing and trying to achieve. Learning the Pilates breath helps you move through the exercises and helps in so many other areas of your life. Each session is different and never boring!

Rivercity Pilates Inspiration of the Month Jan Allen

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jan allen

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

 I started I February 2012 in hopes of gaining better strength and flexibility. I had a total knee replacement in Sept 2011 and was struggling with regaining strength in my pelvis and legs.

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

The benefits I’ve gained are an increase in my overall flexibility and strength. I’ve found that I feel taller and lighter in mind and body at the end of my sessions with Cassie.

What is your favorite exercise?

My favorite exercise has to be Long Spine on the Reformer.

 What would you say to someone thinking about starting Pilates?

I would tell anyone considering Pilates that I look forward to my sessions every week. It doesn’t feel like work and you will benefit in many unexpected ways.

Inspiration of the Month Heather Thorpe

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heather tWhen did you start Pilates and what inspired you to start?

 I started Pilates in 2007 primarily for health reasons. For years I struggled with anorexia, which had significant impacts on my body – my weight dropped to 78 pounds my freshman year of college. Recovery from anorexia focuses foremost on getting someone to a “normal” weight while addressing the underlying psychological issues at play – for me these were severe anxiety coupled with the need to be “perfect”.

 Continuing with yoga throughout my recovery helped get my energy levels back up, but I was still frustrated by feeling physically weak. Pilates helped me gain back core strength and muscle development, which made me feel empowered in my body for the first time. Today, Pilates helps manage my anxiety and is a continual source of encouragement when I think about how far I’ve come.

 

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

 

Pilates helps manage my anxiety and has improved my breathing immensely (I have chronic allergies and impaired breathing due to several bouts of pneumonia). It also gives me a much-needed retreat from the constant demands of grad school.

What inspired you to become a Pilates instructor?

 My first Pilates instructor was a friend who was working as an apprentice teacher in Santa Barbara. She needed practice clients so I agreed to be her guinea pig. Since then, Pilates has become such an integral part of my life that I wanted to share my love of it with others.

 

heather-thorpe[1]What is your favorite exercise?

Teaser! – whether on the Reformer, Tower, or mat.

 

What is your least favorite exercise?

Chest expansion, but I’m hoping it’s another exercise that I will grow to love.

 

What is your favorite equipment?

I started learning Pilates on the Reformer and it is still my favorite.

What would you say to someone thinking about starting Pilates?

 The benefits of Pilates are so varied and everyone can gain something from it. Whether you’re looking to improve your posture, alleviate chronic pain, get back into shape or start working out for the first time, or just interested in trying something new, Pilates is a method that is tailored to meet individual needs and will leave you feeling better than when you first walked in the door.

2013 Rivercity Pilates Inspirational Video

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We think our clients are pretty inspiring and we think you’ll agree!  Every month we feature one of our clients and share their Pilates story with you.  This inspiring video is a quick look at all of our monthly inspirations from 2013.  Enjoy!

Want to read their individual inspiring Pilates stories?  Look under our Inspiration of the Month Category on our blog to find the individual stories.

 

 

 

Pilates Inspiration of the Month Theresa McKane

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

I started Pilates about two years ago, but it was not until 3 months ago when I joined Rivercity Pilates that I started to take reformer and tower classes. After researching the benefits of Pilates, I decided that it was finally time to take charge of my chronic pain since I had been diagnosed with Fibromyalgia 18 years prior.

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

My pain levels have dramatically decreased and my core is so much stronger.   Coupled with my Pilates practice, I try to eat a clean diet and I am happy to say that I don’t even take any medications for my pain anymore.

You were the winner of our 21 Day Empower Your Body Challenge! Describe the experience and any benefits you felt from increasing your regular Pilates practice.

 

The 21 Day Empower Your Body Challenge was an amazing experience! I worked out 20 days in a row doing a variety of classes and I can honestly say that it was the best I have ever felt. Taking that time for myself and doing my Pilates breathing every day did wonders for my stress level. I had so much more energy! Not only that, the most noticeable benefit was how much my posture improved.

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

That is a tough one . . . . I love so many different things. The reformer is my favorite piece of equipment. If I had to choose an exercise though, it would be a Pilates roll-up. It’s the best of both worlds, it stretches my spine while strengthening my core.  Not only that, it always reminds me how far I have come in my practice. There was a time, not that long ago, when I could not even do one.

What would you say to someone thinking about starting Pilates?
 

It will change your life!  In my experience it has given me a quality of life that I didn’t think I could have.  You can never stop learning and improving your practice, and I believe that this is something we can all grow old doing.