Pilates Students' Manual

This episode is a deep dive into all things footwork. Curious about the why behind the what of one the most common reformer Pilates exercises? Learn what muscles are working, different ways to perform the exercise, and why it's a great addition to any Pilates program when you tune in!

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There are benefits to doing Pilates in the short, mid, and long term, and the longer you consistently do Pilates, the more benefits you can gain.  I've done Pilates for several years myself, and I work with clients who've done Pilates from one day to one decade. Tune in to hear what's waiting for you when you commit to your Pilates practice! 

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You may have seen a recent influx of people posting Pilates mat exercise on social media in March. Tune in to today's episode to learn about the inception of March Matness, what is is, how you can get involved, and why seeing lots of people sharing their version of Pilates exercises on social media is a fabulous thing.   

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What is the purpose of doing Pilates? You may already have your own answer to this question, but there's lots of ways to answer it and lots of different lenses to look through. Tune in to hear about Joseph Pilates' goal of doing Pilates as well as how different schools of thought in Pilates approach the purpose of Pilates.

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As 2023 draws to a close, we look back on this year's episodes, look forward to 2024, and reflect on the incredible milestones met this year. Tune in! 

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It is normal for human bodies to be a little bit different, from the shape of our bones, to how tall we are, to how flexible we are. We can work to improve our strength, flexibility, and coordination doing Pilates, but we are all starting at different points, and we do have some structural limitations that are unique to us. That doesn't mean we need to give up on our pursuit of attaining a difficult Pilates exercise, but we ca...

When you look up the description of a Pilates class, you may seem some unfamiliar terms. Classes may be listed as mat or equipment, classical or contemporary, athletic, therapeutic, or somatic, and/or leveled 1, 2, 3 or beginner, intermediate, advanced, or you may see an open or all levels class. Tune in to get the lowdown on this terminology so you can find a class style and level that is right for you!

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Some Pilates classes use different pieces of Pilates equipment and two common formats are mat and reformer Pilates. Spoiler: they're both Pilates, but what does each type of class entail, and which one is a better fit for you? Let's find out!

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Props like the magic circle, resistance band, yoga block, stability ball, etc. can provide support and challenge to us as we practice Pilates. They can can help us fill the gap between where we are and where we want to go, and push us farther when we want to take an exercise to a new level of difficulty. You may have heard that using props is "cheating" or "not the real exercise," but this episode shows you how ...

Over the years of teaching and taking classes, I've amassed some good advice and best practice for you in your Pilates class. Today I share my top tips for you to help make your Pilates class experience more comfortable and more successful. From clothing, to the best way to roll your mat, to letting go of what you think other people may be thinking, I've got you covered in this episode. Tune in!

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Pilates is all about the core, but what does that really mean? Today we dive into Pilates as a system that moves the spine in all directions and works all major muscle groups to near fatigue. We explore Pilates exercises as full body movements that rely on core strength to happen, but are also adaptable to meet you where you are. Tune in! 

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How many times a week should you do Pilates? Is once a week enough? Is every day too much? Tune in to hear what I recommend as a Pilates teacher and what the American College of Sports Medicine's physical activity guidelines have to say about the frequency of your Pilates sessions. 

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If you tried Pilates and didn't fall in love with it immediately, this episode is for you! Today we explore why you may have not continued Pilates after your first class, and some encouragement to give Pilates a second chance. I share some personal stories about my first class, and why I chose to continue my Pilates practice. Tune in!

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Have you heard the phrases "a more toned look" or "long and lean muscles" in Pilates marketing? They're talking about the "Pilates body," a mythical aesthetic favored by the post-promoting algorithms on social media. You might think that doing Pilates will make you look like that, or that maybe you can't do Pilates unless you look a certain way. I'm here to bust those myths and get real ...

Have you ever done an exercise in your Pilates and thought about adding a spring to make the exercise a bit harder? Today we deep dive into how the springs on Pilates apparatus support and challenge us, the limitations of adding springs and all things to keep in mind when adjusting the springs! Tune in!

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Today we're wrapping up 2022 and Season 5 of Pilates Students' Manual! I share some exciting news, the season stats, and a look forward to what's coming up in 2023! Check out the show notes for this season's stats and learn more about my upcoming workshop at https://links.oliviabioni.com/cec!

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Have you ever done an exercise in Pilates class and not felt it the way you thought you should, then thought you might be doing it wrong? I've been there, and I'm here to tell you feeling it is not a reliable indicator of success in Pilates. Tune in to learn more about why that's the case, and what might be a better goal for your Pilates practice. 

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When I first fell in love with Pilates, I wanted to do it all the time. As I continued my practice over the months and years, my enthusiasm for my practice has not always been consistent. This episode includes some strategies for keeping your Pilates practice fresh and engaging through the ebbs and flows of your movement adventure.

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Today we introduce the Pilates Elders, the first generation of Pilates teachers and students of Joseph Pilates himself. I share mini bios of the Elders, what I know about them from reading biographies, taking classes with second generation teachers, and meeting Elders in person. Tune in!

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