Did you know Joe Pilates also wrote a book called “Your Health” (1936)? On the inside cover he writes: “PROF. PILATES’ HEALTH STUDIOS Where flat feet, curvature of the spine, protruding stomach, stooped shoulders, hollow chest, hollow back, bow legs, and knocked-kneed conditions are cured through corrective exercises.” CURED! He believed so much in his [...]

Instant summer! After a very long Winter and Spring, it is so good to feel grass under my feet and dirt in my hands planting flowers this past weekend. Our first walk to the neighborhood pool, a first long summer evening outdoors, and a first morning to sleep in are signs of summer vacation. I [...]

Time for renewal! I read this Joseph Pilates sentence this morning: “Our interpretation of physical fitness is the attainment and maintenance of a uniformly developed body with a sound mind fully capable of naturally, easily, and satisfactorily performing our many and varied daily tasks with spontaneous zest and pleasure.” What really strikes me is the [...]

Imagine standing next to Joe himself while teaching! I hear he didn’t explain very much, just *go do this* *push there* – none of the experience I’ve had as I’ve transitioned into a teacher. I started as a student, and still consider myself to be a student of Pilates. It’s challenged my mental abilities, forced [...]

What are they? Somedays I just feel so light and refreshed, going with the flow. Even if my teaching load is a lot bigger than I think it should be, I just think of one moment at a time, one breath at a time. Just go with the flow. My clients inspire me to teach, [...]

I’ve been thinking about change – mostly because we are really ready for the change of seasons. Every time I start a new day, though, it’s a new chance to change and grow. Am I always willing? Have I always been healthy and strong? The answer is no. The willingness to change, for me, usually [...]

Click here to watch the video on YouTube, or just watch below: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7FkSZHeiCXE

“I never get too sore, I just know I’ve been somewhere….” This statement was heard at class this evening and I just had to remember it. Pilates should never make you *too sore.* Silly me, though, in the middle of class, I fell down reaching for the high balls. In an effort to protect my [...]

For the past couple of weeks, I’ve been cueing clients both in group classes and private lessons to give the spine a warm hug with that deep Pilates EXHALE. It really works! I get to the studio quite early and leave quite late, long before and after the sun may have warmed up the Chicago [...]

This is a great read. Informative, inspirational. http://www.pilatesmethodalliance.org/whatis.html