Upcoming Workshops!

Pilates LAB: Push Up & Plank with Caitlin Goddard

3/7/13 @ 2:00PM

 

Teaching from the Grid with Alycea Ungaro

3/11/13 @ 2:00PM

 

Pilates LAB: The Hundred Up Close with Benjamin Degenhardt

3/14/13 @ 2:00PM

 

Register Now

 

Reminder

Alycea's "Control Group".
Wednesday, Feb. 13th
1:00pm - 3:00pm.
$65 - Sign up here

 

Call the studio to book. 
212-625-0777
In This Issue
Workshop Reminder
Don't Give Up!
Move of the Month - Teaser
Notes From Alycea: The Stability Issue

AlyceaOrange
Greetings! 
 
As someone who craves constant change and newness (is that a word?), stability is a condition I often overlook as essential to the process of moving forward.  Truly - unless there is some underlying foundation of stability you simply cannot mobilize at all.  Nowhere is this more evident than in fitness where powerful movements are generated only after stabilizer muscles have been secured. As I considered this idea and how stability relates to the principles of Real Pilates, a few monthly exercises came to me.  I hope they serve you well as you hunker down through this wintery February holding on tightly to your collar while still plowing through your days.

Alignment - our first RP principle.  My original mentor Romana, describes Pilates as "movement flowing out from a strong center".  This month I've chosen the Thigh Stretch to embody our theme.  As you practice this move use a mirror to monitor the lines you make.  I've included a few stick figures of my own to help you "see" what to do.  As you get better- try to tap into the incredible muscular tension and movement happening at the deepest part of the stretch when you are most taut and stable.

Hands on - our 2nd principle.  There is a concept known as feedback which defines the mechanism by which muscles sense how much tension to generate.  When the feedback is high muscles react more strongly.  This month in your practice use the floor underneath you to sense the forces and then respond by generating maximum tension and stability.  As an example in a push up or plank feel your hands and feet strongly pushing the floor away from you. In the Hundred, press your back into the floor underneath you strongly to effect a deeper curl up in the front of the body. Using this feedback mechanism consciously will help your body stabilize much more effectively.

Communication- the 3rd RP principle. Keeping a sense of stability in your work life is one thing but come work out time it's dicey.  Lately I've thrown out my endless to do list in favor of a short "Essentials" list itemizing 3-5 tasks (at most) per day.  Take this idea one step further and make a non-negotiable list of 3-5 moves you will do each day no matter what.  Let me jump start you with some selections off of my own list:
-Pilates walk out push ups- 5 reps - walk in and back out between each set.
-Wall sit - 90 seconds
-Teaser hold - 5 reps 10 second hold

~Alycea
 
More cool stuff you can't wait to read about including Valentine's Day specials below!
My Funny Valentine
  
This Valentine's Day you can get your beauty rest in style with this comfy pajama set. Additional style/color options available.
Red Hot Pilates!
Free Valentine's Day workout! Click the link below, then challenge your best friend or sweetheart to complete it with you - enjoy!

"With body, mind, and spirit functioning perfectly as a coordinated whole, what else could reasonably be expected other than an active, alert, disciplined person."

- Joseph Pilates, Return to Life Through Contrology
 
Real Pilates Studio 177 Duane Street NY, NY 10013
212.625.0777 |
 [email protected]

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