Massage therapist: “Just relax, and breath.” Me through gritted teeth: “I am breathing!” Thirty minutes into my first massage (yes, the first one ever) and I was still biting my lip. Not only did my body feel like it was run over by a Mack truck, but I was struggling to relax and get in that zen state that everyone …
Form Fix: The Hip Twist
Once you start learning Pilates, you realize that that every exercise builds on another. The mat exercises form the basis of movements on the reformer and cadillac; which is further intensified or supported on equipments like the ladder barrel, spine corrector, and arc barrel. It all circles back. I call them “Circle of Life” exercise. Like in the Lion King. …
Form Fix: Single leg stretch
“So, is Pilates like, really good for my core?” – said every sorority girl on the planet. Why yes, Janice. It is indeed. Janice and her mythical sorority sisters love Pilates because someone on TV said it’s great for abs. I love coaching these women because they become Pilates Evangelicals once they learn how ab-mazing Pilates is. But that’s not to …
Form Fix: The Rollover
We rolling into the New Year like…. Weeeeeeeeee!!! Clearly, I’m not wasting time so let’s get into it. The Pilates Rollover is an excellent exercise for opening up the sacrum and mobilizing the spine. It’s important that we master this because it appears across all the Pilates equipment in many glorious variations. You’d be surprised how most of us forget …
Form Fix: The Leg Pull
The Pilates leg pull is one of those basic bitch exercises you love to hate. It looks graceful but it kind of makes you want to pour your hot Starbucks latte all over your North Face fleece and Ugg boots, know what I mean? However, the beauty of this exercise is how much stability, strength and flexibility is required all …
Form Fix: Side Bend
We’re getting bendy with it today (<–see what I did there?). There are few lateral flexion exercises in the mat sequence but this one is my absolute favorite. Unlike a plank where we create a line from head to toe, the Side Bend takes the spine into a rainbow shape. It feels really yummy when you get it down right. Basic Tips …
Form Fix: Swimming Prep (Or Bird Dog, you choose)
I’m sure the SEO gods hate the title of this post, but all I can say to that is I don’t write for the muthaeffin’ Internet. I write for you guys! With that said, the Swimming Prep is a Pilates-based exercise, but in strength training circles it’s known as Bird Dog. In others (there are lot of fitness circles), it’s known as …
Form Fix: The Pilates Push-up
Call me vain but there’s nothing I love more then some well-shaped arms and a strong back when I’m cruising through San Diego in a sleeveless tee. However, a nice looking upper body is useless if you don’t have any strength to go with it, which is why I’m a die-hard push-up fan. For those struggling with the Pilates push-up, here’s …
6 Pilates Exercises to Boost Running Performance
I’m going through a phase right now where I want more conditioning and less lifting in my life. This is part voluntarily and part involuntary, mind you. A nagging shoulder injury is cramping my style in the weight room, and since doing a million squats every session is getting old, I’ve thrown in a few track workouts into the mix …
Pilates and Lifting: Creating An Edge For A Resilient Body
Until recently I had neglected going to the dentist for five years. Yes, you read that right. Five years. Finally, I dragged myself in for a cleaning and as expected, the experience was miserable. No cavities or root canals needed, but it felt like the longest teeth cleaning of my life. I guess our mouths need regular maintenance just like …