Health News Archives
September 7, 2006
1. Your weight affects you in many ways other than your appearance:
Your overall quality of life;
self-esteem;
health risks;
depression;
and physical abilities are also influenced.
2. Think of all the positive changes you can experience by losing weight.
3. You will need to see your doctor for a physical if you haven't had one recently and you really should get her approval before starting a weight loss regime.
Continue reading "5 Facts for Weight Loss Newbies" »
June 1, 2006
After enjoying a few Memorial Day cookouts, you might be ready to burn off a few – or a few hundred – calories.
Yoga and Pilates are two of the hottest fitness trends, but how many calories will you burn off if you spend time doing the downward dog? Maybe not as many as you think. More than 11 million Americans practice yoga. It can improve flexibility and balance. Pilates conditions muscles and strengthens core stability. So it's a real calorie-burner, right? "No, it's not unless you're working at a really high intensity, and that's not what Pilates is about," said Pilates fan Kristie Spalding.
Continue reading "Studies Examine Calories Burned With Yoga, Pilates" »
May 18, 2006
Diet drugs are available in several different forms, including prescription drugs, over-the-counter drugs and herbal supplements. Prescription drugs such as Meridia and Xenical are only available with a doctor's prescription. They are carefully regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Center for Drug Evaluation and Research, and their use is closely monitored by the prescribing doctor.
Over-the-counter drugs are available without a doctor's prescription, right in your local drugstore or supermarket, and are also regulated by the FDA. According to AnneCollins.com, "Products considered by FDA to be over-the-counter weight control drugs [as opposed to dietary supplements] are primarily those containing the active ingredient phenylpropanolamine (PPA)." In 2000, the FDA requested that drug manufacturers voluntary reformulate PPA-containing products in the wake of evidence that phenylpropanolamine can increase the risk of stroke, so there are few diet drugs on the market that still contain this ingredient. OTC drugs also fall under the jurisdiction of the FDA's Center for Drug Evaluation and Research.
Continue reading "Diet Pill Varieties" »
May 15, 2006
Many Americans view a healthy lifestyle as something difficult to attain--and something that's not much fun. Traditional diets have taught us that to lose weight, we must count calories, keep track of everything we eat, and deprive ourselves by limiting the amount--and kinds--of foods we eat. Diets tell us exactly what and how much food to eat, regardless of our preferences and individual relationships with hunger and satiety. Dieting can help us lose weight (fat, muscle, and water) in the short term but is so unnatural and so unrealistic that it can never become a lifestyle that we can live with, let alone enjoy!
While very few diets teach healthy low-fat shopping, cooking, and dining-out strategies, many offer unrealistic recommendations and encourage health-threatening restrictions. Even more important, diets don't teach us the safest, most effective ways to exercise; they don't teach us how to deal with our cravings and our desires, or how to attend to our feelings of hunger and fullness. Eventually, we become tired of the complexity, the hunger, the lack of flavor, the lack of flexibility, the lack of energy, and the feeling of deprivation. We quit our diets and gain back the weight we've lost; sometimes we gain even more!
Continue reading "Why Diets Don't Work" »
April 24, 2006
What would one say? A weight loss without any hassles, with full reliability and lowest prices to be tackled with. Isn’t it a sensible weight loss? A weight loss without much fatigue, no difficult diet structure, and an ease to be what you always wanted to be - fit & fine!
Evaluating the prevailing mode of losing weight scientist & doctors have discovered that people are quite aware of the loopholes of obesity, the different harmful effects of overweight. They know what ways one should deploy to get a structured & proportionate body: exercises, diet planning and workouts. However since it is a proven fact that excess of everything leads to lack of interest and heaps of problems. So excess of exercises and diet plans have ultimately become the “absolute no-no” for most of the people.
Continue reading "Sensible weight loss with diet pills" »
March 6, 2006
The pace of the modern world is breathtaking. Although there are many benefits of living in this age, people are also noticing the buildup of stress. With the increasingly interconnected world moving quicker and quicker, we are all looking for simple ways to calm our nerves. Ancient practices like yoga offer time-tested ways to effectively and efficiently reduce stress in our lives.
