Most of us understand the importance or benefits of training for exercise, especially specific practices such as Pilates, Yoga, running, jumping or lifting. We see the direct correlation between good or ideal form and alignment with athletic abilities as well as injury prevention. 


We work our full body movements (squats)  as well as isolated areas. (biceps, quads, abs etc.)


What about the pelvic floor?


How do you feel when you laugh, cough, or sneeze? Is anything else happening?​

Where or what is my pelvic floor?
Imagine the area between your pubic bone and tailbone, then your two sitbones. Then, visualize those 4 points coming in towards center and up towards the sky. That area is your pelvic floor or diaphragm.  Want more detail? Watch this you tube video, it is an anatomically correct 3D tutorial. 


Why is it important? 
This area is responsible for bladder control. bowel control, sexual function, support of the reproductive organs, and is often seen as the foundation or deepest layer of our core. 


Some pelvic floor disorders are overactive bladder (OAB) or urinary urgency, stress urinary incontinence (leaking), pelvic organ prolapse (POP), and chronic pelvic pain. 


Are there other parts of our body or activities we could improve by training this area? Yes! Posture, SI dysfunction, chronic lower back pain, gait, and more. 


Do I have to isolate it in order to work or strengthen it? No! In fact when we use facilitated muscular contraction by recruiting other areas such as the glutes, transverses abdominus, or hip muscles we get a much stronger connection. 


Why do we need to add different forms of training?
The pelvic floor muscles are composed of both fast twitch (fast contraction time, fast fatigue) and slow twitch (endurance) fibers. They require different types of challenges to improve fitness, and we ideally want balance in the ability of these fibers. Traditional plyometric training can hypertrophy or enlarge the fast twitch fibers. Too much bracing or static training isn’t ideal either. We want a dynamic, strong, and adaptable pelvic floor so we train for endurance, coordination, and strength. 


How can I tell if I’m doing it correctly?
There are specific ways to measure contraction or activation of this area, but they aren’t always necessary. When we try different exercises (in different relationships to gravity) and work that idea of facilitated muscular contraction (getting other areas involved to feel more of an action) you can usually start to develop a more fine tuned awareness. 


Once you find your most successful exercises to practice, consistency is key.
Just a few minutes every or most days will have a huge impact! 


Want to learn more?
Register for my pelvic floor training workshop. (click here)
Read my blog post on my Pfilates training. (click here)
Contact me to set up a one on one Pilates session. (click here)

Check out this post by guest author Susan Treadway of ​ https://rehabholistics.com/.

​When life starts to get out of hand, you sometimes just have to stop and smell the roses to gain perspective. But you don’t have to reach a breaking point before you allow yourself to do this. If you instead practice self-care on a daily basis, you can drastically reduce the amount of stress, depression, and anxiety in your life. 


Self-care doesn’t even have to take up that much time in your day. Sometimes, just taking five minutes to check in with yourself can make all the difference.


Practice Meditation


Meditation provides a structure where you can pause your day to reflect and check in with yourself. Although the goal of meditation is to turn off your thoughts for a few minutes, there is no right way to meditate. You can spend five minutes or an hour doing it. You can be sitting, laying down, or walking. And if your mind wanders, that’s okay too. Psychology Today notes that practicing daily increases your ability to regulate your emotions and cope with stress. 


If you are having trouble building the habit, try creating a space for yourself in your home. The area should be simple but private. Keep the space uncluttered, and decorate it with objects that help you relax, like smooth stones, flowers, or candles. The goal is to create a soothing place you want to retreat to.


Learn to Set Boundaries


Sometimes, the hardest thing to do is say “no” to someone. Whether that’s to taking on extra work from your boss or going out with friends when you really could use a night in, it’s not easy. However, if you always say “yes” to everything, the pressure will build until you can’t take it. This is why it’s important to set boundaries and learn to protect your relaxation time.


Do not take on more work than you can handle. Your boss will respect you for speaking up. Remember, they do not want your performance to suffer, because it will reflect badly on them too. If you need a night relaxing in front of the TV, it’s okay to turn down drinks with your friends. 


You can even do this in small doses, according to the Huffington Post. When you feel overwhelmed in the moment, give yourself a minute to breathe by taking a short walk around the block or organizing your desk. Walking away allows you to refocus and tackle the problem with fresh eyes.


