My Journey to Becoming a Pilates Instructor- Here we go!

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We are excited to announce that our Fall Body Precision Comprehensive Teacher Training Program at Rivercity Pilates has started!  We are lucky to have one of our current staff members, Abby, participating in the program, and she will be updating us every so often on how it’s going, funny stories, and any struggles or successes that she experiences on her way to becoming a Pilates instructor!

 

73759_1522883310332_2105133_n(1)            Hello! My name is Abby, and most of you know me already but I’m going to tell you a little more about myself anyways.  I am 23 years old and born and raised in the Iowa City area.  I went to college at Smith College, in Massachusetts, and have returned to Iowa because you truly can’t get better weather, landscapes, or people anywhere else.

I have just started my Master’s at The University of Iowa in the College of Education and when I graduate I will be licensed to teach Social Studies courses at the high school level.

For funzies, I like to do Pilates (obviously), run, hang out in the garden, and bake.  I also spend way too much time watching Netflix (Madmen is my current obsession), because honestly, what else do college students do?

Why did I decide to do the Pilates Comprehensive Teacher Training Program?

I decided to the teacher training for several reasons: first, I love Pilates. Absolutely adore it. There are very few exercise programs out there that you will be able to do when you’re 20 years old or 90, and this is one of them. After a class, I feel strong, stretched out, relaxed, and at peace with my body, even on those days where I just really wanted to stay in bed (which happens more than I should admit).

Second, the success stories that I see come in the studio door every day are inspiring. Movement is so important for not only our physical health, but also our mental health, and while working here I have been lucky enough to see many women (and men) walk through that door and have less pain, more strength, more mobility, and more happiness every day because of Pilates. And I want to be a part of that.

Finally, this studio is my escape.  Whether I’m taking yoga, Pilates, Barre, working behind the desk, or even just studying, the atmosphere that Carey has created in this studio is addictive.  Bad day? Sad day? Stressful day? Even an awesome day? Walk through this door and you will feel even better.

Ok, so I want to be a Pilates instructor, but why now? One reason.

Why not?

I’ve been in school my whole life, studying and learning is second nature to me, I love it. Yes, I’m in graduate school and will probably have a lot on my plate, but this is different. This is movement. Taking a Pilates class counts as studying (how cool is that?), and it will keep me in shape and happy.

In two or three years I will have to get a “real job”, and we all know that means less hours in the day for yourself. If I insert Pilates into my life now, before the stress, the possible kids/partner, midlife crisis etc. show up, I’ll have better tools to deal with all of that and remain mindful and healthy.

 

So, here’s my to-do list before the second workshop (end of September):

1.)   Find a practice teaching client (or 2!)

2.)   Start observing classes

3.)   Work on making Pilates a daily occurrence, whether that’s a Reformer class at the studio or a teaser before bed.

 

Disclaimer:

This whole writing about myself thing is new to me, so if anyone has questions or something they want me to talk about, tell me! I’ll be checking in every few weeks and letting you know how the program is going. So stay tuned!

 

Why swinging on the monkey bars is part of this mom’s exercise routine!

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I’ll admit, I love to move and exercise.  Just because I love it doesn’t mean I get to spend hours a day working out.  In fact, just like everyone else I struggle to fit in movement.  As a mom of three and a business owner my schedule is usually packed full and I don’t often have a half hour let alone an hour to workout.

When I had my first child I lear-1ned pretty quick that I needed to readjust how I looked at my exercise and movement routine.  I had the honor of having a very colicking baby boy who only quit crying if you were holding him(usually involving some sort of movement), was nursing him or all of the above with the vacuum cleaner on!

Once I realized that my visions of the  baby napping while I got to run on the treadmill or even just getting on the floor to practice Pilates was not going to happen- I started to get creative.  It turns out my son loved to be snuggled up in a sling and gently bounced while I sat on a large exercise ball.  He also enjoyed stroller rides on bumpy gravel paths and quite frankly was pretty happy as long as I was holding him.  This time period in my life was when I truly learned to incorporate movement and exercise into everything I did.  It’s amazing what a great workout it can be climbing stairs while holding a baby, or doing some squats!

Fast forward 11 years and 2 more children later and you’ll still see me incorporating movement whenever I can.  Sure, life is a little bit less hectic now that the kids are older, but honestly not that much.  You’ll still find me stretching my hamstrings while I brush my teeth, doing some squats as I fold baskets full of laundry,  running up and down the stairs a few extra times when I have the chance and of course swinging on the monkey bars with the kids at the park!   I’ve learned that moving, stretching and strengthening my body helps me feel better and it doesn’t matter if I’m taking a Yoga class or just jumping on the trampoline with my kids- it all counts.

So if you are a busy Mom struggling to fit in your “regular” workout I encourage you to think outside the box.  Stop worrying about how many minutes you get in or if you are doing enough and do what works for you.  Don’t let the the act of getting exercise in create more stress in your life.

What’s your routine? I would love to hear what you do to fit exercise and movement into your life! Share your favorite exercises and help someone else use the power of movement to inspire their life!

Inspiration of the Month August 2014: Nancy Kaff

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Inspiration of the Month

August 2014

Nancy Kaff

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

I started Pilates in January. I had been diagnosed with Parkinson’s in September and I knew that I needed to keep my body strong. I came to the studio and Cassie immediately warmed my heart. I had been a ballet dancer in my younger years so I knew about Pilates.

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

I take private class with Carey three times a week.