"Yogis have known since ancient times that Yoga Nidra soothes the nerves and calms the mind; for centuries they have used it for health and meditation purposes. Today doctors acknowledge the link between nervous disorders, stress, and physical disease and often prescribe relaxation for their patients. Its effectiveness is backed up by scientific research showing that deep relaxation oxygenates the body's cells fully and efficiently, which helps combat infection, cancer, high blood pressure, and many other diseases," says Wai Lana, the world's most-watched yoga teacher and host of the internationally aired TV series Wai Lana Yoga."The stress we experience takes its toll on our bodies. Although it is experienced first in the mind, it often manifests in the body," commented Wai Lana. "In milder cases, it turns up as a stiff neck or tight shoulders, which may lead to headaches and back pain. Stress often causes insomnia, which leads to further stress and fatigue. When we are under this type of stress, our immune system becomes depressed and we become more susceptible to viruses and disease. Stress can also cause digestive disorders. When stress is present over a long period, it can lead to more serious conditions, such as high blood pressure. It's a risk factor for heart disease and can lead to depression and alcohol and drug abuse. Research shows that simple stress-reducing techniques, if performed daily, can prevent the longer-term debilitating effects of unmanaged stress."
February 27, 2006
1. Elevates your metabolism so that you burn more calories everyday.
2. Increases your aerobic capacity (fitness level). This gives you the ability to go through your day with less relative energy expenditure. This enables a "fit" person to have more energy at the end of the day and to get more accomplished during the day with less fatigue.
3. Maintains, tones, and strengthens your muscle. Exercise also increases your muscular endurance.
4. Decreases your blood pressure.
5. Increases the oxidation (breakdown and use) of fat.
6. Increases HDL (good) cholesterol.
Continue reading "Top 20 Benefits of Exerecise" »
February 19, 2006
Authentic Pilates : The Pilates Guild is dedicated to the preservation of Pilates in it's 'purest form' (the way it was taught by Joseph himself)
Contemporary Pilates: "While Pilates was undoubtedly a man ahead of his time, the science of exercise has evolved throughout subsequent decades. Contemporary adaptations of Pilates’ principles have emerged, leveraging advances in physical therapy, spinal research, biomechanical principles and anatomical understanding to ensure each exercise is performed with optimal safety and results in mind" - quote from Prime Time for Pilates by Moira Stott-Merrithew with Catherine Komlodi and Alison Hope.
Modern Pilates: (book) "Unlike the traditional method, which focuses on constantly holding in the lower abdomen and on extremely effortful movements, modern Pilates is firmly based on the functional movement possibilities of the body. The exercises in this book are influenced by developments in therapeutic massage, osteopathy, and the Feldenkrais method, Butoh (a Japanese performance art developed in the 1950s), and ante- and postnatal work. With easy-to-understand diagrams, drawings, and photos, it provides exercises for maintaining good posture, fitness, strength, grace, flexibility, and freedom from injury" - quote from the Publishers of Modern Pilates by Penelope Latey.
Continue reading "The Different Types of Pilates" »
February 19, 2006
Regardless of the current situation your back is in, relaxing could be key to helping it heal. While meditation can always be useful for achieving this, Yoga can at times be irritating if caution is not taken. Yoga is a series of slow movements combined with stretches and meditation to allow for an increase in flexibility and relaxation to the muscles and joints, as well as to help optimally integrate the connection between the mind and body. However, what might seem to be easy maneuvers should still be treated cautiously, as your individual situation may prohibit certain Yoga moves. One simple meditation practice that is usually met with good success is to close your eyes and visualize yourself in the most happy and relaxing place you know of. Sometimes just taking the time to do this can be what you need to begin the healing process.
February 16, 2006
Monday–Wednesday, August 7–August 9, 2006 Hilton New York
New and Expanded Sessions for Everyone
– Classes, workshops and lectures
– Activities for enthusiasts, from beginners to advanced students
– Professional seminars for instructors at all levels
– Professional sessions for studio owners and businesses
– Exhibits featuring everything for the Pilates lifestyle, including workout wear, gear, equipment and more
Click here to read the presenter bios.
Click here to register online for the Pilates Style Summer Conference 2006
Click here to download the registration form that can be faxed (646-459-4900) or mailed (110 William St, 23rd Fl, New York, NY 10038) to Pilates Style Summer Conference 2006 registration.
