The Body & Movement

Better Balance

So many beautiful places to practice balance!

We have been focusing on better balance this month at Personal Euphoria. Balance is affected by our nervous system, our strength and flexibility, and our vision. It’s easy to get frustrated when you feel like you can’t balance, but try to think of it more as a game. Be a little playful as you experiment with balance. Shoes on generally makes all balance exploration easier. Shoes off will add more challenge to the foot and lower leg.

Here are some ways to explore balance:

1) Try balancing on one leg. Which leg feels easier to balance on? Can you balance for 60 seconds on each leg?

2) Working the outer thighs is helpful for increasing balance, so try some of these exercises:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V6Y3s0_B57I

3) This is […]

Better BalanceMaggie Downie2018-08-15T14:54:10-04:00

Instructor Highlight Isa

Isa is not one of our instructors, but she helps us with admin work. If you have ever gotten a postcard or holiday card that’s in large part due to Isa. She inputs and organizes all our client names and addresses. She prints our labels for all our mailings. Her work it vital to PE and helping us have a personal touch. Here’s her instructor highlight.

Get to know Isa:

When you aren’t teaching what are some of your favorite ways to move?

I like kickboxing, HIIT, and I try to practice yoga every morning. And I love going on walks in the woods.

What song motivates or picks you up the most?

Jason Mraz, “Make it mine”.

Favorite Food?

Cheese and French bread 🙂

Time you normally crawl into bed?

I’m usually in bed by 9pm every night, but I read for an hour.

What skill would you like to master?

Playing the guitar.

What would be the most amazing adventure to go on?

Cross-country trip in a RV with my family. In the USA, France, or Australia!

Favorite season? Why?

Fall, because I love the colors and flavors (apple and pumpkin everything!)

Best advice you’ve ever gotten?

You cannot control what happens around you, but […]

Instructor Highlight IsaMaggie Downie2018-03-21T15:44:52-04:00

Self Love

Movement can be playful!

We are often our own hardest critic. I know I am. It’s my Type-A, entrepreneurial spirit. But no matter what our nature or our career path, I think we tend to be harsh with ourselves in a way many of us would never treat anyone else we care for. We all need to give ourselves a little more self love.

In the past, I somewhat always thought this harshness was a motivator. Apparently, I respond to drill sergeant mode. Once upon a time that might have worked for me, but I’m attempting to be gentler with myself. Partly, I’m just getting tired with age (did I admit that?). Egging myself on is exhausting. Plus every year it seems to become more and more obvious that life is too short to waste time being curt with myself. I’ve even drastically reduced my road rage because I came to recognize I was the only one hot and bothered. The driver that would not let me merge was long gone.

That does not mean that I’m always successful. It is in my nature to push through without a nap and struggle with […]

Self LoveMaggie Downie2018-06-19T10:06:03-04:00

Exercise is Fun

If your writs don’t hurt you may take for granted how much they are supporting you on an exercise like sidebends.

Somehow in the United States we’ve grown up believing that exercise needs to be hard and painful or there is no purpose. We drill ourselves into more reps and faster sets forgoing any sense of quality of movement. We all know the motto: No Pain, No Gain. And we wonder why children in the states search for doctor’s notes to escape gym class. What sane person seeks out pain? Yet so many of us do when it comes to our fitness routine (myself included sometimes). Very few people proclaim, “Exercise is fun!”

It’s sad because most children naturally enjoy playful movement. They run around, flop on the couch, jump on the bed, squirm, and play tag at the bus stop. They wiggle and roll, until we make all movement formulaic and stick them in desks for prolonged periods of time.

Whether you love moving or drone at the idea of it, take a moment to answer the following questions:

When was the last time your exercise routine was playful and fun?

Do you show […]

Exercise is FunMaggie Downie2018-06-18T17:33:52-04:00

Instructor Highlight Maggie

Planking on the Turkish Steps in Sicily.

While you may find Maggie subbing for another class, she generally is strictly a Pilates girl. You can find her teaching in Glastonbury, private lessons at the Wethersfield studio, or at a corporate client. She started Personal Euphoria in 2007. Here’s Maggie’s instructor highlight!

Get to know Maggie:

When you aren’t teaching what are some of your favorite ways to move?

Nearly anything where my own two feet are on the ground: hiking, walking, running, kick boxing, fascia work experimenting with movement. I like to plank in fun places. I prefer my movement to come with friends.

What song motivates or picks you up the most?

Is it lame that Eye of the Tiger really does get me pumped? Or nearly anything by Abba.

Favorite Food?

Pasta with cheese. No, chocolate. Nope, pasta with cheese. No, chocolate. Okay, chocolate after pasta and cheese.

Time you normally crawl into bed?

Between 9 and 10pm. Later than that and I’m a monster.

What skill would you like to master?

While my classes might wish that I could learn to count, I’d wish that I could sing or play an instrument. I’d like to be musically inclined in […]

Instructor Highlight MaggieMaggie Downie2018-03-21T15:44:04-04:00