Tag Archive for: Pilates Coralville iowa

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!

March Inspiration of the Month: Bill McClelland

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When did you start Pilates and what inspired you to start?
 
Racing around doing everyday activities, I started to gradually loose flexibility, which slowly started to impact mobility.  A buzzing sensation in my leg down to my right foot ultimately suggested something needed to be done.  Massage provided relief, but it was temporary. My wife had started Pilates with Carey and convinced me to give it a try a few years ago. After several private sessions and Carey’s keen eye for spotting trouble, the buzzing sensation went away and I was doing well enough to stop: too busy, too much travel.  Of course the original flexibility-related problems as well as the buzzing sensation returned. It took a year or so to finally understand what Carey was really saying – Pilates provides a lifetime of change if it becomes a life style.  So I re-started sessions and classes at Rivercity with a longer term outlook and commitment.
 
How often do you practice Pilates and what type of sessions or classes have you been doing?    
  
Pilates has become a critical part of staying healthy for me; I try to do something every other day.  Sessions with Carey and some classes happen when I am in town, but more often than not I am looking for space in hotel rooms to do something. If I am doing field work, any flat space outdoors will do. It is amazing how easy it is to find a spot for doing “100s” and teasers if you’re honest about looking. Sessions with Carey are still helping remove asymmetry and Shelley’s Every Body mat classes provide an excellent opportunity to focus and enjoy movement.
 
What benefits or improvements have you noticed in your body and life from doing Pilates? 
 
Pilates for me has been about mobility from the start. That has definitely improved, but the increased strength resulting from Pilates has taken me by surprise.  The combination of strength and flexibility has made moving through everyday life enjoyable.
 
Do you have a favorite exercise or piece of equipment (or both)?    
 
It may sound underwhelming, but my favorite time of exercise is when I first get into position on the Tower or Reformer for a session with Carey or lie down on the mat in Shelley’s mat class: check in with breathing, position, etc. – my mind drifts off of work and I think to myself “this is going to be fun…”
 
What would you say to someone who is thinking about doing Pilates?
 
Pilates is a foundational form of exercise that facilitates and enhances any additional activity.  If you are interested in a true change in lifestyle with increased mobility and function, do Pilates.  And since many of the exercises are transportable, you can do something just about anywhere!  Rivercity provides the inspiration, encouragement and knowledge to get started.  They also provide a warm friendly welcome when you return, no matter how far and long you have wandered.

Free Community Event: Pilates Every Body Mat Class

Life Inspired Monthly Group 
Sunday, January 28th 
6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. 
 
We’ll have a free Pilates Mat Class and you are welcome to stay after for wine, chocolate and hot cocoa!
Join Shelley Oglesby for an Every Body Pilates Mat class for our January Life Inspired. You’ll focus on the fundamental concepts and ideas we use in Pilates in a workout designed to leave you feeling longer, stronger and energized! This class is great for beginners and those who enjoy a slower paced Pilates Mat Class focusing on proper alignment, functional movements and how you can incorporate Pilates into your life!
This is a free class, but space is limited, so sign up to reserve your spot!

Inspiration of the Month: Danielle

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Danielle Wilbanks
January 2018
Inspiration of the Month 
 
When did you start Pilates and what inspired you to start?
I started doing Pilates in October 2017. I was having a lot of hip, back and shoulder pain and couldn’t even sit on the floor with my kids to play for longer than 5 minutes. I knew I needed to do something, but I just didn’t want to do anything high impact. My friend Sarah Shonrock kept telling me about Rivercity Pilates and how much she enjoyed it, so I decided to give it a try. I’m so glad that I did! It has been the most welcoming place and not intimidating at all. I hadn’t done Pilates or Yoga to any extent before and was a little nervous about not knowing what to do, but all of the instructors are super helpful and patient.
 
How often do you practice Pilates and what type of sessions or classes have you been doing?    
I try to make it to the studio three times a week. I haven’t been to a class that I didn’t enjoy. I regularly attend Nancy’s Barre, Pilates & Fun classes and Shelley’s Every Body Mat classes. My schedule changes week to week, so I can’t make a lot of evening classes, but when I can, I really like to go to  Carey’s and Shaina’s Pilates Mat classes. I like going to a variety of instructors because they each seem to challenge your body in different ways.
 
What benefits or improvements have you noticed in your body and life from doing Pilates?
Physically, the chronic hip, back and shoulder pain that I was having has gone away. I feel more open and stronger and for the first time in my adult life I can feel my core muscles. I’ve also lost inches and weight and let’s face it, being able to get back into a favorite pair of pants is a huge benefit! Mentally, it has given me a chance to unplug and focus on nothing else but me in those hour classes. It energizes me and gets me going. Even when I’m not in class, I’ll do some stretches and breathing to get me through those long days at work. I’ve also discovered the Rivercity Pilates You Tube channel that helps me on days that I can’t get to the studio or when I’m traveling.
 
Do you have a favorite exercise or piece of equipment (or both)?  
I like the balance balls, both the big ones and medium sized ones. It really helps me to engage and strengthen my core. The balls add an extra challenge and you have to focus more on what you are doing.
 
What would you say to someone who is thinking about doing Pilates?
DO IT! :) Really, just give it a try. You may or may not like it, but you never know if you don’t try. Rivercity Pilates is a great place! I appreciate all of the staff and other members because everyone is welcoming and helpful. There is no expectation for you to be at the same level as someone else,  just positive encouragement to go at your own pace and do the things that you can do.

 

Nominate a Breast Cancer Survivor for a Pilates “Scholarship”

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Nominate a Cancer Survivor and give them the gift of strength, inspiration, empowerment and encouragement… 


One of my passions as a movement teacher is helping people use movement to improve the quality of their life.  I truly believe that whatever is going on in your physical body, movement can be used as a tool to help you feel better in your body.  I’m so excited to be part of the nonprofit organization called Core Compassion.

Core Compassion Project is a non­profit organization dedicated to offering Pilates scholarships to cancer patients in order to reduce the side effects of cancer treatment. Specialized Pilates fitness training helps to restore physical strength and mental well­ being.
Click here to learn more about Core Compassion.  Click on Scholarships and be sure to read some of the amazing stories of those who have earned Pilates scholarships through Core Compassion!  On that same page you can apply for a scholarship or help a friend or loved one you know apply.  (It’s a really easy process!!)
Send us an email to learn more or if you need any help with the application process!!
P.S.  This is an ongoing program and scholarships can be applied for at any time! 

Do You Practice Pilates with Precision?

 
This month’s studio focus is the idea of “Precision” in your movement practice. For me, precision is simply fine tuning.  Precision is the challenge of continuing to practice a movement so that each time I do it, it gets a little better and I get a little bit “more” out of the exercise.  Precision is what keeps my mind occupied when I’m doing an exercise that I’ve done thousands of times.  Precision is also what creates movements that are controlled and refined.
Precision is one of the qualities of a Pilates practice that I believe really sets it apart from other movement modalities.  Our focus is rarely how many reps can we get in, or how fast can we move.  Our focus is on how we can move in a way that coordinates our breath and movement and use our muscles in a balanced way to move with ease.
As a Pilates teacher I am talking about precision in relationship to my Pilates practice, but the great thing about this idea of precision is that you can apply it to practically any movement practice.  If you are flowing through a Yoga pose or lifting a weight I think you’ll find that just changing your mindset to think about precision takes any movement you are doing to another level.  It makes it a little more challenging, it helps you move with more ease, with more balance and it helps you move better!