February 15, 2006
Fat Loss versus Muscle Loss
1. To lose body fat you must eat fewer calories than your body burns off, so EAT LESS -- but you must NOT starve yourself, otherwise you will lose more muscle than fat!
2. Start eating 5-6 meals per day (space them out to about one every 3 hours). You are eating more often, but not necessarily more.
3. Increase your protein intake. Without protein your body cannot build new muscle. Protein also helps to increase your metabolism - which burns calories.
4. Increase you water intake. A good formula for this is to multiply your bodyweight by .66 to get the required number of ounces per day.
February 9, 2006
Teen queen Hilary Duff has dismissed reports she has an eating disorder, and insists she lost weight because she exercised.Duff never weighs herself and doesn't know how much weight she ended up losing while on tour recently.She explains, "My best friend was on tour with me and we swam 30 laps every day.""We always made sure we stayed at hotels with pools and on the days I didn't feel like doing it she'd be like, 'Let's go.'"The So Yesterday singer also cut out carbohydrates, such as pasta, rice and bread, while she was on the road and has continued working out regularly.She adds, "When I finished that tour, my sister (introduced) me to pilates, and I just got obsessed with it. I do it three or four times a week when I'm not travelling."
February 9, 2006
New research shows a high-fiber diet can keep you from gaining weight even more than a low-fat diet. Melissa Montalto has made fiber a priority and weight gain a thing of the past. She has a high-fiber diet and says, "When I know I’m eating a high-fiber diet, and I’m getting all those whole foods, I can focus on that rather than calories, and it seems to keep me at a stable weight." Melissa is on the right track. A high-fiber diet helps you lose more weight than you may think. In a study, those on a high-fiber diet were half as likely to become obese.Megan McCrory, Ph.D., a nutrition researcher at Bastyr University in Kenmore, Wash., says, "Fiber doesn't contain any calories, yet it contains bulk, so when people consume fiber, they consume few calories. So, the trick is learning where the high fiber sources are and seeking them out.
A high-fiber diet is associated with less weight gain than a low-fat diet.The top sources of fiber are fruits, vegetables, beans, and whole grains like brown rice, whole wheat bread, pasta and cereals. Experts say try to get 25 grams to 30 grams of fiber a day. The average American, however, gets only 14 grams. McCrory says, "It's not hard once you know how to do it."
Some easy tips are to switch to whole grain breads or add a handful of nuts to yogurt and beans to soups and salads. Also snack on fruits, vegetables, and maybe some light popcorn instead of chips.
Montalto says she eats close to the 30 grams recommended per day and that has kept her weight under control. Research also shows just 12 extra grams of fiber prevents you from gaining on average 8 pounds over several years. The jury is still out on whether fiber supplements work as well as the real thing, but it appears they don't
February 6, 2006
When a person is facing the prospect of having to lose weight they can feel overwhelmed. The gravity of the road ahead can be a lot to absorb and they turn to a quick fix for the problem. There are many fad diets in existence that claim that they result in fast weight loss. In most cases their claim is true, in a sense. Most of these types of quick fix diets offer the person the chance to shed a high number of pounds the first week they are on the diet. This dramatic weight loss is almost always the result of the body losing water weight. It might feel great to look down at the scale and see a huge weight loss, but in reality that weight loss could be gained back very quickly if the person reverted back to their normal diet.
There are steps you can take that will guarantee that you have a successful and safe weight loss. Losing weight can be done in a way that is effective long term and at the same time gives you results week after week.
Continue reading "Tips for Safe Weight Loss" »
January 31, 2006
Flexibility is the buzzword in the golf world! The more flexible a golfer is the better chance he/or she has at making an optimal backswing, and producing maximum clubhead speed. There is still some controversy over which flexibility exercises are the best for golf and how often you should stretch. Knowing your limitations going into a stretching program is very important. If you have joint or muscle limitations, you should see your doctor before you start. Flexibility training should be done consistently (daily) to obtain significant improvement. As we get older, flexibility becomes a greater issue when attempting recreational activities such as golf. Follow the guidelines I have written below, and you will get the most out of your flexibility program, and play your best golf!
