pilates

The Core

So just what are instructors referring to when they mention the core? The core consists of the stomach, back, butt, and hips. In Pilates we look at our core muscles as our muscles of strength–they are generally larger muscles and should, therefore, have more power and control.

When we move our arms and legs, the motion should originate in the core. When doing daily tasks where your arms and legs move, try to consider this concept. Think of your arms and shoulders moving from you back. Think of your legs moving from your hips and butt. Let the motion start from your core.

The CoreMaggie Downie2014-08-04T18:06:50-04:00

Stand & Sit for the Pelvic Floor

There are lots of people, especially women (and women who have had babies), who struggle to engage their pelvic floor. It can be hard to find and it’s not a muscle we’re taught about in school like our abs or biceps.

The muscles that make up your kegel (or pelvic floor) muscles connect to the base of your pelvis. They tie the tailbone, the public bone, the sits bones (those protruding bumps your feel in your buttocks when you sit down) together.

This is one of the best exercises I have found to start to feel and be able to understand where the pelvic floor is located. And it’s really easy to try.

Exercise:

Sit in a chair with your feet hip distance apart.
Stand up slowly.
Sit down slowly.
Repeat.

As you stand up, especially at the last moment when you are finally fully erect, notice how your sits bones come closer together. As you sit and your buttocks moves closer to the chair notice how they spread. It’s not a huge range of motion. If you can’t feel the difference in your body start by touching your sits bones with your hands and […]

Stand & Sit for the Pelvic FloorMaggie Downie2017-10-25T15:49:58-04:00

Where & When

We are always looking for advice from you to see how we can better serve you. If you haven’t been to our class in a while because we don’t have one when you are available, let us know when you would like a class. Email us at [email protected] with the following information:

Best Town For Me To Take A Class:
Best Day For Me To Take A Class:
Best Time (specify AM or PM):

If we have enough people in the same area who want to take a class we’ll try and get one started. There are no guarantees, but it’s worth sending us the info and possibly getting the class you want!

Where & WhenMaggie Downie2017-09-12T19:32:37-04:00

CPR CERTIFICATION

Since we all have different classes and schedules it is a rare treat to find all the Personal Euphoria instructors together, but we recently gathered together to renew our CPR certification. We try to keep the standards high for our classes and our training.

We had a nice visit with Resuscitation Annie!

CPR CERTIFICATIONMaggie Downie2017-09-12T19:32:37-04:00

Think About Your Back

Who doesn’t want six pack abs? It seems to be the dream of nearly everyone. The truth is those muscles are shaped like a six pack (actually more like an 8 pack) naturally–it’s just a matter of whether you can see them. We’ve all already got them. Still people will spend hours working out to try to get a glimmer of them.

I’ve never had anyone come into my class or write down on an informational sheet, “I wish I had great traps.” People come to Pilates classes to cure back pain once they have it, but very few people want a well-toned back as much as they desire a flat, washboard stomach. It’s societal.

Still, in Pilates, it’s important to consider you back, especially since when we sit in front of a computer or television (a regularly occurring activity) we don’t tend to think about out back. Next time you in a Pilates class or at the gym, focus on the back exercises. Start to think about your back during daily tasks. Your back muscles are […]

Think About Your BackMaggie Downie2017-09-12T19:32:38-04:00