Tag Archive for: Pilates Cedar Rapids Iowa

Dancing into a Pilates Practice

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tarynI just left my first staff meeting at Rivercity Pilates.   I’m not a pilates teacher (yet), but I am working in the office and beginning the teacher training program in a few weeks. Anyone that knows me as a dancer is probably like….what? I have never been much for any exercise save modern dance class.    When all my friends were diligently completed their pilates certifications at the Kane School, or yoga teacher training at Om, I was doing anything but those things.

I tended bar, taught knitting, filed, danced, baked and worked at Whole Foods.   My preferred warm up was modern dance class or smoking a few cigarettes.    that was about it.    This is NOT to say that I would not have benefited greatly from any number of other things.   It just wasn’t my thing, and I got by.

Fast forward to now.   I am the insanely proud mom of an amazing 3 year old, I am the equally insanely proud wife of an amazing choreographer.     I spent a few years working in a corporate setting to make it all “work”.    My husband stayed home, and I did that thing where you punch a clock 40+ hours a week.    Dancing took a back seat to being a mom, a wife, and an employee.   Last year my husband and I decided to make a big change.    He would attend grad school, and I would stay at home withour daughter.  Drastic changes, cuts and plans.

Best decision we ever made!

IMG_1952All of the things we realized could fill pages upon pages, but for the purpose of this post, the most personally revolutionary thing that I was able to realize was how much I missed moving, which really amounted to dedicated time to check in with my body.   So I went at it…….I rehearsed, I performed, I went to the gym, I rode my bike.    It was all great, but I was still missing something. It only did half the job.   I could find a physical fix, but not the brain space for the other half of being a mindful mover.    A dancer friend told me about Rivercity Pilates and the classical Pilates training he had received there.   This appealed to my dancer mentality.    We love tradition and lineage!   I made an appointment for a private session with Carey and I was hooked.   It was just what I had been looking for.   Time to check in, reflect, be mindful, aiming for a mastery of turning the simple into sublime.    I finally got it.

After that session, all the hype made sense.  At some point during that first private session on the cadillac I was working on prone II and it just clicked.   I wouldn’t be able to or want to change my last 17 years, but I am thankful for the ability to discover what works for me now.    I look forward to incorporating what  learn into the practice I will develop and share going forward.

Taryn Griggs

Carpal Tunnel Problems?

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Whether you had a recent injury to your hand or wrist or perhaps a surgery, you’ll find this 25 minute mat workout user friendly!

 

[tweetthis]Have you had #carpaltunnel #surgery? Do U need a “no-hands” workout?[/tweetthis]

Why Sunrise Classes might be the most effective classes on our schedule!!

IMG_0079Looking to create a consistent movement practice that gets results?  Our Sunrise Pilates and Yoga classes are a great way to start your day!  As an instructor I love teaching the early morning classes and can really see the benefits in our clients when they consistently get their workouts in first thing every day.  Here’s a few reasons why I think the early morning classes are so effective for clients:

~Most of our regular Sunrise clients have committed to at least 2 or more classes per week.   Consistency and creating the habit of getting your exercise in is so important and when you get your workout in first thing nothing else can get in the way of getting it done!

~It’s not always easy to commit to getting up that extra hour early in the morning to work out, but we have a very committed crew of early morning exercisers and there really is a sense of camaraderie and friendship that forms at this early hour.  Whether you are brand new to Pilates or Yoga or have been practicing for years you will feel welcome, comfortable and inspired by the other clients in our sunrise classes!

~Starting your day with mindful movement energizes your body and just plain feels good!  Your body will thank you!  You co workers may thank you too as it often puts you in a better mood for the rest of the day!

If you’re looking to consistently add a movement practice into your life I would highly suggest trying out our early morning classes!  You’ll leave class refreshed and awakened and ready to face anything your day brings you!!

[tweetthis]#Workout in the Morning! Are #Sunrise classes more #effective?[/tweetthis]

Click here to see our current class schedule.

 

My Back Hurts…..

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What does a Pilates instructor do when her back hurts?

I have to admit I have not ever had to deal with chronic back pain, but like many people I have an occasional day when my low back aches or hurts.  Many times it is after I have been driving in the car longer than normal or sitting at the computer too long.   Some days I couldn’t tell you exactly why it happens.  So what do I do?  Pilates!

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My go to treatment for a tight achy low back is to move and stretch and use some traditional Pilates exercises.  I turn to the same wonderful work that I use with my clients day in and day out!  I generally focus on stretching and lengthening the backs of my legs and my hips.

[tweetthis remove_hidden_hashtags=”true”]Help! I teach #Pilates and I have #BackPain[/tweetthis]

Some of my favorite exercises are Single Leg Circle followed by stretches for my hamstrings and inner and outer thighs, Shoulder Bridge followed by a supported bridge stretch (with a yoga block under my hips), a slow straight leg lower with a foam brick under my hips to lengthen my psoas and just hanging out in child’s pose.