Continue reading "Stretch Your Way To Better Golf!" »
January 21, 2006
Nerve pain is caused by a combination of pressure and inflammation on the nerve root, and treatment is centered on relieving both of these factors. Typical sciatica treatments include:
Manual treatments for sciatica, including physical therapy and specific stretching and strengthening exercises, and manual manipulation (e.g. osteopathic or chiropractic manipulation) to help relieve the pressure on the nerve root, which is the cause of the pain.
Medical treatments for sciatica, including medications such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), oral steroids, or epidural steroid injections to help relieve the inflammation, which is usually a component of the pain.
Surgery for sciatica, such as microdiscectomy or lumbar laminectomy and discectomy, to remove the portion of the disc that is irritating the nerve root. This surgery is designed to help relieve both the pressure and inflammation and may be warranted if the sciatic nerve pain is severe and has not been relieved with appropriate manual or medical treatments.
January 21, 2006
Sciatica—pain along the large sciatic nerve that runs from the lower back down the back of each leg—is a relatively common form of low back pain and leg pain. This pain along the sciatic nerve can be caused when a root that helps form the sciatic nerve is pinched or irritated.
Sciatica is usually caused by pressure on the sciatic nerve from a herniated disc (also referred to as a ruptured disc, pinched nerve, slipped disk, etc.). The problem is often diagnosed as a "radiculopathy", meaning that a disc has protruded from its normal position in the vertebral column and is putting pressure on the radicular nerve (nerve root) in the lower back, which forms part of the sciatic nerve.
Sciatica occurs most frequently in people between 30 and 50 years of age. Often a particular event or injury does not cause sciatica, but rather it may develop as a result of general wear and tear on the structures of the lower spine. The vast majority of people who experience sciatica get better with time (usually a few weeks or months) and find pain relief with non-surgical treatments.
January 19, 2006
Arthritis is probably the most common reason that people give for not exercising. It is not just for the old anymore; people of all ages can suffer from arthritis. Did you know that a safe and effective program of moderate exercise could offset the pain associated with the disease?
Most people think exercise will make their condition worsen. Quite the opposite actually, doing nothing will allow the disease to progress. A well-rounded program including flexibility, strengthening, and cardiovascular exercise can not only reduce the effects of arthritis, but will improve your overall health as well.
Now the tricky part, how to get started. First, get the OK from your doctor. Next, try to include 15 - 30 minutes of strengthening and flexibility exercises, along with 20- 60 minutes of moderate, low-impact aerobics (i.e. walking, rowing, biking, etc.) at least three times per week. Start slow, then gradually increase the intensity. The key to exercising with arthritis is to never exercise to the point of pain. The certified personal trainers at Personal Fitness have experience in the management of arthritis, and can help you develop an appropriate exercise program.
Continue reading "How exercise can decrease the effects of Arthritis" »
January 10, 2006
What is metabolism?
Although there are many scientific ways for me to explain it, and I could make it seem really confusing, like most of the so-called experts do, I won't. I'm going to give you my extremely simple and easy to understand definition...
Metabolism is the rate at which your body burns calories to sustain life.
I should also note that your body, yes yours, burns calories 24 hours a day, everyday - regardless of whether or not you workout. Remember that your body needs energy all the time, even while you're asleep and that is why skipping meals is the absolute worst thing you can do if your goal is to lose weight (body fat).
Before we go any further let's talk about what affects metabolism...
What do you think has the biggest impact on your metabolism? Activity levels? Your Thyroid? Age?
WRONG! WRONG! and WRONG! Activity levels, Thyroid function, and age do affect metabolism but not nearly as much as...
any idea? It's muscle tissue! The more muscle you have the more calories you burn regardless of how active you are, how old you are, etc. It's live tissue and it's there working for you and burning calories 24 hours a day - each and every day!
Here's a list of some of the factors affecting metabolism in order of greatest impact to least:
-> Muscle Tissue - you already know why this is on the top of the list
-> Meal Frequency - the longer you go between meals the more your metabolism slows down to conserve energy
-> Activity Level - important but doesn't make any difference if you don't match your eating to your expenditure
-> Food Choices – i.e. low-fat diets tend to result in poor hormone production, which leads to a slower metabolism
-> Hydration - over 70% of bodily functions take place in water; not enough water causes all your systems to slow down and unnecessary stress
-> Genetics - some people have higher metabolisms than others – you can't change genetics but you can still win the battle!
