Tag Archive for: Pilates Coralville iowa
![denise](https://rivercitypilates.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/denise.jpg")
When did you start Pilates and what inspired you to start?
I started Pilates in June of 2013. Katie Wera, the Cancer Care Coordinator from Mercy Hospital in Iowa City was my inspiration. Ms. Wera is a dedicated and hard working cancer care coordinator who is truly concerned about her patients.
Soon after my bi-lateral mastectomy, chemotherapy, and radiation treatments to treat breast cancer, I hired a personal trainer to help me regain strength, flexibility, and the full range of motion in my arms and shoulders. My trainer’s main focus was on my weight.
After working with the trainer for one year I was getting discouraged because I was recovering from my third injury from working out with her. In addition, my range of motion, strength, and flexibility was not improving significantly despite working out three to five times a week with her.
Katie suggested that I try Pink Ribbon Pilates at Rivercity Pilates in North Liberty, Iowa.
What benefits have you seen by committing to a regular Pilates practice?
My flexibility and range of motion are back to normal. My strength is almost back to normal and I have lost 35 pounds. In addition, my coordination, balance, core strength, and self-esteem have improved.
Do you have a favorite exercise or piece of equipment (or both)?
My favorite thing about Pink Ribbon Pilates is… I look forward to going. Additionally, Pink Ribbon Pilates is geared specifically for recovering Breast Cancer patients.
Carey is very knowledgeable about what is safe and appropriate for her recovering cancer patients to do. Carey is also enthusiastic and motivating. She has the ability to give me the confidence to try any exercise. As soon as I can easily do an exercise she challenges me by making it harder in an effort to improve my strength, flexibility, range of motion, and balance.
What would you say to a cancer survivor who is thinking about doing Pilates?
I would highly recommend Pink Ribbon Pilates, at Rivercity Pilates. Carey has helped me empower my new body and inspired my life.
Learn more about our Pink Ribbon program for breast cancer survivors by clicking here!
You’ve probably heard us talk about the upcoming 21 Day Empower Your Body Challenge, or maybe you’ve seen it in our newsletter or on our blog. Today we just want to clear up exactly what it is, who it is for, and answer some of the common questions we are hearing!![are you ready for a challenge](https://rivercitypilates.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/are-you-ready-for-a-challenge.jpg")
The Empower Your Body 21 Day Challenge is a program designed to challenge you to add more movement and health to your life! The online portion of the challenge will be delivered to you by email over each of the 21 days. Every day you will receive an email with a healthy action step, Pilates and movement tips, healthy eating ideas and more.
Who is the Empower Your Body Challenge for?
This program can be used by Rivercity Pilates clients who want to create( or get back into the habit) of regular sessions at the studio or it can be used by anyone who wants to workout at home or at another studio. We’ll be offering lots of great video instruction, even if you can’t make it into the studio. We’ll be giving away prizes for things like the most sessions taken at the studio, most at home workouts, meeting your goals, and some fun prizes for things like completing your daily action step and participating in the private Facebook page discussions.
When is the Challenge?
The Empower Your Body 21 Day Challenge will run from September 8th to September 28th.
What Empower Your Body Challenge Package should I sign up for?
We have created 3 different options for joining the Challenge, depending on how you would like to participate.
If you are planning on getting 3 or more classes(or using more than 4 class credits) per week during the challenge, we would suggest signing up for the Unlimited Classes Package($199)– this will be your best deal. With this package you will get our daily email, be eligible for all prizes, get an Empower Your Body Challenge T-Shirt, be part of our private Facebook page and be able to attend as many classes as you want at Rivercity Pilates during the challenge.
Our Ultimate Package is designed to create ultimate results! You’ll get three weekly individualized, private sessions as well as unlimited classes. You’ll also receive our daily email, be eligible for prizes, get an Empower Your Body T-Shirt and be part of our private Facebook page.
One of our most common options is simply to purchase the Challenge Registration($39) and then purchase classes and sessions along the way or use your current packages. With this option you will still get the Empower Your Body Challenge T-Shirt, be eligible for all the prizes, get our daily emails, and be part of our private Facebook page. This option is ideal for clients who are trying to increase their sessions, but probably won’t use more than 4 class credits per week. If you think you’ll be using more than 4 class credits per week than we would suggest the unlimited class option.
Working out at home only? Then the registration only option is definitely for you!
Do I have to do a class every day?
Definitely not. The goal of the challenge is to increase your Pilates and yoga sessions to increase the effectiveness of your movement practice. Part of the challenge will include sitting down and evaluating where you currently are in your fitness program and then choosing goals that are appropriate for your body. The idea is to gradually increase your workouts, but keep them manageable so you can continue on after the 21 Day Challenge is over. We will be encouraging you to do something everyday though. By something, we are talking about the little things. Your daily action steps will be small tasks like practicing your breathing, stretching your hamstrings, or maybe just doing your Hundreds!
When do I need to sign up by?
Registration will end on September 1, unless it fills before that. Space in classes is limited and we only have a certain amount of appointment availability for private sessions. If we meet our maximum we will close registration to ensure that everyone is able to get their sessions in during the Challenge.
Want more details on how to sign up? Click here!
![Kelly Allen](https://rivercitypilates.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/Kelly-Allen-286x300.jpg")
When did you start Pilates and what inspired you to start?
My initial reason to try Pilates in March 2013 was for stress relief, not fitness. I usually run, walk, bike, and lift weights. I wanted to do something I had never experienced that would keep me focused for an hour and would make it impossible for my mind to wander.
What benefits have you seen by committing to a regular Pilates practice?
The ability to stretch my body in ways that make it feel so much better and to have better balance. I think looking and feeling more toned and fit are the obvious benefits of most exercise, but I have never experienced the ability to stretch and have better balance with anything else.
Do you have a favorite exercise or piece of equipment (or both)?
For me there are no favorites. I think one of the best things about Pilates is the variety.
What would you say to someone thinking about starting Pilates?
It is one of the best investments I have ever made. I never thought I would see the changes I have seen in my body.
Do you carry tension in your upper back, shoulders, and neck?
Check out this video on stretching and rolling out your tight spots to relieve tension and stress.
The foam roller is a great tool that can be used not only as a prop for your Pilates exercises, but also to roll out tight muscles and fascia.
Need a foam roller? Stop by Rivercity Pilates and pick one up today!
Check out this short video and learn why Yoga instructor Nicole Morford has added Pilates into her mind body workouts and how it has positively impacted her Yoga practice!
The Pilates method of exercise is similiar to Yoga in the sense that both exercise methods focus on strength, balance and control. They are different enough though that many clients find it beneficial to add both practices into their fitness routine to help them best work toward their fitness goals.
To learn more about the benefits of combining Pilates and Yoga contact Rivercity Pilates and set up your complimentary private pilates session today!