Anyway, at Tuesday's session we did lots of side stretch stuff, including something called "the mermaid" (a bit like this). "Nice!!" I thought, "lovely, I'll tone into a curvaceous aquaeous beauty. good one". The pose involved sort of tucking one knee under another, over on one side, then stretching right over with your arm, whilst keeping the pelvis even. It was well 'ard. I don't think I looked for one instance like Ariel.

I pressed on regardless and enjoyed the pose. It felt good.

But then, Wednesday I went running at lunch and felt sore down my sides, like my ribs were bruised.

Yesterday's run was much the same.

Today, I have not been running but whilst typing this my ribs are literally aching. This is wierd. Is it related to Pilates? I've played rugby and a good few knocks on the torso usually cause this kind of ache. It's like my muscles all down my sides and into my back are having a bad day.  My ribs generally seem to be featuring in all my pilates blogs.  I'm trying to get them less sticky-outy anyway - perhaps this pain is just my ribcage re-aligning into a more slender silhouette?

Ποιος είπε ότι η σωματική εξάσκηση απαιτεί απαραίτητα τρέξιμο, καταπόνηση των μυών και ιδρώτα;  Με τη μέθοδο Pilates, γυμνάζουμε το σώμα χωρίς να το εξαντλούμε, ακολουθούμε ένα λογικό σύστημα εξάσκησης, με τη χρήση ενός στρώματος γυμναστικής, ή άλλων, εύχρηστων οργάνων (μπάλες, όργανα για stretching), που σκοπό έχουν να δυναμώσουν το σώμα ομοιόμορφα, με έμφαση ωστόσο στον κορμό: την πλάτη, τη μέση και την κοιλιά. Τα οφέλη των ασκήσεων Pilates είναι σημαντικά, τόσο για το σώμα όσο και για το μυαλό, αφού έχουν τη δυνατότητα να μειώνουν το άγχος. Πιο συγκεκριμένα, για τις ασκήσεις αυτές απαιτείται αυτοσυγκέντρωση και σωστές αναπνοές, με αποτέλεσμα το σώμα και το μυαλό να εξισορροπούνται, και να λειτουργούν σαν ένα. Έτσι, δίνεται έμφαση στην ποιότητα και όχι στην ποσότητα των κινήσεων, που είναι ομαλές και συγχρονισμένες. Απευθύνεται  στους άνδρες και τις γυναίκες κάθε ηλικίας και είναι ιδιαίτερα ευεργετική, για την αντιμετώπιση όλων των προβλημάτων.Ασχετα με το πόσο γυμνασμένος και fit είναι κανείς, η μέθοδος Pilates είναι η ιδανική άσκηση, που ανταποκρίνεται στις ανάγκες όλου του κόσμου, από ανθρώπους που κάνουν καθημερινά ώρες καθιστικής ζωής, μέχρι αθλητές. Όσο για το αν θα χάσετε γρήγορα βάρος, αυτό είναι σχεδόν απίθανο σε κάθε μορφή γυμναστικής που δε συνοδεύεται από σωστή διατροφή. Μετά από μερικά μαθήματα όμως θα παρατηρήσετε πως το σώμα συσφίγγεται και φαίνεται λεπτότερο, ακόμα και αν στην πραγματικότητα δεν έχετε χάσει κιλά. Ο ίδιος ο δημιουργός της μεθόδου, Joseph Pilates, είναι ιδιαίτερα αισιόδοξος, ”Μετά από 10 μαθήματα θα αντιληφθείτε τη διαφορά στο σώμα σας, μετά από 20 μαθήματα θα δουν και οι άλλοι τη διαφορά, μετά από 30 μαθήματα θα έχετε ένα ολοκαίνουργιο σώμα”. Δεν είναι τυχαίο, λοιπόν, ότι η μέθοδος αυτή έχει κατακτήσει εδώ και χρόνια σπουδαίους χορευτές και χορογράφους, όπως η Μάρθα Γκράχαμ και ο Ζορζ Μπαλανσίν, αλλά και αθλητές, και τις περισσότερες διασημότητες του Χόλυγουντ, όπως η Uma Thurman, η Sharon Stone, η Jamie Lee Curtis, η Madonna και άλλοι.

