pilates

Instructor Spotlight: Heather

If you missed our e-newsletter last week and didn’t get to see our instructor spotlight, fear not. Here is what Heather had to say:

Heather currently teaches Pilates classes in Bloomfield and Tolland. She loves Pilates because “it has brought new attention to my body.” She went to college to study fine arts, and is now a practicing photographer. In addition to being a Pilates instructor, she is the Coordinator of Adult Public Programs at the New Britain Museum of American Art and a mom to four grown children. She claims to have a million hobbies, including hiking, reading (her favorite being The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo trilogy), walking, and of course…art! Of her teaching style, Heather says, “The most important point I try to get across to my students is the time and commitment it takes to strengthen our entire body. One hour a couple of times a week is such an important time to give to ourselves to work on our own bodies. As your teacher, for one hour, I try to help you redefine […]

Instructor Spotlight: HeatherMaggie Downie2017-09-12T19:32:04-04:00

Monday Monday

Mondays can be hard. Getting up (especially in the dark) and heading back to work after a great or busy weekend isn’t easy. I really like my job and it’s not easy. Sometimes you just want the freedom to have flexibility and fun without any restrictions. So no matter how much you love your job, having a longer weekend never hurts.

That being said, I woke up this morning excited because there were classes and parts of my job that I was looking forward to. It made Monday a lot better. And so I began thinking, Monday would be a lot easier to handle if I made sure there was at least one thing a little different about my week to ensure that I’m kept on my toes and am looking forward to something new. Maybe it’s showing a client a new exercise. Maybe it’s a whole new class. Maybe it’s training with another elder (or trying pole dancing with some of our other instructors).

It doesn’t just work for Pilates […]

Monday MondayMaggie Downie2017-09-12T19:32:05-04:00

Pilates on Election Day

When you go and vote today use it as a time to fit in some extra Pilates. Try to keep your core muscles engaged the whole time you are voting. Think about your posture and stand tall as you walk your ballot to be deposited into the machine.

Pilates on Election DayMaggie Downie2014-08-04T18:03:15-04:00

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

Wednesday Challenge: Plank

Do plank every day this week. You get to decide how long to hold and what position is best for your body. Remember, if you feel pain in your back or shoulders, stop and take a break. To make it more fun grab a friend or relative and challenge each other to see who can last the longest. Make it a little plank Olympics.

Here is how to get into plank position:

On Knees

Lie down on your stomach, propped up on your forearms like you are reading a book at the beach. Bend your knees and lift your hips slightly off the floor. Hold for as long as you can.

On Toes (More Challenging)

Lie down on your stomach, propped up on your forearms like you are reading a book at the beach. With your legs straight curl your toes under and lift your hips off the floor. Hold as long as you can.

What is your longest time?

Wednesday Challenge: PlankMaggie Downie2014-08-04T18:03:16-04:00