pilates

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

Imprint vs. Release

Everybody’s body is a different, so Pilates terminology will effect individuals in a different way. On the left is a picture of my spine in imprint (my low back pressed against the floor). This is the positions we typically use if we are going to lift our feet off the ground. It helps protect the back. On the right is a picture of my spine in neutral (there is a slight arch in my low back like the natural curve of a spine). We use this position when we are doing exercises with our feet on the floor. It helps incorporate additional abdominal muscles, so that you can get more work with each exercise. Range of motion for everyone differs. Most people also feel more comfortable in one position over the other.

Lie down and do some pelvic […]

Imprint vs. ReleaseMaggie Downie2017-09-12T19:32:39-04:00

Bernarr Macfadden

You probably haven’t heard of him, but Bernarr Macfadden what the fitness enthusiast of his day (1868-1955). While he seems to have been a bit quirky (but so was Joseph Pilates so we’ll let that slide), he purported living a healthy lifestyle without processed foods of pills. He was known as “The Father of Physical Culture.”

What did he believe in?

Calorie Restriction
Walking (you can never walk to much)
And PILATES. He believed good health had a great deal to do with your spine and supported pilates-style exercises.

Bernarr MacfaddenMaggie Downie2017-09-12T19:32:39-04:00

Spring Cleaning

This time of year I always get an itch to do a major spring cleaning. The kind where you pull all the furniture away from the wall and vacuum behind and under it. I think it is important and helps keep the house healthy. I know it takes time but if you have a spring cleaning planned, think about pulling your belly button to your spine while you work. The seven dwarfs whistled; you can engage your core! Think about having proper body alignment when you are mopping or vacuuming. The point of pilates is that you can incorporate what you learn into daily life so why not try it out?

Spring CleaningMaggie Downie2017-09-12T19:32:40-04:00