My Pilates Story

I 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!

PIlates Musings, Pilates ReformerLucie BecusMay 8, 2018Shine Pilates Studiopilates story, lexington pilates, pilates in chevy chase, shine pilates studio, pilates reformer class, private pialtes, abdominal surgery, scar tissue, rehab pilates

How Many Calories?

A couple questions usually come up with new PIlates students or those considering Pilates:

How many calories will I burn in a Pilates session?
I need to build my strength, is Pilates enough for that?

These are excellent questions and worth exploring!

Pilates ReformerLucie BecusMay 2, 2018Shine Pilates Studiocalories, strength training, pilates, shine pilates studio, lexington reformer class, lexington pilates, pilates in chevy chase, chevy chase pilates studio

Pilates Instructors are Perfectionist!

If 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?

PIlates Musings, Pilates ReformerLucie BecusApril 17, 2018Shine Pilates StudioPMA Certified Pilates Instructor, Pilates Method Alliance, Certified Instructor, shine pilates studio, lexington pilates, perfectionist, form, reformer class, chevy chase pilates studio

Blank Canvas

Before I opened Shine Pilates earlier this year, I had the walls painted a fresh new color. I had a vision for what I wanted the studio to be and wanted to start with a blank canvas. Rather than trying to work with what was there, I began anew with a new color, new lights, and a few other changes, too!

New students are very much like that blank canvas - full of opportunity

PIlates Musings, Pilates ReformerLucie BecusApril 11, 2018Shine Pilates Studioshine pilates studio, new student, beginner, reformer, pilates, pilates teacher, new studio, lexington pilates, chevy chase pilates studio

I Hope You Fail!

I hope you fail. That sounds rather harsh and not like what you'd expect to hear from your supportive Pilates instructor, doesn't it? Shouldn't I want you to succeed? Shouldn't I want you to excel? Yes and yes but I also want you to struggle a bit, too. Let me explain ...

PIlates Musings, Pilates ReformerLucie BecusMarch 20, 2018Shine Pilates Studiocore connection, mindbody connection, struggle, pilates practice, shine pilates studio, lexington pilates, chevy chase pilates studio, progression, c-section

March Madness Survival Guide!

I love March Madness! I look forward to it all year. I enter brackets, I wear my team's shirt and hat, and I watch a bunch of games. All of this is good but it can lead to a very sedentary month and some bad eating if you aren't careful. So today I am going to provide you with a March Madness Survival Guide!

Pilates Reformer, sportsLucie BecusMarch 6, 2018Shine PIlates Studiomarch madness, basketball, pilates, shine pilates studio, lucie becus, fitness goals, chevy chase pilates studio, lexington pilates

Why are You Inflexible?

I hear it often from new students - I'm not very flexible. Sometimes these students do have a limited range of motion, and sometimes they are better than they realize! Flexibility is our ability to move and that range of motion within which we can move.

Pilates ReformerLucie BecusFebruary 27, 2018Shine Pilates Studioflexibility, stretch, genetics, Pilates workout, shine pilates studio, lucie becus, chevy chase pilates studio, lexington pilates

Teaching the Teacher!

This past weekend I had the opportunity to travel to Chicago and attend a Pilates workshop with Carrie Pages at Tensile Strength Studio. I've met Carrie before and we follow each other on Instagram. She's truly a delightful person to be around and has been teaching Pilates for almost two decades.

Pilates Reformer, Pilates Continuing Ed.Lucie BecusFebruary 5, 2018Shine Pilates Studio Carrie Pages, Jenna Zaffino, Classical Pilates, Pilates workshop, Pilates blog, Pilates instructor, shine pilates studio

What to Expect in Your Initial Series of Three Reformer Classes

Explaining Pilates is one of the most challenging aspects of my business! Pilates is so much and not simple in the least. I believe to understand Pilates, you really need to experience it. And that's were our Initial Series comes in!

Pilates ReformerLucie BecusJanuary 24, 2018Shine Pilates Studioinitial series, reformer, beginner, mindbody connection, shine pilates studio

1 Red 1 Blue

The day after moving I headed to my new studio to start unpacking and getting it set up. I was excited to put the place in order. And after a couple days of moving and unpacking, my body was excited to hop on the reformer. My back was achy and stiff from the car ride, heavy lifting, and awkward movements. I told myself I'd spend a couple hours unpacking and then I'd spend an hour on the reformer as my treat!

Pilates ReformerLucie BecusJanuary 23, 2018reformer, reformers springs, obstacles, shine pilates studio, lexington pilates

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