Pilates Students' Manual

Today's episode looks at the wild world of extension in the Pilates repertoire! We explore the muscles involved in extension, the planes of movement, and how our spinal flexors and extensors work together to move our spine into different shapes. Tune in!

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This week's episode dives into one of the most frequent shapes we make in Pilates: spinal flexion! We explore where this shape appears in mat and reformer repertoire, what muscles are involved and making this shape, and why we don't need to be worried about it. Tune in!

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Today's episode kicks off a mini series diving into the different shapes the spine makes in Pilates, exploring the planes of movement, the muscles involved in making the shape, and where we see this movement in our Pilates exercises. The star of the show today is lateral flexion, or side bending! Tune in!

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In this episode, I share my first experience with mat Pilates and explain what makes mat Pilates exercises so challenging. I discuss the physical and mental blocks  that can make mat Pilates difficult, as well as how load (usually body weight and gravity in mat Pilates) can raise the starting point of challenge in a mat class. Tune in!

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Whether you're starting a new Pilates practice for yourself or encouraging a friend to take a Pilates class with you in the new year, you are invited to try Pilates in 2025! Tune in to learn more about the benefits of doing Pilates with friends and maybe even try a class with me!

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There are many reasons why you might need to adapt Pilates exercises: structural limitations, recommendations from your doctor or surgeon, or personal preference. Regardless of why you might need to tweak an exercise to work better with your body, this episode explores some of the limitless options that maintain the integrity of the exercises and make them achievable for everyone. Tune in!

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Today's episode explores some of my favorite Pilates books for learning about Joe, the history of Pilates, anatomy, exercise variations, and sharing Pilates with kids! These are books that guided my Pilates practice, and I hope you'll enjoy them too. Tune in!

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Pilates is great for strengthening your body, but it is also great for your brain. Whether you're looking for a complex exercise to stop your mind from wandering, or you like to think about movements as you do them, there is a cerebral nature to Pilates that overthinkers and intellectuals may enjoy. Tune in to learn more!

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How do you know when it's time to try something harder in your Pilates practice? Some Pilates studios level their classes, but what is the right time to try the next level? Do you have to level up? In this episode, we talk about what determines a class's level of challenge, including the mental piece of understanding the choreography, Pilates equipment, and your body's capability, and the fine line between pushing yo...

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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