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news / newsletter |
News & Events PMA Chapter Discussion Pilates Method Alliance |
May 2010 Newsletter New Moves Think of deconstructionism as the art of unbuilding the movement/exercise in order to rebuild the exercise/movement with a clients individual body mechanics in mind. The following 100's have been rebuilt using a variety of equipment to obtain a greater degree of difficulty: When deconstructing the exercise/movement ask yourself “does the exercise/movement do everything I need it to do and what do I need it to do for the clients relationship to ideal/neutral posture.” I encourage you to try reconstructing the exercises for yourself. Try 100's at the open or tower end of the Cadillac, maybe the Spring Board or Pedi-Pull. Explore the movement and enjoy the process. |
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"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 performing our many and varied daily tasks with spontaneous zest and pleasure." - Joseph Hubertus Pilates, Return to Life Through Contrology, p. 15 Pilates Day 2010 Each year on the first Saturday in May, the Pilates Method Alliance® (PMA)® celebrates Pilates Day ®. Pilates Day was created by the PMA to promote awareness of the many benefits that the Pilates Method brings to every age group, and to promote healthy living. The local Pilates Houston Association (PHA) was proud to support the international PMA in their efforts. This year the PHA tried a different approach in shaping Pilates Day for the Houston area. At the first planning meeting, the Pilates Day committee decided to go with a ‘Pilates Picnic’ theme. The concept was a free mat class to provide an enticing opportunity for those who had never experienced the method before. The slogan became BYOMB – bring your own mat & basket. Planning an outdoor event is always a risk (especially in Houston). The Friday before Pilates Day it rained all day. With everything prepared, including the city permit for Memorial Park, extra mats, and refreshments, a last minute decision had to be made. As rain was predicted for the rest of the weekend, the picnic was relocated indoors. The Good Space studio graciously hosted the ‘picnic’. Despite having their regular classes and a CPR class running, they still made their space available. The sun did come out on Pilates Day after all. So much so that everyone was grateful the party had moved indoors with the air conditioning. The mat class taught by Laura Phillips-Hampton had good energy. While the class was made up predominately of Pilates teachers, there were some newbies. It was a beautiful thing to see seasoned teachers and complete novices enjoying the Pilates Method together. A unique way that PHA has celebrated Pilates Day the past two years is by making it a fund-raiser for charity. Last year all the proceeds went to St. Jude Children’s Hospital. This year the recipient was Child Advocates. During the ‘indoor’ picnic, there was a picnic basket for donations and a silent auction. Special thanks to the six different local studios that donated privates or classes for the auction: Pilates Concepts of Houston, PilatesHouston, Inc, The Good Space Pilates & Yoga Studio, Treehouse Pilates, Bodycirque Pilates & Gyrotonic, and Studio C. The spirit of Joseph Pilates Method was celebrated in a wonderful way. Newcomers discovered this special mind/body fitness avenue. Pilates professionals were not only able to network but also able to encourage and inspire one another. While doing something good for the Pilates community, PHA and everyone that participated in Pilates Day was able to do something good for the larger Houston community by donating to Child Advocates. |
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Snack Attack The world belongs to those with the most energy. There’s no denying that everyone, at one time or another, has had a snack attack. Views on snacking differ. Some of us feel that snacking is bad and that eating between meals leads to weight gain. Others believe that eating many small meals and snacks throughout the day is healthy for maintaining energy levels and optimal weight. If there were one way of snacking that was right for everyone, we would all be doing it! To alleviate snack attack guilt, try to understand why you are snacking and what snacks work best for your body. Perhaps you snack because your daily diet is missing nutrition, or because you are eating too little at meals. You might be snacking to soothe jangled nerves when you are emotional, or to entertain yourself when you are bored. Whatever your reason, acknowledge it and start thinking about how to create a life that is nourishing and truly satisfying. Although snacks are no substitute for loving your life, they can be great energy boosters. Many convenient snack foods are highly processed and full of chemicals, additives, damaging fats and refined sugars. When a snack attack hits you, try foods that are filling and satisfying, but also nutritious. Snack on things that don’t come in a plastic wrapper or a box, like fresh fruit, leftover vegetables or rice cakes with almond butter and fruit spread. Make your own signature trail mix, organic hot chocolate made with almond milk sweetened with agave nectar, or blue corn chips with hummus. You can also try “upgrading”. If you are craving something crunchy, upgrade from potato chips to raw carrots, apples or whole grain crackers; if you are craving a candy bar, upgrade to a handful of nuts and dried fruit; instead of a cup of coffee, upgrade to green tea; instead of ice cream, upgrade to applesauce with cinnamon. Upgraded snacks are high in nutrition and give you a greater sense of satiety and satisfaction; you won’t feel physically or psychologically deprived, and you’ll have plenty of energy to sustain your activities for hours. Snacking is enjoyable and there is a wide variety of healthful goodies for whatever you’re craving, be it sweet, crunchy, salty, creamy or spicy. Dive in, be creative and enjoy your snack attack. A healthy lifestyle is the key to longevity, optimum weight, abundant energy and balance. By using fruit to satisfy our taste for sweetness, we can leave behind the use of chemical, processed and refined sweeteners. Fruits are easy to digest, are cleansing and cooling and are great for those who are overstressed and overheated from excessive mental strain or hot climates. Fruits are filled with fiber and liver stimulants, which act as natural, gentle laxatives. Whenever possible, buy fresh, locally grown fruit as opposed to imported fruits shipped from far-off places. This keeps you eating in season, and more in harmony with your environment and climate. Eating raw fruit in summer months is highly cooling, while baking it in the winter months neutralizes the cooling effect. Fruit in the form of juice is a great choice for cleansing the body, but be aware that juice rapidly raises blood sugar levels, leading to an energy crash soon after. Frozen, whole, puréed or juiced fruit can make great summertime cool-down treats. Try frozen grapes, banana-coconut smoothie popsicles or lime juice ice-cubes in iced tea! Do you enjoy hearing about ways to feel healthier and have more energy? Are you passionate about health and wellness? Would you like to help others feel better, or simply take better care of you and your family? I received my nutritional coaching training from The Institute For Integrative Nutrition. Have a look at their program now! www.integrativenutrition.com/Institute
Sabrina Swayder
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