By Mela Debiase
Recently in a group class, one of my students was finishing up her Kneeling Thigh stretch on the Reformer and hopped off saying “So next I should set up for Frogs and Circles because I have to do that Corkscrew chapter right? Corkscrew, Tic Toc, Frogs and Circles….”. She has not yet learned the Arm Circles, Snake/Twist, and some other exercises on the list, so I said yes. She then told me how her order is making so much more sense to her now, and that she sees her exercises grouped together in chapters. Each chapter being a different little story for her body. Well I tell you I was beaming from ear to ear hearing this! Yes! Yes! Yes! She gets it, I didn’t even have to tell her, she feels it in her body.
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Ali Bragard's family friendly Easy Rice Bowls
By Yuuki Yamagiwa
One of my fave recent dishes is easy rice bowls! Kinda like Taco night but Asian style...
This looks like a lot but it all comes together super quickly, my family loves it and everyone loves to DIY.
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Regina Santos’ Beef Stew for the Winter Holidays
By Yuuki Yamagiwa
Regina Santos is a professional peak performance coach and corrective exercise specialist whose comprehensive practice is based on the principles and work found in the traditional Pilates system. She is the creator of the lifestyle concept, Running in Heels®, she co-authored the recipe book, Running in Heels: Quick and Smart Snacks and Entrees. We are happy to be presenting one of Regina’s favorite recipes this holiday season! Read on for her easy and delicious Beef Stew recipe and to learn about how she applies Pilates to her cooking practice!
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By Mela Debiase
One-quarter of the bones in the human body are in the foot and ankle. Our foot consists of 26 bones, 33 joints and more than 100 muscles, tendons and ligaments. As we become older, foot disorders are extremely common and are the cause of much pain, which leads to loss of mobility and thus loss of independence. Women have about four times as many foot problems as men. Heels are partly to blame for this. A 2 1/2 inch heel can increase the load of the forefoot by 75%. Common foot conditions include plantar fasciitis, bunions, hammer toes, claw toes, overlapping toes, flat feet and morton’s neuroma. While some of these can be hereditary, they can all be avoided and/or treated by exercise and wearing appropriate footwear.
So lets learn to love our feet and take care of them. I’m not talking about getting pedicures or developing a foot fetish (not that it’s a problem if you do), but giving your feet the exercise and care they deserve. After all, your feet are the foundation of your body!
Here are 3 quick and easy Pilates exercises you can do at home.
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By Mela Debiase
Have you ever lost your sunglasses and searched your entire house only to find that they were on top of your head the whole time?
That’s how I have felt studying Pilates with Jay Grimes.
“Maybe you are searching among the branches for what only appears in the roots” - Rumi
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by Yuuki Yamagiwa
Dane Sorensen’s first experience with Pilates was at Crunch Fitness in 2007, and he’s been practicing ever since! He previously received his Pilates Mat certification from Equinox and is now a teaching apprentice with the REAL Pilates program at Westwood Pilates.
Read on about Dane’s teacher training experience, as well as what he would want to hear if he were to sit at the dinner table with Joseph Pilates himself!
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By Yuuki Yamagiwa
As a millennial, I find myself constantly surrounded by knowledge that tells me what is “trending” and “in-style.” As technology progresses and newfound changes take place at a fast pace, it can be difficult to narrow down Google searches or choose a Pilates class to take when there are so many Pilates studios and styles to choose from.
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By Yuuki Yamagiwa
In “Return to Life through Contrology,” Joseph Pilates mentions that if one practices Pilates four times a week, one will notice physical, mental, and spiritual evolution and progression.
If you are thinking of adding more Pilates to your schedule, then group classes can help tremendously in allowing you to not only fit in more Pilates at a more affordable rate, but to also obtain the opportunity to move and progress independently at your own pace.
