Pilates And …. “Pilates is an awesome cross-training exercise for any sport because it focuses on functional movement.” ~ Natalie Coughlin Inevitably, I get the question “should I do Pilates or <insert your other activity here>?” And my answer is you should do both! Here’s why! Pilates packs it all in for you. Pilates is […]
Props
Pilates or Yoga?
Pilates or Yoga? “Change happens through movement and movement heals.” ~ Joseph H. Pilates After you’ve read my FAQ to Introduction to Pilates, I figured you would have more questions for me. Maybe you’re a yogi or a yogini, and wondering what is this cousin to yoga called Pilates? Do I need it? And I’m […]
Prop Time: Let’s manage our stress levels!
Prop Time: Let’s manage our stress levels! We’re coming full circle as this was the first prop I introduced in group mat class when we were meeting in-person! Remember those days! Stress relief balls help increase focus/attention when used as feedback in exercises. Much like the squishy ball, the stress relief ball provides similar feedback […]
Prop Time: Love/Hate (or is it Hate/Love?) relationship with the Magic Circle
Prop Time: Love/Hate (or is it Hate/Love?) relationship with the Magic Circle Here we are with the most (un)popular Pilates prop – the Magic Circle! This prop adds resistance to exercises to provide muscular feedback of proximal connections (where your limbs connect to your torso/trunk), and isometric connections (similar to how springs teach this). There […]
Prop Time: Go to your bathroom for these props!
Prop Time: Go to your bathroom for these props! These props are definitely in your home, and I’ll show you its other purpose for a workout. Grab a hand towel or a bath towel, and a towel bar. These props give your body and mind feedback to see where you are connected or disconnected. I […]
Prop Time: Don’t throw out that deflated ball!
Prop Time: Don’t throw out that deflated ball! Getting right to it, here we are with a new prop. Did you know that a deflated ball can be a Pilates prop? The Squishy ball helps strengthen your core and posture when used as feedback in exercises. In a lot of ways, the squishy ball is […]
Prop Time: You need 2 of this prop!
Prop Time: You need 2 of this prop! It takes two to make a thing go right It takes two to make it outta sight Hit it! I just dated myself with that song lyric! I dusted off my 1-lb weights, and incorporated it into my Pilates mat practice. You can too! Weights strengthen and […]
Prop Time: What’s old is cool again!
Why I’m talking about the theraband, of course! LOL – I think it was popular in the 80’s. Don’t quote me on that, but I think that’s when it was all the rage. Well, as much as a prop can be a rage for a workout – ha! But with lockdown and quarantine, I pulled […]
Prop Time: Go to your dining room!
Prop Time: Go to your dining room! Ready to enhance/improve/challenge your Pilates mat practice with something from your dining room? Grab a chair. A dining room chair, or a folding chair. No wheels, and no arm rests. Also, grab a yoga mat or a Silpat (nonstick baking mat) to place your chair on top of […]
Prop Time: Roll it out!
Prop Time: Roll it out! Ready – here we go; here’s your clue! Rollin’, rollin’, rollin’ Rollin’, rollin’, rollin’ Rollin’, rollin’, rollin’ Rollin’, rollin’, rollin’ Rawhide! This song lyric popped into my head as I was starting to write this. Some may say that I’m starting with everyone’s favorite prop. Can you guess? A self-care […]