Tag Archive for: BME

Are you an exercise introvert?

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careyfamilyI don’t know about you, but the thought of having to go to an event or business or even a new dentist or doctor for the first time is on the bottom of my list of favorite things.  I would definitely call myself an introvert and it takes some effort on my part to get out of my shell and talk to new people and get out of my comfort zone.  I’m also crazy busy with a business and 3 kids (4 if you count my husband and 5 if you include our dog) and just the thought of setting up something new seems like such a big task – that often I avoid it if I can.

When it comes to exercise I feel the same way.  I have always loved to exercise and move but often have just done it on my own because the thought of joining a new gym or fitness group seems, well daunting.  I think one of the reasons I was so drawn to Pilates was the small studio atmosphere, the personal connections I had with my instructors and classmates  and also the ability to practice on my own.

When it comes to setting up my business I have tried to keep all of this in mind and make getting started at the studio as easy as possible and as intimate as possible.  We offer a complimentary one on one session for all new clients so you can get aquainted with our studio space, our instructors and what we do without the intimidation of having to meet and workout with a roomful of strangers.  We want you to feel at home at the studio and it’s important to us to get you started on the right foot!

Now of course if jumping into a new group class at a new space is exactly the thing you love- please take advantage of a complimentary class instead!  We know everyone is different and would love to have you try us out in whatever way you prefer!!

For more information about getting started at Rivercity Pilates click here!

How Quick are Pilates Results?

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RCP-55One of the most common questions I hear on a client’s second visit, goes something like this:

“I felt really great after our session. I felt taller and my posture was better. My ____________________(fill in the blank with an achy body part like low back, shoulder, neck, foot, etc.) seems to be feeling better . . . could that really have been just from that one session?”
My simple answer: YES!

Here’s why:

The Pilates method of exercises teaches your body how to create and maintain alignment and balance in your body. The exercises not only strengthen and stretch your muscles, but they train your brain to recognize imbalances so your body can self correct. Once you are taught how to do it, you will naturally start practicing finding your alignment and balance throughout your day. The continual practice helps to bring your body into alignment and you WILL FEEL a difference very quickly!

It’s kind of like learning to ride a bike. After you’ve done it once, your body recognizes how to do it and continues to improve the skill of bike riding every time you ride. The more you practice riding your bike the better you get at the skills and it becomes almost unconscious. The same is true as you learn the skills of aligning your body and accessing your core muscles.

Like any new skill you are learning, the more consistent you are with practicing – the better you will become. We suggest incorporating Pilates into your fitness routine a minimum 2 to 3 times a week to see the maximum benefits.

Want to see how your body feels after a Pilates session? Schedule your complimentary session today!

Have you hit a plateau?

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mermaid adjustmentsAt Rivercity Pilates we are super passionate about movement and the amazing benefits movement brings to your life.  We find that our clients can often times be categorized into clients who are private clients- those who generally only take one on one sessions with their instructor and class clients-those who only do classes.  We think both options are great and we love to encourage people to do what works best in their schedule and their budget.

Our small group classes are an affordable way to get individualized workouts in on a regular basis and often are the best option for people.  If you are a person who regularly takes classes, we want to encourage you to think about doing an occasional private session to take your own movement practice to a whole new level.

If you’ve never had a private session or it’s been a really long time you might be surprised on how much benefit you can get out of 1 session.  Even though our group classes are small we aren’t often able to stop during class and specifically go over movements specific to your body.

Have you have ever asked:

  • Why can’t I do this exercise very well?
  • Why does this exercise hurt or not feel good in my body?
  • What specific things can I do to continue to progress in individual exercises and my practice as a whole?
  • What would be the best at home routine or exercises for me to do?
  • What type of movements and exercises should I be focusing on if I want to accomplish my goals(maybe running a 5k or just looking great for that summer wedding I need to attend!)

An occasional private session can help you answer these questions and create a focus for your personal movement practice.  We know that its not practical or affordable for many people to do a private session on a regular basis but we also believe in the difference it can make in your movement practice and we provide some great opportunities for everyone to get at least a few private lessons in each year:

  • Every new client at Rivercity Pilates can start with a complimentary private session.  Take advantage of this!!  Even if you never do another private session again this session is an individualized session with one of our awesome movement instructors and you’ll be glad you did it!
  • If you are on our email list we’ll send you a yearly birthday email with some special deals only for you and one of them is a half price private session.  Treat yourself or pass the email on to your spouse or mom or friend and let them treat you!!!  Let us help you fine tune your movement practice- it’s what we love to do!!
  • Every month we offer special deals and offers only to those who are on our email list.  Be sure to read our monthly newsletter and take advantage of those great deals when we offer them!!

