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Pilates Articles
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- Pilates Tips: How To Do The Side Plank Exercise Safely - by Submitted on Aug 06, 2012 from Aliesa GeorgeFocusing your mind and body on great technique is of utmost importance to properly execute the Pilates Side Plank exercise. While the Side Plank helps improve upper body strength, it can also be the reason for shoulder pain or injury if done improperly. It is imperative to use correct ...
Views: 9199 - Pilates Progressions and Modifications - by Submitted on Jul 01, 2011 from Virginia Nicholas, M.A., R.N.Frequently, we as teachers have students of various skill levels in our classes. In order to meet the needs of students, while delivering a good, safe work-out it is helpful to have an understanding of exercise progressions. In this tutorial we will examine Pilates exercises and offer ...
Views: 8071 - 5 Quick Tips For A Great Roll Up Exercise In Pilates Matwork! - by Submitted on Jun 08, 2012 from Aliesa GeorgeHow to Improve Ab Strength and Increase the Flexibility of your Back for the Roll Up I notice that a lot of Pilates students have a difficult doing a great Roll Up during Mat workouts. Regardless whether you are a beginner or have been doing Pilates for years, trying to manage synchronizing ...
Views: 7300 - Top 10 Pilates Instructors & Studios - by Submitted on Feb 27, 2009 from Intent.com AuthorsWhat is Pilates? Pilates is a physical fitness system developed by Joseph Pilates. In Pilates, the mind is used to control the muscles. Pilates attempts to create a fusion of mind and body, allowing the body to move with grace, balance and economy. Traditional Pilates is performed on a ...
Views: 6999(1 vote) - Body Awareness, Exercise Safety, and Ten Tips to Avoid the Potential Pitfalls of a Bad Personal Trainer - by Submitted on Apr 21, 2009 from Aliesa GeorgeI have to say that I am grateful for my gymnastics, dance, and Pilates training - especially in regards to body awareness. I’m sure it’s why so many dancers and athletes are embracing Pilates as a component of their injury-prevention and cross-training program. And it makes sense why so many ...
Views: 6986(3 votes) - 6 Weeks to a Bikini-ready Body - by Submitted on Apr 13, 2009 from karon karterAh, the thrill of being fearless in your bikini. But are you fearless? If not, the problem may be that you aren't ready to strut your foxy stuff because you're dreading every lump and bump and the bulging belly on your body. Well, you don't have to spend your summer in a muumuu. Instead, get a ...
Views: 6614(2 votes) - The Benefits of Exercise in Everyday Activities - by Submitted on Apr 17, 2012 from Aliesa GeorgeQuestion: What daily-life activities can I do that use different muscle groups in different ways? How do I do them correctly? What muscle groups they will use? 1. Driving – Practicing Seated Posture, Relaxed Shoulders, Low Abdominal Support Sit with your back tall (adjust your rearview ...
Views: 6540(4 votes) - How men benefit from Massage - by Submitted on Jul 15, 2011 from Igor BubisMale massage is less common in many countries than massages for females are; the idea of going for a massage conjures up visions of spas and pampering which many men don’t see as being very masculine. This is a shame though as male massage has many benefits, some of which are specific to men ...
Views: 6345(1 vote) - Core Training: Do You Really Know Which Muscles Make Up Your Core? - by Submitted on Jul 23, 2012 from Aliesa GeorgeTips for Getting Started Improving Core Strength for Functional Movement To enjoy a healthy and active life using your core to support the body and develop effective functional movement habits is essential to help reduce back problems, improve body mechanics, increase strength, mobility and ...
Views: 5952 - Simple Strategies To Get Relief from Foot Pain - by Submitted on Jun 21, 2012 from Aliesa GeorgeWhen your feet hurt, it becomes impossible to maintain an active life. Simple tasks such as walking, running, or even riding a bike can be intolerable. When our feet ache, our workouts stop and it’s difficult to think about anything else! All you want is for your foot pain to go away so you ...
