Healthy Energy Pilates

I will never tire of getting these little success texts from my clients. In this instance the roll up exercise was kind of a gauge of how an issue we’ve been working through is progressing. Pilates can be used for so much more than “fitness”. I love using it as a tool to identify issues and progress as well as to help strengthen, align and balance.

I decided to try making an açaí bowl for lunch today. Not too shabby! I have to give myself a little pat on the back for this one. My husband even approves!
(So does the pup as she got nibbles of some fruits & such as I was making it) 😉👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼

Messages like this from my clients just make my day! This is why I love what I do.

She started the session feeling like her hips were out of balance (ever get that feeling like one hip is higher than the other?) and her back felt tight. Touching her toes was not looking likely at the start, but by the end she was and rolling back up felt smooth!

A short time after she sent me this text and I was just tickled❣️

How can I help YOU feel better?

Do you know just how important your hips are? I won’t lie, they’re very important for your physical well being! If you have weakness or disfunction in your hips it can cause pains elsewhere in the body that you might not think could be related! Can you say foot pain (or knees, neck…I could go on)?

There are so many ways to address the hips, but this side lying leg lift is a classic and part of the Pilates repertoire as well.

This is a (very) short and sweet article on how to do this exercise. Note: you do not need to be against a wall to perform this, but it can be helpful when just starting out. You will find your abs work a bit more if you don’t use the wall. 😉

https://www.womenshealthmag.com/health/a20700584/lying-side-leg-raise-on-wall/

Happy hump day! Today’s exercise pick is the plank. It is an amazing exercise that uses a large amount of your body’s stabilizers at once. However, because of this, it is an especially challenging exercise to do well. Luckily for us, there are plenty of ways to modify it to build yourself up to a full plank. Everything from a wall or counter-top plank for those that can’t get on the floor or have shoulder/wrist issues, to a floor plank on forearms for wrist issues and such, to a knee hover while on hands and knees for developing plank strength and technique (and plenty of other options). Your trouble areas don’t have to keep you from reaping the benefits of a plank and if you’ve mastered the plank there are oh so many ways to challenge yourself further and spice it up too!

Try a plank variation or two and tell me what you noticed. Need a tip? Drop your question in the comments or send me a message. I’m happy to give you a suggestion on a better way for your body to achieve planking greatness!

Today’s exercise is simple, but so very needed in our lives. If you sit a lot (who doesn’t) you need to bridge! It will strengthen the back of your body that doesn’t get used enough when you’re seated, while simultaneously opening up the front of your body that gets all congested in a seated position. Try it out tonight and combat that seated position you’ve been stuck in. 💪🏼

Beginning my career as a Pilates instructor in a physical therapy setting started me on my path in a special way. I have been evolving for years to settle into this place of how I choose to serve people.

I have fallen deeper in love with the mat work over the pandemic. Also, an even deeper appreciation of breaking down the work to help aid rehabilitation and create accessibility for those that aren’t ready (or are uninterested) in the more arduous aspects of the repertoire. The simplicity of movement has thoroughly caught my interest. Isn’t that what we want our movement to feel like as we move through life, simple & easy?

Want simplicity and ease of movement for your body? Keep an eye on my page this month for simple, effective movements to free your body from pain and limitations!

Have you heard of March Matness??

It’s been a Pilates community staple for showing the masses what Pilates is like. It highlights mat Pilates vs the use of the big equipment that most people won’t have at home.

Stay tuned for info on my thoughts and plan for March Matness, friends! This should be fun! 😉

Anybody else make changes like this for your personal body mechanics?

I am undeniably short. 🙃 When I am cooking (or doing dishes) I sometimes feel like my neck & shoulders are tensing. I know I need to adjust something. I have to have my arm at a pretty awkward angle when stirring a tall pot & it can really get to my neck/shoulder. I stand on the stool so my arm can be more relaxed in the socket & move better.

I have been a chronic migraine sufferer since I was a teen, but connecting with my body & the mechanics of my movements has significantly reduced the number I end up getting.

This is what my goal is for my clients. I strive to help them connect to their personal body mechanics, patterns that work or don’t, feeling & noticing things happening in their body & adjusting for the positive. I want everyone to have better days, to do things they want to do because they feel good enough to do them, to stay independent & active as they age.

So, if you wonder what shapes my training style, now you know! ❤️