N.K

Pilates is a low intensity workout that involved light aerobic exercise and stretching, and has become a favorite exercise of women. Crunches and reverse crunches are some of the simplest and most efficient workouts there are you simply lie on your back and either crunch up with your upper body or draw your lower body toward your upper. These two basic exercises will work out your entire abdominal system, with particular focus on the large upper and lower sections, offering optimal benefits for the greatest degree of convenience. Sit ups, on the other hand, offer limited benefits to the abdominals and can actually damage the back.

Because these exercises can be done at home, they require little in terms of equipment. An exercise mat is always useful for keeping comfortable and clean while doing exercises, many of which involve lying on the ground. Other exercises can be done with special weight lifting benches. Dumbbell plates in lower weights are great ways to add resistance to many exercises for a more intense workout. Perhaps the most flexible and fun option in exercise equipment is the medicine ball, which provides an incredible variety of uses and positions for your exercises, allowing you to target any muscle area.

An often-overlooked benefit of exercises is that keeping a strong, durable core can actually prevent or alleviate back pain. This, combined with the fitness benefits and body shaping ability of exercises, makes them some of the most important in the realm of fitness. It’s always a good idea to discus a potential workout and your goals for it with a doctor before you begin. Remember, with the huge variety of exercises out there, some work well and are highly beneficial, while others are poorly designed and destructive. Knowing which to use for your goals is key. For more details visit http://www.soundbodytrainer.com/

In den 30er-Jahren entwickelte der Joseph H. Pilates eine neue Form des Krafttrainings, die sich mit Entspannungsphasen abwechselt. In seinem New Yorker Tanzstudio trainierten Sportler und berühmte Schauspielern, denn wie wohltuend Pilates ist, hatte sich schnell rumgesprochen. Natürlich war es keine Massenbewegung, sondern wurde zu der Zeit von Menschen ausgeübt, die von berufswegen auf einen athletischen Körper angewisen sind.

Die Pilates-Methode ist ein ganzheitliches Körpertraining, in dem vor allem die tief liegenden Muskelgruppen trainiert werden, was für eine korrekte und gesunde Haltung sorgt, es entsteht ein völlig neues Körpergefühl. Rückenschmerzen verschwinden, der Körper wird ausgeglichener, elastischer, kräftiger und geschmeidiger. Grundlage aller Pilates-Übungen ist das Trainieren des so genannten "Powerhouse ("Krafthauses), die in der Körpermitte liegende Muskulatur des Beckenbodens und die tiefe Rumpfmuskulatur.

Pilates Übungen sollten immer ruhig, fließend und sehr konzentriert ausgeführt werden. Das Atmen ist besonders wichtig und wird bewusst in jeder Übung eingesetzt.

Heute bietet fast jedes Fitness Studio Kurse für Pilates an, die sehr beliebt sind. Gerade wer Lauf- oder Krafttraining macht, der muss zum Ausgleich dafür sorgen, dass auch andere Muskelgruppen zum Einsatz kommen.

so instead of the track, i headed to the gym and ran on the treadmill for 20 minutes and then did a 90 minute stretch class which was awesome and exactly what my very sore body needed. the guy who teaches the class is a treasure - someone i can implicitly trust to know exactly what he's doing. the class was a mix of dance stretching, pilates and yoga - all of which i sorely need at the moment. so if you're ever near virgin active, cresta on a wednesday afternoon at 5pm, check out ryan's stretch therapy class. you won't regret it!

now it's time for a concerted effort at learning those words or i'll be in deep shite in the a.m.! by the time this is published, i will have wept and argued, and despaired and be in the middle of more of the same! oh the fantastic life of a soap actress! ;-)

Located within the prestigious FHA ~ Florida Health Academy of Naples, our clinical skin care centre is nestled among Complementary Healthcare practitioners offering Acupuncture, Chinese Medicine, Chiropractic, Massage Therapy, Yoga and Pilates.

We are committed to providing advanced, non-invasive skin care services in a private and tranquil Alternative Healthcare environment for women, men, and teens who demand quality and results!

In addition to our skin care services, through our convenient on-line store we offer medical-grade skin care products, mineral make-up, and pharmaceutical-grade nutritional supplements. Partnering with the Life Extension Foundation, our philosophy is to effectively improve the skin by addressing its needs both internally and externally.

