Pilates Elements

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Pilates Elements

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Category : Pilates

Getting The Most out of your Pilates Practice

Have you been wanting to try Pilates but feel too intimidated to dive in to a class? What if it’s too difficult? What if you don’t understand the exercises? What if you do it wrong? What even IS Pilates?

Maybe you’ve been told from your Physician, Physical Therapist, best friend, or family member that Pilates would be helpful for you. They’ve told you that it would help you post-operative, pre- or post-natal, with sports performance, improve flexibility, help your balance, improve your posture, decrease your back pain, decrease your stress, the list could go on and on.

Whenever starting a new practice, it can be a little intimidating. That’s why we designed the “Pilates Elements: Getting the Most out of your Pilates Practice” -formerly named “Defining Essentials’ – four-week Pilates workshop series.

Over the course of four weeks, we take an active learning approach to teach about the Pilates Method and Pilates Movement Principles.  Learn about the fundamentals for a safe and effective Pilates practice to begin your Pilates journey, or use this course to help deepen your existing Pilates practice as we return to the foundational work of the Pilates Method. 

Each class in the series is 75-minutes in length and the format will include 20-minutes of conversation/lecture on material relevant to understanding a Pilates practice, and conclude with a 55-minute movement class to execute and practice the learned exercises and material.

Each week we will review and build-upon material from the previous weeks, and by the end of this course, students will be set-up for a rich personal Pilates practice.  Workshop will be capped at 6 students per session to allow for a rich and individualized experience for each participant. 

This course is co-taught by the Pilates Instructors at Waveforms Pilates. Each instructor will teach one week of material, and the workshop concludes with a class team-taught by all instructors. Everyone’s learning style is different, and each teacher has a different teaching style–this helps us to share the same information in different ways, to ensure that everyone leaves with a deeper understanding of the Pilates Method.

During week one will cover the themes of “Breathing, Aligning our Body to Neutral, and Core Stabilization”. Week two we will build upon ideas from week one and add in ideas of “Spinal Mechanics-Flexion, Extension, and Side Bending”. Week three continues to layer in “Whole-Body Movement & Building Abdominal Strength”. And we culminate with week four: “Putting It All in Practice & Enhancing a Practice with Props”.

This course covers the following Learning Objectives:

  • Know the basic History of Pilates
  • Learn various breathing techniques
  • Learn basic skeletal alignment in all body positions: standing, seated, supine, prone, side lying
  • Learn the basic parts of the core system
  • Build confidence and awareness of safe protocol for a Pilates practice
  • Be aware of modification/adjustments for their own body when taking a group class
  • Have exposure to the types of props and tools we use in group mat classes
  • Develop an understanding of the Pilates Method & Movement Principles
  • Learn various Pilates Terminology
  • Physically practice over 40 Pilates exercises

How do I sign up?

We would love to have you join us! The fee for the workshop is $90 total (cash or check). The workshop is open to ages 13 and up,  any level of experience is welcome. Remember, we only have 6 students per session, so reserve your seat early. If interested in participating, please fill out the below survey link: 

https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/22W9N9K

After you complete the survey we will reach out within the next few business days to let you know what the next workshops dates are, and detail on registration. You will also be added to our monthly newsletter list for future sessions of the workshop.

If you have a friend you’ve been trying to get in the door, this is a great entry point for students!  Rich in material and great value for a month of Pilates. We hope to have you join us in building or growing your Pilates practice.

If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to Molly Jo via e-mail or phone at info@waveformspilates.com or (612)219-6255.

“Understanding Our Hips and Core For Dancers”, 2-day workshop

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Category : dance , mind-body , movement , Pilates

Courtney led a two-day workshop titled “Understanding Our Hips and Core For Dancers”, to the Conservatory dancers at Celebrate Dance Academy, in Arden Hills, MN. The purpose of the workshop was to help their students figure out their pelvis placement to support the dynamic movement required while dancing. They were taught about proper core function and use, as well as release techniques for any tightness in the hip area.

