The Pilates Center of Pittsburgh

Just announced. A special class for our wonderful clients who have been learning and exploring this work. If you have been curious about it please join in. If you have dropped in this year and liked it, please join.

Why I love this work- Strength, stability- the tools to build stamina upon. I have never had great stamina and honestly the only time in my life that I have trained for it is for performances, or later with children I have learned to train my mental stamina. Now with older kids I am in training for the emotional stamina that they need me to reflect. Pilates has the keys to this. #pilates #pilatesstudio #pilatesinstructor #movingmomma

In order to be healthy and strong we learn to not listen to that voice, the Debbie Downer. Instead, we listen to the voice of our teacher telling us how and what to do. Over time the session work feeds the quiet part of us that says Yes, I want this. I love how I feel when I am practicing. I really want to be strong, I want to be healthy," the SPARK inside of the person grows stronger bit by bit, session by session. These are just a few reasons that we teach private sessions. Because they work, they help. In my good friend's words, which she said to me after her Introductory lessons, I did not know what I did not know.

What does your workout do for you? If you are moving consistently then awesome, skip to the end of this post and just enjoy the visual (Parker doing his floorwork). If you are not as active as you desire to be, we want to give you something to think about. Quality movement is quality movement. It does not matter what kind it is, running, walking, golf, playing ping pong, tai chi, Pilates, yoga, GYROTONIC(R), dancing, and on and on. What does matter is how you use your body in... that activity. Unfortunately most sports only teach the mechanics of the body in regard to that actual sport. School gym class does not set you up for the skills of alignment, body awareness, soft tissue release, structural stability. We come to these needs often very late in the game. Oh the playful fun we used to have when moving. As we grow up it becomes a have to, not a want to. We are born moving well with individual grace and wisdom in our bodies. What happens to us is from choice and not being aware of the choices we do(can) have. https://photos.app.goo.gl/FrEHuHVgbR5r2cHT6

Fun- yes, I finally got the comment from Parker, "Mom, you are so weird." When he asked me why I had dots on my feet and ankles to do this client resource piece.... This message is for my clients who have a history of lower system imbalances, ankle restrictions and or ankle sprain people. I have had to help clients find the middle of the ankle much more as of late to help their lower system connect together into the center. Why is this important? The lower system front center to hip, knee, ankles and feet is constantly moving. Support and knowledge ( in a feeling type of way)of where the middle of the joints are is to have the most support possible. When the lower system has a compensation- ankle, foot, knee, hip, that movement needs to go somewhere. A painful experience to me is watching a family member try to move freely with inflammation or an injury to that lower chain. So hard for me to not jump in and try to work with them. Rest helps us yes, but we do need to move in an even way or we make the lower system go crooked or worse- keep strengthening what is already strong and the weak and tight ( constricted areas) only grow that way anyway. Years down the road, you are great at what you already knew how to do, but the restricted areas of the body have shrunken and compressed to the point of not functioning very well. Oy, vey. The longer and older we get with our own habits of compensation makes the work of becoming open, fluid, and strong harder. Sometimes to the point of feeling very intimidating to even try. What do we need to do? Learn how to move in a balanced way. Back to ankles. The ankle is a rotational hinge- see the picture below. Now try some simple movements you do all the time with this knowledge. We are going to draw little sticky dots on our toes, ankles and knees and front of hip. So you can visualize this. Now do flex and point with it. Then ankles inversion, eversion. Circles all the way through all the movements. Now lower and lift on a step or lifted bar. Running for pilates people. Now compare and contrast. How much more movement do you have? Is there a place that is unlocked a bit more and showing up for you? Enjoy your feet, love your feet actually and move those ankles. You stand on top of them and in them all day. Click here for videos of the movements listed above. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n7gz30nXoxE&t=17s

Line it Up- Ankles - https://mailchi.mp//on-our-mind-latelynew-addition-to-reme

Shoulders and Neck Part 1

Remain curious. Something beautiful in this work is that it helps you to remain curious. Curiosity is the thought right before, let’s see, let’s find out. I wonder how that works? How do you do that? In any great adventure or discovery the curious spirit and mind is there. There are better ways to use our bodies than others, there are ways to support movement that aligns with your human design. I see that proof of this every day in the studio. Those days when your whole open level class gets every transition, every spinal movement, all the rolling exercises and finishes with push ups. This. Is. Great. #loveyourworkout #upgradeyourlife

Weekly Openings Dec 14-20 - https://mailchi.mp//weekly-openings-for-december-15-6464778

Class focus- Open level groups. Our open level groups are operating as hybrids right now. We can comfortably teach 3 people in the studio while supporting more online and have had a great success this fall reconnecting to those long time class members in our open level workouts. There is a real community vibe that has grown stronger over the past few months. As one client said "There is a real tribe here. We have fun together and will do anything to keep receiving this work f...rom you. " It has become its own essential." Plan to join us this week in a morning, afternoon, or evening open level class. Great for clients with some experience in the work. Book here: thepilatescenterofpittsburgh.com/classes-events-workshops