I recently read this article through the NPR app on my phone. The overall takeaway is that the risk is still safer than being sedentary. I totally agree!

However, while I think it is awesome that they are doing the research and finding the correlations between who is likely to get a fracture and how it may impact their lives……
I completely disagree with their advice. 


“recognize the limits of your strength, he advises, and maybe work on training the dog not to pull on the leash.”


What?????


I mean, yes- train your dog, but recognize the limits of your strength?


How about any or all of the following:
- improve your balance
- focus on fall prevention
- roll out your feet and do some exercises to improve awareness in your feet
- learn how to safely increase strength and mobility 



I could go on and on, but you get the drift.
Balance is a skill. It gets better with practice.
You can improve your bone density, strength, and gait. 


How?


Pilates! 


Want to know more? Click here
Want to try a one on one Pilates lesson on the apparatus? Click here 
or scroll down to my last post for info on group classes...

New faces are always welcome, returning ones too! 

(If you’re in the group classes and need some extra help, please bear in mind that you can always book a private mat lesson to get some one on one attention and personal corrections. )


The next session starts on 4/3….
Registration is still open!
(There is no class 4/1 for Cesar Chavez Day, there may be some confusion because it is listed differently in a few places.)


Wednesdays 
9:30-10:30am Building Better Bones  4/3-5/22    #60609     $42
($7 drop in)


Mondays
5:30-6:30pm Intro to Pilates 4/8-5/20    #60611    $42
 
6:30-7:30pm Pilates & Stretch 4/8-5/20    #60610    $42
 
 Register Online Today!
www.tempe.gov/brochure
For More Information: 480-350-5200



Current Classes:
Mondays
5:30-6:30pm Intro to Pilates 1/7-3/25    #60608    
 
6:30-7:30pm Pilates & Stretch 1/7-3/25    #60607    
 
Wednesdays 
9:30-10:30am Building Better Bones 1/16-3/27    #60606    
$7 drop in


Have some questions? Click here to contact me directly

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)

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

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.