Did you know that Waveforms will design specific workshops for special populations? Dance is definitely a specialty, but we also have provided workshops for: athletes, vocalists, musical theater students, creative movements for pre-K, pre-natal, post-natal, business professionals/offices, active-aging adults, etc.

Reach out if you have a group you’d like us to serve. Workshops are a great way to get specific cues, tips, and conditioning to help work towards your goals, and help with building a deeper understanding of our ever-changing bodies.

Waveforms Spotlight: Rebecca L. – Benefits of Mind and Body from Pilates Practice

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Category : exercises , fitness , Pilates

Contributing Author: Courtney Cerniglia

When you first see Pilates equipment, it can be intimidating. The different shapes and forms don’t allude to what they do for you. It’s easy to look at a set of weights and realize to pick them up. It makes sense to get on a treadmill and run. But what do you do with one of these?

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Rebecca had similar feelings a year ago. New to Pilates, and working out in general, she was apprehensive to try too many new exercises at once. “I was brand new,  I wasn’t even sure if my body was capable of performing the proper moves,” she reflected. This apprehension keeps many students out of the studio, and let’s face it, many people away from exercise. There are so many options, places, and programs to try…where do you start?

 

If you’re beginning your journey in living a healthier lifestyle, may we suggest incorporating Pilates. Rebecca took the leap to join a gym and met Courtney through personal training. Courtney shared a few Pilates exercises to pair with her gym workout and Rebecca liked the variation. Soon, she started taking Courtney’s mat classes and has been doing them ever since.

“Courtney was so great at working with my beginner skill level a year ago and has increased the difficulty over time. She made me feel so welcomed and comfortable right from the start that I have only missed a few classes since I started because I enjoy them so much,” Rebecca exclaimed.

 

Sticking with her mat class routine, Rebecca began to see and feel the effects of pairing Pilates with her diet and exercise. She grew stronger and more flexible, and saw weight loss as a result of her consistency.

The benefits didn’t stop there.  As she explained, “It has also improved my self confidence, not only because of the weight loss I have experienced, but also because I’ve gotten more advanced in techniques I never thought I could do.”

 

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Rebecca continues to work with Courtney in her mat classes at Waveforms Pilates. With the kindness and care she’s found in Courtney, it’s been something for her to look forward to each week as well as an investment in herself.

 

She encourages anyone who is nervous or intimidated by Pilates to try a few sessions with Courtney. “Courtney is dedicated to properly educating her clients and is willing to show adjustments for certain moves that could aggravate problem areas.” No matter what your ability, the classes are accessible and designed for all fitness levels.  And, with the classes capped at seven students you’re sure to get individualized attention each session.

 

In addition to receiving movement education in mat class, Rebecca has taken advantage of Waveforms Pilates free educational workshops throughout the year.  Rebecca attended a special workshop to learn about Foot alignment back in May, as well as a workshop talking about Forward Head Posture and Neck Placement during exercise in October.

 

Two-Feet Forward Workshop

Reflecting she describes, “The workshops have provided me with more in depth information about specific parts of the body.  Use of diagrams and exercises has helped me become more aware of my posture and alignment.”  This information can be applied both inside and outside of class, bringing body awareness beyond the walls of Waveforms Pilates.

 

Different bodies can benefit from different forms of movement. Enrolling in a mat class is a great way to learn more about your body and it’s capabilities. Rebecca has been practicing Pilates for over a year now, and she’s seen both mind and body benefits to taking the leap to practice Pilates.

 

Join Rebecca at Thursday Evening and Saturday morning mat class!  To find our current schedule and more information on the benefits of Pilates mat, visit our webpage.  Not sure if mat it a fit for you?  Contact us to schedule a complimentary introductory class today.

 

We hope to see you on the mat!

Pilates Mat

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