We think our clients are pretty inspiring and we think you’ll agree! Every month we feature one of our clients and share their Pilates story with you. This inspiring video is a quick look at all of our monthly inspirations from 2013. Enjoy!
Want to read their individual inspiring Pilates stories? Look under our Inspiration of the Month Category on our blog to find the individual stories.
![theresa](https://rivercitypilates.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/theresa.jpg")
When did you start Pilates and what inspired you to start?I started Pilates about two years ago, but it was not until 3 months ago when I joined Rivercity Pilates that I started to take reformer and tower classes. After researching the benefits of Pilates, I decided that it was finally time to take charge of my chronic pain since I had been diagnosed with Fibromyalgia 18 years prior.
My pain levels have dramatically decreased and my core is so much stronger. Coupled with my Pilates practice, I try to eat a clean diet and I am happy to say that I don’t even take any medications for my pain anymore.
You were the winner of our 21 Day Empower Your Body Challenge! Describe the experience and any benefits you felt from increasing your regular Pilates practice.
The 21 Day Empower Your Body Challenge was an amazing experience! I worked out 20 days in a row doing a variety of classes and I can honestly say that it was the best I have ever felt. Taking that time for myself and doing my Pilates breathing every day did wonders for my stress level. I had so much more energy! Not only that, the most noticeable benefit was how much my posture improved.
That is a tough one . . . . I love so many different things. The reformer is my favorite piece of equipment. If I had to choose an exercise though, it would be a Pilates roll-up. It’s the best of both worlds, it stretches my spine while strengthening my core. Not only that, it always reminds me how far I have come in my practice. There was a time, not that long ago, when I could not even do one.
It will change your life! In my experience it has given me a quality of life that I didn’t think I could have. You can never stop learning and improving your practice, and I believe that this is something we can all grow old doing.
![18wks](https://rivercitypilates.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/18wks.jpg")
Welcome back to our Pilates and Pregnancy blog! This week the baby is the length of a sweet potato (about 5.5 inches). I am most excited this week because I felt the baby move! Early on I thought I felt movements, but as this is my first pregnancy, it’s really hard to know for sure. Lately however, they’re pretty consistent. Baby likes to move in the late afternoon, if I’m sitting still. What a wonderful feeling!
This week we started working on the half barrel. The half barrel is fabulous for pregnant clients, especially later on in their pregnancy when they cannot lie on their backs for extended periods of time. It allows you to do exercises while being propped up at an angle.
We started with some stretches. I’m really enjoying the side stretching (lateral flexion) and extension exercises. Variations of Mermaid and Cat are my favorite. I think this is because my body is concentrating so much energy in my abdomen right now that everything gets a little tight. Stretching out my side waist and belly feel great!
We also worked on the Tower. Exercises that were “easy” for me pre-pregnancy, like different variations of our Leg Spring Series, are more difficult now. I move at a little bit of a slower pace, but it’s still fabulous to move.
We forgot to take a picture this time, but my mom was here over the weekend and snapped this one.
We’re going to take a week off for Thanksgiving, but I’ll be back with a blog for Week 19! Enjoy your holidays!
Welcome to our new series – Pilates and Pregnancy! My name is Cassie Cumings-Peterson and I am a Pilates instructor at Rivercity Pilates in North Liberty, Iowa. I’m also expecting my first baby, which means I’m experiencing tons of new sensations in my body. The goal of this blog is to share with you these changes as I experience them and explore how to incorporate Pilates safely and effectively into my pregnancy.![Cassie Announces pregnancy](https://rivercitypilates.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/Cassie-Announces-pregnancy.jpg")
I strongly believe that Pilates is a fabulous way to prepare your body for carrying a baby, delivering a baby, and recovering after baby. However, if you are newly pregnant and considering trying Pilates – or continuing your current Pilates workouts – be sure to okay it with your doctor first.
We’ll start with some basics. I am 15 weeks along, which means the baby is due at the end of April. I have been practicing Pilates for over three years and teaching Pilates for a year and a half. The baby is the size of an avocado this week. Each week, Carey Sadler, the owner at Rivercity Pilates, is going to teach me a private lesson where we can focus on the changing needs of my body. I’m also still participating in group Pilates Mat and Equipment classes and Yoga.
So let’s get started.
This week I’ve noticed three changes. First, my pants are tight. There’s not a cute “bump” yet, but I’ve definitely put on some padding in the middle. Second, I’ve experienced some round ligament pain. This is apparently completely normal. It’s basically a sharp pain that occurs in your midsection at random times (usually when changing positions). Third, it’s harder for me to keep my legs hugged together on exercises like roll-up and spine twist.
In this week’s session we started with footwork on the chair. Carey modified the traditional foot position – by having me take my feet wide on the paddle – to give me more of a hip opening stretch. Next, we worked on the Cadillac. I am still able to lie on my back and stomach without discomfort or danger to the baby. It feels great to move, but definitely different than from before I was pregnant. Everything is slightly more challenging, especially Teaser. I think this may be why many women get discouraged with exercise and decide to forego it during their pregnancy. My advice is to just keep moving, even if it means moving at a slower pace or performing exercises at an “easier” level than you did before you were expecting.
I hope you’re able to check in each week and join me on this awesome adventure!
-Cassie