My Thoughts on Carbonated Soft drinks AKA Soda

While teaching a workshop on the intro to the MELT Method about rehydrating connective tissue the subject of soft drinks came up. I love teaching all kinds of workshops that help to bring awareness to peoples bodies that make them start to ask questions about themselves and what is happening in their bodies. Often times people will ask questions that relate personally to me. This past week I was asked "What are your feelings about soft drinks? Would you say its better to drink Diet soda over regular soda?" Hmm interesting........Well I said that's interesting you bring this up. Since our bodies are a fluid system I drink a lot of water. Silence and gasp across the room...... That's it? people said. Well you see I have a really clean diet. I don't consume any empty calories. So anything that doesn't serve my body nutritionally to energize simply doesn't go in. I in my 20's loved a carbonated soft drink and my body tolerated or at least I thought it did. Years later I learned about the negative consequences of aspartame first hand with a severe allergy that knocked me off my feet feeling pretty sick. As I grow and learn more about how the body works and how it breaks down nutrients I learned the dangers of processed ingredients and foods. I drink water and if I'm looking for something sweet to satisfy that carbonation crave  I will have a sparkling water and add fruit to it. Adding lemon is one of my favorites and it helps to keep the body in an alkaline state. Another favorite if I want something flavored I'll grab a cold pressed juice from Clarity Juice by Syd! They currently have two flavors the Saratoga green juice which is a flavorful blend of cucumber, apple, kale, spinach, lemon and ginger or the Beetox which is oranges, apples, beets, lemon and ginger. I put in long hours and to be able to enjoy something super nutrient packed that sustains my energy helps me do my job and do it well. Cheers to kicking the processed sugar habit and shopping the outside of the grocery aisle! 

Love & Light,

Natasha

Pilates Books and Videos vs. Lessons in the studio

Pilates books and videos can be great tools to help you remember what you're doing. Nothing replaces the eye of a qualified and experienced teacher. Your instructor can help deepen your practice by helping you identify the correct muscle groups to use, and deepen your awareness in areas you may be cheating and help correct those habits. Not every exercise is for every person. A qualified instructor may help you with modifications for your individual body. Utilizing the equipment and finding a qualified teacher can help you maximize the best out of your mat work and help you more clearly define your workout when out of the studio or traveling and you need to reference a dvd or book. One of my most favorite books is The Pilates Body by Brooke Siler

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Pilates doesn't have a Registered Trademark like Gyrotonic®, Why?

In the year 2000 a Federal Court in Manhattan declared the word "Pilates" to mean an exercise method, like yoga or the word ballet, not a trademarked brand name. This allows and means that studios, gyms, instructors, certification companies, and equipment manufacturers are free to use the word "Pilates" without adhering to any specific standard. It has become the responsibility of prospective clients and individuals to do their research to make sure they are seeing an experienced instructor with the appropriate recognized certifications from institutes that would be nationally and internationally recognized.  The term Gyrotonic® has been trademarked by the founder Juliu Horvath so there is no confusion regarding the authenticity of the instructors training. For more about this registered trademark
case visit Balanced Body.

You're Healthy, You're Fit, Why you absolutely should add Pilates to your workout schedule!

Get the maximum results from your workouts! Pilates principles apply to every aspect of movement in your body. Pilates exercises help you become aware of your muscle strengths, weaknesses,  and imbalances and helps you develop that mind body connection in all your fitness activities so you're exercising with proper form and efficient movement for energy output. It increases range of motion. Wouldn't you like to see greater strides in your running gait, or a greater swing out on the golf course, increased ability to lift more weight because of a balanced musculature. Pilates will keep you enjoying all the fitness activities you love for a longer period of time with an even stronger sense of mind body connection and control. - Natasha

Pilates & Pregnancy

Pilates exercises are generally speaking safe if you are experiencing a normal, healthy pregnancy. Like with any exercise program throughout your pregnancy you will keep the following in mind.

-Never to over exert the abdominal muscles during this time, remember they are stretching and expanding during your pregnancy. You don't need to be tightening them.

-Take caution with your lower back as you're carrying extra weight in your front and your balance will be off.

-Avoid lying on your back, as you don't want to compromise the vascular system of both mother and baby.

-Throughout pregnancy the progesterone and relaxin levels increase causing ligaments around the joints to become lax, and vulnerable.

-Be aware that throughout this time your center of gravity and balance has changed. 

-Never would you start a brand new exercise program while pregnant. If you haven't currently been practicing Pilates before pregnant, and it truly interests you wait till after your new bundle of joy has arrived, and your doctor has given you the postpartum okay to begin exercising again.

Sara pictured on the tower mat in the early stages of her pregnancy with Ben!

I had the pleasure of working with Sara throughout her entire pregnancy. Her last workout out with me was on a Friday and Ben was born two days later on Sunday! 

While working with a qualified instructor there are many exercises and pieces of apparatus to work with throughout your pregnancy, the spine corrector, the cadillac or tower, reformer, high chair while in a seated position or kneeling. 

Check with your Doctor, Hydrate, work safely and with a qualified instructor during this fragile time!

Wishing you a healthy, safe Pilates Pregnancy!

-Natasha