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PilatesConnection
January 15, 2011

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A Message from Kathy
 

Happy New Year!  We are off to a great start and I hope you are ready to take advantage of the new classes, attend a Workshop, or renew the focus of your practice to  increase your Pilates skills.  If you're up for the challenge, now may be a good time to add that second or third weekly session. Check out the schedule before classes fill up.   I encourage all of you to add a Mat class if you aren't attending one already.  Joseph Pilates' work originated with floor exercises and they remain among the most demanding of his repertoire. At $15 for Drop-In or $13 as part of an 8-pack, Mat class is a real deal!
 

Many new students will be starting Mat and Reformer classes in the next few weeks, so I appreciate your patience while I introduce them to the Pilates method.  I will try to direct as many of them as possible to the Intro classes, but I  hope you will use the time to  learn something new and make your own mind-body connections deeper. I will always include suggestions during class to increase the challenge for those of you with more experience, but remember that the essence of each exercise is to BREATHE  (see the tips below) and  perform the movements  with concentration and control before advancing to the next level. The Essential level exercises are always a wonderful way to get reconnected with your body and to test how effectively you are performing the Pilates technique.   
 

I am delighted that so many of you kept up your Pilates practice during the holidays, and I know that we will continue to reach our goals together in 2011!

Studio Location and Hours 

1080 Concannon Boulevard

Livermore, CA 94550

 

Katherine Campbell

925-699-2293

pilatesconnection@comcast.net

 

The studio is open Monday through Saturday and Sundays by appointment.

Full schedule 

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A New Year's Story 

 

''Twas the month after Christmas and all through the house,

nothing would fit me, not even a blouse.

 

The cookies I'd nibbled, the eggnog I'd taste

 at the holiday parties had all gone to waist.

 

When I got on the scales there arose such a number! 

 When I walked through the house, less a walk than a lumber! 

 

I remembered the marvelous meals I'd prepared: the gravies, the sauces, the beef nice and rared;

 the wine and the rum balls, the bread and the cheese, and the way I had never said,

'No thank you, please.'

 

As I dressed myself in my husband's old shirt,

and prepared once again to do battle with dirt,

I said to myself as only I can, 'You can spend the whole winter disguised as a man!'

 

So- away with the last of the sour cream dip,

get rid of the fruitcake, every cracker and chip. 

Every last bit of food that I like must be banished,

 'till all of the additional ounces have vanished.

 

I won't have a cookie, not even a lick. 

I'll want only to chew on a long celery stick. 

 I won't have hot biscuits,

or corn bread, or pie. 

I'll munch on a carrot

and quietly cry.

 

I'm hungry, I'm lonesome,

and life is a bore.

But...

isn't that what January is for? 

 

Unable to giggle, no longer a riot. 

HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL, AND TO ALL A GOOD DIET!"


 

-Anonymous

 

 
 

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How to Make a New Year's Resolution

 

 Target your goal by checking it against the SMART criteria suggested in Paul J. Meyer's "Attitude is Everything."

S= Specific

M= Measureable

A= Attainable

R= Realistic

T= Tangible 

 

 

 


Pilates Roller Flex Foam Roller Workshop
January 29 | 10:30-11:45 AM
SIGN UP NOW $30

Using a foam roller for self-massage allows you to target specific areas of tightness or tenderness and places you in control of the amount of pressure and time focused on each region.  A roller will help you increase your awareness of how your body feels and moves, help you develop better posture and body symmetry, challenge your balance, and activate your deep core muscles.  

 

This Workshop will include both instructional and practice periods. In the first hour, we will work on muscle massage and tension relief and we will use the second hour to learn techniques that will enhance your Essential Pilates Mat workout.

 

Please bring your roller or let me know by January 17 if you would like to purchase one. White rollers are $25 and blue ProRollers are $40. (Limited number of rollers available for loan.)

 

Friends are welcome at the workshop; no Pilates experience needed. Class size limited to 16 participants. Register by January 27th in class  or send me an email.