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

It is helping me strengthen my body. I had stem cell replacement in my knee in the middle of June and Carey is helping also with my knee. My body is getting stronger all the time. Carey makes me work hard and keeps me in line, especially with my ballet feet. Every time I leave a class or the studio I feel good.

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

I’m not quite sure I have a favorite exercise yet, but I definitely know my least favorite is the mermaids!

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

I think I would have to say to someone starting Pilates that it seems like you are not working hard but it’s the best work out for your core and soul. I have come to think of Carey as my friend not just my instructor. I love the staff. Also Sara gives great massages and has helped me so much with my achy bones.

 

 

Inspiration of the Month- Nancy Roberston

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Inspiration of the Month
July 2014
Nancy Robertson

When did you start Pilates and what inspired you to start?
I started after taking a free lesson with Cassie, who had been my law school intern several years ago. I had always wanted to try it and this seemed like the perfect opportunity. I am the Executive Director of a domestic violence/sexual assault center that serves twelve counties and is extremely stressful. Cassie’s knowledge of this work was helpful in my being able to talk about the challenges of the week during my lesson.

How often do you practice Pilates and what type of sessions or classes have you been doing?
I have been doing one private lesson per week since last May. I would love to do classes and lessons more frequently but I drive from either Oskaloosa where I work, or Des Moines where I live.

What benefits or improvements have you noticed in your body and life from doing Pilates?
I often say that I should be paying for therapy in addition to my lesson because that is what I feel like I get from my sessions. The opportunity to work the stress out of my body is extremely beneficial. My core strength is greatly improved and I get great satisfaction from being able to do a movement that was extremely difficult when I started. I am often questioned about the fact that I make an hour and a half drive for my lessons but I feel like it is worth it both for my physical and mental health. Having to make that drive I really make my lessons a priority. I believe it is the one thing I do each week that is strictly for me. I think if I were doing Pilates in Des Moines it would be easy to say I’ll go tomorrow, and then never really get there.

Do you have a favorite exercise or piece of equipment (or both)?
I really enjoy the work on the Cadillac.

What would you say to someone who is thinking about doing Pilates?
It is a great workout for the body and soul. Try the complimentary lesson and see what you think. It isn’t something you have to do three or four times a week in order to see results.

What I Love about Pilates!

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For those of you who practice Pilates you know its not always easy to describe Pilates to those who have never done it.  I had a prospective client ask me the question,” What do you love about Pilates?” .  I naturally listed off some of the many things that popped into my head. Really though I felt like I needed to sit down, think about and write out what it is that I really love about Pilates.

So here it is, short and sweet:RCP-6

I love that this method of exercise challenges me every time I do it.  It challenges my body and my mind and no one workout is ever the same.   I love that my Pilates practice is part of my life and not just something I do for exercise or because I have to.   I LOVE how awake, alive, and accomplished  my body feels after practicing!  I love that anyone in any physical condition, any age, any size, any gender….can be successful at Pilates.   ~Carey

So we want to know- what do you LOVE about Pilates??

 

 

 

Pilates and Pregnancy: Be Patient, Celebrate, and Move Forward

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Welcome back to our Pilates and Pregnancy blog! This is going to be my last installment for this pregnancy. It’s been so much fun sharing my journey from 13 weeks pregnant to 7 weeks postpartum with you. I hope that this blog has been helpful and motivational whether you are currently pregnant, planning on becoming pregnant, or just interested in health and movement during pregnancy. Pilates helped me so much both mentally and physically during my pregnancy and in these first weeks of recovery. I cannot wait to continue using Pilates to rebuild my strength and maintain my mental health.

For our last session, Carey taught me on the Reformer. Reformer is probably my favorite piece of equipment. I love that there is a classical sequence of exercisesCassie and Finn that become more challenging the longer you practice. At seven weeks postpartum, we started with Footwork and fine-tuning my form. Carey had me come up into an upper ab curl for my Hundreds, which was a good challenge. When we did Short Spine (where your legs come up over your head) I loved feeling the stretch through my back. I wasn’t able to do Short Spine during the latter months of my pregnancy because my belly was in the way.

When it was time for Teaser, Carey had me lie the long way on the long box with my legs at table top. Traditionally, you would hold onto the handles as you curled up into your Teaser, but Carey let me try it without the handles to start. I took a deep inhale and then tried to curl into my Teaser but couldn’t do it! Don’t get me wrong, Teaser is a challenging exercise, but I was able to do it well pre-pregnancy and in my mind’s eye I could see myself performing the movement with grace and ease. After taking a moment to chastise myself mentally, Carey helped me refocus. I had carried a baby for 39 weeks, my muscles had stretched to accommodate him, I delivered him via C-Section, and was only 7 weeks postpartum. More importantly, I would be able to rebuild the strength but it would take patience and respect for where my body is at currently. Carey modified the exercise my allowing me to hold on to the back of my legs and rock up into Teaser. At the top of Teaser, she had me let go of my legs and reach my arms away as I curled back down.

The Teaser mishap taught me a valuable lesson – whether you are rebuilding muscle after a pregnancy or coming back to Pilates after some time away, be patient with your body, celebrate your body’s ability to move as it can today, and challenge yourself as you move forward.

If you live in the North Liberty/Iowa City/Cedar Rapids corridor, be sure to visit Rivercity Pilates and start challenging yourself today.

Thanks again for sharing this journey with me and Finnegan,

Love,

Cassie