Views: 5943 - Developing Pilates Training Programs for Clients with Attention Deficit Disorder - by Submitted on Apr 23, 2009 from Aliesa George"I have a question about a client with Attention Deficit Disorder, ADD. She takes medication for it and sometimes it works better than others. I try to minimize distractions in and around the studio and I try to be very clear with my queing. Is there something I could be doing to focus her? ...
Views: 5882(4 votes) - 6 Principles Of Pilates - by Submitted on Sep 26, 2008 from Katie Aho MaattaTry utilizing one of these principles during your next session... Like most disciplines, Pilates has certain basic principles that should be followed to get the most benefit. The six principles of Pilates are Control, Concentration, Centering, Precision, Breath and Flow. Most are of no ...
Views: 5692(1 vote) - Pilates Training Program Design: A Discussion About Client Safety and No Neck Flexion - by Submitted on Apr 21, 2009 from Aliesa GeorgeDesigning safe and effective Pilates training programs that are client-specific, goal-oriented, and help improve whole-body health is the primary function of a great Pilates teacher. You can know lots of good exercises, but it's the subtle changes, adaptations, or order for workout sequence that ...
Views: 5478(1 vote) - The Benefits of the Iliopsoas Muscle to Pilates - Part I - by Submitted on Feb 03, 2009 from Aliesa George“What is the purpose of learning how to properly use the iliopsoas muscle, and how does this affect exercise technique from a Pilates perspective?” This was the question asked of me, which led to an interesting few days of contemplation about how I think, what I teach, how I originally ...
Views: 5452(2 votes) - “TUNING-IN” Health Improvement Tips to Improve Functional Movement - by Submitted on Jul 23, 2012 from Aliesa GeorgeHealth improvement covers a lot of different things. Yet it all sums up your wellness goals, whether it’s for a better body, fitness, diet & nutrition, managing stress, or any other important part of staying healthy it’s important to find simple strategies to better take care of your body and ...
Views: 5391(1 vote) - ***Oh My Aching Feet…Foot Pain, Foot Fitness, & Pilates Exercises for Fantastic Feet! - by Submitted on Mar 12, 2009 from John AOVHere are a six interesting foot facts that I found recently from the while researching foot health and exercise on the web. Seventy-five percent of Americans will experience foot health problems of varying degrees of severity at one time or another in their lives. Women have about four times ...
Views: 5096(1 vote) - ***The Pilates Scoop - by Submitted on Mar 12, 2009 from Aliesa GeorgeThe scoop is a signature concept for Pilates training, as well as a topic for much debate. Every teacher has an opinion on whether the Pilates exercises should be done with a scoop or neutral spine. It’s impossible not to land on one side of the political fence or the other with a viewpoint on ...
Views: 4974(3 votes) - Foot Care Tips: The Seated Heel Lift Exercise - by Submitted on Jun 18, 2012 from Aliesa GeorgeA Simple Foot Fitness Exercise To Help Your Heels & Improve The Alignment of Your Feet The position of your feet, ankles & heels is vital for better foot fitness and a healthy body. Foot and ankle alignment can affect posture, gait, the way you move, walk, and run. Poor foot alignment can ...
Views: 4834 - The Top Selling Pilates Books - by Submitted on Jan 25, 2011 from Roberto SediciasOne of the most popular books about Pilates is The Pilates Body: The Ultimate At-Home Guide to Strengthening, Lengthening and Toning Your Body--Without Machines, written by Brooke Siler and presented in a way that makes it easy to access and very informative. The author has credentials from ...
Views: 4787 - ***Improve Posture & Reduce Pain - Pilates and Posture Principles for Health - by Submitted on May 04, 2008 from Aliesa GeorgeDo I have to practice Pilates to improve my posture? Not necessarily. However, the Pilates exercises can be a wonderful way to help you change habits. Everything that you learn about your body with the Pilates Method can be applied to both your everyday life and other fitness activities. The ...
