Breathe Easy

One of the Commands of Pilates is breathing in coordination with your movements. Pilates protocol requires that you breath into the lower lobes of the lungs through your back. I teach this tenet in my classes. The teaching materials inform us that propper breathing with movement continuously delivers oxygen to hard working muscles.  But breathing does so much more than that. It actually increases lung capacity and strength. I stopped smoking cigarettes 30 years ago but my lungs still struggled to keep up during exertion. After 3 years of continuous Pilates training, my lung capacity even supports me in running and P90. Add good, deep breathing to your workout (you can hear me breathing in China) to rolling back your shoulders and reaching your head away from your shoulders, and you'll  increase your lung capacity and stamina for whatever task you do. Another benefit is the mood elevation that comes from focused breathing. I remember my first Pilates workout like it was yesterday. I left thinking two things: that I knew I had worked hard yet felt so, so good and that my mood was buoyant. Wondrous! Last, but not least, Pilates breathing has kept me illness free for the entire time I've practiced it. I used to get regular sinus infections and occasional  GI tract viruses. Now, I don't.  Zero. I know it sounds outlandish but it is true. I think that Pilates breathing efficiently rids the body of waste and delivers increased oxygenated blood to the imune system. I'm not a doctor but I know what's happened to me. If you will notice your own shallow breaths and catch yourself holding your breath frequently, you'll see how oxygen deprived you might be. Get to Pilates and start to breath easy again!

Navy Seals,100 Year Olds, And Pilates

It rarely gets easy to workout for any of us. These videos reminded me to put aside self-pity and excuses and just do it. She is so very lovely and she likes to learn new things at 100 years old. She showed me that physically challenging yourself, learning something new, and caring for your body keep you engaged and thriving as you age. She apparently found out about the age-defying Pilates workout and decided to "learn" it. From joints to spinal health, Pilates does not tear down the body in order to strengthen it. Pilates still amazes me in its scope of body healing. Pilates strengthens everything from abs to toes and fingers. No matter your age, pick up the Pilates workout and build your body back. One of my favorite stories about Pilates relates how the Navy Seals use it. These heroes go out on the most dangerous missions, up close to the enemy, and often come back with broken, traumatized, and shot up bodies. Given the strength and stamina these men have going in to battle, they can't just complete medical treatment and them start back on a strength training and cardio workout. Before any of that, they do Pilates. Strengthening the smaller accessory muscles puts the body in a more favorable state to attempt difficult exercises. Pilates heals the body. So no matter whether you are a Navy Seal or a 100 year old, Pilates is a marvelous tool for defying age and injury. Working out remains a daily challenge but if  this 100 year old darling or a Navy Seal can do it, then so can  you and I.

Wonder Workout

All Day Flat Abs

Today I'm restarting P90 Master with my friend and accountability partner. I indulged myself beyond reason and lessened my exercise over the holiday. But today I look forward the awesome sensation of hard work. I never dreamed I could do such a powerful exercise challenge. The only reason I felt confident enough to attempt it is because I have a Pilates body. The miracle of that first day is that I had the stamina, breathing, and second layer of strength from the symphony of smaller muscles that Pilates strengthens. I've taught that if you participate in any sport, the secondary muscle strength will give you a distinct advantage in performance. P90 proved that to me. Then there is recovery from P90. I always look forward to a Pilates workout later in the day after P90. It seems to ease the stress on my body of P90 and relax my muscles. Strength training can often lead to a boxy abdominal shape. It's one of the disadvantages of ab work in classical strength training. Pilates restores the natural shape of obliques and a flat belly giving the abs that gorgeous V-shape from shoulders to  waist. The other outcome of Pilates ab work is a continually flattened belly. I used to go to the gym and work out for over an hour, come home, and shower. I put on my skinny clothes yet noticed that my abs had gone slack again. Pilates gives you the flat stomach all day that you've always dreamed of. Enough said.

Motivate Me

Motivation to exercise. Sometimes it come easily. Most times it is not there at all. Try pairing up with someone who does what you want to do. This has worked for me countless times and it can work for you, too. New Year does not equal new you. Sorry to confirm that. But consider this: New Year, same you, new strategy = success. But what if you aren't willing to pair up, or group up for that matter? What if you consistently fail to support your own desired goals? We know wanting it doesn't necessarily mean doing it. Take the risk to find someone nurturing, honest, and wise to talk it over with. I adore this tool. It's helped me break out of self-defeating behaviors. Finally, there are those who have a very small flame of willingness, just not enough to get them where they want to go. Is it hopeless for them? No. Pray and ask for more willingness. This is guaranteed to move you into a more effective direction. No one has to be hopeless or defeated when it comes to motivation to exercise.

Posture Pretty

Have you ever wondered how Supermodels have such gorgeous posture? Pilates. Pilates is the only answer to the reproach of: "Stand up straight, please." If they only knew how difficult it truly is to stand up straight, they would not chide. They would take you to a Pilates class. Pilates relieves neck tension, strengthens the small muscles in the shoulder that do all that hard work over the computer, the kitchen sink, artwork, and a host of other everyday movements. One of the first things you'll notice when you begin Pilates is that your shoulders will roll back into that enviable and youthful shape you've always seen on very beautiful women.