Tag Archive for: BME

Are the results of Pilates like wearing a corset?

What can Pilates do for me?  Can it get rid of my stomach, tighten my butt, slim my thighs?

When you are in the movement, fitness, Pilates business these types of questions can always be expected.  So expected that I, like many teachers have some standard responses where I tell potential new students,  “of course it can”, followed by professional explanations of how the exercise method if done regularly can produce just the results they are looking for.  But I have to tell you…the longer I teach the harder it is for me to stomach saying these lines. Not because they are wrong, but because I really don’t believe the value in learning a movement practice like Pilates is in the results they are asking about.

I’ve been where these women who are asking me these questions have been…looking for the next best thing to help them get into a smaller pair of jeans or look how you think society wants you to look.  I quit obsessing about weight, worrying about what size I am or trying to fit into society’s ideals a long time ago. I do think my career as a movement instructor was instrumental in that process in my life and I’m forever grateful for that.  I have an eight year old daughter and even though I try to be a great positive body image role model for her, I already am finding that I can’t shield her from thinking she needs to be “skinnier”, go on a diet, or even “lose her stomach” (yes she’s 8 and actually mentioned to me she just wanted to lose a little bit of her stomach???!) and it drives me crazy! What I really want more than anything is for her to appreciate the amazing body she has, stay active and healthy by moving in ways she loves and not fall into feeling like she is always trying to “fix herself” to meet other people’s standards.

So when someone asks me one of those questions about losing an inch from their waist….my heart kind of aches because I can tell that they are still in that place of “trying to fix themselves” or get their body to some “ideal place” that doesn’t exist. Here’s what I want to say when someone asks me about losing their stomach, tightening their butt, or slimming their thighs:

The answer of course is yes — any regular movement program combined with healthy eating can accomplish those things…but is that really what you want?  You are beautiful and have a body that lets you live life.  It might not be perfect or what you see as ideal, but the reality is it is amazing!

If you make it a priority to take care of it by moving in ways you enjoy you will be happier, healthier, and you’ll learn to love yourself for the wonderful you that you are! 

You will feel better in your body and I think that’s what most people are really looking for.  What if you looked at learning Pilates as a way to do something good for your body, a way to grow yourself as a person as you learn more about how your body moves, and a health tool that helps you feel better in your body and happier in your life?

Need to work on balance? Try the Pilates Chair!

When you hear Pilates Chair what do you think of?  Do visions of the ab chair infomercial come into your head?  Does it sound like something elderly people would use so that they could exercise while sitting in a chair?

The Pilates equipment called the chair was named the chair because Joe’s original design allowed you to convert this mighty piece of exercise equipment into a sitting chair when you weren’t working out on it.  Personally I think this is pretty genius from a marketing standpoint!  How many people use their treadmill for a clothes drying rack at home?  Wouldn’t it be great if that treadmill easily converted into a couch when you weren’t using it?  Seriously though, if you are someone who wants to work on balance in your movement practice…you must try the chair!

Whether you are an elite athlete or simply want to navigate day to day life without falls and injury- balance is so important!!

Like all of the Pilates equipment, the Pilates chair is designed to help you find a quicker, more efficient way to get stronger and more balanced in your body quicker.  The chair design is simply a small seat with a spring loaded paddle below the seat.  Many exercises have you positioning and balancing your body somewhere on the seat and then using the loaded paddle to challenge your balance.  The size is just big enough to give you some support, but small enough to challenge your balance and of course your core strength!

Other exercises have you standing on the floor pressing into the spring loaded paddle.  Many of these exercises challenge you do do the exercise with one arm or leg while you try to keep balance in your body.

Interested in seeing how Pilates and the Pilates equipment can help you improve your balance?  Schedule a complimentary private session at Rivercity Pilates today!!!

My back hurts!

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I hear it all the time. “Can you just give me a few exercises I can do to make my back feel better?”

If you are looking for a quick fix I’m here to tell you there isn’t one! If you want to make changes in how your body feels you need to learn to change how you are moving your body (or not moving it).  This doesn’t happen overnight and there definitely are not magic exercises that will cure your aches and pains.

One of the biggest reasons that Pilates as an exercise method is so effective for helping people get rid of back pain is that by practicing Pilates on a regular basis you start creating a habit of paying attention to how your body moves and you start learning how you could be moving better and more efficiently.  Better movement means less pain in your body.

The good news is that a regular Pilates practice does not need to be complicated or even take a ton of time, but to really get the benefits you need to stick with it on a regular basis.  

How often should you do Pilates to relieve your back pain?
  • 2-3 Pilates classes or sessions a week
  • 1 private a month to fine tune your at home practice which consists of 10-15 exercises you can do 2-3 times at home
  • 1 Pilates class a week plus incorporating the Pilates principles into other workouts

The possibilities are endless!  Ready to get started on changing how your body moves and feels?  Contact us today to schedule a complimentary first session to learn more!!

