If there is mindful, is there mindless?

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IMG_4277 I teach mindful movement daily and I’m a firm believer in the power of a mindful movement practice in your life.  I love my Pilates practice and how it forces me to pay attention to my body, to go inside and not even think about anything else, and to just plain create space and time for me.  I also love what I like to call my mindless exercise for an entirely different reason.

For me, mindless exercise is usually a run or walk or combination of both.  My goal is often to run because it forces me to push myself, it gets my heart rate up and I can’t overthink it.  I grab my headphones and listen to some of my favorite music and just get outside and move.  The getting outside component is probably just as important as the activity for me.  I find my brain and my body crave the fresh air and the sunlight(or moonlight depending on when I get out!), whether its scorching hot out or 20 degrees.

During my runs I often find myself just soaking in the outdoors, looking around and reminding myself of the expansiveness of my world.  Check out the amazing scenery I get to soak in during a run around my neighborhood.  Sometimes in life, I feel like I get so caught up in the little things going on in my life and for some reason when I’m outdoors I reminded of how unimportant those little things are in the big picture of things.

IMG_4278I always feel better mentally and physically when I’m done with my mindless exercise and I can always tell when I haven’t gotten it in for a few days.  For me how I feel is what keeps me motivated to continue to add it in to my life.  There used to be a day when mindless exercise like running, cycling, cardio,etc. was something I did to stay in shape or to maintain or lose weight and it often seemed like a chore.  Now it’s a truly a gift in my life, something I get in whenever I can because I enjoy it and because I love how it makes me feel.   It’s amazing how much that perspective can change things.

P.S.  I’m a super slow runner and quite honestly don’t find it easy while I’m doing it, but it seems the after effects trump that and keep me coming back for more!

Teaching Pilates can be as centering and meditative as doing it!

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I have to admit I love my job.  There are so many job perks to being a Pilates instructor that I often forget how nice it is a to live in my Pilates clothes, be active all day long and spend my work hours teaching something I’m passionate about.

IMG_6734A job perk I don’t always think about is how present and centered I have to be as an instructor to do my job well.  I often forget how good this is for my brain and soul until I have a day when it’s a challenge for me to keep my mind focused on the task at hand.  Teaching Pilates isn’t something you can mindlessly do.  It’s hard to think about what you are going to make for dinner and walk a client through a sequence of exercises helping them find their best form.

Most days I have no problem staying and going into  “instructor” teaching mode, but a few weeks back I had an evening where a friend had shared some exciting news with me during the day and I found myself having to really work to be focused.  While I was teaching I was continually having to bring myself back to teaching and the body in front of me.

mindful2It reminded me a lot of when I meditate and use a word to focus on and the continual process of coming back to that word when my mind drifted to other places.  That’s when I had that “ah ha” moment  of realizing that the process of teaching Pilates probably has a lot of the same effects on my body and brain as a meditation practice.   Pretty cool and just another reason to love my profession!!

What I love more than Pilates…..

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I was chatting with a group of people the other day ago and the topic of exercise came up.  One of my friends prompted me to explain the great benefits of Pilates to one of our other friends who was had been trying a new workout routine in order to get fit and healthy.  And although I deeply love to talk about the benefits of Pilates as an exercise program I found myself talking about something else that I love even more.  More than Pilates..crazy huh?

IMG_6324So what could I possibly love more than Pilates?  Quite simply,  it’s the amazing atmosphere that my super awesome, talented, caring staff (they really are rock stars!!) and our inspiring clients create at Rivercity Pilates.  I could talk until I was blue in the face about the benefits of Pilates, Yoga or any of the other mindful movement practices we offer at the studio, but unless you do these practices on a regular basis you’ll never see the benefits.

Believe it or not, even more than I love Pilates, I love the welcoming, non-intimidating supportive environment that I get to be part of and share with others on a daily basis!!  I love that men and women of all sizes, shapes, ages and backgrounds feel comfortable and at home working out at Rivercity Pilates!

[tweetthis remove_hidden_hashtags=”true”]What does a #Pilates #Instructor #Love more than #pilates? See Carey’s story.[/tweetthis]

If you’ve researched into Pilates or Yoga and maybe you’re new to mindful exercise and a studio atmosphere…you might be a little intimidated starting at a new studio.   Here’s where our staff and our clients change things.

IMG_0123_2Our instructors are not only highly trained in their movement specialty but they are kind, caring, inspiring instructors who love to teach, have fun and connect with clients.  I always “catch” our instructors and our other staff members going above and beyond.  It’s normal for them to take extra time before or after class to check in with clients, help them with some exercise or movement, or just answer questions.  It’s not unusual for our instructors to send a follow up email or even a postcard,  just to check in or just because.  Worried about being uncomfortable as the new person in class?  Our staff is so friendly and encouraging you’ll forget,  it’s your first time in!

1493173_10152188575767526_297849416_nSo what about clients..how do they come into play?  I always say that we have the most amazing clients around (really we do..)!  If you come to a class and you are brand new I can almost guarantee that one or more of the other clients in class will introduce themselves, probably share their movement experiences with you and give you some positive encouragement during and after class!  Our clients really are part of the family here at Rivercity Pilates and their love of movement and the studio shines through when they interact with others!