-> Hormone Production and Function - think you have a slow thyroid? It’s not likely - before you go blame it on the thyroid first stabilize your blood sugar and throw in some progressive exercise 2-3 times each week
-> Stress - stress also can slow metabolism by placing extra stress and strain on numerous systems. Plus, many people tend to overeat when "stressed out"
Continue reading "Control Your Metabolism" »
January 5, 2006
For many people, the New Year's resolution list is bound to include eating better, losing weight and exercising more. Unfortunately, studies suggest that most people end up breaking their diet resolutions, often by the end of February. As motivation wanes, it's easy to fall into patterns that throw you off track and prevent you from reaching your goal.
To help you stay motivated and stick to your resolutions this year, it's important to watch for -- and avoid -- common diet blunders. The following pitfalls can sabotage your healthy eating and weight loss efforts. How many do you recognize?
Continue reading "How to Keep Weight Loss Vows" »
January 2, 2006
Go ahead, eat it, one time won’t hurt you. How many times have you told yourself that one time won’t hurt? The whole problem is, it’s never just “one time.” Getting fit is like entering a race. Your beautiful body is waiting at the finish line. To get to the finish line, you must eat right and exercise. Desserts and second helpings always move you away from the finish line.
2. Thin people are lucky. Anyone can gain weight whether rich, poor, young, old, short, or tall. A daily intake of more calories than you burn off results in infinite weight gain. Believing thin people are lucky (but you aren’t) prevents you from pursuing your fitness goal. You must work diligently at your fitness. Accepting that getting in shape requires effort (not luck) is the beginning of a beautifully transformed, healthy body.
3. I can’t lose weight. How many times have you told yourself that you can’t lose weight? Would you say ten times (a day), a hundred times (a week), a thousand times (a year), maybe more? The prime reason you haven't been successful at permanent weight loss is you believe you can't be. Eliminate “can’t” from your vocabulary. Instead say, “I can lose weight.” Believing emphatically you can lose weight is the mindset you need to succeed.
Continue reading "Top 10 Weight Loss Lies to Eliminate for Steady Weight Loss" »
December 30, 2005
Q: Why is skipping meals discouraged as a weight loss strategy?
A: Although it might seem that cutting out a whole meal’s worth of calories would lead to weight loss, studies show that this strategy rarely works.
Most people who skip a meal and its 300 to 600 calories usually increase how much they eat at other meals in the day by at least the same amount of calories. These people, like others who come to a meal overly hungry, tend to eat rapidly, which makes it difficult for them to sense when they’ve had enough.
People who skip meals may also snack more. Although the snacks might be small in size, they can add up to a substantial number of calories and replace the calories missed at a meal.
Furthermore, even if you manage to keep a low daily total of calories for a few days by skipping meals, weight loss requires reduced calorie consumption over an extended period of time. Meal-skipping that leads to considerable under-eating for a few days often results in more days of overeating.
(This article was provided by the American Institute for Cancer Research in Washington, D.C.)
December 28, 2005
Pilates is a conditioning form of controlled movements that improves your strength and flexibility without building big muscles. Pilates is an excellent form of injury prevention exercises. Working on the mind body connection this is not only strengthening your muscles but also work almost like yoga movements incorporating the proper breathing technique. Because pilates emphasizes breathing technique it also helps pregnant women to strengthen their bodies as well as building a toned body after pregnancy.
Pilates can help you lose weight by toning your body and conditioning your muscles. It might not be recommended for large people but if you need to lose 5-20 lbs of weight, it might be a great alternative to regular conditioning classes at the fitness club.
There are two ways of performing pilates. You can do it on a mat on the floor or you can use the reformer machine. Both techniques requires trained pilates instructor to teach you individually or to lead the group in mat pilates.
This type of pilates exercise is excellent for elderly as well improving balance and flexibility and also great if you have arthritis or any other joint immobility problems.
In pilates exercises a totally new awareness is discovered while using the body mind connection to be able to perform the movement properly. The movements focus on strengthening the powerhouse muscle groups: your lower back, abdomen and buttocks and help you tone and lose weight in these areas as well.
The best part of all is that regardless of your current fitness level or your muscle strength, anybody can do pilates. That's how safe it is. The movements are based upon dance and yoga exercises and emphasizes body alignment as well as body awareness the same way dance exercises do.
