Welcome to the Surprise Pilates Blog! Together we will explore topics related to Pilates, Life, and all things Health, and Wellness. Subscribe to our blog so you will receive new posts emailed directly to you. Feel free to pass this along to friends and family or suggest a topic you would like to see featured here. Thanks so much for reading.
This morning I went for a long run. It was cool, crisp, and picturesque with the Fall colors beginning to show. I felt strong, energized, and capable. I was reminded why I love running! Not every run is like that … and it was only a few weeks ago I was dragging along in the heat and humidity.
Read MoreThis is a topic that comes up from time to time in the studio and runs rampant online. The question may be “Who trained you?” or “Where did you get your credentials?” These are fair questions … but the answer doesn’t really tell you everything you need to know as a potential student or fellow teacher. Many of us, myself included, received one form of Pilates training … possibly what was most convenient, affordable or available for us. But, many of us, myself included, have continued to pursue additional training, working with different instructors or schools of thought and practice. If you simply ask where did you study or who was your original teacher, you would miss learning about all the additional scope and expertise gained post initial training.
Read MoreOne of my biggest challenges as a Pilates Instructor is getting clients to slow down! You might think it would be communicating the exercises, modifying for individual needs, programming the class, etc. – but all of those I can master. What I can’t always do is convince a student they will be working harder while getting stronger by going slower. (And they really will if they’d listen and try it!)
Read MoreIf you spend any time with children, you will quickly learn their only goal is to have fun and play … all day! They are carefree and will play and play and play. Children don’t understand why adults would not want to play, too?
As adults, however, we seem to push play to our last priority. Work, chores, et, al are all higher priorities before play.
Read MoreWhen I was a child I knew I wanted to be a teacher when I grew up. I enjoyed school and loved helping my teachers out. Yeap - I was that kid! My dad was a professor at the University of Cincinnati and I would often ask him if I could help grade his papers. I didn't understand why he never took me up on that. He was a graduate professor of aerospace engineering before retiring ... I get it now!
Read MoreWe are our own worst critics. We think and internally say things to ourselves we would never say to a friend. We are just plain hard on ourselves! Not convinced ... listen in to your internal speak. How do you feel about your body? How are you managing life and all your commitments? How dedicated are you to working out? Are you getting a healthy and exciting meal on the table for your family every night? My guess is your answers to these questions are rather negative! (I hope not ... but I hear what you say out loud so I have a clue or two as to what you may be thinking on the inside.)
Read MoreThis past weekend was just about perfect. Sunny, warm, clear skies and some free time to soak it all in. When the weather is like this, I just want to get moving and feel motivated to do more! It's an ideal time to think about some Summer goals!
Read MoreI find with Pilates our reasons for starting are often more than getting in shape. When I enrolled in my Pilates training, I was with a group of about 10 women from different walks of life. On our first day, we went around the room and said why we were there. I think we were all a little nervous. Pilates training is expensive and a big time commitment (months!) Having been an athlete in college and a spinning instructor for almost a decade at that point - I assumed everyone was there simply to teach fitness. Boy was I wrong!
Read MoreSome of you know, I left behind a successful studio in Nashville to move to Lexington and open a new studio. Starting again is exciting and full of opportunity. It has given me a chance to bring the best of 12South Pilates to my new studio Shine Pilates. It's also a chance to try some new things and look to grow the business. BUT starting again is also not always easy.
Read MoreIf you have taken a Pilates class with a PMA Certified Instructor, you've probably noticed we are a nit-picky crew! Evenly press across all five metatarsals, keep that knee lined up over the hip bone, press down with your hands, exhale on the return, and so on! Why are we so darn picky in Pilates?
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