Posted by Joe Ballarino of Amerivest Realty, Naples Florida

]]> http://prabakars.wordpress.com/?p=340 Wed, 16 Jul 2008 07:27:40 +0000 prabakar12 http://prabakars.wordpress.com/?p=340 Having strong arms is important to make your day easier, but many people seem to expect their arms to pick up anything and everything without ever making an effort to develop and strengthen the muscles. While you can go through life without building arm muscle, think about how much easier it is when you do. You'll be able to pick up your child and not worry about being strong enough. Don't forget about the nice side benefit of having lean, shapely arms.

Building the strength is your arms is an investment in your future health and something that will repay you over and over as you call on your muscles to help you through your day. When it comes to the subject of weight training, many women are frightened off by mental images of bulky female bodybuilders with protruding veins and think that that's what weight lifting will do for the body. That's just not so! For one thing, female bodies are not built to develop large, hulking muscles – that's more for males. When you see a female bodybuilder with muscles similar to her male counterparts, you should know that that's not natural and requires hours of devotion to exercise and weights.

Some individuals choose to use steroids despite the banned status of the drug within the bodybuilding community, and that further defines and enhances the muscles so they appear larger. That is not what the purpose of strength training; rather, lifting weights challenges and strengthens muscles in order to make them stronger. The stronger your muscles are the better support you will have for your body. Support your body and you cut down on aches and pains, injuries and even possible fractures. Now that you're no longer concerned about your body bulking up out of proportion, it's time to think weights.

If you already strength-train you probably have a good set of weights to use, but if you're just beginning, consider purchasing a basic set of hand weights ranging from 3-10 lbs. These are typically not very expensive and most will come with a rack to use for storage. A major advantage of a set of weights is that you can begin with the lowest weight you need and then work your way up slowly. Buying weights individually means that you'll have to go back to the store to purchase another set when it's time for you to increase the weight. For more details visit http://www.soundbodytrainer.com/

A variation of the bicep curl is to begin the same way but angle your arms at a wider angle to work more of the muscle. If you're tired of your puny arms being bruised from your shirt sleeves slapping against them, this exercise is for you. Take a slightly wider than shoulder-width grip and keep your elbows locked to your sides. Curl until the biceps are peak-contracted. Do three sets of 5-9 reps.

A more unusual method of building the bicep is performing the Plank pose from hatha yoga. It's very easy and doesn't even require a mat. Simply lie facedown on the floor with your hands at about shoulder height. Take a deep breath and, using your core muscles as well as arms and legs, push your body off the floor until your back is straight and you are balanced on arms and feet. Maintain this position for a count of 20; lower and rest for a minute, then repeat for 2 sets of 10 repetitions. This movement not only works the biceps but it also toughens up the core muscles.

Plan to work your arm muscles about three times a week to begin with. Investing as little as 15 minutes in challenging the arms and you'll begin to see results in little as three weeks. Keep it up and you'll see benefits that last throughout your life. For more details visit http://www.soundbodytrainer.com

(Boston, MA) - Ever heard of GYROTONIC^® or GYROKINESIS^®? Gyrotonic exercises are similar to Yoga and Pilates but provide the best of both - smooth, circular movement that stretch and strengthen muscles while also articulating and mobilizing the joints with the use of pulleys. The Gyrokinesis exercises use the same principals of Gyrotonic, but without the equipment and its pulleys and weights.  Similar to a dance or Yoga class, Gyrokinesis is taught in a studio in a group setting. Celebrities like Madonna, Cynthia Nixon and Terri Hatcher, and sports stars like Tiger Woods are using Gyrotronic and Gyrokinesis techniques to transform their bodies.  It sounds amazing, but you can feel results after your first session.

Now everyone can experience this truly revolutionary exercise system with a special introductory package. Boston Body Works Studios now offers two hour-long private sessions for $160 with a third lesson for free! For more information or to sign up for this special offer please call Boston BodyWorks Studios at 617-723-8090.

