Do you know your Pilates Instructor well enough to say this?

As a Pilates instructor one of the things I love about teaching is getting to know my clients and getting to be part of their health journey.  So many of my clients have been with me for years and I think that is so amazing!  As an instructor I can tell you that like any relationship the instructor/student relationship definitely evolves and matures as clients get to know me,I get to know them and as they progress in their Pilates practice.

One of the funny things that happens as clients get to know me better is that sometimes they say the things that are going through their head during their session or class.  You know....that stuff you've been thinking since your first session but just finally feel comfortable saying!  Here's just a few of my favorites:

• Are you making that up?  I mean did Joe Pilates really create all of these crazy exercises and how could she still be teaching me new things after I've been doing this for more than a  year...?   
  
  I have to admit that on occasion I make up a movement or variation of an exercise if I feel like it would help a client.  In fact in my own workout (aka play time) I often experiment with different variations of a traditional Pilates exercise that might help someone learn a Pilates concept or movement better or in a new way. So it's possible I would answer this with a yes!
   

• What the he** are we doing?   Most Pilates students have thought this at one time or another (first time you did Short Spine or when we asked you to Roll Like a Ball.....), but only those who know me well will actually say it out loud when I ask them to try something new or different!
   

• Are you bored?  This one goes hand in hand with did you make that up?  It's true I do like the creative, playful side of Pilates and like to mix things up on occasion...variety is the spice of life right?
   

• Are you kidding me?   This one usually comes out when I ask a client to do something they don't think they can do like maybe Upside Down Push Up on the Chair or Monkey on the Cadillac and then they end up doing it beautifully!!
   

• No!   When I ask if they want to try an exercise or movement sometimes I get an upfront No, not really....usually I'm not really giving them an option and then they end up doing it anyway...but those who know me well aren't afraid to try to get out of it!
   

• Rolling Eyes..(no words needed)....  This response is common when I say things things like,"This exercise is like a built in rest in the middle of your Pilates mat work or guess what fun thing is up next?..." 
   

• Stop being so Picky!    Admit it....some days you just wish your instructor would not remind you of all those little details... are they really that important anyway?
   

• Really???    This usually gets said at that moment when you are slightly tired and I ask you to do 2 more, or maybe try just a slightly more challenging variation....
   

• Do you really think I can do that??  My answer is always, "Of course I do or I wouldn't have asked!!"
   

• Anything else?  Pull your abdominals in, keep your legs together, no scrunching those shoulders and then coordinate your breath with your movement! The Pilates method can seem pretty demanding and sometimes you feel like your brain and body can't possibly put all those pieces together at the same time.
   

• Time for Seal??  If you have been practicing Pilates you know the exercises that come at the end of the order and you have to admit that it's kind of a relief when you hear your instructor announce those exercises.  For those who know me well they are not shy about asking for those exercises (even if we are only half way through our workout!
   

So now it's your turn!  I would love to hear what goes through your head and what you actually say to your Pilates instructor!  If you are a Pilates instructor I'm sure you can add to my list of what you hear from clients!  Share this post and be sure to comment with your favorites!!

Our Muscles should obey our minds!

I was teaching footwork to a client this morning on the reformer.  I asked her to stop for a second and just pay attention to how her body and her backside felt on the reformer carriage.  I then requested she put weight into her left hip, and left rib cage and just notice the balance between the two sides.  She did what I asked, found a balanced place and then we started the footwork sequence again. Her movement was much more balanced and I could tell she was working more efficiently, with more ease and ultimately having to "work" a little more to find that balance.

After our session she was talking about what an amazing difference that made and how she could really start to feel that balance in her body.  She was amazed at how just thinking and "commanding" her body worked to help her create balance and work her muscles more efficiently.

This to me is a great example of how simply effective and powerful we are in creating change in our bodies by changing how we think.  It's one of the things that I love about the Pilates work. By practicing Pilates you a learning a skill that will help you move better and feel better in everything you do in life, not just when you are on your Pilates Mat.  I also love that you don't have to be at any certain fitness level to learn this skill and start implementing it into your life.  I'm not asking you to run a marathon or lift an absurd amount of weight....I'm asking you to check in with your body, think about how you are moving and maybe change how you are thinking.

In Return to Life, Joseph Pilates states," Ideally, our muscles should obey our will. Reasonably, our will should not be dominated by reflex actions of our muscles. Contrology begins with mind control over muscles."  Well said Joe!

Are you waiting till after the Pandemic to re-start your fitness program?

I ran across a graphic with these steps the other day and thought it had some great tips for those trying to get started adding more movement into their life!

