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Category: Pilates Tips

Try This: Leg Circles

Posted on by CaseyAdmin

 

 

Leg Circles are a great mat exercise to do at home using one leg at a time, and also a great reformer exercise using both legs with feet in straps. Leg Circles is one of my favorite exercises to use at the end of teaching a reformer class. I look at it as a reward and a way to treat my clients after a great workout. It is an exercise that actually stretches and strengthens, and they feel good!

Why You Should be Doing Leg Circles

  • Strengthen abdominal muscles
  • Pelvic lumbar stabilization
  • Improves hip disassociation
  • Improves hip flexor control

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Try This: Series of 5

Posted on by CaseyAdmin

 

 

The classic Pilates Series of 5 is a core workout you can do anywhere!

Why you need to be doing the Pilates Series of 5

The Fab 5! If you’ve taken my class before, you know that I love this simple series as a warmup and core strengthener. It seems easy enough, but done in sequence without stopping, the Pilates Series of 5 will get your abs burning in just a few minutes, making it the perfect exercise routine you can literally do anywhere. If done several times a week, you can develop great core strength in just five to 10 minutes a day!

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Try This: The Teaser

Posted on by CaseyAdmin

 

 

The Teaser is, in my very humble opinion, THE ultimate pilates exercise! It’s the mack daddy of the repertoire, the goal of every practitioner—you know you have truly “arrived” when you can accomplish the Teaser (and well!)

Why you need to be doing the Teaser

This exercise requires strength of the transverse, oblique abdominals and hip flexors to get up, but more importantly it demands control of the movement through the articulation of the spine on the way back down. If that isn’t enough, Teaser also teaches shoulder blade stabilization, as well as coordination of arm and leg movements with the breath. It truly is an all-in-one Pilates principles exercise!

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Try This: Downward Facing Dog

Posted on by CaseyAdmin

 

 

It’s known by many names—Downward Facing Dog, Down Dog, Adho Mukha Svanasana—whatever you want to call it, invigorate your body and mind with this classic yoga pose! If you have stiff shoulders and tight hamstrings, this is the pose for you. Stressed out? Discover how Down Dog pose can calm the heart and free the mind of anxiety and mental fatigue.

Why you need to be doing Down Dog

Why do dogs do this stretch every time when they get up from a long nap? Our furry friends are releasing the myofascial tension that has pulled their bodies into a curled up ball as they slept. They are stretching open their shoulders and hips to create space in their spine, freeing up the limbs to move with ease. Just like a dog’s long nap, sitting for hours at a time compresses our spine and stiffens our shoulders and hips!

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Try This: Spine Extension

Posted on by CaseyAdmin

 

 

You are only as young as your spine! Our spines are beautifully designed; on a daily basis we bend, stretch flex and rotate our spine, and our Pilates practice is the best way to honor that design. Spine Extension is a key exercise we teach in the studio to show our spine some love.

Why you need to be doing Spine Extension

The Spine Extension exercise helps:

  • Promote flexibility
  • Develop core strength
  • Identify good body mechanics

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I joined ABC looking for a yoga studio but found pilates was more of my speed. This is not just a place to exercise but an environment where friends come together to get fit, healthy, and happy. I love the instructors who take good care of everyone. I always get the best encouragement possible! I also like the small class sizes for anything from yoga and pilates to Zumba and TRX. Thanks, ABC Fit Studio, for making being healthy fun!
— Candice D.
When my wife convinced me to try ABC Fit, little did I know it would become an almost daily fixture in my life. I enjoy multiple classes weekly and each is very special in approach to strength, balance, core, flexibility, and overall fitness. Feeling better and stronger physically leads to more enjoyment in all activities. I feel stronger and fitter and look forward to continuing to rely on ABC Fit as an integral part of my life.
— John T.
I’ve been doing pilates for almost 3 years now, and I feel stronger and have improved functionally in my daily activities
I was recommended by my physical therapist when I was a patient with many joint problems. My PT thought Pilates would help me, and it did!
I feel stronger, and have a better tone, range of motion, and a stronger core. I can get up from a low sofa with less effort now as my core plus legs are stronger; I owe all these improvements to Pilates. My teacher is patient and kind, always helpful — thank you!
— Surinder B.
I certainly enjoyed the Pilates session with Charlotte — it provides some pain relief, increased flexibility, and makes me want to be more active.
— Joni
I have been with ABC for about 7 years, and its biggest benefit has to be no more lower back pain and much more flexibility. Love it here!
— Mike P.
I love ABC Fit!!! Over the years, I’ve worked out at many places, but this is the first one I absolutely love — so much so that I usually come 7 days a week! What is so special are the small classes that mean lots of individual attention, the extraordinarily knowledgeable instructors, and the nice variety of classes. It has been a huge benefit to my well-being.
— Linda T.
My balance has definitely improved, and I feel stronger. The ABC classes are wonderful! Zumba has always been a joy. Great to dance, dance, dance!
— Brenda
ABC has helped me heal from knee surgery. The classes and teachers are amazing! It is a very welcoming and friendly studio.
— Helene C.

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