Do you hate gyms?

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Just 3 years ago, my answer to every one of these questions was yes.   Well, I was pretty sure I could get back up off the floor, but I knew I wasn’t looking too graceful while I did it.  My back hurt almost every single day,  and my knees were creaky.  When I got out of bed, I felt like I was walking like someone much older than my age.   My best intentions to walk every day, somehow disappeared before I stepped out of the house.    I had paid a monthly membership to a gym for a year, and quit going there after the first two weeks.    My mom had just lost a painful battle with pancreatic cancer, and my dad had moved in.

We went out to dinner one night, and I saw the Rivercity Pilates studio across the street.    I had taken some Pilates lessons a few years ago, and I knew the springs on the equipment would help me through exercises that my body simply couldn’t do by itself.   Still, it took me a few weeks to actually walk in the door of Rivercity Pilates.  I took my free orientation session from Carey, and was amazed at her knowledge, her patience and her concern for how I felt as she led me through Pilates exercises.  I bit the bullet and signed up for private sessions (the most expensive option), because I didn’t want to feel stupid if I couldn’t do an exercise in class.  I started to feel better after a few sessions, and I was able to see progress in how my body moved thru the exercises.   The atmosphere at Rivercity Pilates was so spa like and comforting, that it didn’t threaten me like a gym.

Two years later, I’m still going to Pilates 3-5 times a week.    While my legs didn’t move much two years ago at this time, now I can touch my toe to my forehead.   It’s not a very useful movement, but it sure feels good to be that flexible.     My boyfriend has also started taking Pilates, and he has gone from daily back pain, to hardly ever feeling back pain.     I take both private sessions and classes. I’ve talked with Carey about my experience, and she is starting a new class for people that might relate to my feelings. She just calls it Beginner Pilates 4 week series.   It could also be called, Pilates for the over 50 crowd or Pilates for people who can’t seem to get to the gym.   It could also be called Pilates will Change Your Life.

The class will be 1 session per week for 4 weeks.   You’ll get to learn some history of Pilates, and try the exercises at your working level.  (You’ll understand this more later — but the important thing to know now, is that Pilates isn’t about everyone doing the same thing.   It’s not about feeling the burn. Your neck shouldn’t hurt.    You don’t have to curl up and do hundreds of sit ups.   Pilates is a whole body exercise where you make progress gradually). Lots of individual attention.   Do you have to wear spandex?   No.   Wear comfortable fitting clothes that allow your body to move.   (I remember wearing huge tee-shirts to my first classes in an effort to hide the curves and extra love handles, just so I would feel better about going to class.)   

Take a deep breath, click here, and schedule your Complimentary Orientation Session at Rivercity Pilates with Carey.  Right now as we wait to see what happens with COVID 19 — all sessions are being done virtually!  If you’d rather call to register before you get nervous about it — call us at 319-665-2499!

Inspiration of the Month Kathy Oleson

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When did you start Pilates and what inspired you to start?  I first tried Pilates when my daughter who was living in Berwyn, Pa.  started teaching them.  I would go out to visit and  take a class or two when I stayed with her.  She got me a Pilates DVD from the studio she was working at and I started doing them a few times a week at home.  I knew I needed to exercise but never made the time for myself; she was my inspiration. 

How often do you practice Pilates and what type of sessions or classes have you been doing?  Retiring in 2016 I started doing mat classes 5 times a week along with the DVD.    I must admit if the grand-kids were at my house, I definitely skipped Pilates to spend time with them.    Currently I use my foam roller a lot for exercises to strengthen my back.  I also enjoy the Pilates and Yoga chair classes as they have helped me regain balance along with the barre classes. 

What benefits or improvements have you noticed in your body and life from doing Pilates?  Nine months ago I had emergency ileostomy surgery;  I know that having a strong core and flexibility helped me recover faster.  I remember one of the first nights in the hospital the nurse was explaining to me how to get out of bed; I just rolled like a ball to sit up, swung my legs over the edge and was out of bed.  Definitely surprised her.    Even putting those silly skid proof slippers on I would just roll like a ball up, put socks on and roll back down.   I feel so much better overall after I do Pilates in the morning.

What do you love about virtual classes? I live 70 miles from my daughter’s studio; I would love to take more classes there but it’s just not realistic. I save 2 hours of driving by being able to do virtual classes. I know that if I am having trouble with an exercise I can text or call her and ask questions on how to modify it for me.  I feel like I am in a classroom setting and I am more aware of executing my movements correctly not just moving thru them.

What would you say to someone who is thinking about doing Pilates?  Would you suggest virtual classes?  To me the key is to keep moving so I can enjoy my grand-kids.   I would and do tell friends and family take time for yourself; you are worth it.  I am a proud promoter of the Virtual Classes. 

Pandemic Pilates

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Isn’t it crazy how life can change so quickly? Like you, myself and the staff at Rivercity Pilates are adapting to a new normal for awhile! As hectic as it’s all been, we are super excited about all of the amazing things that are coming out of this experience. We are so appreciative of the fact that technology allows us to continue to serve you even if we can’t see you in the studio!

We are headed into April with the assumption that we are going to need to be virtual for awhile and we are excited about it! We of course will be super excited when we can see you in person, but until then we are going to be delivering the BEST motivation and movement teaching we can right in your house! Be sure to check out our virtual class schedule where we have over 30 virtual classes each week that you can take in the privacy of your home!!

If you haven’t tried a virtual class yet simply sign up in Mindbody for a class and we’ll email you instructions on how to take class utilizing Zoom as well as give you a free class on your Mindbody account.

In these challenging times I am reminded of something I say to my kids often. There are many things we don’t have control of, but we do have control of how we decide to react to what has happened.

