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Function, Form and Joy
Do you really enjoy living in your body? Does your body experience joy for living?
April, 2009 |
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PILATES AS REHABILITATIVE MOVEMENT
Tues., April 28th
7:30 pm
A Free talk on to use Pilates as a tool for better function and lasting results.
After injury there is nothing like Pilates for transforming or restoring your body. Come see how it fits you. | |
Greetings!
The studio has been orbiting now for three years and it is hard to believe that we've made it through some of the meteor showers and past the black holes unscathed -- mostly. But here we are (thanks to you). People keep saying to me: "If you can make it through this you are going to be doing great when things turn around." I think: If we've already made it this far, there is hope.
It's a great feeling to be creative and inspired in the studio everyday and see the results walking around in our community. It makes me feel like...well, like a tree (refer to article below for clarification of nonsensical metaphor). But to the point...
May 2nd is our semiannual Community Day and 3 Year Anniversary Celebration. You'll get a chance to preview some of our new innovative classes and experience some of the old ones that you haven't tried yet -- free classes and a Champagne Zumba Party to end the day. You'll also have a chance to do free half hour private sessions with our teachers all day. You can even sign up ahead of time online.
Hope to see you there! (See our website for a schedule of the day's events.)
Cheers,
Chantill |
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Embodying Your Life, Living In Your Body
Have you ever seen something in nature, a Cypress tree, a Passion flower, a river, a mountain, that so ultimately struck you as perfect? So perfect you were convinced that if there were some way of embodying that thing your life might be as interconnected and graceful and clear as it was?
Yesterday I happened to be outside on a street I never visit, standing near a smallish tree, using my phone. I was immediately taken by the loveliness of this tree, the spontaneous chaos of its newly sprouting leaves, limbs simply and unquestionably perfect. I nearly missed the person answering the phone on the other end. The first coherent and yet illogical thought I had as I stood staring and touching its leaves was "I want to feel like this tree looks. This is it. Beam me up, grow me roots and let me sway in the breeze!"
I know this sounds a bit like esoteric mumbo jumbo, but I am telling you I want to be this tree. It's so effortless. I used to joke with a friend of mine that I was working on being easy. It's true. Easy doesn't come easy. If I had a totem it might likely be the beaver: the consummate doer, controller and resourceful angler -- minus the lisp Ala Lady in the Tramp -- but oh, how I wish it were a tree.
I am talking about embodiment. Ask yourself, can you physically feel in your nervous system --the beauty of your life, of something as simple as moving your breath in and out of your lungs? Can you truly enjoy your body throughout your day and your life?
Sure we exercise, we hike, we work, take care of the kids, volunteer, dance, sing maybe -- whatever we do, we do it because somewhere we believe it is good for us or for our community or our family. But do you feel in your body that it's right, that it brings you meaning and joy? Do your cells feel it? And can you feel the ease and design of your body to be efficient and in harmony with its self? I would venture to guess that you've experienced this, but can't hold onto it. Yet it is entirely possible and with little effort. Ah, but that's the point. Less effort.
And so how does this relate to function and form, which is what we teach in Pilates? Well, the theory is if you move from embodied function -- what the body inherently knows as right (and your body knows before your brain does) -- then form follows. In turn, if you embody function moving with joy and true ease is possible.
A simple exercise to embody the point: Stand relaxed with your arms at your sides. Begin by observing how you feel, maybe pick a word that describes how you feel. Then start by tapping one arm on all sides, up and down with the fingers of the other hand. Do the other arm, each leg, your shoulders, knees etc. Try to tap your whole body. Then start with your arms again and sweep over you skin like you are brushing dust off of your clothes. Do it all over. Then stand, eyes closed again. Bring your hands together and rub them vigorously together all the while imagining your cells smiling, laughing. Your muscles are happy, your bones are happy, your organs are happy, put a smile on your face. Fake it if you have to, but do it till you feel it. Rest with your eyes closed, arms hanging at your sides and breath in the sensations of your body. I would bet you feel better -- that your word has changed. You've just increased your proprioception and embodied a positive emotion. How do you feel? Can you carry this sense of ease and lightness around with you, knowing in your nervous system that ease is possible?
This is the real work of the mind body connection -- simple awareness, positive mental talk, a little imagery and we can all be trees. Be the tree. :)
(Go to our blog to get more exercises like this.) |
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Celebrating with Champagne and ChaCha
3 Year Anniversary Party and
Pilates Day Celebration
Saturday, May 2nd 9 am - 6 pm
A Day of Free Classes and Half Hour Private Demos
Show your friends and family what you've been talking about!
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New Policies and Notes About the Studio
Reuse and Recycle Reminders: Please helps us cut back on trash and bring your own water bottle to the studio. If you use the cups provided remember to recycle.
Monthly Open Studio Schedules: Now available in the studio and soon on the website. Email us if you'd like to be on either the weekly Open Studio or Eq. Trio email lists.
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WALKILATES WORKSHOP May 16th 1-3 pm
with Kristen Iuppenlatz Grech
Get to know your walking patterns and habits and how to make them better. This workshop will help you get more out of your movement and enjoy walking more. Take home exercises and feel where walking really comes from.
Kristen holds speciality certificates in rehabilitation, gait and osteoperosis and has studied with leading professionals teaching walking, sitting and standing.
Pre-Registration Price: $ 25
Same Day Price: $ 30 |
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Want to Dive Into Pilates This Summer?
SUMMER PILATES IMMERSION
8 Weeks of Pure Pilates
June 5th - August 1st
7 Hours of group training + 1 private a week
Learn more about your body and the Pilates Method in this intensive program.
Perfect for intermediate/advanced students and those who want to pursue the Pilates teacher path.
Call to register today. Space is limited! |
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Radiant Health Center
Dr. Laura Polak
Network Spinal Analysis
Visit Her |
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Monica Sallouti
Natural Chef
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| Six for 6 Specialty Classes
$90 (a $150 value)
Get your best friends, coworkers or family members together and create your own Pilates Class to fit your needs! A six week class for six people. A great way to get started in a setting that you are comfortable and safe in. Call us to set up your class today! |
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