ADD SOMETHING NEW TO YOUR WORKOUT
Try our new Pilates Springwall Classes! Here's why you need it!
Springboard class is a mat-based Pilates workout that uses springs and levers attached to the wall-mounted “springboard”. This class fuses classical pilates mat (which is super challenging in its own right) with pilates equipment training.
Here’s why:
1. Arm springs and leg springs keep your muscles under constant tension. This is like lifting weights. Class is designed to maximize your strength & muscle gains in minimal time.
2. You perform movements slowly, which ramps up the intensity (think quivering muscles and higher heart rate).
4. Works each side of body separately, creating muscle BALANCE (NOT always true with reformer). Muscle balance is critical for athletic performance and injury prevention.
5. CORE, CORE, and more CORE. Did we mention CORE?
6. Amazing stretching for your tight back with the Springboard's roll-down bar. Joe Pilates' famous quote is, "You are only young as your spine is flexible”.
If your goal is to be in the best shape of your life in 2023 and beyond, try Springboard classes and feel your body change! We highly recommend a combination of Reformer and Springboard 3-4x per week for best results.
Pilates Springwall Core on the Floor Classes are $12 Ea
30 Minute Express Classes - Monday 6:00 PM - Wednesday 8:30 AM & 6 PM - Friday 8:30 AM
45 Minute Classes - Monday and Wednesday 6:30 PM, Tuesday and Thursday 7:00 AM and Saturday 9:30 AM
Call Linda 281-923-8463 to Schedule or BOOK HERE
Defying Age with Versatility
You are never too old to begin your Pilates practice. If you are 60+ years and active, you are ready to start! If you have any pre-existing conditions or have not been active for a while, we recommend you consult with your doctor before beginning any new exercise. It's never too late to learn to move your body more efficiently and with Pilates, you can regain your strength, flexibility, and mobility.
Benefits of Pilates for Seniors
Pilates is wonderful for everybody at any age. Seniors, in particular, can really benefit from a Pilates practice. You may have noticed changes in your balance, strength, flexibility, focus, and your breath are all areas you may notice have changed with age. Pilates at its core works on improving all of those things! Pilates is gentle enough to be right for you at any age and every exercise can be modified to meet you where your body is that day.
The Pilates Springboard and the Pilates Reformer exercises can be adapted for any fitness level. Contact your instructor to schedule a FREE demo
Desteni Ard - Pilates Reformer 936-391-4106
Linda Stevens - Pilates Springwall - 281-923-8463
First Things First, What Even Is A Barre Class?
Barre is a dynamic workout that combines elements of ballet, pilates, and strength training into a class that totally transforms the body from head to toe, and it’s an entertaining, minimal-sweat style of exercise.
Barre works out and engages muscles throughout the entire body. A majority of the class is usually done at a ballet bar and focuses on toning, stretching, lengthening, and strengthening.
Join Laura for a Barre Class on Tuesdays and Thursdays @ 800 AM for a 45 Minute Workout Suitable For All Levels Book Here
5 Weight Lifting Myths For Women And The Health Benefits Women Who Lift Weights Gain
Women sometimes avoid weight lifting because they think it can be dangerous or will make them bulky. But these stereotypes about women and lifting weights aren't supported by facts.
Here are some of the most common myths about weight lifting for women, and why they aren't true, according to a strength training coach.
Myth 1: Women shouldn't lift heavy weights because it's dangerous
Women can and do excel at weight lifting. While heavy weight lifting is sometimes stereotyped as a men's sport, elite women athletes are, pound for pound, some of the strongest in the world.
Men may lift more weight, in total pounds, but when it comes to contests of strength relative to body weight, some women weight lifters can outlift the guys.
Moreover, weight lifting is not dangerous for women, even if you're not an athlete, according to Sara Carr, personal trainer, competitive weightlifter, and assistant head coach at Black Box NYC.
"Anything is dangerous if you're doing it incorrectly. With proper form, there's nothing dangerous about lifting weights" Carr says.
In fact, women of all ages and backgrounds can safely learn weight lifting with the help of a good coach. "That includes women who are pregnant," Carr says, although some movements may be modified.
Research shows that women can safely lift weight while pregnant, and it even has benefits — however, it's best to do so if you have prior experience, and not start a new, intense workout regimen during pregnancy. And it's always a good idea to consult a doctor if you're not sure a certain workout is right for you.
Myth 2: Women who lift weights will get bulky
Another common myth is that lifting weights will make women gain weight and muscle or give their body a "bulky" appearance.
It's true, that if you lift enough weights over a long enough time, you will gain muscle mass. However, research shows that there aren't significant differences between how quickly men and women build muscle on similar training plans.
"Can it make you bulky? Sure, but you have to put in a ton of time in the weight room," Carr says. Even then, it won't happen overnight. Building muscle takes significantly longer than burning fat, and years of hard work are required for the lean muscle mass you see on "bulky" athletes.