5 ways you can reach your health goals during the pandemic!

Let me guess…you’ve tried those dvds (or even vhs) workouts at home in the past? Maybe they worked for you for awhile, but then you got bored of doing the same thing or maybe you just plain got out of the habit of doing them?

When the pandemic happened and you started hearing about virtual fitness classes I’m guessing you imagined that those virtual classes might not be too different from those video workouts you used to do. If this is the case I can guess that you didn’t really look into what virtual fitness classes were, because you grouped this fitness option with something you had already done and maybe that’s not exactly what you were looking for when it came to getting help staying active and fit.

I have some exciting news for you! Virtual fitness classes are actually really different from those video workouts you used to watch and I think you might be pleasantly surprised at how this new trend could help you stay active and work toward your health goals. Let me tell you how:

5 Ways Virtual Classes help you reach your health goals:

  1. When you take a virtual class you are taking a class that is live and personal! The teacher is taking you and the class through exercises in real time. You’ll feel like you are in the room with the teacher even though you are working out in the comfort of your home!
  2. Each class is different and unique. Although the class may practice some of the same things each time, the way the teacher teaches is different in each class. This means you’ll learn new things each time and you won’t get bored!
  3. You get to connect to a real life teacher who will answer your questions before and after class, or outside of class by email or phone. Your teacher will be cheering you on in your fitness journey and the accountability of working with a professional will help keep you motivated.
  4. You’ll have the option to turn your video camera on if you want. If you like accountability, you can turn your video on so that your teacher can see you throughout class. Not all students in class do this, but many do because they feel like it keeps them more accountable and they know it helps the teacher give them cues and suggestions that are specific to them.
  5. You’ll have the chance before class starts and after class to chat and connect with other students in the class and the teacher. This is optional, but if you are looking for a more personalized experience this is a great way to connect with others and allows your teachers to get to know you, so they can best help you on your fitness journey.

If you are looking for something to help you stay accountable to your fitness time I would encourage you to try out virtual classes! You might just find yourself looking moving your body more and enjoying it!

The absolute secret to Pilates success!

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I’ve been teaching Pilates for a long time and in that time I have gotten to observe a lot of different people and different bodies who come to Pilates and give it a try.  On a daily basis I get to hear from clients about how their Pilates practice has changed their life,made them stronger, helped them get rid of pain and allows them to move better in their daily life so that they can live the life they dream of.  Many talk about how Pilates makes them happier and keeps their body feeling happier.  

I also see lots of people who are super excited to try it, enjoy it and can really see how it could benefit their life and then give it up.  So what’s the key to being a Pilates success?  How can you get what those happy people have, those people are feeling amazing in their body? It might be simpler than you think.  The secret is patience and persistence.

Joseph Pilates said,”Patience and persistence are vital qualities in the ultimate successful accomplishment of any worthwhile endeavor.”

I couldn’t agree more!  So what does it mean to be patient and persistent when it comes to your Pilates practice?  I really think it comes down to showing up and not giving up.  We live in what I like to call a “quick fix” world.  Society has convinced us that you can buy a solution to any problem you have.  We’re spoiled by the convenience of being able to walk into a store or click a button online and have just about anything we want almost instantaneously. But  so many things in life can’t be bought or obtained quickly…our health, our happiness, learning a new sport or discipline in your body, learning new eating habits, friendships and relationships.  The key to success in any of these arenas is consistent positive action taken over time.  And when I say time I don’t mean the “6 weeks to a skinny you program” kind of time…I mean years  (yep…years).

Think of that friend or two in your life who you can’t imagine doing life without.  Did your friendship with them just happen overnight?  How long have you known them? How many life experiences have you shared with them and what do you do on a regular basis to connect with them?  Are you or were you an athlete at some point in your life?  How many practices did you attend? How many games did you win (and lose)?  How long did you play that sport before you were feeling pretty accomplished in it?  Do you have someone in your life who you admire because you feel like they are in great shape and they really take care of their body?  My guess is if you ask them they have made a commitment in their life to make movement part of their life…they probably have a routine that they’ve been following…probably for years!

I can tell you first hand from my own life and from the clients I get to work with on a daily basis…the key to feeling good in your body, to getting results from your Pilates practice (or any movement practice) is consistency over time.  Adding more movement into your life is not a hard thing to do, but as easy as it is to do….it’s just as easy not to do.  Adding 5-10 minutes of Pilates based exercises to your day is pretty doable for everybody and I guarantee that if you did that for 3 months, 6 months, or a year…you would feel an amazing difference in your body and your life.  Taking even just one Pilates class per week over a year would change how your body feels when you look back a year from now.

When I observe those clients who have really embraced movement as part of their life, the ones who feel and see results from their movement practice on a daily basis I see a lot of the same characteristics, traits and habits.

