You just never know how that first Pilates class you take could change your life…

Hearing how people found Pilates is one of my favorite things!  Everybody’s journey is different and everybody has their own reasons for why Pilates has become important in their life.  Brenda is just finishing up our Pilates Mat Teacher Training Program and I just loved her story of how she accidentally found it when her girlfriends convinced her to take a class!  

How did you find Pilates?  

Pilates came into my life over 18 years ago.  It started as my girlfriend group said we needed to get out and do something.  The group didn’t exercise past walking.   We found a Pilates class at the YMCA.  Really we went to the class as a joke.  We laughed the entire way through class.  You want us to use our core?  You want us to be a Seal?  The veteran Pilates classmates didn’t enjoy us very much.    We never went back but strangely after my twins were born I remembered that class and how good it felt on my muscles and my stress.  I bought the Windsor Pilates DVD series and started doing Pilates at home.    Every time I practiced my muscles felt like they were uncoiling.  My job is fairly stressful.  At this point I still laughed at myself doing the Seal. 

Fast forward to 2009 with stress at an all time high and I was struggling in my career.   My company got me a business coach.  The first meeting with the business coach he asked me what 3 things I do for stress relief.    I laughed….. just get to the point and tell me what I needed to be a better leader at work.  After much prodding I told him – Pilates.  I had stopped doing Pilates for a couple years as I was too busy.  I committed to doing Pilates 2 times per week.  Once again my muscles started to uncoil, my stress level went down and I was handling things better at work.     My career since then continues to grow.    At work I am a much better employee when I am doing Pilates consistently and I feel so much better.  When I go to Pilates class I don’t think like I am going to an exercise class. When I go to class it isn’t about how fast I can go to beat my neighbor.   My thought process is I am going to reduce stress, treat my muscles well and stay limber as I age.   In the past I suffered from terrible headaches on an almost daily basis and when I do Pilates (and no scrunching shoulders) the headaches are gone.

Last year I jumped into Pilates teacher training.  Pilates has given me so much for stress management and I want to share what it has meant to me.   I have twin 17 year olds and they will graduate this spring so Pilates teaching is in my future to fill the “free” time.

December Life Inspired: Movement for Back Health Class

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Sunday, December 9 at 3 pm with Carey Sadler

This Pilates inspired movement class will combine stretching, release work using small therapy balls and traditional Pilates exercises. We’ll explore how movement can be used as a self care tool to help you feel better in your body and specifically your back. You’ll leave class feeling less stiff, more mobile, and with a new understanding of how you can use movement to empower how your back and body to feel on a regular basis! No Pilates experience is necessary and beginners are welcome!  This is a free Life Inspired community class! 

Sign up early to reserve your spot!  

November 2018 Inspiration of the Month Debra Aegerter

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November 2018

Inspiration of the Month

Debra Aegerter

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

I was looking for a way to increase my strength so that I could continue practicing and teaching yoga. I was struggling with some of the more challenging yoga poses I had been able to do when I was younger but as I got closer to 60 I just didn’t have the strength. 

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

I try to take as many classes as I can. Sometimes that’s four times a week and sometimes it’s only two. Four times is always my goal because I feel the most benefit for me personally. I definitely feel as though I’m building at four and maintaining at two. I always book the reformer classes.

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

The first thing I noticed was that I felt stronger. It’s a mental and physical thing. I was getting stronger and the yoga poses that were challenging came more easily. In my daily life things became easier too and I didn’t have to worry about injury. I felt stronger and I was stronger.

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

I love the reformer! Maybe it’s because I spend a lot of time on a mat in yoga but it is the class I always want to take. I also love working with props.  I feel like it really teaches you a lot and helps you identify your weak spots.

What would you say to someone who is thinking about doing Pilates?
I would encourage anyone who is considering Pilates to do it! Also, don’t be afraid of the reformer. It took me forever to learn to how to flow with the equipment but I never felt out of place in class with more experienced students. The studio is welcoming and helpful. You won’t regret starting something that makes you feel fabulous.

Celebrate Purple Friday November Life Inspired: Roll, Release and Relax Class

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Need to relax after the holiday? Our free Roll, Release, and Relax class is the perfect way to destress and pamper yourself!

You’ll spend all 50 minutes of this class using specialized therapy balls to do self massage throughout your entire body. These self massage techniques are designed to release tight muscles and fascial adhesions, releasing tensions and leaving you feeling more mobile throughout your entire body. This practice is great for anyone…from those who want to combat tightness due to chronic sitting to athletes wanting balance out their training time and prevent injuries. Balls are provided by the studio. No experience necessary!

Stay after class for apple cider, snacks and shopping! This is a free class but space is limited and it will fill up- so sign up early here:

You can also email us at rcpilates1@gmail.com or call us at 319.665.2499 to sign up!

November Beginner Pilates Mat 4 Week Series

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November 7 -28, Wednesdays at 5pm with Jane McKenrick

This 4 week Pilates Mat class series is designed for those who are brand new to Pilates and want to learn what it is all about and how they can use the Pilates method of exercise to feel better and move better in their body. This class will move slowly and participants will get detailed explanations of how to do each movement in a way that is safe for their body and in a way that makes it most effective for them!  Expect to learn how to breathe better, how to engage your core muscles, and how to start thinking about movement and exercise in a whole new light!

Sign up here.

What is a barre class anyway?

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I’m guessing that some of you think that a barre class is only for people that have taken dance lessons in the past!   That is absolutely not the case.    The Barre classes at Rivercity Pilates combine attributes of Pilates, dance, and functional fitness training. This class incorporates small isolated movement to fatigue the muscles, large range of motion to elevate the heart rate, and sequencing that incorporates upper and lower body to make every minute count.  This results in a total body workout that leaves you mentally strong and feeling accomplished.

Here are some frequently asked questions we hear about barre class.

Do I need to have ballet experience or know the ballet terminology?
No, our instructors will explain and demonstrate each movement.

Is it ok to hang on to the barre?
Absolutely.    The barre is there to assist you in keeping your balance.

Will this hurt my knees?

The small controlled movements and the attention to form make this a great class even for those who have chronic knee pain or even a knee replacement. There is not any impact or jumping in the class!  By doing controlled movements that strengthen around the knee joint, we find the clients who have had knee issues in the past discover Barre class helps them to keep their legs strong and avoid future injuries!

Do I need to be able to stand on my tip toes (like a ballerina)?
No. If rising to the balls of your feet does not feel good in your feet our instructors will give you options to keep your whole foot grounded!

Is the entire class done standing?   
No, usually around half of the class is done standing at the barre. The other half of class will be a combination of Pilates and functional body strengthening exercises that are done on a cushioned mat.

Is it ok to take a break if my legs get tired?
Of course — we never want you to overwork!  You’ll see lots of different levels of fitness in our classes and our instructors are fabulous at reminding you how to work at your own level!

Do I need to wear a leotard and tutu?
No, just wear exercise clothes that you are comfortable in!  But of course if you want to put on your favorite tutu…we don’t mind!