work – Page 2 – Personal Euphoria: Pilates & Fitness Classes in CT

Pilates Instructor’s Journey: Maggie

My first experience with pilates was my first year out of college. I’d always had mild low back pain that would occasionally nag me. So I downloaded some DVD’s and tried it. I enjoyed the exercises and really felt the strength I was getting. I fell in and out of doing it. Working full time put a damper on my exercise routine and I was letting fitness fall to the wayside.

I started feeling stressed because I need exercise to calm me down, so Matt took a risk and bought me a membership to a gym—this could have been taken the wrong way, but I loved it. It’s funny how unexpected choices can change your life. I started attending a pilates class at the gym and a year later they asked me to teach it.

I loved getting to teach again—since that was my original career path, and I had somewhat strayed from it. I loved pilates so much that I got certified. From then on the ball was in motion and I was hooked. I […]

Pilates Instructor’s Journey: MaggieMaggie Downie2017-09-12T19:31:55-04:00

Why Get A Massage

I try to make time for a massage every month. When I started teaching pilates for a living, I felt getting a massage was vital, and all I can say is that I wish I started getting a monthly massage before I became a pilates instructor when I worked in a office. I find the benefits to be endless. If I had the time and resources I would get a massage every week, actually, I’d ask my massage therapist to move in with me.

I recommend massages to many of my clients, and when I’m making a recommendation it’s always to Kim Perrotta at Woodside Therapeutic Massage in Wethersfield, Connecticut. Having a regular massage therapist, like Kim, is helpful because she knows my body specifically. Kim is also an occupational therapist, which provides her an even deeper understanding of the body and what it needs.

Since I think Kim is so wonderful, I asked if she would explain the many benefits of massage, and here is what she had to say:

Many people may […]

Why Get A MassageMaggie Downie2017-09-12T19:31:55-04:00

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

All About Dragon Boat

So last Saturday was my first Dragon Boat race. If you take my classes you probably heard all about it during plank. It was awesome, especially because my team did so well and paddled together in such syncopation.

I really enjoyed the day. I especially enjoyed coming in third (with only a few seconds between us and first place) out of forty-some-odd teams, but that is my competitive spirit shining through.

What shocked me the most was how tired I was. I’ve played sports most of my life, and, in the case of field hockey, you spend an hour on the field running around in a squat position. Once the season got going, I played in games two to three times a week and didn’t feel particularly sore after the game (and I put my all on that field–it […]

All About Dragon BoatMaggie Downie2017-09-12T19:32:10-04:00

Take the Stairs

Last week a client told me about a group of people at her office that have started a “Stairs Club.” During lunch or short breaks they take the stairs. She works in a seven story building and this group goes up and down together multiple times. It’s a wonderful way to take a little break and move the body, and the weather can never interfere with your fitness routine. Plus, working out with a group always makes it easier and makes the time fly by. It’s also a great way to make time for exercise in a busy day.

Take the StairsMaggie Downie2017-09-12T19:32:26-04:00