Take Care of Your Physical Health


Physical and mental health go hand in hand, which is why it’s necessary to build healthy habits. Sleep is perhaps the most commonly neglected health practice. Though it’s not always easy to head to bed at a reasonable hour, you should be getting 7-9 hours of sleep a night. Try turning off your electronics and unwinding by reading a book to help you fall asleep.


It’s also important not to self-medicate with drugs or alcohol, whether you’re trying to solve a stress- or sleep-related issue. A glass of wine a couple of nights a week is usually a perfectly safe way for people to unwind after a long, anxiety-filled day. However, relying too much on substances to reduce your stress can be a slippery slope to bigger problems (like addiction) which can be a direct threat to your physical and emotional health.


Your diet needs to be a balance of brightly-colored fruits and vegetables, lean proteins, and whole grains. In order to keep what you’re eating in check, Health Magazine recommends planning your meals in advance and surrounding yourself with healthy snacks.


Exercise should not be neglected, either. The average adult should aim to work out five times a week with a combination of aerobic and strength training. This will help you maintain your weight and keep your muscles active. To help you break a sweat, pick activities you enjoy, and consider signing up for a class. 


This does not mean you can’t indulge in the occasional cookie or stay up late and have a night out on the town. Being healthy is a lifestyle; let the indulgences be just that.


Keep the Stress at Bay


Life does not need to be a sprint. With so many things to do and so many people to see, it can be tempting to just go from one thing to the next without stopping, but take the time to slow it down. Not only will this make stress manageable, but you’ll be healthier for it. 

by Susan Treadway of ​ https://rehabholistics.com/.​
Photo courtesy of Unsplash.

Classes start on Monday 9/10! 

Registration opens 8/13 for residents and 8/20 for non-residents. 



Mondays
5:30-6:30pm      Intro to Pilates      9/10-12/10/18    #58571    $70
No Class: 11/12
 
6:30-7:30pm      Pilates & Stretch      9/10-12/10    #58570    $70
No Class: 11/12
 
Wednesdays 
9:30-10:30am      Building Better Bones  9/12-12/12    #59569     $74
($7 drop in) 


 
Register Online Today!
www.tempe.gov/brochure
For More Information: 480-350-5200



Interested in trying a group class but feel a bit intimidated? or not sure it will work for you?
Click here to connect with me and we can figure it out together

According to the International Center for Reiki Training, “Reiki is a Japanese technique for stress reduction and relaxation that also promotes healing. It is administered by "laying on hands" and is based on the idea that an unseen "life force energy" flows through us and is what causes us to be alive. If one's "life force energy" is low, then we are more likely to get sick or feel stress, and if it is high, we are more capable of being happy and healthy.” 

To read the full overview of Reiki from this source, please click here.

Here are just a few possible benefits:

• promotes deep relaxation and releases stress
• improved sleep
• assists the body in detoxing 
• clears the mind and improves mental focus
• relieves physical pain and promote healing
• works in adjunct with other medical treatments

You can get a Reiki session from a practitioner and/or learn how to perform Reiki on yourself. 


It isn’t a religion, and is very accessible even if you’re not familiar with or a believer in energy work. 


Although you may feel skeptical, I whole heartedly encourage you to remain open minded and give it a try! 


I was regularly practiced reiki many years ago when I was working as a massage therapist, but it somehow disappeared from my life as I was focused other things. I recently revisited and re-certified in this technique. I continue to be amazed by the subtle effects in my life and body as well as the massive improvement in my ability to meditate.
​

Want to learn more or try it?
Contact me and we can go from there!

In addition to the set or choreographed exercises and equipment, Joe had a whole set of principles that sum up the underlying philosophy or motivation behind his technique. Check them out below....


JOE'S 3 MAJOR PRINCIPLES
Whole Body Health
Whole Body Commitment
BREATH

THE PILATES PRINCIPLES
Concentration
Control
Centering
Coordination
Precision
Balanced Muscle Development
Rhythm
Flowing Movement
Limited Repetitions


Does it help make some sense out of what Pilates is about? 
Please feel free to comment or ask questions below.


If you are interested in trying some private lessons or need some guidance on cultivating a way to have Pilates in your life, click here to contact me directly.

