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!

Too much Holiday Sweets

Feeling guilty about the sweets or food you enjoyed at your Holiday celebrations?

Most people decide to cut back on eating to trim back down.

Don't beat yourself up! It takes a lot of calories—3,500—to gain a pound of body fat. So really, that holiday eating doesn't usually result in any significant weight gain.

It's about what you do the next day and the day after that's really important —so get back and stay on-track with your workouts. So be sure to whittle away at those extra calories over the next day or two, preferably by boosting exercise rather than eating too little. Starvation is not the healthy answer!

Photo by Brooke Lark on Unsplash

Workout Booster

DRINK UP

Photo by rawpixel on Unsplash

 Pointers that will help you get what you need in terms of hydration.

 1.  About 1 hour before working out, drink 8 ounces of water to help ensure you’re starting off hydrated.

2.  Add a low-calorie electrolyte tablet to your water pre-workout and drink during the workout. This will help you maintain adequate hydration and replace what you loose through swear.

3.  Remember to rehydrate post-workout. Aim for 6-8 ounces.  

Share you hydration tips in our comments section below.

Benefits of practice

The practice of Pilates may date back all the way to the early 1900’s, but the benefits of its practice are far from outdated.

 

Regularly practicing

Pilates builds core strength, increases flexibility and improves muscular balance and endurance.

Consistency is key for seeing results from Pilates, so add a class or two to your schedule this week! You’ll soon start feeling a much more strong and balanced core, which will only enhance your performance in other areas as well.

We look forward to seeing you at P/oP!

 Intro Offer: 3 private, 55-minute introductory sessions: $180

This set of 3 classes is an introduction to the art of Pilates and is open to first-time clients. Build core strength and learn the beginning moves you'll need to master this timeless exercise. Inquire on instructor availability.

Join Samantha every Monday evening at 6pm & 7pm & Wednesday at 6pm for a group reformer class. Text (213) 222-6199 to reserve a spot. 

Join Toni every Wednesday evening at 7:00pm for a group reformer class. Text (707) 416-6162 to reserve a spot. Email to rsvp.

Join Amelia every Thursday evenings at 6pm & 7pm for a group reformer class. Text (203) 627-6687 to reserve a spot .

Increase your brain power with Rosemary

WHY: Shakespeare knew what was up when he wrote, “Rosemary, that’s for remembrance.”

The herbal essential oil stimulates the brain and keeps you on the ball.

A study conducted by the Egyptian Journal of Basic and Applied Science found that inhaling the scent of rosemary increased productivity and improved visual and numerical memory.

HOW: Plugging away at your keyboard?

Block out office distractions by popping an aromatherapy diffuser into your computer and add a few drops of essential Rosemary oil.

Wisdom Wednesday

"If your spine is inflexibly stiff at 30, you are old. IF it is completely flexible at 60, you are young."

~ Joseph Pilates

Join Amelia for a Chair Class on Saturday mornings at 10:30am. Text (203) 627-6687 to reserve a spot . Chair Class: $25

Join Dorothy Sunday morning at 9:30 am for a group Sculpt, Tone and Balance class with props.  Text 626-818-0241 or Email to reserve a spot.

Sculpt, Tone and Balance Class: $20

Photo by Joyce McCown on Unsplash

Simple Steps to Better Sleep

The secret to refreshing sleep is to wake up naturally after a sustained period of REM. There is wisdom in the old saying that ‘one hour’s sleep before midnight is worth two after.’

We spend about a third of our lives in sleep.  Sleep is important on so many levels.

As Leonardo da Vinci said, “…a well-spent day brings happy sleep.”

If only we could sleep like a baby

and get some solid restful sleep.

Short-term insomnia, which is the commonest type of insomnia afflicts as many as one in three people, can be caused by a stressful life event, a poor sleeping environment, and an irregular routine.

 Try these 7 simple steps to better sleep:

1. Set up a strict routine involving regular and adequate sleeping times.

2. Devise a relaxing bedtime routine that helps you to wind down before bedtime.

3. Eat a wholesome evening meal with a good balance of protein and complex carbohydrates.

4. Enjoy a hot, non-caffeinated drink such as herbal tea or hot chocolate before going to sleep. In time, your hot drink could serve as a sleeping cue.

5. Sleep in a familiar, dark, and quiet room that is adequately ventilated and neither too hot nor too cold.

6. Exercise regularly. Exercise reduces arousal and anxiety and also helps with other aspects of psychological and physical health.

7. Reduce your overall stress. At the same time, try to do something fulfilling each day.

Don't make the common, almost universal mistake of underestimating sleep. Time spent in sleep is time well spent; almost everyone could do with better, more restorative sleep.

 Sleep is the best meditation. —Dalai Lama