Tag Archive for: Pilates Cedar Rapids Iowa

Have you thought about becoming a Pilates Teacher?

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Our Pilates Mat Teacher Training Program starts soon

If you’ve considered teaching Pilates or maybe just want to take the program to learn and progress in your own body there is still time to register!!  Contact Carey to learn more about the program details at 319.665.2499 or rcpilates1@gmail.com!  

Relieve shoulder and neck tension in less than 10 minutes right now!

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Do you hold tension in your neck and shoulders? Do you find yourself scrunching up your shoulders throughout your day without even realizing it? Maybe you find yourself scrunching your shoulders in your Pilates practice.
 
This braided towel mini workout will strengthen the muscles that help us find good posture and will leave your shoulders and back feeling amazing!  Need a braided towel for your at home workouts? Purchase one HERE.  If you  don’t have a braided towel you can use or big bath towel for this workout! 

Inspiration of the Month Kathy Mathews

Inspiration of the Month – September 2018

 Empower Your Body ~ Inspire Your Life

When did you start Pilates and what inspired you to start?
I started taking Pilates classes about 3 years ago.  I was having a lot of back pain and was encouraged by Shelley Mockler to give Rivercity Pilates a try.  She promised me I didn’t have to be an athlete to feel comfortable going there (and she was right!)

How often do you practice Pilates and what type of sessions or classes have you been doing?  
I have a full schedule in the rest of my life, so I try to make it to at least one session per week, either a class or semi-private with a friend. I also try to do at least a few mat exercises or Carey’s 20 minute intermediate mat exercise video at home most days. 
 
What benefits or improvements have you noticed in your body and life from doing Pilates? 
I have a lot less back pain and tend to be more aware of how I hold and move my body.
 
Do you have a favorite exercise or piece of equipment (or both)?  
I don’t think I have a favorite—I like learning something new and being challenged to do any of the exercises better.  I appreciate the concentration it takes.  

What would you say to someone who is thinking about doing Pilates? 
Give it a try for a few months and don’t be intimidated. It’s fun and feels good!  I would also encourage everyone to take some private or semi-private classes if possible to learn some of the core principles that will let you get more out of the group classes.  

 
 

Not starting Pilates or Yoga because it’s hard is not an excuse (anymore!!)

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I overheard a conversation the other day ago where a couple of my Pilates clients were talking about the new Yoga class we were offering. One of the students had been taking the class and mentioned to the other student she should try it.  Her response was ,”I probably should…but Yoga is hard!”    This struck me as a little bit funny because as her Pilates teacher…I’ve seen how hard she works in my Pilates classes.  

If you’ve done Pilates, you know that there is not necessarily anything easy about Pilates. Pilates requires you to be completely present in the moment, focusing on your breath, your movements, your alignment, your core engagement and I personally feel like it is never “easy”. As much as I love to move and exercise my body I kind of think it’s alway “hard” to regularly exercise.   It’s hard to make myself add it in (even when I don’t feel like it), it’s hard to stay focused on what I’m doing in the moment and it’s hard to not want to quit when my muscles get tired and feel like they are working!  So I guess it seems logical that when anybody is contemplating doing something new, that we might use the excuse “it’s going to be hard”  as a way to justify not doing it.  I kind of see it as our mind’s way of tricking us into not being vulnerable enough to try something new…even though that something new might have immense benefits in our life!   

If you are one of those people who is not trying Pilates or Yoga because you think it’s too hard, maybe it’s time to change the story you are telling yourself. Try telling yourself that learning a new movement practice is a challenge for everyone, but the challenge is what in the long run is going to help you get results in your body.   Starting a new movement practice is never easy and because of that the staff at Rivercity Pilates always makes sure to do their best to create an environment that you can succeed in and actually enjoy.  Here’s just a few of the things we do:

  • We get to know you before your first class.  We offer a complimentary private session to all clients so we can get to know you and your body before you take your first class. We do this so we can make you as comfortable and at ease as possible for your first class! We find that this helps us create the best possible movement experience for you.  As a client, it’s kind of like already having a friend on your first day of school… 
  • Each exercise will be taught in a way that is doable in your body!  There will always be lots of options on how to do an exercise and you’ll feel completely comfortable choosing the version that feels best in your body
  • There are no unreasonable expectations.  You don’t have to worry about being the only one in class not able to twist like a pretzel or stand on your head….. our classes focus on functional movements that don’t require you to already be super flexible or know how to do some acrobatic move! 
  • We won’t single you out and over correct everything you do, Our teachers are great at teaching in a way that ensures you are doing things properly and not injuring yourself without making you feel silly or embarrassed because you are working on things!  
  • Exercises will always be safe for your body.  Safety is always on the top of our instructors mind and you will be coached on how to do exercises as safely and as effectively as possible in your body!
  • The class atmosphere will be positive and inspiring!  Our teachers are pros at creating a great environment to work out in!  You’ll walk out of classes not only with a great workout, but feeling good about what you did and enjoying your movement time!  

