The shape of the OOV is engineered to match the natural spinal curves of your body. (that’s why it looks so silly!)
The OOV can be used in a variety of positions to help us do movements and exercises. The most common position is to lay with your back positioned on the OOV. The shape and the material the OOV is made of help create a lengthening or traction of the spine as you lay on it. After laying on the OOV and doing exercises on it and then coming off, many clients experience an amazing feeling in their back. For me, when I lay on the mat after getting off the OOV it feels like my back has lengthened out and is more connected to the mat underneath of me (which feels fabulous!).
The OOV is designed to help you activate and strengthen core muscles and is a great compliment to traditional Pilates exercises that Joseph Pilates created. The shape of the OOV makes it “wobbly” and that means when you are using it your body has to figure out how to use your muscles to stabilize your body to be able to practice movements while utilizing it. So pretty much everything we do on the OOV is balance training(woohoo!). The OOV is commonly used in private Pilates sessions and in our small group equipment sessions. Since each session you take at the studio (private session or small group session) is designed uniquely for each person coming in, any day could be an OOV day. But of course you can always request to work on it by simply letting your teacher know!
Have questions about the OOV? Simply email me! Want to schedule a private session to try out the OOV or join one of our small group Pilates equipment sessions? I can help you schedule that too!
https://rivercitypilates.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Untitled-design-2023-11-05T122825.618.jpg9001600Careyhttp://rivercitypilates.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/website-cover-name.jpgCarey2023-12-16 07:35:002023-11-24 13:41:24What in the world is an OOV?
Ever wonder what is the Pilates Reformer and why people are always raving about it?
The Pilates Reformer was designed by Joseph Pilates as an all in one piece of exercise equipment that could be used to train the entire body creating balanced strength and flexibility.
The magic of the reformer happens when you mindfully practice exercises on the equipment that are specifically designed to help you train your body.
The spring based Reformer gives the user the perfect amount of assist and resistance and allows the user to get more out of each exercise they practice. Since there are various spring tensions you can use for each exercise it is extremely important to have an experienced teacher who can adjust the spring tension for your body and teach you how to get the most out of each exercise!
We have the perfect way for you to try the Pilates Reformer, and see if it’s for you. Join us for our Beginning Pilates Reformer Workshop on August 6 at 1:30!
In this 90 minute workshop you’ll get a guided tour of the Pilates Reformer that includes safety and tips for beginners. You’ll be introduced to basic Pilates Reformer exercises and learn how to practice the basic Pilates Reformer exercises in your body in a non intimidating atmosphere.
This is a great workshop for anyone who is new to Pilates or new to practicing Pilates using the Pilates reformer.
What to expect:
Time to ask questions.
A comfortable atmosphere to try basic movements on the Pilates Reformer in your body and have the guidance of a teacher to help you figure out the best way to do each exercise.
Let’s talk about back pain. As a Pilates teacher for over 20 years I have worked with a LOT of people who deal with back pain. You might think that you should rest your back if it hurts, but research shows that regular exercise can reduce the frequency of recurring back pain attacks by almost half.
In general there are 2 key things that I have seen over and over again that help people lessen their pain or eliminate it completely. It might surprise you to know that these 2 things are not necessarily specific to Pilates.
Move more and move in more ways that help your body improve strength and mobility on a regular basis. When people first find Pilates they often discover a type of exercise they actually enjoy that doesn’t aggravate their pain and because of that they start practicing on a regular basis. Just this consistency of adding more movement into their life helps them feel better in their body. You should know that these kind of results are common in other movement practices as well…Yoga, strength training, adding more cardiovascular training, etc.
In some ways, someone feeling better when they first start Pilates is specific to Pilates (your Pilates teachers have gone through intensive training to help you figure out how to move without increasing your back pain and they adjust the exercises specifically for you). In some ways the pain relief is simply a result of moving more and in new ways which gives you more overall strength and mobility in your body.
So if Pilates is not your thing…find something else that encourages you to do more movement in your life! If Pilates is your thing…do it consistently in your life.Do things that balance out your body. The Pilates Method of exercise is a method focused on learning how to do movements in a way that creates more balance in your body as you strengthen. This means that each Pilates exercise you practice is designed to stretch muscles and tissues that are tight and strengthen muscles that are weaker so that your body functions how it was designed to function.
How do I balance out my body? The process of balancing out your body is not something that happens immediately when you start working on it and the results from this type of specific training usually takes time. The best way to learn this technique of creating more balance in your body is to work with an experienced movement teacher who can guide you and teach you how to practice this skill in your body. Then of course you’ll want to continue practicing it as much as you can!
If you have worked with me at all I often call this work of balancing out your body as you move “picky Pilates”! Joseph Pilates developed the Pilates method to focus on quality of movement, rather than repetitions, so the bonus here is you do not have to perform tons of repetition to get results. You just need to pay attention to how you are practicing the exercises to get results.
If you have back pain I would encourage you to find some movement and exercise that you can consistently add into your life and learn how to balance your body. Pilates of course is an ideal way to work on these two things if it is something you enjoy.
Many of our clients have found that the Pilates Reformer has helped them balance their bodies, and reduce/eliminate back pain.