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New Classes

New Year, New Class Times


REFORMER INTRO classes will teach you all the basics about Pilates, Reformer equipment parts, and Essential level Reformer exercises. Highly recommended for new students. Offered at 10:00 AM on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays, and 5:45 PM on Tuesdays. Other class times available as needed.

 

CIRCUIT BREAKER takes your Pilates practice to a whole new level! Learn how to take Mat and Reformer exercises to a different plane using the Cadillac, Chair, and Barrels. Props like the rollers, large and small stability balls, rings, BOSU, and straps will be used frequently. A vigorous and challenging workout. Instructor permission required to attend. Saturdays at 9:00 AM.

Pilates Chair
click here for class schedul

 MAT/REFORMER COMBO gives you the best of both worlds.  Spend half the class defying gravity while challenging yourself with Pilates original floorwork exercises, and the second half on the Reformer gliding and stretching your body against the singing springs. Mondays and Fridays at 9:30 AM.


JUMPBOARD INTERVALS COMING SOON! Let Kathy know if you are interested in this cardiovascular and strength alternating interval workout on the Reformer. Instructor permission to attend.

Focus of the Month: Breathing 

Get the Most Out of Your Pilates Practice 

 

Breathing properly encourages effective oxygenation of the blood, focuses the mind on each task, and helps to relax the muscles and avoid unnecessary tension. Exhaling deeply can also help activate the deep support muscles (transverse abdominis, multifidus, and pelvic floor muscles) of the low back and pelvis, while moving tthe diaphragm and ribcage for additional support. Think of this activation as your  "core-tet" of support.   In all exercises, breath and awareness of stablization should precede all movement.
 

EXERCISES TO TRY AT HOME

1. Notice your natural breath pattern. Where does the air go? How long does it take for you to breath in and out comfortably? Are your shoulders lifting?

2. Breathe while sitting up hugging your knees or while lying on your back with your knees bent and feet flat on the floor. Concentrate on sending your air in to your back and sides of your ribcage. Try to breathe in through your nose and out through your mouth through softly pursed lips (like trying to gently frost a mirror with your breath.)

3. Breathe while holding your pelvis in neutral spine (three natural curves present.)  Make sure to send air to the sides of the ribs and back so that abdominals do not lift on the inhale. Deepen the contraction of the abs on the exhale. Do not shift the position of the pelvis while your contract or release.

4. Rocking Pelvis: Lie on your back, knees bent, neutral spine. Place a towel behind your head for support,  if needed. Inhale to maintain a neutral pelvis, exhale to contract abdominals and imprint spine, inhale to maintain the imprinted position, exhale to return to neutral. Repeat several times. You can also try lifting one or more of your legs off the floor to test the stability of your imprint.

 

Adapted from "The Five Basic Principles" by Stott Pilates

 


 

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PilatesConnection is on Facebook and Twitter. Friend me or follow me by January 31 to receive a free Pinky Ball, great for targeting tight muscles and sore spots! (One per person.) 

Last-minute class availability, tips, and other updates will be posted regularly. Be sure to check back often! 

   

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Health and Fitness Loaner Library

girl with book

A Pilates Primer: Return to Life Through Contrology and Your Health (J. Pilates) 

 The Multifidus Back Pain Solution (J. Johnson)

Full Body Flexibility (J. Blahnik)

Relax Your Neck, Liberate Your Shoulders (E. Franklin)

Stretching Anatomy (Nelson/Kokkonen)

The Whartons' Stretch Book (J. Wharton)

Treat Your Own Back (R. McKenzie)

Treat Your Own Rotator Cuff (J. Johnson)

Trigger Point Therapy Workbook (C. Davies)

7 Steps to a Pain Free Life: How to Rapidly Relieve Back and Neck Pain (R. McKenzie)

 

These are just a few of the books that are available for a one-week checkout. Please e-mail me to reserve and arrange for pick-up at class.