Views: 4728(3 votes) - ***The Importance of Spine Extension - by Submitted on Mar 12, 2009 from John AOVExtension Extension the spine is the opposite of flexion. From a terminology standpoint, it’s helpful to be specific. If the cue is “bend the spine” it could move in one of three directions. Forward (spine flexion), Backward (spine extension), or Sideways (lateral flexion). The other direction ...
Views: 4653(1 vote) - Wrist Assured Gloves for Yoga and Pilates - by Submitted on Oct 02, 2009 from Paula WilbertDoes wrist strain and pain interfere with your yoga or Pilates practice? If so, the new innovative Wrist Assured Fitness Gloves and Yoga Gloves will provide the pain relief and comfort you need to continue practicing yoga and Pilates without wrist pain. Our Wrist Assured Fitness Gloves ...
Views: 4533(3 votes) - ***Questions About Becoming a Pilates Teacher - by Submitted on Mar 12, 2009 from John AOVI recently had someone drop me a contact request for Pilates Teacher Training information and thought she had some great questions that might be helpful to post in my Centerworks Pilates blog. Think I may turn this into a regular section and update & add posts with questions as they come ...
Views: 4475(1 vote) - Pilates Exercise Tips To Strengthen the Body for Side Plank - by Submitted on Jul 23, 2012 from Aliesa GeorgePilates Exercise Tips To Strengthen the Body for Side Plank Here are some suggestions and recommended Pilates exercises to help strengthen the shoulders and develop strong core support for a successful Side Plank exercise. The Side Plank exercise is a higher intermediate or advanced exercise ...
Views: 4418 - ***The Benefits of The Iliopsoas Muscle to Pilates - Part 2 - by Submitted on Mar 12, 2009 from John AOV“What is the purpose of learning how to properly use the iliopsoas muscle, and how does this affect exercise technique from a Pilates perspective?” In Part 1 the anatomy, benefits, and function of the iliopsoas muscle were reviewed for a greater understanding of the importance it plays in ...
Views: 4395(1 vote) - Pilates Breathing: Secrets To A Healthy Spine, Less Neck Pain and Better Posture - by Submitted on May 22, 2012 from Aliesa GeorgeAre your current breathing practices helping you stay fit, or contributing to back pain, shoulder pain or neck pain? Do you know if your current breathing habits are helping your posture or only making it worse? We breathe to keep us alive, but oftentimes we take our breathing habits for ...
Views: 4333 - 5 Steps to Pilates and Yoga Business Success - by Submitted on Jun 28, 2011 from Kylie SaunderIf you’ve been teaching Pilates or Yoga for a while, you may have started to think about “going out on your own”. It’s not that you don’t love teaching where you are now. Your boss is great, you love the clients and you’re getting paid pretty well. But your heart’s desire is to ...
Views: 4332 - ***Mastering Movement of the Spine: Rotation - by Submitted on Mar 12, 2009 from John AOVThe benefit of Pilates is efficient movement. Movement is health, health is life. The spine is the vertical support for our structure. It protects the nerves that cue our bodies for movement. Breath pumps nourishing fluids from the brain to the body and assists in lengthening the spine for ...
Views: 4226(1 vote) - The Pilates Principles: Concentration - by Submitted on Aug 14, 2009 from Gina AxelsonThe Pilates principles are the foundation of the Pilates method and are what make the exercises so effective. Knowing and applying these principles to your workouts will help you to balance your body's musculature, prevent injuries, and maximize the results of your workouts. This month's ...
Views: 4196(3 votes) - Are There Any Exercises I Can Do to Help My Foot Problems? - by Submitted on Apr 21, 2009 from Aliesa GeorgeThis Foot Care Question was just submitted to me by Nicole, and I thought perhaps there are others out there searching for answers on how to alleviate foot problems and curious to know if exercise might help. Here's the Question: “I have some problems with my feet. Hyper mobile forefoot and ...