To keep your muscles flexible is of great importance if you are overweight. The more lean muscle mass of your total body composition you have, the more fat mass you will burn 24 hours a day. If you don't have the discipline to workout by yourself and lift weights to keep your muscle mass from disappearing completely, pilates is a great alternative however a little more expensive.
If money is the option, a combination of both might be what would fit your wallet and your schedule to tone and shape your body effectively.
Pilates will give you longer muscles and is not for anybody who is trying to build size or increase muscle mass in any larger volume. Pilates is performed in hour-long sessions and usually in special studios equipped especially for this. Although some fitness centers offer pilates on their aerobic and group exercise schedules this is usually the mat version unless the health club has a separate room set up for individual pilates sessions with an instructor.
December 28, 2005
Allaboutpilates.com is an on-line, straight-talking, no-nonsense source of information on Pilates. They go into depth about how sports, illnesses and life in general can benefit from Pilates. My favorite is the celebrity pilates section. Who knew Rod Stewart was a pilates man.
December 27, 2005
Haven't heard much about Atkins, South Beach or Sugar Busters lately, have you?And none of the top 10 books on the New York Times' advice best-seller list are diet books (though the book version of TV's "The Biggest Loser" did make the paperback list).We might finally be getting it: Diets are temporary. Healthy eating has to be a way of life.But we also are realistic: New Year's Day is right around the corner, and the majority of us could stand to lose a pound or two. Or 10. Or 25. With that in mind, today we offer some useful tools for your New Year's weight-loss do-it-yourself project.
Continue reading "Weight Loss Tools" »
December 27, 2005
Pilates is designed to give you suppleness, natural grace, and skill that will be unmistakably reflected in the way you walk, in the way you play, and in the way you work - Joseph Pilates.
Olympic athletes, international rugby and league players, and cricketers have joined Pilates classes; which were once the domain of ballet dancers and film stars. For the club players based at the Canterbury Bulldogs and Melbourne Storm; weekly Pilates and yoga sessions are a compulsory part of the clubs' injury prevention programme. For the players, Pilates offers a dramatic improvement in performance, and a sporting career much less prone to interruption through injury.
Continue reading "PILATES - the best kept secret in back rehabilitation" »
December 14, 2005
Osteoarthritis of the spine
While there is currently no proven treatment to stop or slow the progression of osteoarthritis in the spine, there are treatments to alleviate the pain and other associated symptoms, and for most people the condition will not become debilitating. Some patients with osteoarthritis have minimal or no pain, and may not need treatment. Most people who require treatment will benefit from a combination of lifestyle changes such as exercise, weight reduction, and smoking cessation. Most treatment plans for osteoarthritis focus on controlling the pain and improving the patient’s ability to function. Medication is typically used to reduce the inflammation, which in turn reduces the pain and stiffness. In only the most severe cases will surgery be necessary to treat pain and disability from osteoarthritis. Medical practitioners often refer to osteoarthritis in the spine as spinal arthritis, degenerative joint disease, or arthritis of the facet joints.
Continue reading "Spinal arthritis complete treatment guide" »
December 13, 2005
The weight gaining season is upon us. You have a terribly long list of social functions to attend, but you don’t have to gain an ounce. “With a few minor changes, you can start the new year feeling just a bit slimmer,” says Laurie Bell, America’s permanent weight loss expert. The author of Lose the Lies, Lose the Weight: The Ultimate Guide to Permanent Weight Loss, (www.losethelieslosetheweight.com), Laurie believes that the holidays should be a time to celebrate loved ones, great times together and the joy of the season, not a time to tip the scale. Here are her suggestions for 10 simple ways to keep those pounds off, while enjoying the holidays.
Continue reading "Holiday Weight Loss" »
December 12, 2005
Joseph Hubertus Pilates (1880 - 1967)
Born near Dusseldorf, Germany grew up a sickly child suffering from rickets, asthma and rheumatic fever. At a young age he began to study anatomy and various forms of exercise to improve his health and physique. At aged 14 he had been so successful in his endeavors that he was asked to model for anatomy charts.An accomplished pugilist, gymnast, skier and diver he traveled to the UK and during World War I was interned in a camp for enemy aliens. During his internment time he used his knowledge to help rehabilitate bedridden patients, using bedsprings as equipment. Rumor has it that his efforts were so successful that when the 1918 flu epidemic swept the world, not one of his followers died, even though thousands of others in the UK succumbed!