###

About Boston BodyWorks Studios:

Boston BodyWorks Studios, was founded in 1995 by Kathy Van Patten, a senior Teacher Trainer for PowerPilates^® and a Master Trainer for the Gyrotonic^® and Gyrokinesis^® exercise system. Through her study of Dance and Pilates, Kathy was introduced to renowned fitness expert Juliu Horvath’s Gyrotonic^® exercise system and decided to bring it to Boston. Gaining world-wide recognition, Gyrotonic^® is a new revolutionary exercise system incorporating the movement principles found in yoga, dance, gymnastics, swimming and tai-chi. The exercises are based on a series of fluid circular movements with adjustable resistance performed on unique weight and pulley-based equipment. While incorporating a synchronized breathing pattern all resulting in simultaneously working the musculature, cardiovascular and neurologic systems. Gyrotonic^® combines the flexibility and grace of dance, focus of martial arts, body sculpting of weight training, and the core strength and stretching benefits of Pilates. All without the danger of overuse or injury!  As the first Gyrotonic^® Studio in New England, Boston BodyWorks offers the finest, most effective cutting edge developments in physical exercise. Kathy’s studio is one of only four fully equipped Pilates and Gyrotonic^® Studios in America. Their certified teachers are widely regarded as some of the best in the industry. Boston BodyWorks Studios offers private and semi-private training and small group classes. As a major teacher training center, over 1,000 Pilates and Gyrotonic teachers have been trained at Boston BodyWorks. Boston BodyWorks Studios is located at 38 Newbury St. (5^th floor), 617-723-8090; www.bostonbodyworksstudios.com. For more information please email info@bostonbodyworksstudios.com.

•  Estudantes, Educadores Físicos e Fisioterapeutas.  

   

   

   

• Capacitar profissionais da área da saúde (Educador Físico e Fisioterapeutas) a aplicar o método pilates original no solo e nos aparelhos;
• Variações de exercícios com objetivos e foco dos mesmos;
• Padronização de um sistema de exercícios divididos por níveis e aparelhos do qual foram criados com objetivo de evoluir gradativamente respeitando a integridade física e mental do aluno;
• Seguir uma didática de aula única para todos os exercícios (nome do exercício - posição inicial – mecânica do exercício – correções - finalização – transição);
• Aprender a ler o corpo e fazer correções que realmente atenda as necessidades individuais do aluno;
• Obter a certeza de estar realizando um trabalho seguro e com qualidade.
• Avaliação do professor por intermédio de prova prática (avaliação do professor ministrando uma aula);
• Oportunidade para profissionais a fazer parte da equipe Health Pilates.

• Introdução, Histórico, Princípios;
• Mat Iniciante;
• Reformer Iniciante;
• Cadillac Iniciante;
• Wunda Chair Iniciante;
• Parede;
• Sistema 1 de exercícios (determinado para atender alunos do nível iniciante podendo atender alunos que apresentam nível intermediário);
• Utilização de aparelhos auxiliares (bola);

• Professor Rodrigo Nanô, certificado internacional - ver currículo

• Teórica
• Prática - Professor aplicando uma aula

• Dias - 06, 13, 20, 23,  de Setembro.
• Horário - 9:00 às 15:00

• 24 horas de estudo + 50 horas de estágio

• 
• Estúdio Health Pilates
• Rua Oriente, 215 -  dentro das dependências da Academia O2.
• São Caetano do Sul - SP
• www.healthpilates.com.br
   

• Entrada de R$ 199,00 + R$ 999,00 ou
• .
• Entrada de R$ 199,00 + 4x R$ 259,00.
• .
• Apresente um amigo e ganhe 10% de desconto.

Maiores Informações 

Rodrigo Nanô 

11-7140-4642

rodrigonano@yahoo.com.br

Så, har cyklat i regn hem från Sandra, som tur är bor hon bara sisådär 5-6oo meter plus tre trappor härifrån. Har hämtat plugg i hopp om att jag kunde borra upp mina lyktor... det gick inget vidare. Taket verkar ha en borrgräns för det vill inte gå läångre. Så det enda jag fick ut av det var betongdamm i håret och på soffan... inga lyktor. Fan. Men pappa ska komma hit i veckan och hjälpa mig med golvet, då får han hjälpa mig med det här också :) Precis duschat och ska försöka mig på lite pilates... så förbannat tråkigt, gillar mer när det är fart. Men, kanske lite skönt avslappnande? I will know in about 45 minutes...

aber es ist auch schön jemanden zu kennen der in new york daheim ist. und ich war ganz sicher nicht das letzte mal da!

Last night, I spend more than 30 minutes just working on my leg muscles with the help of an exercise band.

What was slightly horrifying was when I was called up in front of the class so my instructor could move me intro different positions to explain to everyone just how much horse riding can strengthen your lower body. I went a very bright shade of red.

