Tag Archive for: Pilates Coralville iowa

Pilates Inspiration – Serena

SerenaInspiration of the Month: Serena Stier (72 years old) February 2012

When did you start Pilates and what inspired you to start?   In 2007, my sister in Washington D.C. treated me to a few sessions with her Pilates trainer.  After having done weight training off and on for some eight years with a coach and managing to injure myself regularly, I decided I must switch to Pilates.

For some three years I worked with a young Pilates instructor who also taught dance.  I enjoyed feeling so much stronger and integrated and relieved that these improvements came without injury.  We work one on one swiftly.  She gave up her Pilates practice to concentrate on dance, which led me to Rivercity Pilates.

When I began at Rivercity Pilates with Carey I learned to breathe differently and move slowly at my own pace.  Imagine my delight at discovering that this kind of work seems to strengthen me even better from my core out- Thank You!

Why do you do Pilates and what are the benefits in your life?
Pilates helps me sit straight, walk more firmly and move with greater ease.  Moreover, because Carey is constantly varying what we do, I don’t get bored.  I miss it greatly when I’m away and am delighted upon my return to Pilates that “muscle memory” gets me going swiftly again.

How has Pilates changed your life?
I am much more able to pick up and move objects I would have not attempted in the past.  I delight when my husband imagines something is too heavy for me, and I manage just fine

Do you have a favorite exercise or piece of equipment?
For me, the best part of the Rivercity Pilates equipment is the variety.  The best part of the experience is my coach, Carey, who always seems to see what I’m not doing quite right and manages to correct me so gently I hardly notice.

What would you say to someone thinking about starting Pilates?
I cannot emphasize enough how important I think Pilates is for any person to gain and maintain maximum flexibility, confidence in movement, and healthy breathing regardless of their age or gender.  As someone seventy-two years of age, I especially recommend it as a preventative and antidote to the special challenges of growing older.

 

Pilates Inspiration Missy

Missy Arey IOM

Inspiration of the Month

Missy Arey

July 2013

When did you start Pilates and what inspired you to start?
 
I started in Spring 2012. I had back surgery while in high school to correct scoliosis and although I don’t have back problems, I do understand the importance of a strong core. My parents are also very elderly and in being with them, I find it extremely important to keep healthy now in order to enjoy life in my 90’s.
What was your favorite part about the Empower Your Body Challenge?
 
I saw so many changes in my own strength and flexibility. The chance to make Pilates a habit instead of a class was also a great benefit.
What benefits have you seen by committing to a regular Pilates practice? 
 
I notice the most my posture. Without thinking about it, I sit up straight and find that so much more comfortable. I also tend to keep most of my stress in my shoulders and now can identify that and think, “connect the shoulders, take your Pilates breath” and take some of that stress away.
How has Pilates improved your running?
 
Even after taking time off from running due to an injury, I find that I can pretty easily go 2-3 miles without any problems. It has helped me to regulate my breathing and my form.
Do you have a favorite exercise or piece of equipment (or both)?
 
I love the horse for the stretches it can help me with. I take advantage of it in the studio often to help make my quads and IT band more flexible.
What would you say to someone thinking about starting Pilates?
 
Pilates has made me much stronger, flexible, and balanced. There are so many positives from beginning classes with RCP that anyone would find it beneficial. The classes are small enough that Carey and Cassie are able to give each student personal attention.

Rivercity Pilates Top 5 Ways to do the Hundreds!

The Hundreds are a great Pilates exercised designed to warm up the whole body while specifically targeting your core muscles and your Pilates breath!

Click the video above to learn our Top 5 Ways to do the Pilates Hundreds Exercise!

We are challenging you in July to do your Pilates Hundreds exercise EVERY day!

If you liked this video be sure to click LIKE and share the Pilates fun with your friends!

Pilates Inspiration – Janee

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Janee Anderson

When did you start Pilates and what inspired you to start?

I decided to begin Pilates in 2008 because I wanted something to do to help me manage stress.  I also knew I had to work on my posturing and get my body in better physical shape.

Why do you do Pilates and what are the benefits in your life?

