November 2005 Archives
November 30, 2005
Lie face up on a mat with hands by your sides and legs straight. Wrap tubing around your feet and hold tubing handles in each hand. Inhale and exhale as you draw your navel in toward your spine. Draw your chin toward chest as you lift your torso and legs off the mat. Continue lifting until you are sitting in a V-shape and balancing on your sitting bones. Extend the spine in neutral and reach arms above chest. Inhale as you balance. Exhale as you slowly return to starting position.
Related Products
Fit Tube
November 29, 2005
Body Health Soul Services has recently launched a new online weight loss program based on the exclusive use of the drugless methods of healing which includes Yoga, Calisthenics, Positive Mental attunements and Necessary Dietetic Changes. Equipped with an e-book aptly titled: Fitness: Inside and Out-A guide to improved Health, Vigor and Vitality, the site aims at teaching people not only how to lose weight without diet fads or gimmicks, but also how to cleanse and maintain optimal functionality of the inner workings of the body.
This core e-book is a lifestyle changing program that helps motivated individuals make the necessary changes to get long-term results in not only weight loss, but improved fitness, health and an overall wellbeing. Interested parties can view the site at www.bodyhealthsoul.com
November 29, 2005
Tone, shape and energize your body with award-winning Pilates expert Jennifer Kries. Drawing upon her Pilates training and her background as a professional dancer and yoga devotee, she developed well-balanced workout and core conditioning techniques adopted by fitness facilities around the world. Transform the way you look and feel with three DVDs of her essential workouts! This 3 DVD set includes The Perfect Mix, a total body workout to condition your core, boost your metabolism and release tension, 3 Dimensional Toning, featuring effective isometric exercises to shape, tone and lift your entire body, and Precision Pilates, a deep muscle workout that creates beautiful lines and curves.
Buy it On-Line at amazon.com
November 29, 2005
John Garey is the owner of John Garey Pilates in Long Beach, CA, a STOTT PILATES licensed facility. He has been a fitness presenter for 15 years and has taught and motivated instructors throughout the world. John has contributed to and appeared in numerous publications such as Shape, Men's Fitness, Pilates Style, the Chicago Tribune, the LA Times, and ePregnancy and more. .
He holds an MA in Adult Fitness from New York University. He has been described by American Fitness Magazine as “one of the best instructors in the country.” John has helped develop and promote numerous fitness progams for such prestigious companies as Schwinn, Avia, Reebok, Urban Rebounder, BOSU, and STOTT PILATES.
John has studied the work or Joseph Pilates since 1992 and is a STOTT PILATES Instructor Trainer and Intrenational Presenter. In additon, he has studied the Polestar Method and the Body Arts and Sciences Method. He’s a very dynamic and positive presenter and his energy is contagious. John is a regular Master Presenter at prestegious Fitness and Pilates Conventions such as IDEA, East Coast Alliance, DCAC, Can Fit Pro, Pilates Method Alliance, and Body Mind Spirit.
November 29, 2005
A great website where you can buy t-shirts to express your love of pilates. They have a funny selection of 12 t-shirts all pilates themed. Pilates divas do it on the mat and powered by pilates are my favorites.
November 28, 2005
Lie face up on a mat with arms by your sides. Hold legs in air with knees bent to 90 degrees. Place SitFit under low back and hips. Lift your head and shoulders off mat and take 5 short, consecutive inhales, followed by 5 short, consecutive exhales. At the same time, lift arms off mat and pulse them in unison with the breath — palms face up on inhale and down on exhale. Repeat 10 times for a total of 100 breaths.
Caution: The neck should be flexed but not tense.
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Sissel Balance Fit
November 28, 2005
Of all the professional athletes doing Pilates, golfers have adapted to it the fastest. Pilates disciples include David Duval, Annika Sorenstam and Kelli Kuehne. Other devotees are Andrew McGee, Carin Koch, Grace Park and Betsy King, who have been trained by Angela Sundberg, owner of Bodyscapes in Scottsdale, Ariz. "Pilates is about focus, and so is golf," Sundberg says. "Pilates is also about movement from the center of the body, using all of the muscles of the body, and so is golf. Pilates allows golfers to move differently."
Sarah Christensen, owner of the Orchid Pagoda Studio in Fairfax, Va., has seen Pilates have a profound impact on her clients who golf. So she has created a golf-specific Pilates exercise program for every level of golfer that's taught in resorts and golf clubs throughout the country. She also has written a manual with golf-specific Pilates exercises that can be done at home and on the course.
"Your golf pro can say, 'Swing this way.' But you won't be able to do that if your body can't do that," she says. "By doing Pilates, you can make corrections to your body — strengthen the core, increase flexibility, build stability in the pelvis and shoulder girdles, balance both sides of the body, which will allow you to hit it farther, straighter and more accurately."