The Reformer provides a low-impact workout that can help to strengthen the muscles in the back, hips, and abdomen, which are all important for supporting the spine. By improving strength and flexibility, many of our clients have found relief from back pain. The bonus? The Pilates Reformer is designed to “meet you where you are”. You don’t have to worry about “getting in shape” to start an exercise program, because your instructor will show you how to use the reformer in a way that helps you create balanced strength and mobility in your body.
If you are interested in learning more about how the Pilates Method and specifically how practicing Pilates on the Reformer can help you with these two keys to a happy back we have just the thing.
Start your Pilates journey with our Beginning Reformer workshop on Sunday, August 6.
In this his 90 minute workshop you’ll get a guided tour of the Pilates Reformer that includes safety and tips for beginners. You’ll be introduced to basic Pilates Reformer exercises and learn how to practice the basic Pilates Reformer exercises in your body in a non intimidating atmosphere.
This is a great workshop for anyone who is new to Pilates or new to practicing Pilates using the Pilates reformer.
What to expect:
Time to ask questions.
A comfortable atmosphere to try basic movements on the Pilates Reformer in your body and have the guidance of a teacher to help you figure out the best way to do each exercise.
http://rivercitypilates.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/website-cover-name.jpg00Careyhttp://rivercitypilates.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/website-cover-name.jpgCarey2023-08-04 11:40:102023-10-14 21:58:01Do you have back pain?
This beginner friendly Pilates equipment class will explore using a variety of pieces of the Pilates equipment to help you gain mobility in your back while increasing your core strength and getting a great whole body workout. Both beginners and more experienced students will enjoy this class!
Space is limited to 5 participants so sign up early to reserve your spot! If you are brand new to the studio or Pilates we always recommend starting off with a complimentary private Pilates session before your first class!
Tuesdays at 7 pm with Shaina Boylan. Purchase 4 classes for $89 or use any of our class card or membership options!
Makeup classes are possible if you need to miss a week.
00Careyhttp://rivercitypilates.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/website-cover-name.jpgCarey2018-12-31 19:53:452021-10-24 16:17:23Looking for a whole body strengthening workout that also makes your back more mobile?
I’m not going to lie…learning to practice Pilates does not always feel “easy”. Just as learning any new movement in your body (think about learning to ride a bike, ski or learn a new dance) it takes practice and time. Any experienced Pilates practitioner will tell you though that it is worth investing your time! They would also tell you if you have the chance you should try learning the Pilates method using the Pilates equipment as well as the Pilates mat work as it will make it seem easier! Here’s why:
The equipment simplifies the learning process. This is opposite of what most people think when they look at the equipment with all of its’ springs, straps and chains, but I promise it’s true! You see there is a lot of internal work involved in learning Pilates. It is a mind body exercise method that is designed to teach you how to coordinate specific body movements using your thoughts and your awareness of what’s going on in the body. The equipment basically gives you a support system that makes it easier to figure out how to do the movement so that you can focus on the specifics of doing it correctly in your body.
The Pilates equipment gives you instant feedback. The Pilates equipment is designed to connect your body to the equipment in a way that will allow you to better feel if you are doing the exercise correctly. Joseph Pilates most likely designed his equipment to make his job easier as a teacher. As a student you are able to make more corrections yourself because of the equipment and your teacher doesn’t have to give you as many cues to correct you. ( This helps you feel results quicker and makes your teacher’s job easier!!)
It’s an alignment corrector (everyone needs one of those right?!). The equipment is designed to help you position your body properly for each exercise. Each Pilates exercise is designed to be done while in proper alignment to achieve the maximum benefit of each exercise. Since it is often hard to tell if you are in alignment or not, your teacher will help guide you and give you instruction on how to figure this out. You’ll also find that the equipment is like having a second teacher and will allow you to figure out how to feel your best alignment in your own body!
The Pilates equipment helps you create strength,stability and mobility SAFELY while you figure out what it means to practice the Pilates principles in your body! Joseph Pilates created the equipment as a tool to help people figure out this method he was teaching. Joseph Pilates designed it so that people could start anywhere in their body and progressively build their strength and mobility and feel successful at every step along the way.
The Pilates equipment can be really intimidating when your first see it, but trust us when we tell you it is designed to be a beginner’s best friend! Learn more about learning the Pilates method utilizing the Pilates equipment by signing up for a complimentary private Pilates session. After you’ve been introduced to the studio, Pilates and the equipment we have variety of beginner small group classes and sessions available to get started!
https://rivercitypilates.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/IMG_0043.jpg15362048Careyhttp://rivercitypilates.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/website-cover-name.jpgCarey2018-09-30 16:00:532018-09-22 15:54:37Beginner Pilates student: meet your new BFF
Are you wondering if Pilates might be a good exercise method for you? Our 4 week Introduction to the Pilates Method Class series is designed to introduce beginners to the Pilates basic concepts and ideas in a safe, non intimidating atmosphere. You’ll learn how to do fundamental Pilates exercises using your own body and also using the Pilates equipment. This class is designed for true beginners and is safe for those with chronic back pain and those with knee and hip replacements.
http://rivercitypilates.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/website-cover-name.jpg00Careyhttp://rivercitypilates.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/website-cover-name.jpgCarey2018-05-04 09:00:412018-05-03 09:34:40May Beginner Pilates – Mat and Equipment
