Ladies Fitness
Pilates:
- Posture
- Strength
- Flexibility
- Flowing Movement
- Coordination
- Relaxation
- Balance
- Energy
What is Pilates?
It is a body conditioning program which produces results without boring repetition or 'marathon' workouts. The Pilates Method improves muscle control, flexibility, strength, co-ordination and tone. The essence of a Matwork class is core control, which results from strengthening the deep abdominal and back muscles. Back and neck pain become history and proper alignment and graceful posture your natural assets.
Pilates Matwork is a series of interconnected movements, each with a purpose and a breathing pattern; it integrates mind and body resulting in increased energy and relaxation. Muscles are used deeply without stress and tension. Because of its precise nature anyone, regardless of age or fitness level, can enjoy and benefit from Pilates Matwork.
Our Classes Begin with Six Principals
- Centering: Physically bringing the focus to the center of the body, the powerhouse area between the lower ribs and pubic bone. Energetically, Pilates exercises are sourced from center.
- Concentration: If one brings full attention to the exercise and does it with full commitment, maximum value will be obtained from each movement.
- Control: Every Pilates exercise is done with complete muscular control. No body part is left to its own devices.
- Precision: In Pilates, awareness is sustained throughout each movement. There is an appropriate placement, alignment relative to other body parts, and trajectory for each part of the body.
- Breath: Emphasized using a very full breath in his exercises. He advocated thinking of the lungs as a bellows -- using them strongly to pump the air fully in and out of the body. Most Pilates exercises coordinate with the breath, and using the breath properly is an integral part of Pilates exercise.
- Flow: Pilates exercise is done in a flowing manner. Fluidity, grace, and ease are goals applied to all exercises. The energy of an exercise connects all body parts and flows through the body in an even way. Pilates equipment, like the reformer, are very good mirrors of one's flow and concentration as they tend to bang around and suddenly become quite "machine-like" if one loses ones control and flow.
The Pilates principles may sound a bit abstract, but the integration of these principles accounts for the balance, grace, and ease that one can experience as a result of practicing Pilates. True, but keeping these six principles in mind has been the key to real progress for many Pilates students.
Yoga:
Achieve inner peace, calmness, and a sense of well-being.
Many celebrities swear by it. And were not talking about plastic surgery or the new and latest diet. We're talking about Yoga- a complete system of mental and physical training developed thousand of years ago in the East as part of the search for spiritual enlightenment. The main goal being to unite the mind, body, and spirit to enhance health and improve the overall quality of life. The basic principal to Yoga is Proper exercise, controlled breathing, relaxation, healthy diet, and positive thinking- you can achieve inner peace, total health, calmness, and a sense of overall well-being.
Come and explore this beautiful art of Yoga and have Marie take you to your next fitness goal.
Hatha Yoga
Hatha is a very general term that can encompass many of the physical types of yoga. If a class is described as Hatha style, it is probably going to be slow-paced and gentle and provide a good introduction to the basic yoga poses. We will be learning Vinyasa Yoga as the series progresses for breathing and Sun Salutation Poses. It's time to offer a yoga class for complete beginners. A class that's safe, provides stretching and strengthening as well as relaxation, and that's firmly rooted in the spiritual traditions of yoga. That's what I aim to provide in the class.
In this "complete beginner" series, participants will gain an understanding of basic yoga philosophy and how to apply it to modern living. Participants will also learn yoga asana (poses) in a manner that feels right for their bodies' particular needs, and practice yogic breathing (pranayama) for relaxation, healing, energy and insight.
The health benefits of a regular yoga practice are many. Past participants in the beginner yoga series have enjoyed weight loss, alleviation of chronic pain, ease of depression symptoms, and increased self-worth as just a few of the many benefits they've enjoyed during this gentle series.
Yoga has proven in medical studies to be an effective complementary treatment for conditions as diverse as diabetes, depression, anxiety and fibromyalgia.
Every class in the beginner's series builds on the knowledge from the previous class. In this way, students will delve much more deeply into the experience of yoga and the positive experience of themselves week by week.
Tips for Starting:
If you have never practiced yoga before, please follow a few simple guidelines: Refrain from eating a heavy meal at least 4 hours before class time - a light snack 2 hours before is ok. Wear comfortable clothing that fit close to the body. You need to see the position of key body parts during the practice so that you can make adjustment to your postures. Key body parts include the back, shoulders, hips, elbows, wrists, knees, and ankles. Women typically wear shorts or thin cotton leggings and yoga or running tops. You will practice with socks or barefoot!
Please Bring An Exercise Mat
If you've ever done abdominal crunches on a cold, hard floor then you know that an exercise mat can turn a spine-jerking into a cushioned setting for creating abs o' steel in comfort. Exercise mats bring two vital functions to your workout. First, they absorb impact. This means that the mat will absorb the majority of the stress from your aerobic activity so that your joints aren't damaged. Secondly, exercise mats provide a safe, non-slip surface while you work out. For example, it's nice to have peace of mind that you won't end up flat on your face when performing those pretzel-twisting yoga moves. Please arrive a few minutes early the first time so we can get the registration process finished quickly if you have not already done so. Come with an open mind and an open heart!
About Vinyasa Yoga:
Like Hatha, Vinyasa is a general term that is used to describe many different types of classes. Vinyasa, which means breath-synchronized movement, tends to be a more vigorous style based on the performance of a series of poses called Sun Salutations, in which movement is matched to the breath. Private Instruction is available with any of our wonderful teachers for $55 - $65 (depending upon teacher) per session. Bring 1 Friend and pay $35 each.
Refund Policy:
NO REFUNDS are available for any classes, privates, gift certificates or workshops purchased.
Allergies:
Some of our clients suffer from environmental allergies, so we request that you refrain from using products with heavy fragrances in our facilities or prior to coming to class.