Views: 4194(1 vote) - Pilates Workout Tips & Fundamental Exercises To Help Improve Upper Back Mobility for a Great 100’s Curl - by Submitted on May 16, 2012 from Aliesa GeorgeThe past few weeks I have been working with my Pilates clients with a goal of assisting them enhance the curl and bend of the upper back for The Hundred. I’ve also been focused on improving articulation of the upper back for the Roll Up, Teaser and Neck Pull - These are not easy exercises for ...
Views: 4181 - Pilates Evolution from 1934 (and Joseph Pilates First Book) to the 21st Century - by Submitted on Jul 06, 2012 from Judd RobbinsEvolution, in the case of Pilates, began in 1934 with Your Health, continued in 1945 with Return to Life through Contrology, and continues to this very day with new exercises, new equipment, new enhancements to his original fitness programming, and Pilates Evolution. Developments to and ...
Views: 4158 - Total Gym Exercise Review - by Submitted on Aug 16, 2009 from Natalie ShelbyMy Total home gym experience began when I bought one after seeing it on television about 10 years ago. For me, exercise has to be fun or I'll get bored and give up. This total body fitness gym delivers with a workout designed to give you a full body workout in about 20 minutes. I obtained the ...
Views: 3951(4 votes) - Different Methods for Enhancing the Side Leg Exercises in Pilates Matwork - by Submitted on Apr 23, 2012 from Aliesa GeorgeDifferent Methods for Enhancing the Side Leg Exercises in Pilates Matwork One of the most difficult challenges when doing the Pilates Mat work Side Leg Series exercises is keeping the body completely still while swinging the leg. Many of the Pilates Mat exercises that are done before you ...
Views: 3869 - ***Mastering Movement of the Spine: Extension - by Submitted on Mar 12, 2009 from John AOVThe Benefits of Spine Extension. Tips and Techniques for Increasing Spine Mobility. Exercises to Practice Spine Extension. Practicing Extension with Pilates. Extension (As defined by the Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary) Pronunciation: ik-’sten(t)-sh&n Function: noun The action of ...
Views: 3573(1 vote) - ***Pilates Exercise Programs for Chronic Back and Neck Pain - by Submitted on Mar 12, 2009 from John AOVConsidering the large number of clients I’ve seen with chronic back and neck pain, and the great results they’ve had from participating in Pilates programs with me, I strongly agree with the findings from this recent research article I read in SOAP notes from PT Products. Exercise Underutilized ...
Views: 3512(1 vote) - Pilates and The Ankle - by Submitted on Apr 22, 2009 from Bodycenter StudiosSpring is coming and exercising outside becomes more pleasant. As you head into training for your spring and summer activities, a part of the body we often forget about is the ankle. We forget until we injure them, that is. An ankle injury can really put a crimp in your training schedule. ...
Views: 3442(3 votes) - Understanding Functional Movement - by Submitted on Apr 17, 2012 from Aliesa GeorgeUnderstanding Functional Movement Functional Movement is the ability to move your body efficiently by utilizing the right muscle groups to move the bones in an effortless, pain-free range of motion. Perfecting bio-mechanically efficiency with everything you do, regardless of whether it’s for ...
Views: 3394 - ***Rowing for Cardio and Health - by Submitted on Apr 21, 2009 from John AOVYesterday I switched things up for my regular aerobic workout and did my cardio on the rowing machine. Whew…I forgot what a great whole-body workout you can get on a rowing machine. If you’re one to always head to the treadmill, bike, or elliptical machine - I’d encourage you to check out the ...
Views: 3374(3 votes) - Pilates Workout Tips for Healthy, Well Balanced Shoulders - by Submitted on May 02, 2012 from Aliesa GeorgePilates Workout Tips for Healthy, Well Balanced Shoulders • Have You Ever Experienced A Painful Arm or Shoulder Injury? • Are Your Shoulders Ever Hiked Up By Your Ears? • Do You Carry Tension or Stress in Your Neck and Upper Back? It’s no surprise that a lot of people these days are ...
