I have discovered the joys of making money on the internet, which is exciting because I can work from anywhere on my laptop or Blackberry device. I have a good laptop warranty in case the hardware goes, and there is enough open source free software on the web that all you need is an inexpensive hosting account and some domain names and you can do quite a lot. Obviously one of my niches is Pilates, and as someone who used to be solely tied  Read More →

The lovely Marguerite Ogle does such a fabulous job on the About.com Pilates site, and today I discovered a fun page she has of quotes from the Joseph Pilates book Return to Life Through Contrology . Here are some of my favorites: Physical fitness is the first requisite of happiness. Our interpretation of physical fitness is the attainment and maintenance of a uniformly developed body with a sound mind fully capable of naturally, easily, and satisfactorily... 

Pilates is a truly anti-aging exercise. While many types of exercise will strengthen your heart and other muscles and keep you strong, Pilates works on keeping the spine and other joints moving while as strong as possible. In this way you feel great, you feel young. Joseph Pilates once said that we are only as old as our spines. If your back is killing  Read More →

To have a good size Pilates studio with full equipment you need at least 600 square feet of continuous space. Whether you rent in an existing building or storefront, use a garage or steel building , or set up in a gym make sure you have enough space. In terms of equipment it is good to start with 2 reformer/tower combos, 2 wunda chairs, and 1 each of the barrels, ped-o-puls, and other pieces. Finally get some good quality floor mats for classes... 

No matter how ergonomic and expensive your office furniture may be, sitting in any chair all day long will have a negative effect on your body. Your hip flexors and hamstrings get tighter, your spine compresses with gravity, your head strains forward and your shoulders round forward towards your desk or computer. Pilates exercises help counter this by moving and lengthening your spine, including neck, opening your chest and strengthening your shoulders,... 

Image via Wikipedia It is interesting teaching Pilates at a resort, since we get a fair number of guests who do Pilates regularly and know what it is along with a large number who have never tried it before. They are never quite sure what to expect, having heard about Pilates as being all stretching, all abs, or for dancers. Any introduction to Pilates mat should include a mix of small fundamental exercises that allow you to move correctly and…  Read More →

Image of Pilates-Pro.com My friend, Pilates teacher Anne Samoilov interviewed me recently about teaching Pilates, blogging, social media, and whether or not a new teacher should open a Pilates studio. The interview is now live on Pilates-Pro.com, Pilates Mentors: Q&A with ‘Pilates Goddess’ Lynda Lippin . I love being called a Mentor and Goddess is one sentence, by the way! And so you know, I think new teachers are better off renting... 

Most Pilates beginners, especially those doing Pilates mat only with no equipment feedback, need to modify some of the exercises. Making an exercise more achievable makes Pilates more enjoyable. Pilates exercises can be modified by reducing the range of motion or size of an exercise and using props, such as bands or the magic circle, among others. Like an electronic cigarette that helps smokers ease into quitting, Pilates modifications can help... 

Every day someone tells me that the problem with Pilates for them is that they can’t find their abdominal muscles, either from disuse, abdominal surgery, or other stress. Short of having radar detectors to zero in on this area, focus and attention are the next best thing. Start with breathing. Your abs assist the movement of your ribcage and therefore your diaphragm to help you breathe. And these  Read More →

Sometimes you are lucky enough to vacation in a place that has everything you want in one place, such as Pilates, Yoga, Fitness, and a great spa (Parrot Cay is one of those special places). But even if you are simply getting away to a new town or city near you it is possible to get these services with a bit of research. So if you are inclined to a Branson vacation or a NY vacation, find a good Pilates studio, fitness center, and spa and give yourself... 

Yesterday I taught a Rehab Pilates session to a Japanese journalist who told me that Rehab exercise and Pilates were not linked in Japanese culture. You go to a Pilates teacher for exercise, and a physician for any kind of Rehab exercises. Now this is appropriate in acute injury cases, but when you are dealing with imbalances from an injury 20 years  Read More →

Lately I see a lot of ads and discussion about home fitness using game consoles, such as the Wii, PS3, or xbox 360 . Many fitness instructors have branded fitness games, including Daisy Fuentes for Pilates. Now, I suppose that if you have no other choice and refuse to leave your house to exercise these could be a good option. My concern is that you get no correction on bad form or pushing to the next level when things get easier, both of which a... 

I have started a new collection of Pilates, Fitness, and Reiki information at Videojug Pages; the site is Sane Fitness In an Insane World and I am just having a great time posting videos and information as I have time. I have pages on Pilates history, my famous daily core workout, pilates and reiki, TRX, and kettlebells. I am adding more, so if there is anything that you want to know more about leave a comment here and I will create a page for... 

One of the very best weight loss products in the world is your own body. That’s right – your own body! When you exercise, including doing Pilates, you strengthen your muscles and increase your natural metabolism, which leads to faster and faster weight loss. So if you are looking to lose weight do yourself a huge favor and start a fitness program that incorporates Pilates.  Read More →

Beware of anybody who tells you that Joseph Pilates would have approved of fat burner pills in any way, shape, or form. Pilates was in many ways a naturalist, and while he did smoke cigars and drink bourbon and beer, he frowned upon forced and unnatural movements and activities. Exercise is a natural and side-effect free fat burner!  Read More →