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I have to say that I am grateful for my gymnastics, dance, and Pilates training - especially in regards to body awareness. I’m sure it’s why so many dancers and athletes are embracing Pilates as a component of their injury-prevention and cross-training program. And it makes sense why so many of my clients over the years have started Pilates, because of an injury or problem that limited their ability to participate in general exercise programs. I feel blessed and fortunate to have had the opportunity to work with great coaches, teachers, trainers and mentors, but I know that not everybody out there has had the same experience.
The old saying, “You can’t fix it if it ain’t broke…” Well if you’re not aware of what you’ve been doing to “break” it - how could “fixing” it even begin to solve the problem. The first “fix” has got to be with the mind-body connection and improved body awareness, or old bad habits will be impossible to break.
Regardless of your athletic or dance background, or how old you were when you started your first exercise program, or what physical shape your body is in - it’s never too late to improve your health AND strengthen your mind-body connection! It just takes the desire to work on it - and a good coach to guide you along the way!
Continue reading ‘Body Awareness, Exercise Safety, and the Potential Pitfalls of a Bad Personal Trainer’ »
Tags: body awareness, exercise program, Exercise Safety, Fitness Training, Health, health and fitness, Personal Training, Pilates, Pilates Training, workout program
Posted in Articles, Exercise and Fitness, Health, Pilates by Aliesa George on April 2nd, 2009.
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Yesterday I switched things up for my regular aerobic workout and did my cardio on the rowing machine. Whew…I forgot what a great whole-body workout you can get on a rowing machine.
If you’re one to always head to the treadmill, bike, or elliptical machine - I’d encourage you to check out the benefits of adding even a few minutes of rowing to your aerobic workout program and here’s why:
Continue reading ‘Rowing for Cardio and Health’ »
Posted in Exercise and Fitness, Health by Aliesa George on March 26th, 2009.
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Have you ever heard the term “Monkey Mind” and laughed with the visual of a bunch of monkeys jumping around being crazy and wild? And can you relate to a feeling of having those little monkeys running around in your head causing your thoughts to bounce from one thing to the next and making it difficult to concentrate on what you’re doing or get anything done?
We are bombarded with millions of bits of information every second of the day. Our brain has to sort, dump, and store based on relevance and importance for our survival and to insure that we enjoy pleasure and avoid pain. In today’s society - television programs, commercials, and even YouTube have us eager to input micro-blasts of information and entertainment - rapid fire commando style. We look for instant gratification, expect to point-click, and get what we want. The faster you can get results -the better, and if it takes more than a few minutes you don’t feel like you have time to wait.
Does this lifestyle make sense to you? Are you happy having to check your cell phone and text messages every couple of minutes? Do you ever reach a feeling of overwhelm? Wonder why you can’t get it all done? Have you ever gotten completely frustrated with your progress? Or just wish you could have a moment to think!
Continue reading ‘Focus on Health - The Benefits of a Peaceful Mind’ »
Tags: Add new tag, Breathing, Health, Meditation, Monkey mind, Peace, Pilates, stress reduction, stress relief, Tai Chi, Wellness, yoga, YouTube
Posted in Articles, Health, Stress Management by Aliesa George on March 4th, 2009.
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AHHHHH… The Great Outdoors!
I find that nothing helps adjust my mental attitude like time spent outside in Nature paired with some vigorous physical activity.
It might be a walk, skate around the park, jog, bike ride, or self-taught “circuit boot camp” (stopping at every park bench, bridge, and piece of playground equipment to do an exercise or stretch.)
Continue reading ‘Stress-Reduction Tip: Fun in the Great Outdoors!’ »
Tags: bicycle, boot-camp, circuit training, Exercise, fitness activities, Health, jog, lower stress, reducing stress, skate, Stress Management, stress reduction, stress relief, walk
Posted in Health, Stress Management by Aliesa George on February 9th, 2009.
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Considering the large number of clients I’ve seen with chronic back and neck pain, and the great results they’ve had from participating in Pilates programs with me, I strongly agree with the findings from this recent research article I read in SOAP notes from PT Products.
Continue reading ‘Pilates Exercise Programs for Chronic Back and Neck Pain’ »
Tags: Back Pain, exercise program, neck pain, Pilates, Pilates Exercise
Posted in Health by Aliesa George on February 4th, 2009.