1. You're not always going to feel like it.  Even those people who have made movement and exercise a habit in their life...don't always "feel" like doing it.  What happens though is when you create a habit of movement in your life the benefits outweigh the not doing it.  The more you do it, the more your body remembers how good it feels when you are moving on a regular basis.

It's really easy when life gets hectic and stressful to let movement and exercise be the first thing you don't do, when you would probably feel better mentally and physically if you did something. So often you need to make yourself move  or at least get started moving!!

TIP:  Make a commitment to do something on a regular basis.  Try not to fall into the all or nothing frame of mind.  Something is always better than nothing and there is always something you can do where ever you are and however much time you have.  Don't limit yourself to "exercise time" to add movement in.  Little bits of movement often seem more doable and they are often more effective than an hour workout because you are more likely to do them!  This doesn't mean you should throw your regular exercise time out the window...but maybe start trying to think about movement as something that's incorporated into your life instead of something you start or stop.

2. Pay a professional to guide you.  There are so many reasons to hire a professional movement instructor to guide you, but here are my top 3.  First, is that you don't want to get injured.  A qualified instructor is going to tailor workouts specifically to your body, to your level and keep you safe.   Second,  a great instructor will teach you in a way that fits your personality and learning style so you feel successful and enjoy the process( exercise does not need to be miserable!!) Third, you will be accountable to your instructor.  Trying to workout by yourself can be a challenge and having a trusted instructor with scheduled session times will help keep you committed( especially on those days when you don't really feel like it!)

3.  Set realistic targets using a proven method...  Pilates is my method of choice as a movement instructor, but there are a lot of great movement programs that can help you get results.  The Pilates method is a whole body movement system designed to create balance in the body through a safe, progression of exercises.  The Pilates method utilizes both your own body and a variety of spring based equipment designed to support and assist the body in achieving it's goals.  The Pilates Method is adaptable to any body, level or condition and can be especially great for those who haven't been active or maybe have some injuries or things going on that might limit their movement ranges.

4.  Find a way to have a worthy but consistent approach of fitness..  Find something that works for you and stick with it!  Movement and exercise programs are not a one size fits all!  Most people journey through lots of different things before they find the combination of movement that works for them.  Keep trying until you find something you enjoy that makes you feel better in your body!

Pilates doesn't care if you're "in shape"

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Recently I had a client come back in after being away for awhile.  This is a client I knew quite well and who I knew had been battling some health complications over the years I've worked with her.  When she came back in we had a pretty honest talk about why she hadn't been back in sooner and I really appreciated what she told me.

She mentioned that she kept telling herself that she needed to get in better condition before she came in.  She said she was embarrassed at how far out of shape she had gotten and quite honestly didn't want to disappoint me.  I can tell you she's not the only one who has thought something like this or told me this.

My heart kind of sank when she said these things. All I could think of is that just like I tell my kids, "I'll love you, support you and will be there for you no matter what".....I have the same sense of non judgmental support for my clients.  Part of what I love about my job is being part of people's health and wellness journey no matter where they are in their bodies or their life.

Mindful movement can be so healing, energizing and life changing in so many ways.  Movement can help you from a physical and spiritual stand point when you are going through "stuff" ( you know... the stuff that happens to everyone at some time like injuries, illness, family problems, life problems, etc).

As an instructor I love showing people that you don't have to be doing the hardest, most grueling exercise for it to be an effective tool in your life.  Learning to move safely in your body where you are at any given day is a gift that can change your life.  Learning to listen to your body and find movement that feels good and is effective can change your health and your happiness.

So if you're feeling like you need or want to get back to your Pilates practice but maybe you have some similar thoughts going through your head about why you're not coming back in......know that I would love nothing more than to help you get started again wherever you are in life and in your body!

P.S. If you're reading this and I'm not your Pilates instructor I can tell you that your Pilates instructor feels the same way I do!

Can Pilates really make me taller?

There aren't many exercise programs that can help you grow taller, but Pilates just might!

As we age, our poor postural habits often make it appear as though we are shrinking. Let's face it - we spend a lot of time hunched over a computer, slouched in a car and lounging on the coach. Over time our poor posture will have some dramatic effects on our body.

Common problem areas often arising from our poor posture include:

• Tight, rounded shoulders

• An exaggerated curve in our upper back (called Kyphosis)

• A forward head

• Tight muscles in the neck and upper back (where we often hold stress)

• Tight hamstrings and tight low back (which often show up as strain lower back pain)

The Pilates method of exercise creates uniform development in the body. In a nutshell, this means the exercises will stretch and lengthen what is tight, strengthen what is weak, and teach your muscles to work together to create balance in your body. All of these things add up to better overall posture and better posture habits in your daily life.

