Maggie Downie, Author at Personal Euphoria: Pilates & Fitness Classes in CT

About Maggie Downie

Thank you for giving your time to stop and read my blog. I hope it encourages you to keep moving. Move and the body will be happier. And when you're moving you can hike, run, swim in Jell-O, race over non-Newtonian fluids, travel the world or build igloos--if that's your thing. If not, you can watch me do it. This is just a spot to try and feel good about life.

Why the 100?!?!

Why do we do the 100 in Pilates? It’s a fair question. In fact, it’s always fair to ask, “why do I have to do this exercise.” I tell my clients that if I don’t have the answer for them they don’t have to do it. It’s important for all of us to know and understand why we do any move in a class. Understanding helps us get more out of it. So why the 100? Here’s why:

Abdominal Endurance:

The 100 is hard to do well (like most Pilates exercises). One hundred seconds is a LONG time to have your head up off the ground. Really, it’s a big ask. Keeping the head in the air and the legs lifted means your abs are working doubly hard throughout the whole exercise.

Breathing While Doing the 100:

You may find you hold your breath while doing the 100. It’s common to hold our breath on any movement, especially challenging moves, but while all Pilates exercises work to sync breath and movement, the 100 breaks the breath down pretty simply. You inhale for 5, exhale for 5 while not doing too much else. Sure, you’re working […]

Why the 100?!?!Maggie Downie2021-04-22T16:55:15-04:00

Instructor Highlight: Allison

Years ago we asked all our instructors to answer a few questions so YOU could get to know them a little bit better. We decided to follow up with some of the instructors you’ve been enjoying through our virtual season during this pandemic.

Here’s Allison. You’ll find her teaching Barre and Tighten & Tone classes with Personal Euphoria. She will move you and groove you!

When you aren’t teaching classes, what are your favorite ways to move?

When I’m not teaching, I love to take walks around a nearby lake or try out new stretches or class ideas to keep moving at home!

What songs motivate you the most?

I’ve been a singer for most of my life and love all kinds of music. For working out, I’m most motivated by 80s hits like “I Wanna Dance with Somebody” or modern pop songs like “Look at Her Now” (Selena Gomez).

What is your favorite food?

My favorite foods are pizza, sweet potatoes, and anything chocolate!

What time do you normally crawl out of bed?

I currently wake up around 8am some mornings and let myself sleep a little later on other days; it depends on what my body needs and […]

Instructor Highlight: AllisonMaggie Downie2021-02-01T12:30:55-05:00

This is 40

this is 40

The reality that I’m approaching middle age has been slowly settling in all year. There is a level of disbelief. Not because I still feel 12, 20, or 33, but because I cannot believe how quickly time is passing. And it’s only going faster.

This is 40: No Mid-life Crisis Here

I can enter 40 without a full-blown mid-life crisis because I like where I am and what I’ve done, but there is so much more I want to do. It feels like 40 is that alarm that wakes you from a deep sleep blaring: “YOU ONLY HAVE SO MUCH TIME LEFT.” If I can’t see the entire world in one lifetime or learn about every topic that interests me, what should I prioritize? So, while I’m not having a midlife crisis, I am having a moment.

As a child I recall listening to adults reminisce. While laughing together over a memory, they would say something like, “I forgot all about that,” as a story trickled back into their mind. I was baffled. They weren’t telling stories about doing laundry. They were talking about events that seemed memorable to me. How […]

This is 40Maggie Downie2021-03-19T15:13:20-04:00

Meet Your Instructor: Rob

Here’s Rob. You’ll find him teaching Pilates and Strength classes with Personal Euphoria and we always hear good feedback from you about his classes!

When you aren’t teaching classes, what are your favorite ways to move?

My favorite ways to move outside of classes include skiing, cycling, golfing, skating, tennis, basketball, hiking, gardening, and chopping wood.

What songs motivate you the most?

It really depends on the day. I like old school Rock and R&B, Jazz, Classical. The band Rush is motivating and inspiring.

What is your favorite food?

Sushi and Buffalo wings. I make sushi at home these days.

What time do you normally crawl out of bed?

It depends on the season and my schedule. I wake up earlier when we have more daylight.

What skill would you most like to master?

Home improvements

What would be the most amazing adventure you could go on?

A backpacking or cycling adventure.

What is your favorite season? Why?

Winter […]

Meet Your Instructor: RobMaggie Downie2021-02-01T12:19:40-05:00

Home Office Ergonomics

Home office ergonomics is about making sure your home work station is set up in a healthy way that doesn’t create pain and discomfort. There are ideal configurations and better positions, but there is no one perfect way. Even the perfect position will start to create pain in the body if we stay like that for 8 hours a day, 5 days a week. Here are some tips for improving your home office to create a healthier happy body:

Home Office Ergonomics Tips

Variety

Look to change your position as often as possible (every 45-minutes would be ideal). Remember it’s being in one position for extended periods that create pain and strain over time (or for some of us pretty quickly). You can make a quality work station out of a couch, a kitchen table, a counter, and even a bed.

You can sit on a pillow on the floor, facing the couch, using the couch as a desk. You can flip around and have the base of the couch give you back support and use a chair as a desk. Think outside the […]

Home Office ErgonomicsMaggie Downie2021-01-21T19:22:30-05:00

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