I certainly feel today that my body was given a very good workout and only time will tell if it helps me to improve as a rider.

From what I’ve learnt any exercise you can do to help increase your lower body strength and balance will only help you improve as a rider.
For those who are curious see this link for an idea as to the kind of exercises I’ve been concentrating on.

I think I'll give the exercise band a miss tonight though, a long hot soak in the bath will do wonders for my muscles too :-)

O pliates é conhecido como a “arte da contrologia” e prioriza o fortalecimento muscular das regiões do abdômen, dos glúteos e das coxas. Ou seja: barriguinha, bumbum e pernas bem durinhas. Ótimo!

Eu já andei vendo algumas academias e tal. Me disseram que fazer pilates é bem relaxante.

Por essa foto, parece ser mesmo. Mãe e filho juntos :)

Some experiences from the past.

When I was 4 or 5 years old I had another of many asthma attacks.  My mom told me to go up to my room and relax.  I was at first extremely upset to say the least that I was shunned when I couldn’t breathe.  But I did as I was told.  I was up in my room and I started to calm down and I realized that I was actually feeling better and able to breathe easier.  It was the first of many times I relearned what our minds and bodies are capable of doing.  I outgrew asthma at 6 years old and haven’t had another attack since.  I have never forgotten what it was like to feel suffocated.

When I was 8 or 9 I realized that a large gap between the two front teeth was a prominent feature on my dad’s side of the family – which I inherited.  I knew our family didn’t have the money for braces.  I also knew that my friends tightened their braces once a week or so.  I decided I was going to fix my teeth myself and I stood in front of the mirror every day pressing my two front teeth together until I could feel them start to shift.  I don’t know the duration of days, months or even years of pressing my teeth together, but my teeth are still straight today.

I started to realize that our minds have a powerful effect on our bodies (even at that young age).   This is a realization I relearn a lot with my own body but also with my clients.

Through most of my adult years I worked in the automotive industry as an engineer and project manager traveling and working at a desk in a very high stress environment.  I suffered from: migraine headaches induced from stress and/or exercise (if you can believe it).  I have allergies.  I used to throw my neck and back out regularly (every 3 months or so).  I have acne, a hamstring pull which I have to be very careful not to re-injure, PMS, scoliosis, whiplash from a car accident.  I injured my shoulder in a dance performance. I have very flat feet, bow legs, and overly tight psoas muscles which act up when I am over working or not stretching enough.  Just think of the feeling of vice grips pulling your ribs to your hips and that will pretty much describe the feeling I get.  These are just a few of the “body issues” that I experience.  And this is not all – just a quick summary.

Back to today…

What the heck do all my physical problems have to do with anything?  I bet every single person could name a million things wrong with them and the maladies would be different on different days.  And of course this doesn’t even get to family history!  Even people who are “in shape” have physical issues.  Movie stars and astronauts, line workers and professional athletes all have physical maladies.  Even the people who do nothing feel something!  These human bodies are not and never will be perfect.

A very wise and dear friend of mine said just last week, “You are not your body”.  “Your body is a vehicle with which you ride through this crazy drama called, “life”. 

Very wise indeed.  Our physical appearance is such a minor aspect of our existence. Our bodies are our vehicles but so many of us rarely even maintain them as we would our everyday transportation.  If you get regularly scheduled oil changes - do you do the same thing for your body?  Do you drink enough water for the day to keep you hydrated?  Do you get your tires rotated regularly so the car stays in balance and stable?  Pilates is a good comparison in this case – balancing your body to keep the rest of you stable so nothing else gets out of whack. 

I opened this business so that everyone could experience living in their own bodies; fine tuning their own vehicle to the best it can be; being aware that their minds are able to accomplish amazing things physically.  When you are in the best physical shape you can be – when your mind is aware of what is happening to you physically there are so many benefits which include to name a few:

Improved overall health

Decreased stress

Better sleep

Better sex

A more focused and active mind

Better overall life balance.

All these to me make up a huge part of complete happiness.

This doesn’t even include the blatant advantages – stronger core, more toned physique, more flexibility, better range of motion, increased metabolism.

