Avanti Pilates

I ❤️ this class! Here are a few of the residents that attend my Chair Pilates class at the White Sands Senior Living Facility in La Jolla. Some residents show up in person, while others join in via Zoom. I've been teaching at White Sands for 11 years and there are a few that have been with me since the beginning. And two in this picture are 95 years young! It is so gratifying working with these residents all of these years and knowing they feel so much better after each class. They truly inspire me 🥲

Pilates Around The World - Italy Edition

Last year, I flew out to Bologna, Italy for a Pilates conference. Once the conference was over, I decided to trek around the outskirts of Bologna and arrived here in Ferrara, Italy. It's about 30 min outside of Bologna by train. Btw the trains are lovely and so convenient out here.

So what is this building? It's a moated medieval castle called Castello Estense, or Este castle in English, and built around 1385! I don't think I've seen anything that old before. Perhaps in Paris??

Any who, the Pilates exercise I'm demonstrating is called the Spine Twist. Again, I may have mentioned this before, but this exercise always makes me sweat. It doesn't look like you're doing much, but you're lengthening and strengthening the abdominals and back muscles while strengthening the seat and hips AND lengthening the hamstrings. There's so much going on!

This was such a great trip. I hope to continue traveling and learn more about Pilates along the way ❤️

7 YEARS AGO
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7 years ago, this month, I opened my first Pilates studio here in San Diego. Once I moved in, I started saving a little bit of money each month with the idea that eventually I would purchase a Reformer Trapeze Table combo. Well, that idea/dream finally came to fruition two weeks ago! They say trust the process and I’m glad I did. I love introducing, or reintroducing, new apparatuses to my clients. So far they seem pretty thrilled about it as well. I can’t wait to re-explore the exercises I learned over 18 years ago. Stay tuned! ❤️

2024 was all about relieving tension and decreasing muscle stiffness. Well, we aim to achieve these ideals every year, so this year we added a few new props to help achieve these goals more so. Swipe through our pictures and read below to learn more about these props and maybe get some Christmas gift ideas along the way ;)
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* Spinefitter: A device with 28 interconnected balls that relieves tension and improves joint mobility with deep pressure. It helps enhance movement using deep pressure and open fibrous connective tissue in the spine, targeted body regions, and muscle groups.
* Massage Stick: A device that compresses and stretches the muscle and is engineered to focus on the smallest pressure points and muscle fibers for a deep tissue massage.
* Bongers Massager: This device is a hand-held percussive massage tool that assists in combating tension, stress, and headaches. It also improves blood circulation and helps loosen and relieve areas that have active trigger points.
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If you have any of these props or are interested in using them please let us know in the comments.

Earlier this month, I had the opportunity to teach a Pilates mat class at the Grand Del Mar for a corporate event. We had Pilates veterans and a few Pilates newbies attend this function. I love when people try something new even if it’s a little daunting. It takes curiosity and courage. So step out of your comfort zone and try Pilates or something new this week. Keep moving, keep growing! ❤️

A few weeks ago I played a game where they ask you all types of questions. The question above came up and it really got me thinking. Here is my long-winded answer:
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* CHER: She had a workout video called CherFitness: A New Attitude. My Mom is a huge Cher fan and she bought this video thinking she’d be the one working out to this. Well, my sisters got their hands on it and started working out to it too. Six year old me had to copy everything my sisters did, so eventually I joined in, placing my little foot stool next to their step platform. I absolutely loved this video, so much so I occasionally still perform the stair-step workout to this day. ❤️
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* ELAINA, my sister: My closest sister in age, Elaina, had a few injuries growing up. Knee surgery here, foot surgery there, and occasionally an arm in a sling. I rarely got hurt so to see someone so close to you go through this was fascinating, but also scary. This was also the first time I saw the coveted THERABAND. I was so interested in this stretchy band and why my sister was using this as a form of rehab. I really think this made a huge impression on me wanting to help others heal and feel good again. ❤️
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* ANDREA, my first Pilates boss: I was a Dance Major at UNLV and you needed to take three semesters of Pilates as a Dance Major. During the summer my dance teachers insisted I take Pilates outside of school to keep my body in tip-top shape. There was a Pilates studio close to where I lived and I started going a couple times a week. I got to know the owner, Andrea, and after a couple months of talking and finding out I’ve been taking Pilates courses at UNLV, she asked, “Would you like to start teaching Pilates here?” I thought, wow, what an opportunity! I felt so blessed because this job seemed like something I’d really enjoy. And guess what? 17 years later I’m still teaching and loving it. ❤️
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Please comment below if someone has had a huge affect on your career. I’d love to hear your answers.

PSA 📢: Avanti Pilates is hosting its first ever EYT Pilates Teacher Training Program, bringing you six live seminars here at our studio starting September 21. If you are interested in a potential career supporting health and wellness or would like to deepen your understanding of the Pilates method, this program is a great place to start. Please click the 🔗 in bio for more information.

“Antigua, Bahama, come on pretty mama...”
I know, I know, those aren’t the correct Beach Boys lyrics, but that’s what I think of when looking back at these pics.
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Last year I had the amazing opportunity to visit an island off of Antigua and it was one of the most beautiful places I have ever been. The weather was fantastic, the people were super nice, and the food was out of this world. I also wanted to bring back PILATES AROUND THE WORLD.
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About 6 years before Covid is when I started to document myself performing different Pilates exercises in diverse, beautiful locations. I also wanted my clients and followers to do the same and spread the Pilates word.
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In today’s picture I’m performing the Scissors, one of Joseph Pilates’ 34 original mat exercises. Like most of his exercises, it looks easy, but is difficult to execute correctly. Do you like or dislike performing the Scissors? Please let us know in the comments.

Last year Avanti Pilates received this award from our local newspaper. When we were informed, I was shocked and pretty surprised. Avanti is a small business and there are many Pilates studios here in San Diego. The Avanti Pilates community is small, but you made your voices heard and we’re so appreciative of everyone that voted for us. Thank you everyone for your patronage, trust, and dedication!

Pilates More, Worry Less
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Tranquility, relaxation, restfulness.
Perhaps those words come to mind when looking at this picture? Unfortunately, I was not experiencing bliss or contentment while taking this picture or while on vacation. I instead felt PAIN, excruciating pain in my lower back. Why? Because this past weekend’s vacation was my first vacation of this year. I waited way too long to enjoy the fruits of my labor and I’ve been enduring back pain for over a month.
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As someone who helps others with their physical well-being and addressing their pain, it sounds hypocritical that I wouldn’t address my own well-being, yet here we are. Okay, that’s not totally true. I’ve been occasionally getting bodywork done and exercising, but it’s true that this is my first vacation.
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Please don’t do this. Listen to your body and be proactive about resting. After taking time to think about what I can do for myself, I’ve thought up some ways to help me rest.
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Here are my top 5:
* Aim for 7 hours of sleep
* Meditate 10 min a day
* Therapy once a week
* Bodywork a few times a month
* Vacation or a few days off from work every three months
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What would you add to the list? Please let me know in the comments below.