I do Pilates because I feel it helps me manage my health.  Because I drive for a living, my back and neck are often sore.  Pilates has helped me to understand how to do a better job in managing the toll that my work takes on my body.  I have learned to use breathing to work through my exercises.  This in turn has helped me in so many other areas of my life.  Good breathing and understanding how to posture myself helps me ALL the time-not just when I exercise!

How has Pilates changed your life?

Pilates has made me more aware ALL the time of how I stand, drive my car and how I can manage day to day activity in everything I do.  The benefits are so overall in everything I do now.

Do you have a favorite exercise or piece of equipment(or both)?

I actually like all the pieces of equipment but find that doing an intermediate/advanced mat class is the most challenging to me personally. It is a total workout for me where I am doing all of it myself. One of my favorite exercises would have to be the teaser. That exercise is challenging on the mat or any piece of equipment.  I love it!

What would you say to someone thinking about starting Pilates?

When I speak to anyone who is thinking about starting Pilates I tell them,”Do it!  It is something that will change your life and your body if you are truly committed to it.  It works the mind and the body.  For breathing, posturing and overall core strength, it is awesome no matter what your body shape or your age.”

 

If you enjoyed reading Janee’s Pilates story click like and share with your friends!

 

3 MUST KNOW Tips to Make Your Roll Down on the Cadillac MORE Effective!


The Roll Down on the Cadillac is a great exercise for gaining more mobility in the spine as well as strengthening the core and shoulder stabilizers.

This video will highlight the basics of the exercise including how to set up and breathing. It will also give you some fine-tuning tips so that you can get more out of each exercise.

If you liked our tips, be sure to click like above and share the Pilates wisdom with your friends!

 

Celebrating Success!!

Originally posted on February 27, 2013:

Today’s blog is one of celebration! As a Pilates instructor there is nothing that I LOVE more than celebrating the success of my clients. I’m hoping that by sharing this wonderful, inspirational story someone will be given the hope and inspiration to believe in themselves and continue pursuing their own health journey!

Today we are celebrating Su, one of our faithful Rivercity Pilates clients, being able to do the Swan using the push through bar on the Cadillac. This exercise is a challenging, advanced Pilates exercise that is not accessible to many people, for a variety of reasons. It requires a flexible spine, strong abdominal muscles, open hips, and shoulders with a fairly large range of flexibility and movement.

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Su(Center)

Two years ago, when I first met Su, she couldn’t even move her left arm above her head to place her hands onto the push through bar. Su is surviving stage 3 Melanoma and has been cancer-free since October 5, 2010. She underwent surgery that removed the melanoma and lymph nodes in her left arm, much like the surgery done when someone has breast cancer that spreads into the lymph nodes.

It was clear from the first time that I met Su that she was inspired to not let this health problem get the best of her! Although she had limitations in her left arm and shoulder, we were able to modify exercises and continue to work towards regaining Su’s strength and flexibility.

I was looking back at her chart and saw that on September 15, 2011 I had noted with an exclamation point that Su was able to not only get her hands on the bar, but could perform an exercise we call Baby Bird Wings. We often use Baby Bird Wings and a straight-arm version of Swan to strengthen the body and work on flexibility as a preparation for the full Swan. It was clear that Su’s dedication to her twice weekly Pilates sessions was really making a difference in her recovery.

Looking at Su today, you might never guess what she’s been through and you probably wouldn’t even notice a big difference in her strength and mobility of her left arm and shoulder. As an instructor though, I remember where she started and am always in awe of the amazing strides she has made.

I always try to keep challenging clients and take them to the next level and Su is a shining example of continuing to progress through the Pilates work. Su’s strong, flexible core muscles and balanced musculature have allowed her to continually increase her range of motion on many exercises and she continues to advance to more challenging exercises and movements.

Which brings us to the Swan on the Cadillac. This week during a private session I introduced Su to the full Swan, suggesting she just start to try it and see how it feels (stopping if there was any pain or restriction). Before I knew it she was flowing through the exercise and it was beautiful!

What a huge milestone to go from not being able to lift your arm over your head to performing an advanced exercise that requires fluid, controlled movement of both arms overhead! Su is a true example of Empowering Your Body!

I know that being part of her journey has inspired my life and I hope it will do the same for you!

Read more about Su’s story in her Inspiration of the Month interview.

If Su’s story inspired you, be sure to share the inspiration and click like to let Su know!