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I was eating lunch today and talking shop with one of my Centerworks-trained, PMA Certified Pilates teachers, and we ended up on the topic of: How to effectively get clients enthusiastic about Pilates, AND keep them signing up for lessons so we can really help them see the benefits Pilates has to offer.
So I had to put on my thinking cap and work through what I’ve done in the past 25 years as a health professional, and particularly in the last 15 years as a Pilates teacher to motivate my clients to stay committed to their exercise program. I feel very fortunate that I’ve always had a very busy training schedule and most of my clients have been with me forever. Well maybe not forever, but some clients have been consistent for well over 10 years, and my most recent clients have been enrolled for at least 3-5 years!
Everyone that has stuck with it has been with me since they started. Now I realize that the last sentence seems kind of funny….but that IS the real question!
WHY have they stuck with it???
And how do we get more people to experience, enjoy, and continue with a long-term wellness program?
If you’re a Pilates teacher, personal trainer, or parent these principles will apply! If you’re a client - struggling to stay on the exercise bandwagon, you can easily apply this information to your workout program too.
Here are Six Ways To Help Your Clients
Stick with Their Pilates Workout Program.
Continue reading ‘6 Ways To Help Your Clients Stick with Their Pilates Workout Program’ »
Posted in Business, Health, Pilates, Pilates-Teaching Tips by Aliesa George on December 10th, 2008.
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Darlene Asks about Pilates and Pregnancy…
Dear Aliesa,
I am teaching a Pilates class and one of the participants has
told me that she is pregnant. She has been doing Pilates for
a while and is strong and knows her limits, but I am looking
for a resource where I can research the limitations and
contraindications for a pregnant participant.
Can you recommend some reading or a website I can rely on
to give me correct information? This is a mat class only.
Thanks very much for your help,
Darlene
Great Question Darlene!!!
You’ll find a few guidelines for Pilates & pregnancy in the PMA Pilates Certification Study Guide. If I remember correctly, Dawn-Marie Ikes did a session or two on this topic at the PMA conference in 2005 & 2006, it was great information. If you have access to a copy of the course outlines for either of those years, I think you’ll have the info you’re looking for. You might check on the PMA website for Dawn-Marie’s contact information www.PilatesMethodAlliance.org and request info directly from her.
Continue reading ‘Pilates and Pregnancy: Exercise Guidelines - Resources for More Information’ »
Tags: ACE, ACOG, American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, American Council on Exercise, Health, Pilates, Pilates Method Alliance, Pilates-Teaching Tips, PMA, Pregnancy, Prenatal Exercise Guidelines, Wellness
Posted in Health, Pilates, Pilates-Teaching Tips by Aliesa George on November 30th, 2008.
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Wii Fitness… What Fun!
I may be a bit behind the times when it comes to enjoying the fun and benefits of all the new interactive video game products on the market - like the Nintendo Wii Fit… but recently my techno-geek boyfriend purchased a Wii Fit for home. (He’s had one at work since they first hit the market.) Being a bit shy about actually getting a computer to do what I want, for me is intimidating, never mind the hand-eye coordination it takes to “win” a computer game…..I was never any good at these games as a kid.
I have to admit my extreme skepticism about the benefits of staring at a TV screen and using a computer game for fitness. But am always excited to hear about new ways to inspire and encourage people to increase their exercise and activity level, and ANYTHING that people enjoy doing that involves movement can be a great way to improve health and fitness.
Continue reading ‘Health Benefits, Fun and Fitness with Nintendo Wii Fit’ »
Tags: balance, Baseball, BMI, body awareness, Body Mass Index, body mass index bmi, Bowling, Boxing, computer game, exercise program, Fitness, fitness activities, fitness products, Fitness Training, flexibility, games, Goal Setting, Golf, hand eye coordination, Health, health and fitness, health benefits, health status, interactive video game, muscle strengthening, Nintendo, nintendo wii, Pilates, Pilates Exercise, Pilates Workout, Posture, posture improvement, skill challenges, strength, Tennis, video game products, Weight, Wellness, Wii, Wii Fit, workout, workout program, workout time, yoga
Posted in Health, Pilates by Aliesa George on November 30th, 2008.
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