He returned to Germany after the war but in 1925 he was invited to train the New German Army but decided to head for the US instead. It was on this journey that he met his future wife, Clara.
Upon their arrival in New York City they opened a gym close to a number of Ballet and Dance Schools and in doing so found a captive audience.Joseph Pilates was a determined man and a health fanatic, he was also a little eccentric (who else would you describe someone who runs down the street in a bikini - and in the winter!) He was also renowned for his liking of cigars, whiskey, and women - something of a 'hands on' kind of teacher! He died in 1967, at aged 87. His wife Clara, continued to teach and run the studio until her death 10 years later.
December 9, 2005
January 28 – February 4, 2006, WEEK OF BLISS at Elixir de Careyes villas in Costa Careyes on Mexico’s Pacific coast, www.elixirdecareyes.com/yoga. Daily Pilates and yoga sessions, luxury accommodations at private villa, all meals, one-on-one session with certified life coach, guided hike, 1 comp massage, possible Huichol shaman led ceremonial sweat, use of private infinity pools and semi-private beach. $1,800 per person doubles, $2,300 single occupancy. $500.00 deposit due by October 15th to reserve. Only a few spaces remain! Details www.healthabitravels.com, contact tannis@healthabitravels.com, 213-482-3150
December 8, 2005
One of the most important recent changes in medicine, is the recognition of the importance of self-management. The regular use of Pilates has been found to be successful in preventing recurrent back pain episodes. Recent research from the Physiotherapy Department at Queensland University by Richardson and Jull, has demonstrated that by increasing the co-ordination and strength in the deep abdominal muscles, i.e. transverse abdominals, that the lumbar spine is stabilised and protected. These are the same conclusions that Joseph Pilates arrived at in the 1920's.
Muscle imbalances that generate pain have their origins in poor posture, poor health, workplace conditions, sporting injuries and repetitive strain on structures about the shoulder girdle and low back. All of the joints in the body should be held in their optimum natural position, in mid range, when muscles of both stabilising and mobilising types work together. Mobilising muscles make things move, i.e. reaching out with your arm. These muscles tend to lie near the surface of the body, and are usually long muscles, working at 40-100% of the maximal voluntary contraction (MVC).
Continue reading "PILATES - The Best Kept Secret in Back Rehabilitation" »
December 2, 2005
Whether you work outside climbing telephone poles or sit in front of a computer all day, neck and shoulder pain seems to be common in every profession. Different methods are used to help ease the pain and recover--rest, ice, heat, popping the neck vertebra, or popping some over-the-counter pain relievers. What should you do to help with neck pain? Exercising those muscles with strength training, stretching, and cardio will do the trick, say researchers.
Continue reading "How to fix neck & shoulder pain" »
December 1, 2005
Kyphosis is a progressive spinal disorder that can affect people of any age group. This disorder may cause a deformity described as humpback or hunchback. Abnormal kyphotic curves are usually found in the thoracic or thoracolumbar spine, but can be cervical. Kyphotic posture may present as: a jutting chin, tight chest and posterior neck muscles, weak spinal extensors, posteriorly tilted pelvis, and in extreme cases respiration may be inhibited. This postural condition can be addressed using the Pilates repertoire and breathing exercises.
Causes of kyphosis:
Posture dysfunction, Scheuermann's Disease, Congenital Kyphosis, Kyphosis secondary to trauma, tumors, infection, and arthritis. Kyphosis is classified as either postural or structural. Postural kyphosis is attributed to poor postural habits leading to core and trunk weakness. Structural kyphosis is caused by an abnormality affecting the bones, discs, or muscles. Kyphosis with a structural cause may require medical intervention because the patient alone cannot control curve progression. Postural kyphosis can be addressed and corrected through Pilates with proper cueing, postural re-education and consistent healthy lifestyle choices. Deformity and pain often motivates one to seek treatment. Early treatment is important to control curve progression especially in adolescents.
Continue reading "Kyphosis and Pilates" »
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 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
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 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
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.
