Move Like a Cat

Joseph Pilates says this of cats in his booklet Return to Life Through Contrology:

Observe closely how all [the cat’s] back muscles actually ripple as it stretches and relaxes itself. Cats as well as other animals acquire this ideal rhythm of motion because they are constantly stretching and relaxing themselves, sharpening their claws, twisting, squirming, turning, climbing, wrestling, and fighting.... [Pilates] exercises emphasize the need for this constant stretching and relaxing. (4)

One member of the cast of Cats is using Pilates to learn to move like a cat. Click here to read about her.

8.6 million Americans can't be wrong!

According to the the annual Sporting Goods Manufacturers Association’s Sports Fitness and Recreation Participation Overview, "the fastest growing activity in the country is Pilates. With 8.6 million Americans participating in ’09, it’s up 456 percent since 2000."

WooHoo! That means that 8.6 million Americans are finding the balance, core strength, flexibility, and focus gained by practicing Pilates!

Add to the list of benefits of Pilates . . .

Game winning fastballs!

Dean Ornish on America's Killer Diet

Another video, Short, but POWERFUL!

Healthy Hearts Start Young!

This is SOOOOO powerful!

How Do We Define Ideal Cardiovascular Health?

Excerpts from an article by Cheryl Russo, M.D.  See the full article here.

The American Heart Association has released its Impact Goals for 2020, “to improve the ­cardiovascular health of all Americans by 20 percent while reducing deaths from cardiovascular diseases and stroke by 20 percent.”


While ambitious, these goals are attainable, considering that Impact Goals for 2010 were achieved a couple of years ahead of schedule.
 
How do we define ideal health? A collection of physicians and scientists has worked closely to specify seven features of ideal cardiovascular health, which can be observed and monitored to track the Impact Goals for 2020. These include:

1. No history of tobacco use, or quitting within the past 12 months.
2. A body mass index (BMI) of less than 25.
3. Blood pressure with a systolic number (top) less than 120 and a diastolic number  less than 80.
4. A fasting blood glucose level of less than 100 milligrams per deciliter. 
5. A total cholesterol level of less than 200 milligrams per deciliter. 
6. Physical activity of more than 150 minutes per week of moderate exercise or more than 75 minutes per week of vigorous ­exercise. 
7. Following a diet promoting cardiovascular health (eating more than 4.5 cups of fruits and vegetables per day; at least two servings of fish per week; three 1 ounce servings of fiber-rich whole grains per day; less than 1500 milligrams of sodium per day and less than three sugar-sweetened drinks per week).

More Americans meeting these seven goals will produce a healthier America.  Where do you stand? This month is a great time to discuss these health behaviors and factors with your primary doctor.

Slow Down to Shape Up

My instinct when I began doing Pilates (once I got over trying to keep up with everyone else that is) was to slow everything down, especially once I started working on equipment.  I feel like I am constantly unlearning habitual movement patterns and replacing them with more healthy movement patterns.  This takes intense concentration and heightened body awareness.  For me that translated to taking everything slowly and consequently doing less repetitions.  As my body becomes familiar with an exercise I will take it at a faster pace sometimes, but I have come to love the slow and intense versions of those exercises and the multitude of benefits I get out of placing that much attention to the many areas of my body that integrate to make a motion happen.

Apparently there are great benefits to practicing Pilates this way.  According to Connie English there is less lactic acid buildup which means less post-workout muscle soreness.  Additionally, by taking it slow you lose the momentum that could take some of the effort out of the movements and instead force your muscles to do all of the work.  For individuals with injuries or special needs this type of wrok can be extremely beneficial in rehabilitation, and for those with weakness or imbalance it can lessen the chance of injury by increasing precision.  Great results, less injury, less muscle soreness, what's not to love?

Up in the Air

Don't leave home without your Pilates!  Brooke Siler of Re:Ab Pialtes has some great advice for Pilates you can do in-flight so that you're ready to get up and go when you reach your destination.

Burlates?

Burlesque meets Pilates, hmmmmm.

As a former circus performer I'm all for fun ways of mixing things up and making them interesting and entertaining, and as a yoga and Pilates instructor and former massage therapist, I understand the importance of setting clear boundaries and maintaining a professional image.

What do you think?  Is Burlates "Naughty Pilates" good clean fun, or is it giving the wrong impression of Pilates and Pilates instructors?

Pilates and Chocolate

Check out this preview from our newest instructor, Kathleen Pagnini's, DVD, Pilates and Chocolate La Dolce Vita!

You can check out her bio on our website www.bellaformapilates.com

The Pregnancy Adventures of a Pilates and Gyrotonic teacher

Here's a fun post for you new and expectant mothers! (I know we have at least four in the studio at present, wow!)  The Pregnancy Adventures of a Pilates and Gyrokinesis Instructor - she offers her own candid reactions to pregnancy, weight-gain, fatigue, morning sickness, etc. as well as her fitness routine.  Enjoy! http://bit.ly/907j5f (there are several other posts that you can access from the below this article)

Pilates Helps a San Diegan Battle Back

Here's a repost from our sister studio, EnCORE.

