Prep to Squat on the Chair

The chair is the perfect piece of equipment on which to practice squatting. Instead of loading body weight onto a flexed knee and ankle, the spring and chair paddle move into the body so we can work on strengthening the leg without extra strain on the joints. This is essential for the pregnant body because […]…

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Feet in Straps Frog

The Frog with feet in straps is a classic exercise. It can be done on the Reformer as well as the Cadillac and the mat with a theraband. This exercise is meant to strengthen the midline of the body by using a bent and extended leg. A neutral pelvis is key here. You don’t want […]…

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Opening and Closing the Feet

The feet are a vital component to the alignment of the whole body. Sadly, most people pay more attention to what shoes they are wearing instead of the condition of the bottom of the foot! The health of the arch is directly dependent on how you move and use the feet. We are constantly exploring […]…

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Rowing on the Overball

Rowing on the reformer is a full body exercise, so finding a way to bring that work onto the mat is a wonderful addition to any class. Also, by playing with the weights in the hands as well as shortening the levers of the body (i.e. bending the knees) this challenge is accessible to many […]…

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Upper Psoas Release in Bridge

The bridge that is shown in this video is very different from the traditional Pilates bridge on the mat. What we are looking for in this exercise is a keying down of the upper psoas, which is found by releasing the ribcage back down to the mat by the breath, as well as cueing body […]…

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Studio Manners

When you work in a studio, whether it has one or ten teachers, everyone must be on their best behavior and must always be willing to help out. Team spirit must be alive and well. There should be a thirst to make the studio its best so that everyone’s experience of it is the best. […]…

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Exercising in the First Trimester

The first trimester describes the first three months of pregnancy. During the first trimester, it is best to keep strenuous exercise to a minimum, as this is the period when the risk for miscarriage is highest. It is also a time when many women feel unbelievably tired, nauseated, and in no mood for exercise. However, […]…

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Strengthening the Hamstrings and Glutes with the Stability Ball

The stability ball requires participants to find their balance. It demands that we find our center on an unstable surface. This will help develop strong hamstrings and glutes. These muscle groups are less developed because they are on our backside and we are forward-moving beings. We don’t like to walk backwards even though it is […]…

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