Who was Joseph H. Pilates?

Joe was born in 1880 in Germany to a Greek father, a world-class athlete, and a German mother, a naturopath. Joe was a sickly child. He had asthma, rickets and rheumatic fever. This is why his exercise system does not stress the heart or lungs. He was “put outdoors” to heal and became an exercise enthusiast practicing many forms including Yoga, boxing and gymnastics. His mother was his first client. She developed a limp when he was about 10 years old and he rehabilitated her.

When World War I began Joe became interned as an enemy alien in England. He worked with the patients to rehabilitate injuries and promote overall health. Joe modified the hospital beds and developed a system using bedsprings as resistance to help bedridden patients. This later became the trapeze table and reformer. The men in Joe’s dorm did the mat work exercises every evening. During the outbreak of Spanish Influenza in 1918, 20 million people died. No one under Joe’s care died!

Joe immigrated to the United States in 1926, which was a time of peace in between World War 1 and World War 2. Joe met Clara, a nurse and his future wife, on the boat to the US. They settled in New York City and opened their exercise studio on 8th Avenue. George Balanchine’s studio was in the same building. This exposed Joe’s work to the dance community, especially it’s success in rehabilitating injured dancers and allowing them to perform fully again. Besides working with dancers, the general public also began to benefit from the Pilates method to strengthen, stretch and balance the body.

Joe taught up until his death in 1968. He continued to create and build more apparatus that expanded his system and it’s effectiveness. Joe and Clara also trained many of his students to teach the Pilates system. His book, Return to Life, is still relevant and is a core text in any Pilates teacher training program. The Pilates method continues to inform and influence the fitness and wellness industry.


Did you find this interesting? 
Please feel free to comment or ask questions below.


If you are interested in trying some private lessons or need some guidance on getting some Pilates in your life, click here to contact me directly.

Hey guys!


So- I often get asked what kind of Pilates is “the best.”


As you can imagine, there are lots of differing opinions out there. 


Mine happens to be that “the best” kind of Pilates is the kind that you can do safely, pain-free, and consistently. If it also feels awesome and is fun or you are encouraged by your progress, then I endorse it even more fully! 


I have summarized some of the pros and cons below based upon my training, experience, and professional opinion. If you have some thoughts you’d like to share below in the comments, I’d love to see them!


Overall Benefits of Pilates

• can be modified to work for every body
• improved strength, mobility, and coordination
• Improved static and dynamic posture 
• improved balance & fall prevention
• increased confidence in movement ability 
• improved mood
• injury prevention
• increased mental focus & productivity
• improved breathing/lung fitness 
• stress management
• mind body connection
• a great supplement to other workouts or activities
• promotes active and healthy aging

The list goes on and on, but those are some of the highlights.


Benefits of Private Lessons:

• Everything is designed and taught to meet your unique needs.
• You will be able to learn and progress at your own pace.
• Avoid overwhelm & frustration, you can stop and ask as many questions as you need without feeling embarrassed or that you are slowing the class down
• Props that help you achieve the intent and “get the feeling” of each exercise will support you in having positive movement experiences
• The instructor will make sure you get the specific corrections you need, and can even modify the exercise on the spot to help you find a way to do it correctly. 
• The machines/apparatus are so amazing! and fun…
• It is a great way for people with significant health or physical challenges to safely exercise.
• You don’t have to be able to get up and down off of the floor.
• Create a smooth, safe transition back to full activity after an injury or illness. 

Benefits of Group Classes:

• Great social interaction & connection with like minded individuals
• You can ask questions that the instructor can answer immediately
• You will get corrections in addition to helpful cues 
• lower price point that private lessons

Benefits of Videos:

• convenience, no travel time
• can be done whenever it fits into your busy schedule
• you are still doing Pilates!
• can be a helpful option when traveling or to supplement the rest of your lessons or classes. 

Benefits of Mixing the Modalities:

• Variety will prevent boredom and encourage consistency
• Reduce the effects of our sedentary lifestyles by including more mindful or healthy movement
• It makes you feel empowered when you can adapt your practice to work for you

What works for you? 
Please feel free to comment or ask questions below.


If you are interested in trying some private lessons or need some guidance on adding some Pilates into your life, click here to contact me directly.