Xena, my Small Barrel There are 3 different barrel sizes in Pilates apparatuses. Think of the curves of the barrels being identical, just different sizes. Think of them as small, medium, and large. Or I like a royalty size theme of princess, queen, and king. With that, these blogs will be tied closely together as […]
upper body
Frances, my Pilates Arm Chair
The Arm Chair is an apparatus that I’ve been introduced to through one of my mentorships in 2022. My very first time on this apparatus, and I was taught by the one and only MeJo Wiggin! What an incredible lifetime experience that I didn’t know I had to have in my life! The Contrology Arm […]
Eve, my Pilates C-Shaper
The C-Shaper is a tool that I’ve been introduced to through one of my mentorships in 2022. I intentionally use the word tool (not prop) because it teaches spine support in a round shape/flexion without slouching, slumping, sinking, or collapsing. When used correctly, this helps to build the abdominals to find and deepen the C […]
Sol-Luna, my Pilates Cadillac
The Contrology Cadillac is a beast in the most beautiful way possible. This apparatus is truly the full spectrum in terms of getting the most support (look at that big, long mat with springs attached from the top, bottom, AND sides, AND they can be hooked at different heights, and things at one end of […]
Delta, my Pilates Reformer
The next apparatus I named was inspired by the quote above. I felt and saw the biggest changes in my body from the reformer. I guess that’s why Joseph Pilates called it the reformer. It’s most likely the most well-known Pilates apparatus simply in terms of what the general public has seen. By definition, to […]
Dawn, my Pilates Mat
Dawn, my Mat For the next few months, I’ll write a blog per apparatus that’s available at my private studio. For those of you who have never been, or it’s been a while since you were here last, and wondering what I have for equipment now, this will give you a preview of what you’ll […]
Pilates And ….
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 […]
Pilates only adds; never subtracts
Pilates only adds; never subtracts “Developing minor muscles naturally helps to strengthen major muscles.” ~ Joseph Pilates In the classical Pilates world, there is an order, a sequence, to follow when you’re working out on your mat or on the reformer. You’re teaching autonomy. And you’re teaching functional exercises that apply to daily life, other […]
The 5 Spine Shapes in Pilates
The 5 Spine Shapes in Pilates You are only as young as your spine is flexible. ~ Joseph Pilates If your spine is inflexibly stiff at 30, you are old. IF it is completely flexible at 60, you are young. ~ Joseph Pilates Way to get straight to the point, Joe! Did you know your […]
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 […]