When the musculature of your body is balanced, your bones are able to line up as they were designed to and often times this means regaining your full height again! I have had many clients over the years report that they were taller at their yearly check ups!

Learn more about the growing taller with Pilates and all of the other wonderful benefits by exploring our website!

Mat or Equipment... Which is better?

Have you ever wondered what is better- Mat Pilates or Equipment Pilates?  Or maybe you are curious about what the difference is between mat work and equipment work.  Keep reading and hopefully we’ll answer your questions!

First of all it’s important to realize that Pilates is a method of exercise and there are lots of different ways you can practice Pilates. The effectiveness of the Pilates work doesn’t necessarily come from having a particular piece of equipment to use, but really comes from HOW you do it. That being said, Pilates equipment was to designed to help you learn the method more efficiently and to allow your body lots of different variations to perform different movements.

What is Mat Pilates?

When we talk about Mat Pilates, we are talking about using the Pilates method to do exercises using only your own body as resistance. Sometimes mat work incorporates small props such as a small ball, a theraband or the Pilates Magic Circle (a small ring that provides flexible resistance). Joseph Pilates created a sequence of exercises that is often called the traditional Pilates Mat sequence. Since the method is highly adaptable to any body, there are lots of different variations of these exercises that can be incorporated into any workout. The mat work is especially nice when you are traveling or just don’t have access to any equipment.

What is  Pilates Equipment?

Joseph Pilates designed spring based equipment to support and advance the body while practicing the Pilates method of exercising. The movements that are done during mat work and while using the equipment are very similar. The springs of the equipment are often referred to as extra muscles, or an extension of the body.  They allow the body to experience a movement that they maybe could not do otherwise. They help teach the body how to move properly so that it can repeat that movement in other situations.

So… What should you do?

We encourage you to try both!

What are the benefits of doing both?

Variety creates optimal results!

Is Mat or Equipment better? 

Both Mat and Equipment Pilates are great for your body and equally effective.   If you have the opportunity we suggest using a variety of both mat work and equipment work to help you strengthen, balance and align your body to receive optimal results!

Carron's Pilates Journey

Tell us about yourself / your family.  

I was born in South Africa and moved to CA after high school. I attended USC and earned a degree in economics. I’ve always been into fitness, but once I fell in love with Pilates I took the opportunity to open a studio in 2019. 

Describe yourself in 5 words.   

Empathetic 

Integrity 

Honestly

Patient 

Tell us about your first Pilates experience.    When/Why did you start practicing Pilates?  

I had heard about this exercise called Pilates when I was in my mid twenties. I knew nothing about it, other than the fact that it wasn’t done in the gym. At the time I was a personal trainer and any excuse to get out of the gym scene was welcomed. I found a studio online and signed up for some private sessions. From the first session I was in love with the movement and knew it was great for my body. I loved the fact that I could make the connection between muscle movement and my brain. Intrinsically it all made sense to me. I progressed to group classes which I found to be an awesome challenge. 

Favorite food / or favorite restaurant

I love French Fries. Italian food and Indian food. 

If money were no object, what would you do all day?  

I would take care of my family and schedule lots of facials! 

Why did you become a Pilates teacher?   

I love the mind body connection of Pilates. I’m fascinated by anatomy, the movement in Pilates really allows me to connect exercises to muscles used. I also love the fact that Pilates is all about functional movement (well at least the way I teach it!) 

Describe why you love Pilates in three words.    

Mind-Body connection 

Would you rather hike or bike?  

I’m not a fan of being out in the sun. So what ever keeps me shaded I’m happy with! 

If you could live anywhere in the world -- where would you want to live?  

Any place where my family is around 

What are your favorite ways to incorporate movement into your life in addition to Pilates?    

With a 1 year old in my life, I never stop moving. But any opportunity I have to take a class out of the studio is great. 

Who would you want with you if you were stranded on a deserted island?  

Definitely my husband. He was a Boy Scout,  and I’m hopeless in the out doors. 

If you won an amazing prize, and the choice was either take an incredible vacation or get the dollar value in cash -- which would you pick?

Dollar value and then use it for an amazing vacation! 

Do you have a guilty pleasure?    Something that is generally looked upon as wrong -- but you keep doing it?

French Fries. 

Do you have a pet peeve?

Chewing loudly. Oh man. 

If you had to change your first name -- what would you change it to? 

I love my name, it’s unique! 

Do you collect anything / what / and why?  

No, I’m a perpetual “thrower outer” I need to get rid of stuff to keep everything neat and tidy.