I have seen some amazing things teaching clients.  A woman with a rod in her spine can actually articulate.  People in constant pain now are able to live pain free.  People have improved their golf swing. They can ride a bike now, or play an instrument.  They can actually sit down for hours without pain.  They are more flexible.  They are stronger.  They survived cancer.  Their running stride is better and without shoulder pain.  They can lift their baby and not be sore the next day.  They are able to climb stairs with a laundry basket in tow. They can check their blind spot without rotating their entire body.  Some of these may be small but make a huge difference in our ability to age with grace, confidence and activity!!!  But mostly I have seen the difference in myself and wanted to share this vigor and health with as many people as I could.  The differences in me include: very rarely do I get migraines when I suffered from at least 2 / month.  My allergies have subsided.  I can actually snuggle with our cat.  I haven’t had the flu for at least 4 years.  I haven’t thrown my neck or back out for at least 4 years. I am more balanced strength-wise instead of being lopsided from scoliosis. PMS symptoms are nearly gone. My posture is better. I have actually grown ½ inch since I started this business.  My shoulder and hamstring are strong and more flexible. I am a better, more fluid and free dancer because I am more confident in my body and its movement.

I don’t claim that Pilates is the absolute cure for all ailments.  But I will adamantly exclaim that it and all physical activity are huge pieces to the health and aging puzzle.  I’ve seen the proof in myself and over and over in my clients.

My clients don’t have my body – but their own bodies are working better than they have in years.  Their confidence is increased. Their lives are better.

So what I hope people ask for when they call or email is – the Pilates body:  a body that is strong, sleek, flexible, supple, fine tuned, healthy, and most importantly, aware.

That being said, I've never been in public with a celebrity, and I've definitely never been friends with one. However, my trainer at the gym changed all that. For those of us that are reality television afficionados, nothing beats the original Reality Show - The Real World. Tyler was a cast member on Real World: Key West, and he is my trainer. (FYI - No, I did not pick him to be my trainer because of that. He was recommended to me and I didn't watch Key West anyway. Give me some credit!)

Since Tyler's awesome, he obviously has awesome taste in friends. After kicking my ass in his Pilates class on Thursday, we stopped at the drug store next door to grab some random necessities. As we were chatting and Tyler was testing all the different scents of Axe to find the right one, I hear these little voices...

He was on the Real World!

No, he wasn't. That's not him.

Yes! I promise! It totally is!

HEY! ARE YOU FROM THE REAL WORLD?!?!

Tyler slowly turns his head, and just replies with a fabulous and simple - YES.

Then all hell broke loose. There were approximately 7-9 girls standing at the end of the aisle, and they ALL started screaming.

Girls: OMG Can we get a picture with you!?!

Tyler: Well, I just got off of work, but I guess one would be okay.

Girls: AHHHlksjdlfkjslhdgsklahhhH!

Tyler, being the patient person that he is, stood there and smiled while I photographed him with a group of 15 year old girls.

I'm not sure what caught me off guard more - the fact that 15 year olds had watched the Real World seasons from a few years ago, or that they were SO excited about it. These girls were 100% starstruck, and I couldn't stop laughing at the absurdity of it all. Perhaps because I've spent time with him I don't really see him as a celebrity? Regardless of my reaction, Ty was a gentlemen and was polite enough to oblige his fans. I guess he's used to it by now.

I'm sure it took about 35 seconds before that picture ended up on MySpace.

I do at least two hours of pilates every week but after doing a bit of research I’ve found that there are specific exercises that you can concentrate on to help you become a better rider.

Pilates improves your general fitness and strength but equestrian pilates helps you focus on the core areas that a rider needs to improve.
Certain exercises teach you how to improve your posture and deepen your seat.

The overall aim is to increase comfort during and after your ride. With some work, so I’m told, you will be able to absorb your horse’s movement better and therefore be less achey after a session in the saddle!

My pilates teacher has said she will start working some equestrian-related exercises into my class, so hopefully I should start to feel the benefits in the saddle soon.

As an example, here’s an exercise I found that will help you sit up tall in the saddle.

I'm thinking of how the body can lead the way and open up something that had gotten forgotten or shut down or, simply, closed.  If only it has the chance, it can; if only it's given the trust to do what it can do.  