This is an incredible story! Jodie Beckner was involved in a harrowing and debilitating car crash in 2003 that left her comatose and unable to recognize her family for three weeks. Through intensive physical/occupationaltherapy and true grit, Jodie battled back, eventually juggling a full load of college courses and a full-time job.She now teaches pilates at Pilates Plus in La Jolla, and isplanning to attend nursing school and join the Peace Corps one day.
Check out the full inspiring story here.

Can Generosity Make you Healthier?

Can generosity really change your life?  According to Cami Walker it can.  Watch this video to see how she has dramatically improved her health, then go online to take the 29 gift challenge http://bit.ly/29GIFTS

The Healthy Traveler

Michael Feigin, proprietor of The Fitness Guru, a boutique gym in Brooklyn, had this to say about exercising when you're traveling.


Q. Is there one type of exercise that’s best for your body while traveling?

A. I’m a Pilaticist, so I’d automatically say Pilates by default. But again, I don’t think people should get too specific with regard to what they do.. The point is: get out and move. When you get to the hotel, drop off your bags and go out for a walk around the neighborhood. Get a sense of that. Get a sense of your surroundings, because just the moving around, just the walking around is again going to help the circulation, going to help the body get back up to a level that will sustain good health.

Read the whole article here.

Promoting Healthy Habits or Discrimination?

A controversial program at Lincoln University is drawing criticism and outrage.  30 Seniors who have otherwise satisfactorily completed their coursework at the University will not receive their degrees.  Why?  Because they are overweight and have not met requirements to lose weight or prove a significant effort towards that goal.  http://bit.ly/5GBozU

While I understand where Professor James L DeBoy's intentions arise.  I think he has missed the mark with this program and has led the University to practice discrimination in his efforts to encourage students to adopt healthy habits.  I can understand, and encourage all colleges and universities to require that students pass a basic nutrition course and a basic physical fitness course.  This requires that students are exposed to information that will allow them to make educated decisions about their health.  It may open their eyes to things they did not know about their current lifestyle.  It positions them to ask an expert for advice and even gain a mentor in their quest for health.  What it does not do is force an individual to then adopt those practices or forfeit their degree.

What do you think?  Weigh in on our Facebook discussion board.

An Attitude of Gratitude (part deux)

Here's a little bit more to chew on before your tryptophan and pumpkin pie extravaganza tomorrow, more research evidencing the link between practicing gratitude and increased well being. http://bit.ly/7VQBU8

Healthy Friday - Holiday Stress?!? What Have We Forgotten?

We're still a week before Thanksgiving and I'm already seeing some of my favorite people succumbing to the unnecessary and self-inflicted stress that far too often accompanies this season of gratitude, generosity, grace, reflection and celebration.  Why is that?  Have we completely forgotten what it is we're celebrating?  Have we lost the essence and spirit of the season?

I know for myself, when I find myself stressed during this season it usually has to do with wanting to make holiday accommodations, food, gifts, etc. "perfect" (as if it wasn't already) for the people I care about.  How silly is that?  The people we love don't care about the perfect souffle or the centerpiece being just so.  Of course all of the love and energy that is put into finding the "perfect" gift and creating the "perfect" seating arrangement is noticed and appreciated, but I know that I am perfectly happy just to sit in the company of my family and friends, and I'm certain the feeling is mutual.  I'd rather see my loved ones happy and present while we all enjoy peanut butter sandwiches than have them stressed out over making a seven course meal to impress me.  If the pie burns, so what, we can all have a good laugh and go for a walk together instead of having dessert.

As for those relatives who do make judgments based upon how well you set the table or how moist the turkey is, let's find compassion in our hearts for those people.  How sad and small their lives must be that they are too busy passing judgment to notice the joy that is present all around them in the connections they could be making with other people.

Set the example and be forgiving of yourself and your loved ones this holiday season.  Take a deep breath, settle in and find the perfection that exists in every moment.  Look around and find the many things you have to be grateful for and watch your stress just melt away!

Tomorrow is the Great American Smokeout

Did you know . . .

• Tobacco use remains the single largest preventable cause of disease and premature death in the U.S.
• Cigarette smoking accounts for about 443,000 premature deaths – including 49,400 in nonsmokers.
• Thirty percent of cancer deaths, including 87 percent of lung cancer deaths, can be attributed to tobacco.
• Smoking also accounts for $193 billion in health care expenditures and productivity losses.
• Great progress is being made in reducing tobacco use in the U.S., with adult smoking rates in 2007 declining among all adults to 19.8 percent.

The American Cancer Society holds the Great American Smokeout every year to support individuals in taking an important step to improve their health, quitting smoking.

Rockin' it!

How do the Radio City Rockettes that only work the traveling troupe during the holiday season stay strong, lean, limber and ready for the next demanding season of performance?  Pilates of course.

The return of Healthy Fridays!

Healthy Fridays are back!

Now that we're heading into the holiday season, I need to remind myself, more than ever, of all of tips and tricks to maintaining my healthy routines and choices in the season of temptation.

I found this great article from the Grand Rapids press with many simple hints for staying true to your ideals of health and wellness while enjoying the holidays. http://bit.ly/2AgjHY

Another great resource is our friend Christa Orrechio, Holistic Nutritionist and founder of the Whole Journey.  Here are her tips for healthy holiday eating http://bit.ly/1UNk99.  She'll be offering healthy holiday tips at our Holiday Open House (Dec 5th - 4PM - 7PM) and will be joining us for a special program in January (more to come on that!)