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For me the movement helps almost immediately and I continue to play around with finding movements that help my body feel good.  Often times a sore low back is a reminder that I need to incorporate more mindful movement into my day,  be a little more aware of how I’m moving my body and how much I’m sitting throughout my day.

One of my favorite lessons learned from my Pilates practice is that we are much more powerful and capable than we think when it comes to healing and taking care of our bodies.  So if you’re feeling a little achy or tight don’t be afraid to try out some movements at home.  Listen to your body and trust that your mindful movement practice can change how your body feels!

 

 

Shelly’s Story: 12 months of Pilates Teacher Training

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IMG_1933Today, as I finished another tally sheet for my teacher training log book, I realized that I have been on the road to becoming a Pilates instructor for just over a year. Wow, how the time has flown! Knowing that I have let other things in my life take priority over Pilates in the past month, I decided to take this opportunity for some self-reflection. So, I set aside my long, ever-present to-do list, and reflected on what I have accomplished in my first year in the Body Precision Comprehensive Teacher Training Program, and where I want to focus my energy in the upcoming months.

Before moving forward, I took a few minutes to look back at why I decided to go through the Body Precision Comprehensive Teacher Training Program….
I decided to go through the program for both personal and professional reasons.  On a personal level, I wanted to learn the method in more depth and refine my own practice.  I enjoy learning on my own, but do best when I am part of a structured program, so the Body Precision Comprehensive Teacher Training Program seemed like the best way for me to take my practice to the next level.

On a professional level, I wanted to learn the method so I could incorporate Pilates principles and exercises in to my work as a physical therapist. Pilates incorporates many principles that are familiar to me as a physical therapist and I think the method will be a good addition to my practice. It was important to me to learn the method in more detail before incorporating it in to my professional practice.

Then I thought about what I have accomplished in the past year…
I completed all of the workshop hours and a little less than half of the observation hours, practice teaching, and lessons required for the comprehensive program. More importantly, I gained a deeper understanding of the Pilates method and learned what most of the exercises feel like in my body, or at least what they feel like right now.   And, most surprisingly, despite adding more “requirements” to my life, I found better balance. Better balance between work and personal life. Better balance in my emotions. Better balance in my body.

What has been my biggest challenge in the past year?…
Time!   When I contemplated starting the teacher training program, I was concerned about the amount of time I would need to dedicate to the program. I have a full-time job, and then some. I had just finished a 4 year graduate program, had a paper to revise, and had a fall class to teach. Did I really have time for Pilates? Maybe I needed to slow down and take a break. Was I really ready to jump in to another commitment? Well, I decided to take the plunge and I am glad I did. Finding time to dedicate to Pilates has been a challenge, however. I try to combat the challenge by scheduling time each week for observation, practice teaching, and my own practice. And when all else fails, I remind myself that even if I get in as many hours as I would like each week, I am still making progress.

Where I want to focus my energy in the upcoming months…
Getting back to scheduling time for me! Fall is a busy time of year for me, much like it is for other people…. It is back-to-school time (I teach a physical therapy class in the fall semester), football season (Go Hawks!), and a busy time of year for work-related conferences. Amidst all of the other demands on my time, I want to get back to making Pilates a priority on my schedule. I always feel great when I walk in the studio… the hard part is putting it on my schedule.  So, for the next few months, I am going to focus on getting Pilates on my schedule at least three days a week!

Shelly
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I can’t do the same thing that the super fit 20 year old is doing!!

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IMG_6792When it comes to an exercise program, have you ever said something like this (either to yourself or out loud)?

  • I’m too out of shape to take that class.
  • I can’t do the same thing that the super fit 20 year old is doing!!
  • I’m too inflexible to try that.
  • I have an injury or ailment that won’t allow me to exercise.

I have some exciting news for you!!  At Rivercity Pilates, we offer private and small group sessions that you will feel completely comfortable in.  From the moment you walk in the door you’ll feel the difference and know this isn’t your typical gym or fitness setting.

[tweetthis hidden_urls=”http://pic.twitter.com/zbNaxIiyhp” remove_hidden_hashtags=”true”]Have U heard this in #Pilates? I cant do the things that 20 yo does![/tweetthis]

Our private sessions and group classes are designed for “real” people who are looking to empower their bodies through mindful movement.  We know that everyone has different needs when it comes to exercise and we can help you find an exercise routine that fits your life and your body.

We believe that mindful movement can have a positive effect on everyone’s lives.  Our instructors and staff specialize in creating private sessions and small group classes  that are tailored to your individual needs.

IMG_2527Don’t know where to start?

We offer a complimentary private Pilates or Yoga session to all new clients to the studio.  This private session will introduce you to mindful movement and also to the studio and everything we offer.  Click here to learn more!

Want to try out one of our classes?

Your first Pilates, Barre, Yoga, Strength Training, or Cardio Funk class is FREE!  Just sign up online or contact us to sign up and be sure to let us know it’s your first class.