Pilates is often viewed as some frivolous pastime for ladies who lunch. This couldn’t be further from the truth! Pilates is a valuable movement practice for anyone who has a body! “Prehab” is the practice of injury prevention. “Rehab” is the process of recovery from injury. “Post rehab” is the vital work for after anContinue reading “Movement as maintenance”
Category Archives: perfectionist
It’s not a fad!
I first did Pilates in 1989, before it was widely known. I was a competitive gymnast and injured my knee. After ACL surgery my surgeon prescribed both physical therapy and Pilates. While the PT focused solely on my knee in Pilates I was able to move and work my whole body without adversely affecting myContinue reading “It’s not a fad!”
Body positivity
This video is me doing a pretty advanced Pilates exercise. Don’t worry, you won’t be expected to try this in your first session! I’ve got almost 30 years experience practicing Pilates, a gymnastics background and slightly long arms which all make this exercise possible for me. At age 46 I’m pretty proud that I canContinue reading “Body positivity”
Extend yourself
Most of us are spending a lot of time flexing. Bending forward. Curling over a desk, computer, phone or steering wheel. So, does it make sense to spend a huge amount of your workout flexing? Doing crunches and spending more time curled forward might not be the best use of your time or effort. AndContinue reading “Extend yourself”
Shoulders
We carry a lot with our shoulders. The shoulder joint is truly amazing. It’s strong and very mobile, allowing us to raise our arms up over our head in a way the hip doesn’t do for the legs. And we work with our hands so the shoulders can get quite stressed by work and life.Continue reading “Shoulders”
Present
Pilates is a “mind-body” workout. Which is s fancy term for paying attention. Being present in your body, breath and movements. It’s not meant to be a presentation. I’ve cringed many times hearing teachers cue clients to “make it pretty!” like they’re practicing for a recital! Instagram is full of gorgeous and thin and veryContinue reading “Present”
A pain in the neck
I’ve always been pretty obsessed with my spine. It’s the coolest thing I own! And I’ve always thought of my neck and head as part of my spine, and how to keep them aligned with the whole spine. In gymnastics this is vital. Everything must be aligned for those skills to work, and avoid breakingContinue reading “A pain in the neck”
“Summer” body
I’ve been inundated with posts about “summer body” exercises lately. But we don’t have a “summer” body. We have a body that we use all year. One body that is our lifelong vehicle. And most fitness is focused on what it looks like. But is that really what’s important? Is a beautiful car that doesn’tContinue reading ““Summer” body”
Practice makes possible
“Practice makes perfect” is a phrase we’ve all heard. But really practice makes possible is more accurate. Perfect isn’t really a thing. After practicing Pilates for 30 years I’m not perfect at any of the exercises but I’ve gotten quite proficient. The exercises are possible for me, through practice. I practice so I can continueContinue reading “Practice makes possible”
Perfect is a lie
You don’t need a “perfect” body. The body is a changing ever evolving thing. Perfection is not really attainable but practice makes us capable, functional and present to ourselves. There is no “Pilates body”. Your body can do Pilates, and voila! Pilates body. Being thin and toned doesn’t Mean you are healthy, happy or functionallyContinue reading “Perfect is a lie”
Solara Pilates 