That all sounds very serious, and it is, but my example is rather trivial.  Or perhaps it's not.  I went to a pilates class after missing it for a while, and (it is fun to be exercising sitting/lying down--I'm either a lazy ass or it's just easier on my wooziness-producing sluggish circulation and undoped blood) I let the movements do their work on me.  Stabilizing, control, precision--not words I'm terribly drawn to, to say the least, but things I sometimes need (probably because I'm not drawn to them I need work there, or I need work there because I'm not naturally drawn to them, or something).  And as I felt myself moving (or trying to) in those controlled ways, and especially that stabilizing quality of pilates, I felt a sort of settling down on lots of levels.  I haven't been very settled lately, or stable.  But moving like this reminded my of what that can feel like (or at least my best approximation of stability).  I don't know that I'd come to this in the opposite way--deciding I need to become more stable and then figuring out how to make that happen in a more mental or environmental way.

Tomorrow brings a morning run, pilates, a much-needed and deserved massage and a crawfish boil pool party. It's just another sweltering summer in Denver and we do what we've got to do.

There are 2 types of spa facilities:

1. The Destination Spa
2. The Hotel/Resort Spa

The concept of the Destination Spa is not new.  Some have been in business for decades and are doing very well.  This is a total immersion experience.  The serene and orderly world of heathy food, fitness activities, spa treatments, and many learning opportunities make this escape a total body, mind, and spirit experience.  Often the locations are out of the way which gives the guests time to unwind, refocus, and rejuvenate.

Many places in the United States, Canada and Mexico have Destination Spas to fit every need, budget and age.   So what will you find at these properties?

• Total body cleansing.  The food, clothing, bedding, and environment make for a full healing process.  Your body can rebuild itself if given the correct fuel to do that. 
• All the water fitness programs such as Ai Chi, Aqua Plus, Interval Power, Twinges and Hinges, Waterworks and Water Pilates.  A pool is a great place to build strength and endurance.
• Outdoor activities clear your mind and allow you to enjoy new sights, sounds and smells.  Bike riding, jogging, hiking/trekking, kayaking, skiing, rock climbing, horseback riding, tennis, golf, pools/saunas, and even just sitting on a rock and taking in the beauty of the landscape.
• Spa cuisine.  Many properties have their own organic gardens.    Take some cooking classes, taste some new award winning meals.
• Fitness centers and sports courts make up a large part of some of these properties.  Some have trainers on staff.
• Locations are varied.  Some are in the desert area, mountains, by lakes or oceans.  Pick a new place and go explore
• The spa services - massage, wraps, special therapys, facials, weight loss programs and total pampering

The Hotel/Resort Spa incorporates some of the above into their hotel properties.  Many of these include couples in all their programs and have added a romantic theme.  Even weddings and honeymoon can be included in the spa atmosphere making this a  very romantic get away. 

Now you can find hotels and resorts nearly all over the world.  Go to a warm and sunny place, if you live in a cold and dreary place.   The range of prices is endless. 

Besides the hotel/resort, you can include cruise ships.  Many are now increasing their spa and fitness centers.  You find whole areas of the ship dedicated to these facailites including spa cuisine on all the menus.  Some ships have a "spa" food area by itself for daytime meals.  They even have thassalotherapy pools.  Some ships are complimentary and some have a charge.  Most ships have fully staffed spas and trainers on board.

Just try one and make a difference in your health and productivity.

Joseph Hubertus Pilates este inventatorul faimoaselor exercitii Pilates care au devenit o modă şi o metodă care a demontrat rezultate excepţionale. Exerciţiile au fost create cu scopul de a reprezenta un program de recuperare fizică pentru soldaţii răniţi în Primul Război Mondial. Au fost puse la punct o serie de tehnici menite să sporească controlul şi tonifierea unor muşchi cheie precum cei ai abdomenului inferior şi ai spatelui. Se susţine ideea unităţii între minte şi materie, individul să se mişte cu eficienţă, echilibru, punându-se accentul pe concentrare şi corectarea slăbiciunilor. Se obţin beneficii atât la nivelul corpului, prin scăderea în greutate, tonifiere musculară, creşterea flexibilităţii şi coordonării corpului, cât şi la nivel psihic, gândire liberă, concentrare, stăpânire şi atitudine pozitivă.

La baza tehnicii Pilates stau opt principii fundamentale: concentrare, respiraţia, precizia, energia, centrul de gravitaţie, controlul, armonia mişcărilor şi relaxarea. Metoda Pilates dezvoltă armonia trupului, îmbunătăţeşte starea de bine a organismului şi tonifică întreaga musculatură.

