Welcome to the Surprise Pilates Blog! Together we will explore topics related to Pilates, Life, and all things Health, and Wellness. Subscribe to our blog so you will receive new posts emailed directly to you. Feel free to pass this along to friends and family or suggest a topic you would like to see featured here. Thanks so much for reading.
Lately, I’ve been learning the game of tennis. I’ve been taking lessons and working on my serve. This motion is so foreign to me. Serving is not a natural motion. While I understand the physics of it, my body is trying all kinds of cheats to make it easier. Thank goodness for videos because I can see what I am doing wrong.
Read MoreI have the unique perspective while I am teaching Pilates to see folks walking by outside entering and exciting the building. I see a parade of different bodies and different levels of fitness. I’ve noticed one of the gals who works in a office a few doors down often walks by getting her steps in. We say hi to each other when we meet in the bathroom or on the sidewalk. Yesterday as she walked by I noticed through the window she seemed to have really slimmed down.
Read MoreIt’s awfully hot in Arizona this time of year. It doesn't cool off much at night either and that has made it more challenging for me to run outdoors. I could get up even earlier but it still often already in the 90’s.
it would be very easy to say I’m taking the Summer off and I’ll resume later when it’s cooler.
Read MoreThis weekend I did a 3 mile race at the World Wilderness Zoo. I used to race several times a year. Thanks to Covid and races being canceled, it’s been almost 2 years since I have competed. I have been competing in races since I was in the 7th grade and it is something I enjoy. Even so the day before the race, the little voice in my head started coming up with reasons I should just skip it!
Read MoreThis past July I had the opportunity to join in the teacher training hosted by Shine Pilates for Stott Teacher trainers. I’ve always held Stott’s method in high regard - some even say it’s the Harvard of Pilates schools!
Read MoreThrough my Pilates studies and training, I have had the opportunity to meet and work with many wonderful teachers and mentors. About six years ago I began following one particular Instructor and really gravitated to his approach to Pilates. I did an online workshop he offered. He came across as kind, knowledgeable, and compassionate. His style and mine when it came to designing a class were in sync.
Read MoreConsistency has a lot to do with Pilates, just as it does with practically anything else. If you want your body to learn something new then you have to be consistent with it. The muscles you work during Pilates need to be trained in order to become more flexible and balanced. After taking your first class, you should immediately sign up for your next one!
Read MoreThere is an age old fitness question that I thought I’d touch on today!
Should you do the same workout religiously, constantly perfecting and growing in strength or is it better to challenge the body with different exercises?
My answer may sound a bit like a politician – it’s good to do both. The beauty of Pilates is we can cover both bases in a Pilates class. Let me explain!
Read MoreI hear it often from new students - I'm not very flexible. Sometimes these students do have a limited range of motion, and sometimes they are better than they realize! Flexibility is our ability to move and that range of motion within which we can move.
Read MoreI hear lots of excuses and untruths about Pilates from folks who have never tried it and aren't quite sure what Pilates is. And truth be told, it can be hard to put into words all the magic that is Pilates! So today, I thought I'd take a moment to clear up some of the myths and untruths stopping YOU from trying Pilates!
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