This is a great way to sneak in exercise and have fun with your family. Turn on some music that everyone enjoys and dance together. You don’t have to try to be professional dancers, just have fun and move around.

When I was growing up my family used to do this a lot, generally while cooking dinner. You’ll forget you’re burning calories and probably end up laughing, which works the core and burns calories.

So go ahead, loosen up, relieve tension, and have a blast.

Who knows, a little bit of exercise might enable you to create lasting family memories.

Don’t forget to vote. And while you’re there remember that the polls are another place you can pull your belly button to your spine!

Research shows again just how effective Pilates really is. A team at Auburn University in Montgomery, Alabama lead by Michele S. Olson, PhD, FACSM has found that the 100, the roll up, and the double leg stretch (all Pilates exercises) target your deep core muscles better than a crunch. It’s true, with all the focus, thinking, and core engagement, we ultimately do get a better workout.

So proudly pull that belly button to your spine, engaging your core muscles and know that your effort is effective!

You’ve no doubt been in class and felt like you can’t finish an exercise or do one more. You choose to take a break on your own or we all stretch for a moment together. Surprisingly you are able to do more after a very short break. Sometimes the body just needs a moment to recoup.

I believe the body needs a break from daily exercise too. Depending on how much you push your body, every once in a while it’s okay to take a day or maybe even a week off. If you typically work out twice a week you may never need a week’s break, but if you work out 5-7 days a week, even though you’re body might miss the exercise, sometimes it’s good to take an exercise vacation. As a Pilates instructor, these may be surprising words to pass though my lips, but I have found that with my own body. Sometimes it just gets tired and if I stop exercising for a week, I come back fresh and feel revitalized. Just make sure you don’t let a week become a month. Barring […]

I didn’t want Tuesday’s blog to make anyone wonder if they were doing the exercises improperly if they are getting sore.  You could go home from a Pilates class and be sore.  That doesn’t make you abnormal.  Everyone’s body is different.