P1020773Whether you are brand new to mindful movement or been practicing for years, if you are looking for a studio to call home we’d love to meet you!  Stop by for a studio tour or schedule a complimentary private Pilates or Yoga session so you can learn more about us!!

Carey

 

 

Momtrepreneur

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The British definition of Momtrepreneur! "MUMpeneur"

The British definition of Momtrepreneur! “Mumpreneur”

I love this new word that has been thrown out a lot in social media:  Momtrepreneur.  It sounds fun, hip and cool!  As a Momtrepreneur with 3 kids, a growing Pilates studio and a pretty busy Pilates teaching schedule I can tell you it doesn’t always feel “cool”or “hip” or even”fun”.

Quite honestly there are many days that I question why I didn’t just stay home with my kids or work a few hours part time instead of going all out and trying to build a growing, successful business.  I’m pretty sure my super supportive husband who would never say it out loud has this thought that too!

It never fails when I start to have some moments where I’m doubting what the heck I’m doing- something happens to remind me how much I truly love to teach Pilates and really enjoy the challenge and journey of growing a business and life around that.

IMG_6734For me those moments are almost always teaching moments.  It doesn’t matter if I’m over tired from lack of sleep, stressed out about getting the kids where they need to be, feeling guilty about not getting to every single event of my kids or not having a real conversation with my husband all week, or anything else.  Something somewhat magical happens when I start teaching.

I find it practically impossible to think about what’s going on in my own life and as soon as I start connecting with clients, paying attention to their bodies and movements, and teaching I feel like I’m in the zone.  And by the zone, I mean that space in your life that you truly enjoy being in and you really are just doing what you love…   And it really makes it all worthwhile!

So if you’re thinking of becoming Momtrepreneur, my best advice is to find something your passionate about and go for it!  It’s not always the easiest path but I think you’ll find it is truly a rewarding one and the happiness factor of loving what you’re doing is worth it!

 

 

 

 

 

Meet the Staff Monday: Nancy

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IMG_7082In our staff meeting everyone was asked to write a blog. I thought to myself,  “What do I have to say?”. But then I got to thinking,  I have a lot to say.
The last year and a half have been a medical roller coaster for me. Between my knee, back surgery, a pinched nerve and Parkinson’s, it’s been a trying year. Thru all this I try to stay positive, even though sometimes it is hard.
I continue to go to the studio and try my hardest at pilates. When I walk into Rivercity Pilates, Shelley or Carey or whoever is there is smiling and I know they care and understand. I love pilates and the friends that I have made there.   It truly is a community of caring.  Carey looks after me and never judges, she pushes me to my limits but never pushes to hard. She keeps me positive and strong.
Keep working hard at pilates, yoga, or Barre class.   Whatever you take,  it pays off.  Remember every day is a good day. Even if it sometimes it seems like it isn’t.
Nancy
Evening Front Desk
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Meet Shelley & Pippin

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FullSizeRender (14)We have a little dog named Pippin. He came into my life much like Pilates did…unexpectedly! We weren’t expecting or planning to get another dog after losing our beloved lab of 13 years…maybe we should just be pet-less for a while, I thought. But, a friend posted Pippin’s photo on Facebook with, “Free to a good home”. My husband and I both asked each other, “Did you see that dog’s photo on Facebook? Isn’t he cute?” and then, “Should we go see him?”. Needless to say, we brought him home with us the very day we met him!

He was a bit of a challenge at first. He was a year and a half old when he came into our home and those formative years were spent in a large family and his “puppyhood” was somewhat undisciplined. He needed some attention and re-training for some bad habits and just a lot of love, consistency, and patience to build his confidence that we would kindly teach him and give him a new and loving home.

I unexpectedly found Pilates again in 2012, after many years away from it, when driving on Hwy. 965 in North Liberty. Did I see that sign on that building that said “Rivercity Pilates”?  Wow! I thought…so close to home and I remember loving Pilates! But, I was undisciplined, hadn’t been exercising, and my confidence in starting something new was very low…and like Pippin, I had some bad habits! I’d have to start at the beginning, meet new people…would they be patient with me and would I feel at home there? I was going to be a challenge…just like Pippin!

I went home and Googled Rivercity Pilates and really liked what I saw on the website. I got up my courage and made the call to schedule my complimentary Private Pilates session with Carey. I was nervous, but excited. I felt undisciplined and lacked confidence, but Carey was very patient with me. I kept going pretty regularly and I became stronger and more confident. I had rediscovered a form of mind-body exercise that I loved and gradually, (like Pippin new to our home), I became more comfortable and more at home at the studio, and more importantly, in my body! A year later when I couldn’t come to the studio for almost 9 months I missed it so much and couldn’t wait to get back to a regular Pilates practice. Now, I’m really “at home” with Pilates and anxious to keep learning more.

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Shelley and Carey

Hopefully, my Pilates practice is maturing from “puppyhood” to the next level that is within my own abilities and strength, but with a gradual increase in knowledge of the methods and sequence of movements and how they feel in my body. Just like Pippin, I’ve learned to be more comfortable and feel at home…him with us, and me with Pilates.

Unexpected? Maybe not! Pilates coming into my life like Pippin coming into our family? Yes, I think they were both meant to be.

So, what’s next for me? Pilates Teacher Training starts tomorrow! Can’t wait for my next unexpected journey!