Tag Archive for: Pilates Iowa City

What in the world is an OOV?

The shape of the OOV is engineered to match the natural spinal curves of your body. (that’s why it looks so silly!)

The OOV can be used in a variety of positions to help us do movements and exercises. The most common position is to lay with your back positioned on the OOV. The shape and the material the OOV is made of help create a lengthening or traction of the spine as you lay on it.  After laying on the OOV and doing exercises on it and then coming off, many clients experience an amazing feeling in their back. For me, when I lay on the mat after getting off the OOV it feels like my back has  lengthened out and is more connected to the mat underneath of me (which feels fabulous!). 

The OOV is designed to help you activate and strengthen core muscles and is a great compliment to traditional Pilates exercises that Joseph Pilates created.  The shape of the OOV makes it “wobbly” and that means when you are using it your body has to figure out how to use your muscles to stabilize your body to be able to practice movements while utilizing it.  So pretty much everything we do on the OOV is balance training(woohoo!).

The OOV is commonly used in private Pilates sessions and in our small group equipment sessions. Since each session you take at the studio (private session or small group session) is designed uniquely for each person coming in, any day could be an OOV day. But of course you can always request to work on it by simply letting your teacher know!  

Have questions about the OOV? Simply email me! Want to schedule a private session to try out the OOV or join one of our small group Pilates equipment sessions? I can help you schedule that too!

Can 1 session a week make a difference?

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Do you have 1 hour a week you could dedicate to yourself?

We live in a society that has conditioned us to think that if we can’t be at the gym 5 days a week, commit to 3 Pilates sessions a week or practice Yoga daily then it’s probably just not worth it.. This is the biggest lie you could tell yourself!  

Pilates sessions at RIvercity Pilates

In fact as a movement teacher for 25 years I can tell you that I would much rather see someone start adding in 1 movement session a week versus 3 or 4 because the people that add in a once a week session usually create a habit of movement in their life that they actually stick with.  

Probably the biggest “secret” to success when it comes to movement and exercise to create results(like improved strength, less pain, more ease in your movements..)  is consistency!!

If you are waiting to start moving more until you have time for 2, 3 or 4 sessions a week it could be a year or two from now before you actually start!!

I promise that one session a week will help you build strength, mobility and just plain feel better in your body!  I am so confident in that statement that if you decide to add a weekly session in and after 10 sessions you don’t feel better in your body...we’ll refund all of your sessions!

Email me and I can help you find a weekly session!

Would you like to learn what Pilates can do for you?

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If you are brand new to Pilates or it’s been awhile since you’ve practiced be sure to check out our complimentary intro session!! We would love for you to experience what a regular Pilates practice can do for your body and your life!

If you’ve been curious about exploring Pilates in your body…this is the perfect chance to try it out by signing up for a FREE introductory session! Click here to schedule a time that works for you!

Are you new to Pilates? Here’s a quick description of the Pilates method of movement:

Start your Pilates Journey at Rivercity Pilates in North Liberty.

Pilates is a mind-body exercise developed in the 20th century by Joseph Pilates. He and his wife Clara taught students this unique method of exercise. They called it ‘contrology,’ which teaches and encourages controlling your muscles with your mind by focusing attention on core postural muscles that provide spinal support and help keep the body balanced. Pilates’ exercises were developed to teach breath awareness, spine alignment, and abdominal muscle strength.

We love to introduce people to Pilates!   These sessions are geared for anyone who wants to learn more about what Pilates is all about! We’ll start the session with a general talk about what Pilates is and the different ways to practice it. After that we’ll get you moving so you can experience the method in your body.  We’ll review the fundamental concepts and ideas we use in Pilates and encourage you to try some Pilates exercises.  You will get to try out some exercises on the Pilates equipment! 

In your session your teacher will show you how to adapt each movement to your body to make it most effective for you.  It will be a fun, informative session that let you explore the Pilates method in your body.

Schedule a Complimentary Session

What do you travel with?

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Do you take any Pilates or movement props with you when you travel?  I love hearing about what clients decide to take with them on the road.  Email me and let me know what you’ve taken with you when you travel!

Some of the most popular items I hear clients talking about taking with them this summer have been their resistance band and their massage therapy balls!  The resistance band is small, lightweight and takes up no room at all!  It allows you to do supported stretches, practice your Pilates Mat exercises with support and feedback and can be used for general strength exercises.    

The massage therapy balls are great for rolling your tired feet (extra walking on your trip?) and can easily be used while sitting in an airplane, in a car or at a hotel up against a wall to give tight, tense muscles some relief.

If you are new to Pilates you might be thinking….  Oh I don’t exercise when I’m on vacation…that’s my me time! Or maybe you can’t imagine wanting to take Pilates with you on the road? I get it…

Here’s the thing you need to know:  

The people who take their Pilates with them on the road aren’t doing it because they feel the need to not miss a one hour workout, they are doing it because they have discovered that by doing some simple movements in their life even when they travel they can keep their body happy and feeling great so that nothing slows them down in enjoying their life!   

Practicing Pilates has taught them that paying attention to their body and using movement as a tool in their life is something they actually want to do all the time, not just when they are at an exercise session!

If you are new to our community and are intrigued by this idea of wanting to move more in your life…email me and I can help you set up a complimentary private session to introduce you to Pilates!

Have a great week and as always reach out if you have any questions about Pilates movement, studio offerings or anything else!

Beginner Pilates Reformer Workshop

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Ever wonder what is the Pilates Reformer and why people are always raving about it?

Beginning Pilates Reformer Workshop at Rivercity Pilates on August 6.

The Pilates Reformer was designed by Joseph Pilates as an all in one piece of exercise equipment that could be used to train the entire body creating balanced strength and flexibility.

The magic of the reformer happens when you mindfully practice exercises on the equipment that are specifically designed to help you train your body. 

The spring based Reformer gives the user the perfect amount of assist and resistance and allows the user to get more out of each exercise they practice. Since there are various spring tensions you can use for each exercise it is extremely important to have an experienced teacher who can adjust the spring tension for your body and teach you how to get the most out of each exercise!

We have the perfect way for you to try the Pilates Reformer, and see if it’s for you. Join us for our Beginning Pilates Reformer Workshop on August 6 at 1:30!

In this 90 minute workshop you’ll get a guided tour of the Pilates Reformer that includes safety and tips for beginners. You’ll be introduced to basic Pilates Reformer exercises and learn how to practice the basic Pilates Reformer exercises in your body in a non intimidating atmosphere.   

This is a great workshop for anyone who is new to Pilates or new to practicing Pilates using the Pilates reformer.

What to expect:

  • Time to ask questions.
  • A comfortable atmosphere to try basic movements on the Pilates Reformer in your body and have the guidance of a teacher to help you figure out the best way to do each exercise.
  • No judgement
  • A fun, supportive atmosphere
  • A detailed guide you can take home with you

Price:  $35 before August 1
            $40 after August 1

Register Now

Tag Archive for: Pilates Iowa City