Pilates is a type of conditioning exercise that has unique benefits. Improvements in alignment, core strength, and mind/body connection are gained through regular practice. It is also uniquely designed to help people rehabilitate from injuries due to its emphasis on proper alignment, strengthening and stretching, and balancing the body — both symmetrically, left to right – as well as relieving dominant muscles of their tension by allowing/assigning smaller or postural and core muscles (which are often weak) more of the work in supporting the body and its movements.

For example, many people have dominance in the upper trapezius/neck and shoulder area, unnecessarily engaging these areas when making arm movements. This can lead to shoulder and neck tension, pain, and even conditions such as frozen shoulder. A properly taught Pilates progression allows the student to engage the often under-used muscles below and surrounding the neck and shoulder to execute arm movements.  These more efficient movement patterns become automatic with regular Pilates practice. For those who are dedicated enough to correct improper movement patterns through regular practice, change is long lasting and a lifetime of prevention of injuries and pain is gained.

Any cancellations made within 24 hours prior to the class time are charged in full, except, as noted above, in cases of illness due to the pandemic. This policy applies to online classes as well as in-person classes. Instead of cancelling, you may transfer your class as a gift to a recipient of your choice, but please notify us with their contact information.

Please see our blog article on the postural benefits of Pilates here.

While it is impossible to list them all, here are a few of the benefits reported from some of our students engaging in regular Pilates practice:

Increased energy and zest for life
Increased strength, especially of the core
Better body awareness and ability to engage core muscles in daily life
Relief from back pain
Improved elimination and continence
Improved body image
Mood benefits (including relief from mild depression)
Improved alignment of the ankle, knee, hips, shoulders, and ribcage
Improved posture
Increased flexibility and range of motion
Improved performance in sports
Prevention of muscle and soft issue injury, and increased healing time

While it is never possible to guarantee that any particular treatment intervention will produce a particular effect, there are many people who have reported improvement of their condition after starting a regular Pilates practice. Some of these conditions include:

Acute and chronic back pain
Carpal tunnel
Hip and knee replacement rehabilitation
Sports injuries
Scoliosis-related pain
Frozen shoulder
Chronic fatigue

Pilates is an ideal form of exercise for those who have either been diagnosed with or would like to prevent being diagnosed with osteoporosis/osteopenia. Weight bearing exercises comprise the bulk of Pilates mat work, and it is these exercises that are recommended for maintaining bone density in at risk populations.

Pilates is ideal for those who have been diagnosed with scoliosis, or who wish to avoid being part of a new generation of adults diagnosed with late onset scoliosis. Pilates in a supervised setting focuses on alignment as well as balancing both sides of the body. Asymmetrical patterning and strategic unilateral movements in these individualized programs help to strengthen weaknesses in the muscles of the trunk that can contribute to or cause a rotation in the spine.

What we choose to put into our bodies is, some would say, the most basic and fundamental choice that we have to make as individuals; and as it is repeated many times daily, it is potentially our most powerful choice affecting our level of health. It is often difficult to see our own patterns, and working with a nutritionist as part of a team with other health care providers can be empowering to our sense of control about our personal health, and can be instrumental in bringing about major health changes. We have seen nutritional counseling help resolve the following ailments:

Hypertension/High blood pressure
Insulin resistance/Pre-diabetes
Allergies
Skin conditions
Fatigue
Depression
Overweight/Underweight
Hair loss

So what is the “right diet?” Because everyone is different, in terms of our unique combination of ancestry (nature), environment (nurture), and habits, this will inevitably look somewhat different for each of us. Gaining a solid and informed understanding of the basic principles of good nutrition, the specifics of what will be best for your body, and the support needed to make changes to implement them can be life changing and produce nearly immediate results and lifelong health shifts.

We offer cleanses seasonally in January, April, and September. If you are interested in a cleanse, please contact us.