Have more questions about private sessions at Rivercity Pilates?   Click here or call us to talk to one of our instructors!   Special Discount available for a private session in Pilates or Yoga if you call us and mention this blog!

 

Why Pilates is the Perfect Exercise for Women over 50

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Pilates is a fabulous method of exercise for any body, but if you are a woman over the age of 50 you may find it’s the perfect form of exercise for you.

Have you ever said:

  • I just want to stay strong and lean.
  • I see my mom aging and know I want to keep my own body fit, strong, flexible and functional so I can live life to the fullest.
  • I want an instructor/trainer who understands that I’m not 25 and trains me accordingly.IMG_2412
  • I want to enjoy my workouts.

The Pilates Method of exercise may be the perfect exercise for you and here’s why:

  • The Pilates Method combines strength, balance, and flexibility into one very efficient workout session that will keep you lean and strong.
  • The Pilates Method focuses on using proper body mechanics and teaches you how to move in a way that will balance out your body and prevent injuries as you age.
  • The Pilates Method is truly a movement practice that can be done at any level and can be done throughout your entire lifetime.
  • A PMA Certified Pilates instructor has had over 500 hours of initial training and mentoring hours that results in experienced instructors who understand how to work with bodies of all ages, levels and conditions.
  • The Pilates Method uses a variety of equipment and props so that there is a ton of variety.  You’ll develop a practice of movements and exercises that become familiar to your body but you’ll also be continually challenged.

 

Click here to learn more about trying out Pilates at Rivercity Pilates!!  Schedule a complimentary private session and learn what it can do for your body!  At Rivercity Pilates we offer private Pilates sessions, semi-private Pilates sessions(scheduled with a friend or family member) and small group classes(averaging 6-8 clients per class).

 

 

 

How do I know if I’m doing my Pilates exercises correctly?

If you’ve ever taken a Pilates class you know there is a lot of attention to detail when it comes to the Pilates exercises.   Pull your belly in, keep your shoulders down, engage your inner thighs,….breathe!  Pilates instructors are notorious for giving lots of corrections and sometimes it can be confusing as a client.  You want to be doing it correctly right?

Your instructor’s corrections and cues are really meant to help you fine tune your own practice, stay safe and get the most out of each exercise.  Sometimes, especially if you are just starting off,  all of the helpful advice can be a little overwhelming.

A very common question I hear is:    Am I doing it right?   
Unless you are doing a movement that is causing your body pain or is unsafe- the answer is almost always: Yes, you are doing it correctly! 

I think the real question people want to ask is: am I doing it like you do it or is this what it looks like when Madonna does it?
That answer would be no and should be no! You see, as long as you are paying attention to your body and doing your best to follow the instructions your instructor is giving you- you are doing it perfectly in your body(no matter what the exercise “looks like” in your body).

It is more important how the movement feels in your body rather than how it looks.RCP-37
The next time you do the same exercise, it may feel totally different.  You may feel something you’ve never felt before, move differently than last week, or have a different range of motion.  That’s OK and to be expected.  As you start to fine tune your paying attention to your body skills, you will find yourself self-correcting to create more balance in your body and fine tuning to maximize that benefits of each exercise in your body.

In fact, the real “magic” of Pilates starts to happen when you start increasing your own body awareness and ability to just be present in your body and notice what is going on.  You start to be your own teacher in many ways.
The doing part of the exercise, the paying attention to your body and noticing how it feels part is sooo much more important than what it looks like on the outside.

The next time you find yourself wondering if you are doing it correctly-just focus on what’s going on in your body and trust that your efforts at that moment in that exercise are perfect!    Of course if you have questions on the exercise technique itself be sure to ask your instructor and they can give you a more detailed explanation that can aid in your understanding!  

Can Pilates help me gain flexibility?

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“True flexibility can be achieved only when all muscles are uniformly developed.” – Joseph Pilates

The Pilates Method focuses on balancing out your muscles around each joint in the body (we refer to it as uniform development). By creating balance we naturally become more flexible, stronger, and our bodies move with ease, just like when we were kids. It is truly a combination of stretching and strengthening various muscle groups that allows the body to create this balance.

Pilates instructors are trained to look at individual bodies and movements and fine tune each individual’s movements to create balance in each body. If you have ever wondered why there are so many variations and modifications to Pilates exercises – this is why! Every body is unique and its needs change from day to day.

As instructors it’s our job to help clients tune in to their bodies and learn how to adjust their movements in Pilates, fitness, and life.

Learn more about the Pilates Method of exercise by exploring our website!