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.
This morning I went for a long run. It was cool, crisp, and picturesque with the Fall colors beginning to show. I felt strong, energized, and capable. I was reminded of why I love running! Not every run is like that ... and it was only a few days ago I was dragging along in the heat and humidity.
Read MoreWe know Pilates helps us to build strength. We probably also know by now Pilates works to lengthen our muscles. The work we do either on the mat or equipment works on extending, lengthening, and dynamically stretching out muscles and fascia as we build strength and control of our small and large muscles. That alone is a pretty good reason to do Pilates! Still not sold? Let me share with you several other reasons to do Pilates that you may not have realized.
Read MoreI have had quite a few new pregnant clients, and also lots of questions about Pilates and pregnancy. Let's take this opportunity to talk a little bit about pregnancy and Pilates! Let's look at how the pair could be a great fit for you if you are expecting or expecting to be expecting some day!
Read MoreIt’s becoming more and more common to see a Pilates Reformer in a Physical Therapy office. I think that is wonderful! After all Joseph Pilates began rehabilitating injured soldiers during the war and then later working with injured ballerinas. Pilates is rooted in finding symmetry in the body and creating balance where there is imbalance.
Read MoreThere are plenty of ways to workout or burn a few calories so what makes Pilates special? What can Pilates really do for you that another fitness class can't?
For starters - Pilates is so much more than a 'fitness class'. Will you get fit - yes but that is just the beginning of the changes you'll see with Pilates. Joseph Pilates said "In 10 sessions you feel different. In 20 sessions you see the difference and in 30 sessions you'll have a whole new body." That's a pretty bold claim and yet I see it happen again and again in my studio.
Read MoreWhether you call it double leg work, footwork on the reformer or any other name, it’s an important part of Pilates. Often performed at the beginning of class, but it should not be mistaken as ‘just the warmup’ phase. Footwork on the bar can show us and teach us many important lessons if we tune in and let it.
Read MoreI enjoy working out. I love Pilates. I love running. But some days I just don't feel like it! Not every day do I bounce out of bed and feel like moving. Most days I do but occasionally I'm tired, burned out, stressed or just plain lacking motivation. Here are my go to motivators for those days:
Read MorePeople repeat it, believe it and live it. But … as a former advertising and marketing person I’m hear to tell you just because it’s catchy and repeated …doesn’t make it true! Anybody remember how eggs were bad for us for a while … all due to marketing? And Snackswells was a health food … all due to marketing. (Side note- I don’t even want to think about how many Snackswells pudding cups I consumed in the 90’s thinking I was eating healthy!!!)
Read MoreEvery time I encounter a new student, I begin by asking about their body. Do they have aches, pains, a past injury, a chronic condition, pregnancy, post-partum or so on. All of these things matter for me to be able to teach the best possible session for them. Pilates is individual. It should be personalized for the body at hand.
Read MoreI like to think of myself as still young and active despite the age that appears on my birthday cards each year. I think of age as more of a mindset. We all know people our age who seem so much older than us! We also know folks who seem to never age. (That’s the group I want to join!)
I do believe in many ways you are only as old as you feel. Joseph Pilates said, “If your spine is inflexibly stiff at 30, you are old. If it is completely flexible at 60, you are young.”
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