She is so sold on this training method that Christensen has filed a trademark application for the term "Pilates for Golf" and certifies instructors in her program.Christensen says there's another reason Pilates for golf works so well, especially for the pros."I hate to say this, but a lot of pro golfers get a lot out of Pilates because they probably aren't in as good a shape as pro football, basketball or baseball players," Christensen says. "Only in the last few years have pro golfers found fitness."
November 28, 2005
This is not a cookie-cutter solution to weight loss. Certified Pilates instructor Suzanne Deason will show you how to burn calories, build lean muscle, boost your metabolism, target trouble areas and help you return to your ideal weight. Each exercise is demonstrated for three skill levels (beginner, intermediate, advanced) so you can progress at your own speed. DVD (180 minutes) with bonus instruction segments.
Buy Pilates for Weight Loss at Gaiam.com 
November 28, 2005
If you go into a yoga or a Pilates class at an area health club, odds are that 80 percent or more of the students in the class will be female. That's unfortunate, because though women often benefit immensely from these classes, men -- especially middle aged men -- need them more. "Men in general are less flexible than women. They're just put together differently," said Dr. Betsy Blazek-O'Neill, Medical Director of the Integrated Medicine program at Allegheny General hospital. The exercises men do, weight lifting in particular, also tend to tighten up their muscles, Dr. Blazek-O'Neill said. Pilates "should be done in combination with cardiovascular training at least three times a week," said Missy Becker-Noll, proprietor of the Pines Studio for Pilates in Pine."The goal of aerobic exercise is to raise the heart rate, and yoga or Pilates don't do this very much," said Mr. Puchany. "You get a mild cardiovascular benefit, but nothing like walking on a treadmill for half an hour."But Denise Germanowski, a trim former gymnast who teaches Pilates at Bodytech in Pine , thinks that Pilates and yoga, especially in combination, are sufficient. "Except for my kickboxing class [that she teaches], all I do is Pilates and yoga," she said.Yoga and Pilates have rehabilitative benefits no other forms of exercise can claim.
November 28, 2005
Pilates is an exercise program that focuses on the core postural muscles that help keep the body balanced and are essential to providing support for the spine. In particular, Pilates exercises teach awareness of neutral alignment of the spine and strengthening the deep postural muscles that support this alignment, which are important to help alleviate and prevent back pain.
The important principles of pilates are consistent with an exercise program that promotes back health. In particular, learning awareness of neutral alignment of the spine and strengthening the deep postural muscles that support this alignment, are important skills for the back patient. Patients with back pain stemming from excessive movement and degeneration of the intervertebral discs and joints are particularly likely to benefit from this exercise program. In addition, postural asymmetries can be improved, thus decreasing wear and tear resulting from uneven stresses on the intervertebral joints and discs.
Pilates improves strength, flexibility and suppleness of the muscles of the hip and shoulder girdle. Fluid and supported movement through these joints helps prevent unnecessary torque on the vertebral column. Awareness of movement habits that may stress the spine helps the patient change these habits to those that preserve neutral alignment. Awareness of excessive tension and the use of proper focus helps the patient use the body efficiently.
Buy the Pilates Back Book @ Amazon.com
November 23, 2005
THE COMMUNICATOR AWARDS, a prestigious international awards competition that recognizes outstanding work in the communications field, has conferred the 2003 AWARD OF DISTINCTION to four instructional DVDs produced by Classical Pilates Inc.: (1) Classical Pilates Technique: The Complete Mat Workout Series; (2) ;Classical Pilates Technique: The Complete Magic Circle Mat Series & Reformer Mat Workout (3) Classical Pilates Technique: The 3rd Edition Complete Universal Reformer Series; (4) Classical Pilates Technique: The Studio Equipment Series. As a winner of these four Communicator Awards, Classical Pilates Inc. joins an exclusive list of video professionals who are recognized as the best within the industry. Entries are judged by industry professionals who assess the highest standards of excellence and whose work serves as a benchmark for the industry.
November 23, 2005
Like the mind, our body has a memory that catalogues our difficulties and disappointments in the form of muscle tension, headaches, dissatisfaction, discontent. That's why when we want to clear our heads, we go out for a walk, we stand up and s t r e t c h. Bodywork is invigorating, empowering, clarifying, harmonizing: When the body is free from ache and pain, the mind is able to rest and the spirit free to consider new possibilities. S t r e t c h is a light-filled 5,700 square foot studio overlooking the city and the Hudson River through the ribbon windows of the historic Starrett-Lehigh building in Chelsea. We offer our clients an exhilarating selection of spirit-liberating bodywork disciplines - Authentic Pilatest, Gyrotonic®, Yoga and Massage.
601 west 26th street
(between 11th & 12th aves.)