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By Yuuki Yamagiwa
Chanda’s first encounter with Pilates was in 2009. She immediately fell in love with it and has been practicing ever since. She was certified via the Equinox Pilates Institute and has since founded her own company, Inner Circle Pilates, along with her own jewelry line, Crescent Moon Jewelry.
Read on to learn about Chanda’s love for Pilates, her career transition, and her advice for aspiring Pilates instructors.
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By Pamela Debiase
Auto-correct scares me. Not because I might send a message saying good duck! instead of good luck!, I think we all enjoy a good laugh sometimes. It scares me because I have become accustom to relying on it and my brain seems to have let go of my aptitude to spell. Not so good. Technology has offered us conveniences, we can do things often quickly with minimal effort on our part, but some of them do dumb us down somewhat. This gets me thinking about where/how I do want to keep exercising my brain and why.
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By Yuuki Yamagiwa
Daniela Escobar was first exposed to Pilates through one of her fellow dancers when she was in college. During her last year there, Daniela completed her final research project focusing on how Pilates instructors perceived their postures. In 2006, she received her certification from Power Pilates and has been teaching ever since. She recently finished the graduate program “The Work” at Vintage Pilates directed by Jay Grimes.
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by Pamela Debiase
When my female clients approach me and happily announce they are pregnant, it’s normally followed by hugs and congratulations. Then they ask “Can I keep doing Pilates? My doctor says I can’t do any sit-ups anymore”.
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By Yuuki Yamagiwa
Lesley discovered Pilates in 2001 during a mat class in Orange County at Body Arts and Science. She has received her certification as an instructor with Power Pilates in Beverly Hills and is PMA certified. She also received her Masters Certification through the Pilates Center in Boulder, CO. She is a Lead Teacher Trainer for The Equinox Pilates Institute and is a Lululemon Athletica Ambassador and Published Author of Profitable Pilates.
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by Pamela Debiase
Let’s pretend you are a Pilates virgin.
You heard about Pilates and how it changed your friend’s life and he or she is moving around pain free and stronger at 40 than he/she was at 25. You think gosh, I’m only in my early 30’s and my lower back is killing me perhaps I should to try this. In this fast paced life we live in 2016, you do a Yelp search, it recommends a studio, the reviews look great and you book your first session and your off!
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by Yuuki Yamagiwa
In her early 20’s, when Pamela Debiase was offered a job as a dance instructor and was asked if she can teach a Pilates Mat class as well, she said, “No, but I can learn too.” After starting her Pilates training and realizing the complete scope of Pilates and its benefits for one’s health, she fell in love with Pilates and received her full comprehensive certification with Power Pilates in 2007. A graduate of the Northern School of Contemporary Dance in England, Pamela brings her choreography, dance, fitness, and Pilates background to all of her classes.
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by Lesley Logan
Lets get rid of the word "resolution." Seriously. Let’s not resolve to do anything for 2016. Instead, what if we started making daily, weekly changes that allowed Pilates to be in our regular life and not on our “to do” list?
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by Pamela Debiase
Some people hate it, some people love it! For me I fell in love the first time I took a mat class, but sometimes it takes us time to learn why and how to appreciate something before we fall in love with it.
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by Chanda Hinman
You’re doing Pilates two to three times a week, stretching in the mornings and walking twice weekly. You’re even foam rolling! In short, you’ve got fitness covered. But what about the other 80% of the whole body health equation? Nutrition!
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An Interview with Eric Valdes, Pilates Teacher and Teacher Trainer
by Pamela Debiase
I first met Eric Valdes years ago when I was just an apprentice teacher, and he was one of the certified teachers I observed for my observation hours. One day I was intrigued by some modifications he offered certain clients and when he had a break I asked him some questions about it.
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by Chanda Hinman
My friend calls these times “the Jan-Febs.” And it’s not just the cold; after all, I’m in California. The Jan-Febs are a heavy, post-Holiday mood. And despite the “New Year, New You” platitudes and inspirational Facebook posts, it’s okay if it all just seems a little lackluster.
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