What is the purpose of Spine Stretch?

What is the purpose of Spine Stretch? Have you ever wondered why I am doing this exercise during Pilates? I encourage these questions among my class and clients. Sometimes an exercise can feel silly but when you know the goal behind it, it has a purpose. You understand it better and are able to embodyContinue reading “What is the purpose of Spine Stretch?”

How to prevent injury with Pilates

You can prevent injury with Pilates. There are a variety of reasons why and I’ll explain each one in this post. I will also explain how you can do Pilates when injured. Pilates strengthens the whole body. The exercises move the spine in all directions as well as strengthen the smaller muscles. When you’re puttingContinue reading “How to prevent injury with Pilates”

Strengthen Your Wrists

What can I do to strengthen my wrists? Is this a question you’ve asked yourself recently?  This tool is one you want to have at home. And the great thing about it is you can make one yourself! It’s simple and inexpensive. A trip to your local hardware and fabric stores, some sewing skills, and aContinue reading “Strengthen Your Wrists”

When to Breathe during Pilates

One of the questions I am often asked is when do I breathe? Overall I hope that you keep breathing during Pilates. It is an important part of the movements and if you do the breathing backward, that’s ok! It’s a lot to understand when first doing Pilates and I’ve struggled with breathing as well.Continue reading “When to Breathe during Pilates”

How Do I Start Pilates?

When starting something new, especially exercise, there are a lot of questions at the forefront of your mind. No matter the question, it is not silly to ask! Questions help you learn and prepare. If you’ve never heard of Pilates there’s a lot to take in at first. Mat Pilates or Reformer Pilates? Online Pilates or in person? To put your mind at ease and answer some of your questions before taking your first session, read below to learn more about Pilates and to provide insight into your Pilates journey.

Setting Your Pilates Goals

What goals do you have for Pilates? It’s something I ask in the beginning and it helps me guide your session. Maybe it’s to not feel pain or stiffness. Or cross training for a race (COVID excluded). How about playing with your kids? Getting down to the floor easily and back up? Walking for long periodsContinue reading “Setting Your Pilates Goals”

Why is Pilates Right for You?

Pilates is great for everyone: young, old, pre surgery, post injury, healthy, active, etc. Everyone and anyone can do Pilates. The reason why it works for everyone is I can provide modifications and adjustments for your body and needs.  If you’re young, Pilates will help build muscle to provide strength for sports. If you’re preparingContinue reading “Why is Pilates Right for You?”

Pilates Power Hour

Let’s be honest: have you purchased an exercise video? One of any type: Pilates, kickboxing, “buns of steel”, P90x, the list goes on! I had one before I started doing Pilates, it was a Jillian Michaels’ dvd. It was when Biggest Loser was popular and while some find Jillian’s in your face style harsh, IContinue reading “Pilates Power Hour”

Reform the Mind

When things feel out of control the mind gravitates to the negative. A series of ‘What If’s’ consume the brain and the mind needs to fight to find the positives. Focusing on the positive is truly an exercise and is important in your Pilates practice.  Joseph Pilates created a series of exercises called Contrology (knownContinue reading “Reform the Mind”