16 floor
new york, ny 10001
tel. 212.366.1003
info@stretchnyc.com
November 22, 2005
Aero Pilates Reformer
This is your personal total-body machine for low-impact moves and high impact results. It's designed to support 32 Pilates resistance moves in greater comfort and with better form, alignment and control. Heavy-duty cords afford four levels of resistance to vary your program and keep stepping up your results. The adjustable height allows you elevate the angle for more advanced exercises. Made from heavy-duty steel with oversized high-density foam pads and a deluxe padded seat.
Buy it online @ Gaiam.Com
November 22, 2005
After researching and writing my first article on Pilates, I became fascinated by the subject matter and decided to do some further investigation. Learning and writing about a new form of exercise can be interesting, but nothing beats going out and doing it. So I began private sessions with Melissa Pope, a certified trainer who I had interviewed for the article. Not knowing what to expect, I arrived for my first session eager but apprehensive. Now, nearly 2 months after starting the training, I believe that this is one of the most effective and satisfying fitness programs I have experienced. In other words, I haven't felt this good since putting away my ballet shoes a long time ago.
Continue reading "Pilates - What's it all About?" »
November 22, 2005
"Calorie burning cardio plus Pilates-based toning," promises this 40-minute Crunch program, which combines Pilates-influenced standing and mat exercises. In the cardio section, instructor Ellen Barrett uses Pilates terminology (e.g. "standing imprint") as she adapts Pilates moves to rather repetitious standing exercises--mostly squats and leg lift variations--which work the core muscles of the abdominals and back as well as legs, thighs, and buttocks. The moves are sometimes slow and rarely "travel," so your heart rate might not stay elevated, although your lower body and core muscles will get a good workout. The toning section consists of Pilates mat exercises which work abs, back, thighs, and buttocks. One exerciser demonstrates easier modifications. The background music is dominated by a lively drummer who keeps the workout upbeat and enthusiastic.
Buy it On-Line at Amazon.com
November 21, 2005
A recent study published in The New England Journal of Medicine neither advocates nor eschews diet pills, per se, but found that dieters can achieve twice the weight loss when the diet pills are augmented by diet and exercise. The study backed by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) is the biggest and best yet to demonstrate why obese people should adopt healthy habits, even if they take weight-loss drugs, researchers said. "If you pit this medication against your favorite all-you-can-eat buffet, the…buffet is going to win nine out of 10 times. So it's important you try to modify eating habits," advised Thomas Wadden. The study was led by Thomas Wadden, PhD of the University of Pennsylvania Department of Psychiatry, who has focused on weight and eating disorders. Medical guidelines have recommended that obese patients also change eating and exercise habits since doctors first began prescribing today's long-term weight-loss medicines in the late 1990s. Still, many patients fail or ignore the advice.
November 21, 2005
Tone your triceps, biceps, shoulders and upper back using Gaim’s exclusive, cushioned Pilates BodyCircles and included workout DVD (14 minutes) with Ana Caban. BodyCircles: set of two, 13¼" diameter.
Buy it online @ Gaim.com
November 21, 2005
Ellie Herman Studios has been a San Francisco Mission establishment since 1993. It all started in the “Old Sears Building” on the former Army Street in Ellie’s live/work loft (Studio 225). With only a second-hand gymnastic mat and a reformer, Ellie opened up shop. After a few years, Ellie accumulated more equipment and decided to offer teacher trainings. Being immersed in the dance community for years, Ellie recruited mostly professional modern dancers to her initial teacher trainings. To this day, the lion’s share of EHS teaching staff is working modern dancers who teach Pilates to support their art (fortunately dancers make excellent Pilates trainers). Ellie became bicoastal in 2005 with the Brooklyn studio in the heart of Park Slope.
November 21, 2005
Pilates Complete for Weight Loss is the perfect companion for beginning, intermediate and advanced students to help achieve and maintain an ideal weight. These workouts are designed to transform how your body looks, feels and performs, and is the perfect complement to any weight loss program. With over 15 customized mat workouts to suit your physical and scheduling needs, there is no better way to learn, progress and experience Pilates in your home.
The Interactive Personal Trainer™ revolutionizes the practice of yoga in the home. Unlike other videos that may contain one or two workouts, this DVD contains dozens of workouts of varied lengths and purposes. Get into shape, relieve stress, increase energy, become stronger and more flexible with your own Interactive Personal Trainer™.
Buy it online at Amazon.com
November 21, 2005
The Pilates Method Alliance is the international, not–for–profit, professional association dedicated to the teachings of Joseph H. and Clara Pilates. The PMA's mission is to protect the public by establishing certification and continuing education standards for Pilates professionals. Their goals are: To unite the Pilates community. Create an organization of qualified, dedicated professionals who share in Joseph H. Pilates' vision. To maintain the highest standards for Pilates education and information. To support research on Pilates exercise.