I have been so proud of our Rivercity Pilates staff and community as I have watched them react by making the decision to stay positive. They have looked for the silver linings and taken action on the things they can control, like continuing to help others and maintaining their own health and wellbeing. I truly believe that choosing to make those positive reactions and choosing to surround yourself with people who do the same, will result in us all being stronger and better as we navigate this year!

Keep moving, stay positive and I hope to see you virtually in class this month!

Pilates can help

A few months back (long before COVID-19 entered into our world), I taught a class that I called the “we can do hard things class”. I started class talking to my crew of Pilates Mat students and told them about how I really believe that having a physical movement practice where you push yourself is so empowering in your life.

When you commit to working out on a regular basis, when you commit to doing something because it’s good for your health even when you don’t really want to do it, when you do the last rep or two even though your body really is tired and wants to skip it….you remind yourself that you can do hard things. You remind yourself that even though your mind is telling you that you can’t possible do one more…you actually can! You remind yourself that you always have a little more to give when it feels like you don’t. I reminded everyone that doing hard things never means we do something that could injure or hurt us, we always want to be safe in our body…but it does mean that you push yourself when your mind is telling you it would be ok to stop or not give it your all!

Wondering what hard things we did in class that day? We simply did Pilates. We practiced the entire Pilates mat sequences of exercises from start to end. We practiced transitioning on each exercise, we practiced not giving ourselves rest in between exercises even when we really wanted to rest, and I reminded everyone (a lot) about giving it their all throughout every repetition and every transition.

If you had been in the room you would have seen and felt a kind of amazing energy in the room as people pushed themselves and practiced hard things. It was my hope that their workout was more than just a physical workout. My hope was the next time that they had to do something hard in life, they would remember how strong they were. They would remember they always have a little more to give. They would remember they could do hard things.

This past week we had that class again, yet we weren’t together in a room. It was a virtual class and we were all at home simply connected by an internet connection. Based on what had been going on in the world, it felt like a good time to be reminded of the value of taking care of your body, the value of doing the things that are important for your health even if you don’t really want to, the value of reminding yourself you can do hard things.

For those in class that day that had already taken the “we can do hard things” class with me..I knew I wouldn’t need to say a lot for them to have an appreciation of their movement practice in their life. I knew I wouldn’t need to overly remind them of the value of pushing themselves in their movement practice. I knew that every single person in class had gone through hard things since I had seen them last. It had been a hard week for everybody and there was probably not a person who had not been affected by COVID-19.

So once again.. I reminded everyone of how important I think a physical movement practice is in empowering us in our life. I reminded them that I couldn’t see if they took a rest during class or decided to do a few less repetitions.. but I hoped that they would remind themselves…that they are stronger than they think and they can do hard things. I can’t say for sure…but I’m pretty sure my class pushed themselves that day, maybe even more than if they were at the studio, even more than if I could see their every move.

If you are taking virtual classes…I know it’s not quite the same as being in the room with an instructor. I know it’s easy to take extra breaks and not push yourself as hard. Maybe when you take class next you’ll remember this blog and remind yourself…there is so much value for you and your life when you do the hard things. Not only will your physical body be stronger but you’ll be more prepared to tackle any of the hard things that come at you in life just a little bit better!

I Can’t Do That

Are you concerned about not being able to do that Pilates Roll Up or maybe you can’t quite master your Teaser?  Watch this week’s Empower Your Body~Inspire Your Life moment with Rivercity Pilates owner Carey Sadler to find out the secret to mastering those challenging exercises!!

A love letter

I wrote this letter originally 6 years ago.  Every year I say to myself I should rewrite my love letter to my clients.  Then I read it and think, I don’t think I need to rewrite it. The words I originally wrote still portray how I feel really well!  So here it is!  Sending lots of love to all of my amazing, wonderful clients over the years who have let me be part of their movement practice, part of their life!

Dear Devoted Pilates Client,

1.  You are amazing!  I am amazed and inspired daily by your devotion to your Pilates practice!  I know, as much as you love your Pilates sessions, that it is not always easy to get to the studio.  Life happens and there are a million excuses you could use to not come in- but you do.  Your devotion inspires me in my daily life.  Thank You!

2. You are making amazing progress in your Pilates practice and in your life every time you practice.  As instructors we are often giving you feedback on how to improve your practice because that’s part of our job.  I probably don’t spend enough time telling you how far you’ve come and how great you’re doing.  One of the wonderful parts of my job is that I get to see people create positive changes in their bodies on a daily basis. Keep it up!

3.   I love to celebrate the little milestones with you!   Can you pick something off the floor without your back hurting?  Can you sit comfortably on the floor with your kids or grandchildren?  Are you sitting taller at your desk or has your posture improved?  I love to hear about and celebrate these moments with you.  I practice and teach Pilates so that I can help others live life to the fullest and it makes me happy when I hear your success stories!

4.  Please don’t feel bad about speaking up and telling me something doesn’t feel good in your body.  I know that not every exercise or movement is right for every body and it does not bother me at all if you tell me that something hurts or doesn’t feel right. In fact- I LOVE the opportunity to find something that does work for you.  Changing, modifying and creating exercises designed specifically for your body is what I am trained to do and I LOVE to do it!  It makes me cringe to have a client work through the pain.  I believe and know that exercise does not have to hurt to be super effective.  If you are in pain, then you are not getting the benefits of the exercise and you might be doing more harm than good to your body.

5. Thank you for choosing me to share your Pilates journey with you!  Working with amazing, nice, thoughtful clients makes me happy!  I know there are lots of choices when it comes to teachers and I truly value you as a dedicated client.

With Love,

Your Pilates Teacher