tips – Page 10 – Personal Euphoria: Pilates & Fitness Classes in CT

Treat Yourself

I know the economy isn’t good but that doesn’t mean you can’t find time to do the things you enjoy, especially if they make you feel good. Maybe you love to swim but can’t afford a pool or wouldn’t want to have to clean a pool. Maybe you don’t want to pay for a massage or feel strange about a stranger rubbing you.

Consider exchanging back rubs with a friend or spouse. Go to a beach or a gym for the day that has a pool or hot tub or sauna. It can be an affordable way to have a pool without having to maintain it.

Think creatively to get the things you want. And remember, every once in a while it’s okay, and probably good, to splurge on what will make you feel good or give you a little sanity.

Treat YourselfMaggie Downie2014-08-04T18:06:50-04:00

Zorb

The closest place to Connecticut that you can Zorb is Pigeon Forge, TN, but it is well worth the trip. Zorbing was like going on the best water slide I’ve ever been on. Basically, you roll down a hill in a giant hamster ball. You can do this loose in water where you slosh around (awesome) or strapped in where you roll head over heels (not up my alley).

It’s an expensive water slide ride, but it really was a fun ride. If you go, I recommend the ride in water with a friend. It’s cheaper and the staff said it’s more fun to go down with someone. I would agree, plus that seemed to be the general consensus of everyone who took the ride while we were there.

Pigeon Forge was a great vacation spot. It has really touristy places and 20-minutes away are the Great Smoky Mountains. There is definitely something for everyone.

ZorbMaggie Downie2017-09-12T19:32:36-04:00

Desk Work

Sitting at a desk all day can wreak havoc on your upper back muscles–the ones between your shoulder blades–but there is an easy way to take the stress off those muscles.

You can take little breaks to do shoulder exercises (protraction and retraction, elevation and depression, and arm circles) or while you are sitting you can think about your posture, trying not to let your shoulders roll forward and attempting to sit tall. Both are good options, but some people feel guilty or silly taking breaks to stretch during the workday.

When your back muscles start to ache, whatever you are doing (talking on the phone, in a meeting, working at the computer) take a deep breath and slide your shoulder blades down your back. Try to hold this position for as long as your mind can stay focused on it. Remember to breathe.

Desk WorkMaggie Downie2017-09-12T19:32:36-04:00

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

June 30th–Midway through 2009

Believe it or not on June 30th we were half way through 2009. It’s hard to believe how time does fly. But halfway through the year is an ideal time to stop and take stock of how the year is going and if we are reaching all our goals for this year.

Take some time today to recall those New Year Resolutions you made six months ago. Don’t nag yourself if you’ve fallen behind, just get back on track this week. The 4th of July picnics have come and gone and the summer is in full swing. You can get outside and get active. If you planned on getting in better shape or eating better this year, now is the time to make sure you’re moving forward to achieve your goals. It is never too late to get started.

June 30th–Midway through 2009Maggie Downie2014-08-04T18:06:51-04:00