Tag Archive for: small group Pilates and Yoga Classes

How can Pilates help me relieve stress in my life?

,

RCP-02

Joseph Pilates knew the importance and power of our own thoughts. One of the fundamental ideas throughout the Pilates work is concentration.

Concentration refers to simply paying attention to what you are doing and how it feels in your body.

This means when your mind starts to wander and you begin to think about what you’re making for dinner tonight during your Hundreds exercise , bring your focus back to the exercise and the sensations in your body.

It sounds simple yet I believe that concentrating during Pilates is one of the hardest aspects of the work. We are all so busy and have so many things packed into our lives that it is hard to spend a whole session focusing on ourselves and our bodies. It is also one of the most beneficial aspects of Pilates, as it allows us to quiet our minds and relieve the stress of our day to day lives.

During your next session or class, try to work on your concentration and let us know how it changes your workout. When your mind wanders (and it will, probably a lot!), just remind yourself to come back to the present moment and focus on the task at hand. Know that whatever else is on your mind will wait until after your session and that by this practice of concentration you are truly giving your body a gift of health!

If you enjoyed this post be sure to click like and share the knowledge with your friends and family!

Life Inspired Monthly Group  Movie Night!

Image result for joseph pilates tribute images
Movie Night!
 Friday, January 27th      6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Life Inspired is what we call our “night out at the studio”.   Sometimes we exercise, sometimes we chat, sometimes we watch a movie — and sometimes we do all of the above!    Life Inspired is free to the community (you don’t have to be a Rivercity Pilates student to attend) but we do ask that you sign up so that we’ll have enough popcorn and chocolate!
Join us for an inspiring movie night!  We will be watching,
“A Tribute to Joseph Pilates“
 (…including popcorn, wine and chocolate….)!
Joseph Pilates Tribute – trailer CLICK HERE        (2 minute trailer)
Sign up online: Click here
 Call the studio at 319-665-2499 or sign up at the front desk.
It’s okay to just show up too!
This is a free event and you’re welcome to bring a friend!

Pilates Magic Circle Mini-Workout

,

Introducing the core, inner thigh, and back of the arms Pilates Magic Circle Mini-Workout!


If you’re looking for a quick core-strengthening, arm-toning, inner-thigh workout . . . this is it! This magic circle mini-workout is a great workout to do at home in between your classes or as an addition to your at home workout. Try it twice a week and be sure to let us know what you think!

Need a Pilates Magic Circle? Stop by the studio and pick one up at our Inspiration Boutique!

The Inspiration Boutique is our studio retail store. We have a line of fashionable, functional workout clothes (including Lucy, Glyder and Rivercity Pilates gear) and an assortment of small at home workout equipment including the Magic Circle, foam rollers, and various balls and props.

Buy some cute studio socks with that gift certificate!!

img_4882It’s the holiday season and that means gift giving season.  I don’t know about you but in the crazy hectic season of giving I often find myself giving people a gift merely to cross it off my list.  It’s not that I don’t appreciate this person or want to give them something to show them they are important in my life….it’s just that I ran out of time.   I really love to give gifts that have meaning, that are well thought out, that reflect how amazing the person is I’m giving it to, and is something they will treasure. Unfortunately, my life gets crazy and I end up buying a gift certificate for something I know they will use.  Gift certificates are not a bad thing, it’s just that I often feel like maybe I didn’t put enough thought or effort into my gift giving.

I was thinking about this idea in terms of the gift certificates we sell at the studio.  Things like Pilates, Barre  and Yoga are often considered luxuries in peoples lives.  For many people, they feel a little guilty spending $15 to $30 a session for a Pilates class when they could go to the local gym for $19.99 a month.  Yet we all know that the gym membership doesn’t do you any good if you never use it! So what an amazing gift of health you are giving someone by giving them permission to indulge in their own health.  What could be even more indulgent than the classes and sessions themselves?   Cute Socks!!  That’s right…cute grippy socks!!  Because here’s the thing…so many times our regular clients have seen the light in knowing that paying a little extra for quality instruction and something they love is totally worth it.   But they feel a little guilty about wanting to get a cute pair of grippy socks or even a shirt or pair of pants that they are merely going to work out in.  The wonderful thing about a cute pair of grippy socks or your favorite workout top is that they make you happy when you are exercising.  Feeling good about what you are wearing is sometimes just the motivation you need to take that class that you are thinking about skipping!  From a gift giving perspective, the other great thing about a cute pair of grippy socks is that every time they wear them they’ll think of you and the thoughtful gift you gave them!!

So if you’re thinking about getting someone you love a gift certificate for movement and health….don’t forget the cute grippy socks!!!

Need some gift giving ideas for someone you know?  We’d love to help!  send us an email at rcpilates1@gmail.com or call us at 319.665.2499!!

 

 

Meet the Instructor: Shelley M!

IMG_6248Where are you from, how did you end up in the corridor?
I was born in Grinnell and grew up in Marengo, Iowa. I first moved to Iowa City to attend graduate school. A few years later, I moved back to the area to take a position at the University of Iowa.
What is your favorite food to prepare or eat? 
I love pizza. And I rarely pass up the chance to try fish tacos at a new restaurant or food truck.
What is your favorite sport to participate in or watch?    DO you have a favorite sports team?
I enjoy watching football. I’m partial to the Iowa Hawkeyes.
Why did you choose to practice Pilates?    When/Where do you start?  Why do you keep doing it?
I started Pilates to help me regain fitness after I fell out of a consistent exercise routine. I started practicing Pilates at Rivercity in 2013. I have continued practicing Pilates because I like the way my body and mind feel when I complete a session.
Why did you become a Pilates teacher?   Where did you complete the program, and what did you like about it?   
I started the teacher training program at Rivercity Pilates because I wanted to learn more about the Pilates method and deepen my personal practice. The more I learn about Pilates the more I enjoy sharing the method with other people.   I am completing the teacher training program at Rivercity Pilates. I have enjoyed this program because Carey is readily available for mentorship, the training groups are small, and I can do all of my training, observation, and practice teaching locally.
IMG_6945Is there something about you that would surprise students in your classes?   
I like TV show marathons. My current bing-watching guilty pleasures are Diners, Drive-in, and Drives, and Crimal Minds.
What is your favorite song / favorite artist / favorite genre of music?   
I like a wide range of music, from classical to rap.
What is your favorite Pilates exercise and why?   
I love teaser! I have a sense of accomplishment when I think about how far I have progressed with teaser, and also a sense of challenge when I think about how much further I have to go.

Roll Out Relief – A Workshop to Reset the Whole Body

yogatuneup

Whether you are a Yogi, a Pilates practitioner or just want to feel better in your body and release some tightness, aches and pains….this workshop is for you.  Shara will guide you through self-massage and myofascial release techniques that are sure to leave you with greater range of mobility, decreased muscle tightness and an overall sense of wellbeing.  This workshop will be October 8th  from 11a -12:30p and will cost $20.

therapyballsThe Roll Model® method is a model of self-care that is easy and accessible to people of all activity levels. Muscular and myofascial release is obtained by the specific application of “therapy balls” in targeted locations, think upper back and neck. The result is a reshaping of your body into one that has less pain, is suppler and has a greater range of movement. What are you waiting for!

All levels welcome, even those with no movement experience. Therapy balls will be provided for you to use.    Register by clicking this link!
shara311