"It's a really slow process. If you're doing it three times a week, the increase in muscle is not going to be noticeable for most people," Carr says. As a result, you don't have to worry that casual lifting will accidentally turn you into a bodybuilder.
Myth 3: Women can't lose weight through lifting
It's a common misconception that cardio is the best way to burn fat or lose weight. Weight lifting is as good or better for burning calories, since research shows it can increase your basal metabolic rate, or the number of calories you burn at rest, for up to 48 hours after you finish your workout.
"As soon as you stop doing cardio, you stop burning calories," Carr says. "When you lift weights, once you stop, your body starts to recover, and continues to burn calories for a long period of time."
It has another benefit for a lean physique, too, particularly in the long-term. As you build muscle with weight lifting, your body will need to use more energy maintaining all that tissue, which can further increase the number of calories you burn during daily activities.
"The more muscle you have, the faster your metabolism is going to be," Carr says.
Myth 4: You should use light weight and lots of reps to "tone" certain muscles
Workout routines designed for women often include light weight (or just body weight exercises) and lots of reps. The conventional wisdom is that these smaller weights will help "tone" your muscles without making them big.
However, the word "tone" here is misleading because it refers to the idea that you can achieve defined muscles by changing their shape but without bulking up. In reality, you can't gain muscle definition without gaining some muscle mass (or losing body fat).
"Your muscles can get bigger or smaller, you can't change the shape," says Carr.
Moreover, toning is sometimes associated with spot reducing, which refers to when you target a specific area of your body — like your stomach or thighs — to make it leaner. However, spot reducing is not real: "You can't just tell your body you want to lose weight in a certain area," Carr says.
Myth 5: It's scary or intimidating to learn weight lifting
As a fitness beginner, walking into a gym can be anxiety-provoking, since it's easy to worry about being judged or fitting in. This can be particularly true for women in weight rooms full of men.
While it can feel overwhelming to know where to start, learning to lift weights doesn't have to be scary, says Carr. Many gym communities are extremely welcoming to newcomers, and are happy to help a newbie learn the ropes (or barbells). And weightlifting increasingly includes women as much as men — today, 47% of USA Weightlifting members are women, compared to just 17% in 2007.
One key toward feeling comfortable in the gym is finding a good coach. Coaching is crucial for beginners, but it's also valuable for even the most experienced athletes to improve their technique and make progress.
"Everybody needs a coach when they start weight lifting," says Carr. "I compete in weight lifting and I have a coach." Carr adds that when looking for a coach, "I never recommend people just walk into a gym and go with whoever is assigned them."
Carr recommends some of the following when looking for a fitness coach:
Do your research: Check their background and experience and make sure it aligns with your expectations.
Check client reviews: If other clients have a positive experience, you're more likely to have one as well. Ideally, talk to a friend or acquaintance who's had success with a coach for a reference.
Choose wisely: To avoid wasting time or money with a low-quality coach, steer clear of those that make too-good-to-be-true promises. Also be wary of trainers that use pseudoscience myths like toning or spot reducing to sell their programs, Carr says.
Core Studio The Pilates Barre has two (2) Fitness Coaches (Personal Trainers) who can help you on your fitness journey. Desteni Ard, the Owner and Founder of Core Studio The Pilates Barre is a personal trainer with proven results in strength building and weight loss. Linda Stevens, Co-Founder of the Studio, Group Fitness Teacher, Senior Fitness Specialist and Personal Trainer works with women in their 50s, 60s, 70s and Beyond.
Benefits of weight lifting for women
Lifting weights has mental and physical health benefits for all genders. According to research, it can improve your bone health, preserve mobility in your tendons and joints, and may even help you live longer.
Studies show weight lifting can also improve your self confidence and self image. This can be especially beneficial for women who struggle with body image due to social pressures to be thin.
"It takes the focus off of training to look a certain way and puts the focus on training to perform a certain way," Carr says.
In addition to these benefits, weight lifting, like any form of exercise, can reduce stress, boost mood and improve the quality of your sleep.
UPCOMING EVENTS
We have some exciting events coming up! You Don’t Want To Miss Them
Pout Party - Tuesday March 21st - 4-7 PM
Revival Mobile Hydration - Tuesday, March 21st 4-7 PM
Grand Opening - Saturday - April 1st - 11 AM thru 6 PM
MARCH MADNESS
March Madness
March is National Nutrition Month
“Let thy food be thy medicine,” said Hippocrates (a long, long time ago), but the sentiment still rings true. National Nutrition Month, celebrated in March, stresses the importance of a balanced diet and exercise. The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics promotes the transformative powers of healthy food choices.
HOW TO OBSERVE NATIONAL NUTRITION MONTH
MOVE YOUR BODY
Nutrition doesn’t end at what we eat. The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics encourages making exercise an integral part of our lives.
Book a Pilates session or a Barre Class
2. FIND INSPIRATION
Feeling stale in the kitchen? Pinterest provides an infinite loop of recipes and inspiration to kick-start any nutrition journey. Be sure to check out the Core Studio The Pilates Barre website, we post some delicious recipes.