Ready to try out a new movement practice like Pilates or Yoga in your life?  We would love to get to know you and introduce you to a mindful movement practice!! Schedule a complimentary session to meet us and see if we’ll be a good fit for you! 

WINNER – Joe’s Challenge

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Joe’s Challenge Winner!

Since January 1st many clients participated in what we called Joe’s Challenge! We challenged you to complete 30 sessions of Pilates or Yoga by March 31 or by the end of April if you got a late start. We asked you to send us an email about how you felt after 10, after 20 and after 30 sessions. We have shared some of what you said in our past couple of newsletters. We know you’ve been anticipating the prize announcement!
 
…and the winner is….
 

Danielle Wilbanks!!

CONGRATULATIONS!!  You win 3 Months of  Unlimited Classes! 
$780 Value!
Thanks to every client that participated! You are all winners by continuing to move and encourage and inspire us all with your dedication to your Pilates and Yoga practice.
 
Here’s what a couple of our fantastic clients said after finishing the challenge:
 
“As always, I am grateful that Pilates came to me at this stage in life!! I love the classes in which I participate, 
the instructors, the studio, the participants…AND, most of all that it’s keeping me fit, toned, limber & balanced. I have no fear of saying ‘I’ve fallen & I can’t get up’….I CAN get up!!!”      ~Pam
 
“Having finished 30 sessions I come to recognize how I actually feel when I’m not doing Pilates. It took me a while to finish all 30 sessions because I was traveling and what I noticed most is how much better I can move and feel when I’m attending Pilates regularly. When I miss Pilates I am not as flexible and not able to move as well and overall just don’t feel as good.” ~Cyndi

 

Can Pilates Class be effective with someone 50 years your senior??

I taught a Pilates Reformer class yesterday and had 2 participants…one was 26 and the other was more than 50 years older!  I couldn’t help thinking as I was teaching… How amazing is that??! These two women who are clearly at very different places in their lives came in and got on their reformers and went through a whole body workout focused around the Pilates principles of breath, centering, balance and just plain good movement skills together!  And in case you are wondering about the pace of class…..the 26 year old was often looking over at the older client to get a visual of what we were doing next or how to do an exercise as we flowed through a traditional reformer workout!  This situation really exemplified to me one of the things I love about Pilates as a movement method…..it is accessible for ANY BODY at ANY Age, SHAPE or SIZE! 

There are no prerequisites to starting to learn the Pilates method in your body.   You simply have to be willing to learn new things and practice.  Whether you are twenty something or in your seventies you can learn to move better in your body and how to stay strong, balanced and healthy simply by showing up and doing the work on a regular basis.  When you are starting Pilates there are a few tips that I would give any body:

  • Start at the beginning!  Even if you are an elite athlete, even if you can hold a plank for 5 minutes or run a marathon…..there is so much value at learning the basic skills we use in Pilates because these are basic movement skills that we use in all types of movements.  Give your brain and your body time to learn what you are doing and why and you’ll progress much quicker than trying to just jump into a more “advanced” workout!
  • Keep practicing!   The value of a movement practice like Pilates is the “practice” portion of it!  Take the time to focus your body and mind and do the movements on a regular basis.  The movements may be a super challenge or they may seem not very intense or “workout like” to you… do them anyway!  The Pilates movements will teach you to strengthen your center by stabilizing your back, help you gain flexibility in your body by sequentially moving through your spine and teach you to coordinate your breath with your movement( great for better focus in your life and stress and anxiety relief!).  The absolute only way to feel the benefits in your life is to do the movements on a regular basis!! 
  • Work at your own level.  Don’t worry about what an exercise looks like or that what you are doing does not look like what your neighbor in class is doing! Another benefit of learning a movement practice like Pilates is learning to pay attention to how movements feel in your body and trusting yourself to adjust as needed.  Your teacher of course is going to give you movement suggestions and options, but ultimately the goal is for you to be able to know what the goals of the exercise are and then be able to decide and execute how you are going to do the exercise on any given day.  
  • Let yourself be a beginner for awhile!  Don’t feel rushed to get to the next level and try not to fret over not being able to do an exercise perfectly after your 3rd session!  There is no prize for being able to hold a picture perfect teaser, other than the prize of feeling great in your body because of all the good movement practice you got while working your way to that teaser!  Every time you practice those basic movement skills you will be gaining the strength, flexibility and balance that will allow your body to do what is considered the more intermediate/advanced exercises when it’s ready.

If you are thinking about starting a Pilates practice we have a lot of great options at the studio.  I always suggest starting of with a complimentary private session.  This session allows you to get introduced to Pilates in a way that is completely individualized to you!  It gives your instructor a chance to work with you and see how you learn best so they can guide you to the best way to start you Pilates journey.  Most students end up starting with private lessons or one of our Beginner Class series after that initial session so that they can build a strong understanding of the basics in their body.  

Contact us today to get started with a complimentary private session!