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Do you LOVE Yourself? Do you LOVE your body?
Are you doing healthy things on a regular basis to treat you with love, affection, and kindness?
I am well aware that I’ve got my own challenges with body image, and have spent my entire life struggling to overcome them. (Some days I’m completely happy with me, and other days I feel like I’ll never have the body of my dreams… which causes me to feel bad that I’m not a lean, wispy, 5′6″ and 110 pounds. But instead a mere 5′4″, compact & muscular, and a fluctuating 150-155–Funny, 20 years ago when I was only 118-125, I had the same poor attitude and thought I was fat!) And unfortunately, I know that I’m not alone. With the hype and peer pressure from the media, and magazines–too many of us always point a negative, critical eye to our own body and we end up focusing on our flaws instead of our features!
So let’s take a moment to celebrate how much we LOVE our features!
I love sharing this exercise, and hope that you’ll drop me a line and tell me about your experience.
Here’s What To Do:
- Find a photo of yourself that you LOVE!
- Blow it up to an 8×10 glossy and print a copy.
- Get out a sharpie or your favorite magic marker.
- Around your body, write as many positive words as you can think of that express who you are and the things you love about yourself.
- Strive to fill the page with words. (if it doesn’t happen when you first sit down to write–don’t worry… keep your pen handy and as things pop into your head, you can continue to add them.)
- Frame your photo & put it somewhere where you will see and reflect on it daily!
There is great power in positive words. The messages that we send and surround ourselves with (our mental self-chatter) really does affect our attitude and our health. Negative chatter = negative attitude, and positive chatter = positive attitude!
Tell yourself daily how much you love YOU, and use this exercise to keep all the great things you love about yourself front and center so you’ll confidently be sending yourself daily doses of positive energy to stay focused on your great features instead of your flaws!
Self-love is a key to wellness success!
Tags: Body Image, Positive Mental Attitude, Wellness
Posted in All Posts, Articles, Health, Mind-Body Health by Aliesa George on February 27th, 2010.
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So it’s a new year, and everyone’s back on the band-wagon to get healthier (myself included). There are so many choices and things to do it can be overwhelming. And then there’s the caveat that not every exercise, supplement, or wellness activity is safe and appropriate for everyone.
If you feel like you’re wandering and confused about your choices and what to do to really get results from your exercise program and weight-loss efforts, I’d encourage you to seek the wise counsel of an experienced health and fitness expert, or perhaps a nutritionist to help you sort out the details and fine-tune a fitness and eating plan that is realistic for your schedule and will help you confidently move forward in the right direction.
Another thing to keep in mind which has helped me a lot this week is a bit of advice from David Wolfe’s Longevity Now Program: We feel deprived and like we’re missing out when we start taking things away. Kind of like taking candy from a baby! Instead focus on adding good healthy things to your day, whether it’s exercise, more rest, meditation, better food choices, or supplements.
By focusing on what your ADDING to your lifestyle to become healthier, you might discover that the not-so-healthy habits will disappear without you feeling deprived.
This shift in perspective has made a huge difference in my mindset and the choices I’ve made this week. Hope that perhaps it will help you on your journey too!
Have a Fit and Fabulous Day!
Tags: fitness plan, Healthy, Healthy Lifestyle, Longevity Now Program, supplements, weight loss, Wellness
Posted in All Posts, Diet and Nutrition, Exercise and Fitness, Goal Setting, Health by Aliesa George on January 7th, 2010.
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When was the last time that you sat down and really thought about your definition of what wellness means to you? Have you ever written down your thoughts, ideas, and personal definition?
Do you think of wellness only from the standpoint of how you look, or being a certain weight or size? Or do you know you’re well because you have the energy and endurance to enjoy your favorite activities, and have the stamina to play with your children and grand kids?
Perhaps it means that you’re happy instead of battling with your inner-self and fighting to overcome moments (or a lifetime) of depression. It might mean that your medical checkup is showing a strong heart, cholesterol and blood sugar in a normal range, and even though your chronological age is 55, by comparison you have the body of a 30 year-old! Wellness might be a sense of inner peace and calm, or the spiritual connection you feel with your Higher Power.
Maybe your definition is: I’ll be well when I complete my first Marathon, or swim a mile without stopping, or my dog and I will both be well when we consistently take walks together (for the rest of our lives!) I’m sure there are lots of things that you can put on your Wellness Checklist!
Continue reading ‘What’s Your Definition of Wellness?’ »
Tags: Add new tag, Fitness, Goal Setting, Health, Joe Pilates, Joeseph Pilates, Joseph Pilates, Pilates, stress reduction, Wellness, wellness success
Posted in Articles, Goal Setting, Health, Pilates, Stress Management by Aliesa George on August 19th, 2009.
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I’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?
Continue reading ‘Knees Over Chest Is Best – For Getting Great Benefits from Pilates Training’ »
Tags: balance, body awareness, control, core support, exercise program, Fitness Training, flexibility, Health, health and fitness, Pilates, Pilates Box, Pilates Exercise, Pilates Matwork, pilates method, Pilates System, Pilates Teaching, Pilates Workout, Pilates-Teaching Tips, strength, Wellness
Posted in Pilates, Pilates-Teaching Tips by Aliesa George on March 23rd, 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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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!
Tags: Aliesa George, Centerworks Pilates, Centerworks Pilates Workshop, Fantastic Feet, Feet, Feet Health, foot care, Foot Exercise, Foot Fitness, Foot Health, Foot Pain, foot problems, health and fitness, health workshop, Pilates Continuing Education, Pilates Studios, Pilates Workshops, Pilates Workshops with Aliesa George, Wellness, workout program
Posted in Foot Care Tips, Workshops by Aliesa George on February 4th, 2009.
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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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I recieved this question about Pilates training by email today, thought it relevant for a blog posting:
Question: Is Pilates appropriate for someone with peripheral atrophy? Balancing is becoming more & more difficult so yoga is no longer an option. If appropriate, please tell me where I might find a certified teacher/instructor. Please advise.
Answer: I do not feel it’s appropriate for me to answer this with a specific yes, or no – because I’m out of my scope of practice to recommend Pilates for a specific person, with a specific medical issue. (Especially someone I’ve never seen or worked with!)
However, here are my personal thoughts on the subject:
Continue reading ‘Pilates Training and Peripheral Atrophy’ »
Tags: atrophy, balance, blog, body awareness, Exercise, exercise program, Fitness, Fitness Training, flexibility, Health, Kinesiology, Mat, medical issue, medical specialist, muscle diseases, nerve, nerve and muscle, physician, Pilates, Pilates and Posture, pilates equipment, Pilates Exercise, Pilates Matwork, pilates method, Pilates Studios, Pilates Teacher, Pilates Teaching, Pilates Workout, PMA, Posture, Private Pilates, quality of life, strength, therapy, training session, Wellness, workouts, yoga
Posted in Health, Pilates by Aliesa George on May 12th, 2008.
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