Connecticut

Why Get A Massage

I try to make time for a massage every month. When I started teaching pilates for a living, I felt getting a massage was vital, and all I can say is that I wish I started getting a monthly massage before I became a pilates instructor when I worked in a office. I find the benefits to be endless. If I had the time and resources I would get a massage every week, actually, I’d ask my massage therapist to move in with me.

I recommend massages to many of my clients, and when I’m making a recommendation it’s always to Kim Perrotta at Woodside Therapeutic Massage in Wethersfield, Connecticut. Having a regular massage therapist, like Kim, is helpful because she knows my body specifically. Kim is also an occupational therapist, which provides her an even deeper understanding of the body and what it needs.

Since I think Kim is so wonderful, I asked if she would explain the many benefits of massage, and here is what she had to say:

Many people may […]

Why Get A MassageMaggie Downie2017-09-12T19:31:55-04:00

An Inspirational Child

A couple weekends ago I participated in the Shamrock Run in Bristol, CT. I had signed up for the five mile race, but because I didn’t want to wait an extra hour in the cold between registration and the five mile race, I ran the two mile race. Matt ran with me and was thrilled we decided to cut our run in half. It was his first road race, and he did better than me. He ran ahead and waited for me at the end so that we could cross the finish line together. I was quite proud of him. He’s a really good sport for coming along.

The Shamrock Run put on a great event. Free food and other trinkets were plentiful and it was well organized with a big crowd (probably around 3,000 people). Before the two mile and five mile race started, they had a kid’s fun run. One young man (I would guess around six) was running with crutches. I don’t know what condition he had, but I imagine he had something […]

An Inspirational ChildMaggie Downie2017-10-25T14:30:12-04:00

Instructor Spotlight AnJeane

AnJeane currently teaches Personal Euphoria pilates classes in New Britain and Plainville. She loves pilates because it takes her mind off of everything else. She says, “I become totally consumed with performing the exercises correctly and for me it’s just a total mind, body, spirit connection.”

She has a bachelor’s degree in Special Education with a minor in Psychology from Saint Joseph College. In addition to being a pilates instructor, she has a background in ballet and gymnastics and has been in the fitness industry for over 10 years. AnJeane’s favorite book is Interview with the Vampire by Anne Rice and she can never say no to any dessert that involves peanut butter.

Of her teaching style, AnJeane says, “I like to provide a lot of explanation so that the client truly understands what they should be feeling and doing. What’s most important to me as an instructor is that the client really performs the exercises correctly so that they get the full benefit of each and every class!”

Instructor Spotlight AnJeaneMaggie Downie2017-09-12T19:32:02-04:00

Pole Dancing

Last week some of the Personal Euphoria instructors got together to go Pole Dancing at Pole Control Studio in Hartford. It was a blast! We had so much fun and all agreed we’d try it again some day.

It’s exactly as you might expect. You learn the “sexy walk” (walking around the pole with a sensual sway); the fireman (climbing up the pole); the ballerina (spinning–oh, did I forget to mention the pole spins–sideways with one leg extended); and what I’ll refer to as knee hikes because I don’t remember what they were called, but you basically let your legs drop, then pull your bent knees toward your chest, drop them again, and pull them up on the other side of the pole. It’s a lot like an ab exercise I’ve done at the gym, except you’re on a spinning pole.

Pole DancingMaggie Downie2017-09-12T19:32:05-04:00

Hartford Marathon

This weekend is the annual Hartford marathon. Katy, one of our instructors (you probably know her if you’ve taken classes in South Windsor, Wethersfield, Vernon, or Plainville) is running the 1/2 marathon. The boot campers from Wethersfield are running too. Catch them in their new OWBC tanks

We are very excited for everyone running, and we wish Katy a safe run where she makes her goal time (as long as she is safe.) Am I being redundant?

If you’ve never been before, show up and cheer all the runners on. It is a huge help, and support from the sidelines really helps the runners and walkers push themselves to the end. Even if you’re not planning on running you can be a part of this great local event.

Hartford MarathonMaggie Downie2017-09-12T19:32:07-04:00