Forget the Crunches & get Planking!

If you want rock solid abdominals then you should be all about the Plank.

As far as exercises go, you get the best bang for your ab-rocking buck with planks because it is considered an exercise that engages multiple muscles.

Photo Credit: Ayo Ogunseinde on Unsplash

7 reasons to get excited about doing planks

  1. For being a basic isometric exercise, planks strengthen your entire body—they make your core pop, strengthen your lower back, and build your shoulders.

  2. The longer you can hold the plank, the more resilient your lower back will be to injury.

  3. Planking exercises have a great impact and improvement on your posture.

  4. You’ll decrease your risk of injury in the back and spinal column.

  5. You’ll improve your overall balance.

  6. Planks require a small time investment on your part, and offer the chance to achieve substantial results in a relatively short span of time.

  7. Best perk of all...you don’t need any equipment.

Ask your P/oP instructor for their recommendations and tips for conquering the plank.

You’ll be better for it, guaranteed.

 

 

Wunda Chair Benefits

P/oP Wunda Chair Benefits

One may assume that the Wunda chair got its name because it works wonders.

At P/oP we believe that it does!

 The Wunda chair is often used for simple strength and balance exercises or for a medium to advanced range workout. 

** Enjoy these benefits from a Wunda Chair routine:

Stretching on the Wunda chair helps increase your range of motion, improve your flexibility and decrease tension in your whole body.

Wunda chair exercises using the feet help strengthen the legs and ankles while also working your core.

The Wunda chair can help you build strength in your arms and chest.

Specific moves on the Wunda chair offer an intense, challenging workout for your core abdominal area.

 

A Wunda chair class is a great addition to your exercise routine.

**check with your pilates instructor about adding the chair to your routine

 

Spring Into Action

Tuesday Jump Class with Toni at noon

Get your heart rate going and get ready to move.

Jump boards and trampolines attached to reformers transform your Pilates workout into a jumping cardio workout. Jumping horizontally against the springs, rather than fighting gravity, provides low impact to joints while using your core to stabilize the body.

This is a 40-minute class. $25.00

TO BOOK CLASS GO to:pilatesofpasadena.com/book-classes

THURSDAY MOVEMENT 360 CLASS

Thursdays at noon with Charletha

Charletha utilizes small props, (i.e., small balls and 18” dowel sticks) for closed chain movements. This class is a combination of Pilates mat work and stretching, as well as an emphasis on joint articulation, fascia release and standing balance.

The goal is to increase overall core strength, achieve better functional range of motion in joint structures, and maintain overall body movement and balance awareness.

This is a great class

for anyone, especially older adults who wish to remain fit and maintain a full range of motion.


SIGN UP FOR CLASS AT: pilatesofpasadena.com/book-classes $25.00


“ I see so many of us lose our balance as we age, any way to continue to improve our balance will ultimately prevent injuries caused from falling “ — Maria

Wednesday Tips

For Side Kick Front/Back Series...Imagine, stacked coffee cups...

Lie on your side with your elbow, shoulder, midback and buttocks aligned with the back edge of your mat.Think shoulder over shoulder, hip over hip.

Lift your top leg to hip height and turn it out ever so slightly from the hip. Inhale, pressing your navel deep into your spine.

Swing your leg to the front and pulse it twice (like two small kicks) as far forward as it will so without rocking forward in your hips or scrunching your waist.

To stabilize your shoulders, imagine balancing stacked coffee cups on your shoulder and do not rattle the cups as you go.

Exhale as you swing your leg back, reaching for the back corner of the room. Watch those cups.

Repeat 10 times

Photo by: nathan-dumlao-432134-unsplash.jpg

Find diet-friendly munchies

While there are lots of good-for-you and your family foods out there, some key ingredients make it a lot easier to keep your weight or meet your weight-loss goals.

Next grocery store run,

be sure to load these 3 diet-friendly items in your cart:

1 - balsamic vinegar (it adds a pop of low-cal flavor to veggies and salads)

2 - in-shell nuts (their protein and fiber keep you satiated)

3 - fat-free plain yogurt (a creamy, comforting source of protein)

It’s Simpler Than You Think

Caring for the planet is one of those things that can seem out of our reach.

James K. Williamson’s article,Things You Can Do to Care for the Planet, NYT  Feb. 24, 2019, offers several ideas that we can do in our everyday lives to take part in caring for our community, country and planet.

