Posts Tagged ‘health and fitness’

Body Awareness, Exercise Safety, and the Potential Pitfalls of a Bad Personal Trainer

Exercise - Health and Fitness TrainingI 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!

Knees Over Chest Is Best – For Getting Great Benefits from Pilates Training

Knees Over Chest - Pilates TrainingI’ve been focusing a bit more on my own Pilates workouts lately – and it’s such fun to discover new things about the same old exercises I’ve been doing and teaching now for fifteen years!  It’s never boring, and regardless of whether I’m teaching a client, or giving myself a workout – I’m amazed at what I continue to learn about the benefits and subtleties of the Pilates system.

Here’s my revelation for the week!  (or perhaps it’s just today’s revelation – and something else will pop up eager for me to share tomorrow.)

I’ve always cued my clients to begin learning their exercises with the awareness of working within the framework of the Pilates “Box.” Think about the torso from shoulder to shoulder, and hip to hip.  Every exercise starts from the center of the box, moves away from, and back to center.  The farther away from center you move, the stronger you have to be to maintain balance, control, and core support for your exercise or movement.  Feeling where the corners of the “box” are help create an awareness of being evenly  distributing your weight and staying centered.  Great concept!

So when the knees bend in towards the chest on any exercise where should they go? 

Upcoming Fantastic Feet Workshop at the Pilates Studio of Little Rock

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Check out the Centerworks Awesome Workshops

Check out this AWESOME WORKSHOP!

Fantastic Feet!  Exercises to Strengthen the Ankles, Arches, and Toes

with Aliesa George and Centerworks®

Discover:

  • Why it’s important to focus on foot fitness!
  • Lots of easy exercises to help you improve strength, and flexibility!
  • How this simple foot-care system can help reduce foot pain!
  • Enjoy healthy and happy feet! And the rest of your body will feel better too!

Don’t miss this FUN, exercise-packed Fantastic Feet Workshop!

Thursday, February 26th from 5:30 – 8:30pm!

Location:  The Pilates Studio of Little Rock, 5515 Kavanaugh Blvd., Little Rock, AR

To register contact www.PilatesLittleRock.com

P.S.

If you can’t make it to this workshop…

Check out all the great foot-fitness products available at www.foot-care-help.com

Studio Owners – If you’d like to host a workshop at your facility, contact Aliesa George now!

Health Benefits, Fun and Fitness with Nintendo Wii Fit

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.

Free Resources From Centerworks For Pilates • Foot Fitness • Whole Body Health. Go To Download Directory.