Why Women Over 40 Are Finally Putting Themselves First
What three decades of training women has taught me about aging, strength, and starting over
At 58, my client started running. She had always hesitated, thinking her knees would give way. After six months of training, she now runs for an hour three times a week.
When life comes full circle
The last 4 weeks have left me with a sense of what it feels like - when life comes full circle!
Getting to introduce the world of Pilates to a 15-year-old, who is the same age as her mother when she first started working out with me has been special.
Seeing her go from “I don’t like exercising” to “I feel strong, I can do this daily!” has been simply wonderful.
A Pilates Journey with Multiple Sclerosis
I share here a personal account of an individual with Multiple Sclerosis whose life has been positively impacted with Pilates.
” In twenty years of having MS (multiple sclerosis), I have tried everything. Pilates was new to me.
The results were not overnight. It has been just a year and I can feel it working….”
How Things Look
I often point out to my clients and students, ‘To make a movement look easy and simple requires a lot of work. Don’t judge an exercise by how it looks.’
Exercises that look fluid and easy, even graceful, often tempt us into wanting to try the same. We overlook the work and time required to reach that level - to make the movement look like that.
Workout for Strength, Not Stress
We have been so deeply conditioned by the ‘no pain, no gain’ workout philosophy that anything less does not feel like a workout.
Why do we feel the need to associate our workout efforts with a negative emotion?
Instead, why do we not choose positive emotions such as strength and energy to reflect our efforts?
Your Personal Training Program
A good personal training program will ensure that your workouts are sustainable, allow your body to recover between sessions, build energy, and not lead to stress and injuries.
Such training, that constantly builds progressive challenge as you get stronger and fitter, will show you benefits. To keep you fit, strong, and active - for the long-term!
Strength Training with Pilates
Pilates is popularly identified as an exercise program that addresses postural and muscular imbalances, and strengthens the core. However, the strength training, mobility and joint stability benefits of Pilates are lesser recognised.
The Power of Breathing
Our breath can have a profoundly positive impact on our bodies. Conscious, aware breathing can help reduce stress, lower blood pressure, improve focus and concentration, increase energy levels, lead to faster recovery from fatigue. I could go on!
Choosing the Right Pilates Equipment
Pilates equipment was developed by Joseph Pilates in the early 1900’s. In current times there are many companies manufacturing Pilates equipment, with designs that have evolved to make the equipment more versatile and adjustable to address varied needs.
When deciding on your Pilates equipment, whether it is a single piece or a wider range, it would be worthwhile to discuss your requirements with an experienced professional who will be able to guide you to make the best choices keeping in mind the four main considerations (functionality, space, cost, and look).
Working Out With Intent
Consider what your focus is when working out. Do you want to just get it over with? Do you keep pushing your workouts down on your to-do list? Are your workouts about catching up with friends?
Or, do you look forward to your workouts as a time to energise, re-charge and feel strong? And, if those are your goals, do you feel that you achieve them?
Is It Time To Step Away From The Crowd?
When choosing an exercise program or workout to participate in, the important considerations should be – goals, suitability and safety of the workouts specific to YOU.
What is it about Pilates?
I believe that Pilates as a training method is very inclusive; embracing all other systems of exercise, sport and movement.