Views: 3337 - Pilates Exercise Programs for Chronic Back and Neck Pain - by Submitted on Feb 05, 2009 from Aliesa GeorgeExercise Underutilized for Chronic Back and Neck Pain A recent study, funded by the National Institutes of Health, looked at exercise prescription—who is prescribing it, who is getting it, and what type of exercise is being prescribed—and found that exercise may be underutilized for ...
Views: 3307(2 votes) - ***Health Benefits, Fun and Fitness with Nintendo Wii Fit - by Submitted on Mar 12, 2009 from John AOVWii Fitness… What Fun! I may be a bit behind the times when it comes to enjoying the fun and benefits of all the new interactive video game products on the market - like the Nintendo Wii Fit… but recently my techno-geek boyfriend purchased a Wii Fit for home. (He’s had one at work since they ...
Views: 3299(1 vote) - ***What Pilates Can Do for You! - by Submitted on Mar 12, 2009 from John AOVWhat is The Pilates Method? The Pilates Method teaches a holistic, common-sense approach to efficient movement habits for whole-body health. Developed as a system or movement regime, Pilates training provides a variety of choices in both exercises and specialized Pilates equipment to help ...
Views: 3294(2 votes) - ***Improving Posture with Pilates - by Submitted on Mar 12, 2009 from John AOVJust a quick thought… While improving posture may or may not be on the list of goals Pilates participants, it might be because posture improvement isn’t what they want, but rather the BENEFITS of correcting bad posture, which include: Reduced back and neck pain, less stress on all the body’s ...
Views: 3202(2 votes) - ***Get Your Fantastic Feet In Action! - by Submitted on Feb 12, 2008 from Aliesa GeorgeThe cover of BioMechanics – The Magazine of Body Movement and Medicine caught my eye. The February 2007 issue / Volume XIV Number 2 had a barefoot runner on the front and the tag-line, “New barefoot designs challenge footwear conventions.” Since the subject of happy feet and ...
Views: 3113(1 vote) - Want Longer, Leaner Legs? - by Submitted on Dec 04, 2009 from Gina JacksonAn area of concern for many women - no matter what age - is the shape, tone and length of muscle of our legs. The suppleness of front, back, sidelines of the legs and surely the curve of the derriere are the parts of our bodies that get a lot of focus and attention in everything we do, every way ...
Views: 3051(1 vote) - Fusion Fitness is Hot! Yoga, Pilates, Ballet and More - by Submitted on Jun 13, 2011 from Marcy LBored of straight-up Vinyasa yoga? Wish you could both pirouette and feel the burn? Consider some of these new fusion classes and you won’t have to choose. Yoga Pilates Yoga Pilates fuses the advantages of yoga and Pilates into one hybrid class. The practice is also called "yogilates." ...
Views: 2983 - ***Pilates Workouts Are For Every Body - by Submitted on May 07, 2008 from Aliesa GeorgeThe Pilates Method teaches a common-sense approach to efficient movement habits for whole-body health. Every Pilates exercise combines strength and flexibility with breathing and total body awareness. Learning to pay attention to what your body is doing and how it moves is a must for getting ...
Views: 2948(1 vote) - Muscle Cramps - by Submitted on Oct 06, 2009 from Paula WilbertYesterday in my Pilates mat class, one of the participants developed a cramp in her foot. After her agony subsided, she asked “What causes muscle cramps and why do I get them so frequently in my feet?” We’ve all experienced a muscle cramp, sometimes known as a “charley horse” (wonder where ...
Views: 2882(4 votes) - 14-day Pilates Lose Weight Challenge! - by Submitted on Jun 27, 2012 from Kinected CenterAre you a Pilates buff, and know and understand the benefits of a tight, toned body without having a near death experience on the spinning bike? Do you also know that one Pilates session a week won’t give it to you? Welcome to the 14-day challenge, an idea developed by my husband, Steve, who is ...
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