Exerciţiile Pilates sunt uşor de efectuat, se pot practica şia acasă, nu necesită echipament special (decât o salteluţă, un tricou de bumbac, o pereche de pantaloni lejeri), iar după două săptămâni de exerciţiu timp de 10 minute pe zi rezultatele apar. Pilates nu pune accent pe cantitate, ci pe calitate.

Exerciţiile trebuie executate cât mai lent, cu accent pe conştientizarea tuturor mişcărilor şi a respiraţiei. Nu se pune accent pe cantitate, ci pe calitate, deci nu e nevoie sa îţi dai sufletul pe saltea. Nu uitaţi poziţia corectă din care trebuie să lucraţi: spatele şi abdomenul usor încordate, umerii relaxaţi, bazinul uşor către faţă.
Unul dintre principiile de bază în Pilates este tehnica specială a respiraţiei, care are ca scop circulaţia sângelui printr-o oxigenare adecvată, care se realizează prin inspiraţie şi expiraţie. Expiraţia forţată este cheia inspiraţiei totale. Mişcările sunt lente, controlate, astfel se permite izolarea zonei vizate. Ritmul reaspiraţiei trebuie să fie constant, întotdeauna corelat cu mişcarea. Trebuie să vă concentraţi pe a umple cu aer partea de jos a plămânilor, astfel încât să ne putem întinde muşchii fără a restricţiona cantitatea de oxigen primită de organism.

Regula de bază este să expiri la partea cea mai dificilă a exerciţiului (când depui efort) şi să inspiri în momentul în care te relaxezi.
Prin aceste exerciţii creşte flexibilitatea corpului, se dezvoltă musculatura abdominală şi pelviană, cu rezultate benefice chiar şi asupra vieţii sexuale, iar dacă sunt practicate regulat, mişcarile Pilates măresc capacitatea pulmonară şi au efecte pozitive asupra circulaţiei sângelui în corp.
Pilates a numit muşchii din centrul corpului (muşchii abdominali, spate, coapse şi fese) „the powerhouse”. Toată energia necesară exerciţiilor Pilates vine din „centrul puterii-nucleul” către extremităţi. Importante sunt menţinerea stabilităţii bazinului, poziţia cervicală, activarea musculaturii interne abdominale şi menţinerea dreaptă a coloanei vertebrale. Pentru prima dată, veţi începe cu exersarea grupelor de muşchi mici şi nu trebuie să repetaţi de mai mult de zece ori aceeaşi mişcare.

Exerciţiile pentru zona abdominală se execută cu spatele şi abdomenul bine încordate. Veţi alterna mereu repetări scurte şi rapide cu mişcări lente şi concentrate. Spatele trebuie menţinut drept şi bărbia scoasă din piept pentru a respira corect. Exerciţiile pentru picioare şi zona pelviană trebuie executate întotdeauna cu fesele uşor încordate. Veţi menţine astfel coloana vertebrală într-o poziţie neutră.
Pilates nu implică o uzare a articulaţiilor, exerciţiile sunt special create pentru a fi sigure şi eficiente. Este o metodă care poate fi practicată la orice vârstă, la sală sau chiar şi în intimitatea propriei locuinţe. Pilates abordează un tip de mişcare soft, fiind recomandabil şi persoanelor care nu fac faţă unor exerciţii ce presupun o rezistenţă a organismului mai mare. Pilates conţine atât exerciţii care se execută la sol, cât şi elemente ce presupun folosirea unor instrumente, cum ar fi mingiuţe, bare, benzi elastice, gantere pe care le utilizaţi când practicaţi Pilates la sală mai ales. Acasă, aceste instrumente pentru Pilates pot fi înlocuite cu succes de o coadă de mătură, prosop răsucit, sticle cu apă sau săculeţi cu nisip. Fiecare program poate fi construit şi personalizat în funcţie de nevoile şi posibilităţile fiecăruia, de către o persoană specializată la o sală de antrenament sau ajutându-vă de materialele de promovare existente pe piaţă (cărţi, casete video sau DVD) dacă executaţi Pilates acasă.

Metoda Pilates prezintă şi un sistem ideal de exerciţii uşoare şi eficiente pe perioada sarcinii şi în lunile de după naştere, dar acestea trebuie efectuate cu acordul medicului curant şi sub supravegherea unui instructor specializat.

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