Here’s just a few:

  1. Movement is not an option.  Clients who are committed don’t give themselves the option of not doing it, even on the days when it would be just as easy not to do it.
  2. They come back after being sick, taking a break, etc.  Everyone has stuff in their life and it’s pretty unrealistic to think that you would never miss your workouts or movement time, but the big difference between the successful and unsuccessful is they stick with it.  If you sleep in and miss your workout, you get back to it the next day. Went on vacation and lounged on the beach for 2 weeks.. then you come back and get back into the routine.  Had a few months where you were consumed with taking care of a loved one or maybe even something as tragic as a death of someone you loved…they come back and keep moving.
  3. They create a routine or schedule.  Movement time is in the calendar, it’s as regular as eating lunch or brushing your teeth…again it’s not optional.
  4. They enjoy the process. They know that movement and exercise time for their body is not a quick fix for anything.  They are able to see the big picture of health and happiness.  They realize that their consistent habits will add up over time to things much bigger than fitting into their skinny jeans.. things like living longer, feeling good in their body so they can take amazing vacations or keeping up with their kids or grandkids…
  5. They surround themselves with like-minded people.  Sticking with something is never easy and it’s even harder if all of your friends and family are unsupportive and don’t get what you are doing and why. Having a trusted movement teacher or trainer who is on your side can make a world of difference. Having a workout friend who is on the same path of trying to keep consistent can give you just the support and camaraderie you need.  Having a place and space in your life to workout where you feel supported, loved and actually enjoy makes the process so much more fun and enjoyable and easier to stick with.

At Rivercity Pilates we are passionate about movement and what an amazing health tool it can be in your life.  Our staff is here because they love being “those supportive, like-minded people” in your life!  Our staff is on the same life journey as you. We are on a daily journey to use movement in our life consistently so that we too can live our best life.  Our daily interactions with our amazing clients inspire us in our own movement journey.  The studio is our “happy place” and we really hope it will become yours too.  If you are looking to add movement into your life we would love to meet you and introduce you to the studio, our staff and all of our fabulous inspiring clients!  Click here to schedule a complimentary private session to get started today!!

Addicted to your phone?

Do you ever feel like you have a hard time just being present in the moment?  Do you feel like you have some sort of weird attachment to your phone, apple watch, iPad, or some other electronic device? 

I’m asking because I am completely guilty of not being able to just be present and I’m completely guilty of having an addiction to my phone.  Luckily I have a 10 year old daughter who is so good at helping me detach from my phone and become more present in my life.  Let me explain.  

I use my phone to check emails, stay updated on social media posts and to check in on the business when I’m not there.  At least a couple of times a day.  It used to be more times a day,  I’m actually getting better.  I will be with my daughter and she has to make a comment to me like, “Could you just quit looking at your phone?” or  “Did you hear what I said or were you looking at your phone?”  As soon as she says it my heart sinks and I’m embarrassed. 

I read something somewhere that talked about how just having your device sitting out on the table if you are having dinner with someone is a clear signal to that person you are with that they are not that important.   Just having the phone sitting there says to that person…I’m hanging out with you but if something like an email, a text or a social media notification comes through…that is more important and I’ll have to check it.  I know more important then anything that could come through on my phone, my daughter holds my heart. I NEVER want her to think that anything that pops up on my phone could be more important than her and the time we spend together…yet I seem to keep having those moments. 

I always make a point to put my phone away when she reminds me and thank her for reminding me. Even though those moments still happen, I can tell you they are a lot less frequent than they used to be. I feel like I am getting more practiced at learning to be present and I’m thankful that she helps to remind me to do it! 

So why am I telling you all this? I’m telling you because I see the same lack of being present in many of my clients during their Pilates sessions and classes.  I see clients checking their texts on their phones and watches, answering the occasional phone call, reading news notifications and just plain being distracted.  I am not judging, because I know how hard it is to just be present. 

I know that it is such a habit for us to be so connected to everything and everyone all the time that it seems impossible to just focus on one thing.  As a teacher I don’t like to have “rules” about not having devices in the studio room because I know that every once in awhile you absolutely need to be able to be reached during your session for something in your life. 

But my guess is that 95% of the time the texts, emails, calls and notifications are totally something that could wait without consequence until your 50 minute session is over.  My guess is that you could silence your notifications or leave your device in the car or in your gym bag and all would be good!

I realize that you don’t even realize how often you are checking in and if I brought it up…you might have that heart sinking, embarrassed feeling that I have when my daughter reminds me. 

I also think that if you committed to spending your entire 50 minute session or class focused on yourself and what you were doing….the effects would travel into the rest of your life.  When we practice being present, we get better at it.  When we practice spending almost an hour focused on our own health and well being (and the world does not fall apart in the meantime!) then we get better at listening and being present to our spouse, our kids and our friends. 

The effect of being present in your important relationships in your life will surely trickle into more positive, less stressful moments in your life.  

So maybe next time you have a session or class you’ll decide to silence your devices or even leave them in another room and dedicate yourself to just practicing being present.