Hang on to your smartphone

The little computer you carry with you requires a lot of energy to assemble. The production of an iPhone 6, for example, released the equivalent of 178 pounds of carbon dioxide, or about as much as burning nine gallons of gas, according to a 2015 study. Instead of buying a new phone, try to keep yours in working condition for as long as possible (here’s some advice on how to extend its life). But if you must get rid of yours, recycle it or consider buying a used one.

Leave leaves

Leaves provide shelter for worms, moths and some butterflies, which then become prey for neighborhood birds. They also help nourish and fertilize soil, and you won’t burn fossil fuels by using a lawn mower or leaf blower.

Use a dishwasher, not the sink

Dishwashers have improved over the years: Average models certified by the government’s Energy Star program use 3.5 gallons or less per cycle. Compare that with an efficient kitchen faucet, which pours 1.5 gallons of water per minute, meaning that handwashing for four minutes nearly doubles the water use of a dishwasher. If you don’t have the luxury of owning a dishwasher, try to do the two-bucket method: “When washing dishes by hand, don’t let the water run. Fill one basin with wash water and the other with rinse water.”

Buy fewer clothes

Manufacturers use water and chemicals to dye and finish cotton clothes. Polyesters and nylons aren’t biodegradable. In this age of fast fashion, it’s best to wear your clothes for a long, long time. (Buying secondhand helps, too.)

Consider your online order, from click to carrier

When you’re shopping online, try to buy in bulk to reduce multiple deliveries, which can help cut carbon emissions from delivery trucks. Research your items to avoid having to return them, and always recycle the boxes.

Be mindful of your food waste

A massive amount of energy goes into producing the food we eat, especially meat and dairy and about 40 percent of food in the United States is thrown away. To limit food waste when you’re hosting a get-together, use this “Guest-imator” to calculate the amount of groceries you’ll need. Also check out the “Waste-Free Kitchen Handbook” for more help on reducing food waste.

Find a Workout Buddy

A fitness friend is hugely helpful for keeping motivated,

but

it's important to find someone who will inspire - not discourage.

Make a list

of all your exercise-loving friends and then see who fits this criteria such as; Can your pal meet to exercise on a regular basis? Is he/she supportive (not disparaging) of your goals?

And last, will your bud be able to keep up with you or even push your limits in key workouts? Now that’s a buddy!

If you've got someone that fits all three, make that phone call and we will see you both at your next Pilates workout.

Men Do Pilates

Fitness experts now believe that if there is one form of exercise that men of all ages should be doing, it’s this one!

Fun Fact:

Pilates was created by a man -- for men. Creator, Joseph Pilates, had a list of occupations -- diver, wrestler, body builder, self-defense teacher and professional boxer -- that's pretty much the stereotypical definition of manliness. The truth is, Pilates offers a great workout, regardless of your gender.

With its benefits of increased core strength, improved posture and better balance and flexibility, it should come as no surprise to learn that the number of male participants in Pilates classes is rising.

 Pilates includes balance and standing work, it is a total body workout. Let’s face it, there’s not much point in having great abs if they only work when you’re lying down!

 Your core isn’t just your abs — it’s your entire body from your diaphragm all the way to your pelvic floor. Although the focus of a Pilates class is primarily on your core, your inner unit, the class will also work your back, chest, arms, legs, neck, feet… the works! Other benefits are flexibility and coordination will improve with practice.

 That’s not to say that Pilates ever gets easy. Pilates is multi-layered, which is what keeps it interesting for people, even after years of practice.  

At P/op you’ll learn the basics of each movement first, breaking them down as much as needed, then adding things in to deepen the experience or simply add more challenge.

Book a session with a P/op instructor today, you’ll be glad you did!

Sign up Now! Yamuna Body Rolling Classes →

New Yamuna Body Rolling

Find lightness and length in your body with Abby Hanson & Yamuna Body Rolling by scheduling your class today.

Yamuna Body Rolling (YBR) is a simple and effective method to release and elongate muscles, joints and tendons that have been compromised by years of overuse.

YBR is a ball rolling therapy that combines the release of massage with the strengthening and toning of exercise, providing an effortless workout and a deep stretch. The balls apply traction that frees up connective tissue, reeducates muscles, stimulates bones, and leads to fully releasing negative holding patterns in the body.

Next Class dates: February 10, and February 24.

Sign up now! Class size is limited to 6 attendees.

To book class appointments go to http://www.pilatesofpasadena.com/book-classes/

or Contact Abby Hanson today to schedule your appointment: 608-280-1888 abbyshotwell@gmail.com