3. Get Help with a Meal Plan
Schedule a consult with Desteni or Linda (both Certified Nutrition Coaches) for help with a meal plan to fit your lifestyle.
Get Ready for YOUR Summer Body
It is so refreshing to see businesses big and small embrace the movement to show all kinds of bodies, not just the skinny model type of Victoria’s Secret runway. Now that spring is here, the fitness world is starting to push us to get our bodies “beach ready” for summer.
At our studio, we know (and appreciate) that every single body is unique. We say, you want a bikini body, well, go put on a bikini, Lady! Bam - you have a bikini body. Or a Speedo for the dudes. Go for it.
I want to flip the script on the summer-body self talk because this hasn’t always been easy for me. What if you skipped the scale and instead focused on how you feel? Focus on energy, strength, posture, pain free movement and endurance.
When it comes to getting your body ready for summer, think about what YOUR body wants and needs. When do you feel truly healthy? For me, I feel best when I get in a good three to four workouts a week with a mix of Pilates, Yoga, Strength Training and Cardio (Did you know that Barre incorporates all of these fitness modalities).
I want you to look and feel your best all summer long, whatever that looks and feels like to you. We’re all works in progress and no two people have the same idea of what their best summer body looks and feels like. Be gentle and KIND to yourself…..and do a LOT OF PILATES AND BARRE!
Pilates Client Testamonial: “If you would have told me a year ago that I would be able to exercise again, I would have told you that you were insane. With my chronic pain, inflammation and being mostly bedridden for the pst year I have lost a lot of muscle tone which is jus causing more pain and issues. My doctor said PT ASAP so 3 weeks ago I started Pilates at Core Studio the Pilates Barre in Onalaska and I can’t believe how I feel!!! Surprisingly it’s not as hard getting out of bed every morning and. my pain hasn’t increased at all!!! Pilates is for all ages and fitness abilities! Desteni Ard is AMAZING and will tailor a program that meets your needs, goals and limitations!….Nikki Rice
MARCH BARRE CLASSES
WEEK 1 - Pilates at the Barre - Modern twist to a classic workout focusing on a variation of the Pilates Reformer workout. We will use props such as pilates ball, handled tubing, gliding discs, and magic circle.
WEEK 2 - Yoga at the Barre - Barre and Yoga Elements for an effective fun total body workout. We will begin on the mat and work up to the Barre using props such as pilates ball, gliding discs, yoga blocks and weights.
WEEK 3 - Total Body Barre - A muscular endurance workout that pulls from the principles of Ballet, Pilates, Yoga and Strength Training. We will use the pilates ball, a looped band and a magic circle - Cardio Barre - Fusing the best of pilates, yoga, aerobics and elements of strength this class focuses more on the aerobics elements to work up a good sweat and a good shake. We will be using light weights, resistance bands, sliders and the pilates ball.
WEEK 4 - Upper Body Barre - Craving a little extra upper body work. We will use a set of medium weights and a mat. Booty Barre - Fusing the best of Pilates, Yoga and elements of the strengthening exercises dancers do, this class focuses on the cupcake torching effects of barre. That means this is a booty focused workout using the looped band and pilates ball.
BRING YOUR YOGA MAT & WATER
XBF BACK BY POPULAR DEMAND - CLASSES BEGIN APRIL 4TH @ 6:30 PM
XBF is Step cardio/aerobics with a fun twist.. we target full body in this class
This ain’t ya mamas aerobics
Step aerobics has all the benefits of a high-intensity cardio workout without putting stress on your joints. It improves overall fitness by building strength, blasting fat, and boosting your cardiovascular health. It also burns calories, making it an ideal way to maintain your target body weight.
Research has even shown that doing step aerobics can boost mood and energy levels.
The moves target your legs, upper body, and core, building strength and flexibility. It also improves your balance, coordination, and agility. The social component of a group class can be beneficial in forging new connections and may help to raise motivation.
Call 936- 646-6001 or 936-337-5757 to RSVP for the Pout Party Tuesday, March 21, 2023
SAVE THE DATE FOR OUR GRAND OPENING - DETAILS TO FOLLOW!!!
WE OPEN MONDAY 2/13/23
Barre Classes Monday - Friday 8 AM & 4:30 PM
Classes are a Fusion of Pilates, Yoga, Ballet and Strength Training Suitable for All Ages and Fitness Levels - First Class is Free - Teacher: Linda Stevens, Pilates/Barre Instructor, Certified Personal Trainer, RYT-500 Yoga Teacher, Senior Fitness Specialist, Nutrition Coach
Pilates Sessions
The use of springs, straps and the carriage in a Pilates Reformer Session makes it a low impact fitness option, perfect for all ages and fitness levels. Lying on the carriage keeps the range of movements on a horizontal plane, taking any pressure off weak or damaged knees and ankles. The low impact nature also means you can do it multiple times a week and this consistency is key to seeing long lasting health benefits. Teacher - Desteni Ard - Certified Pilates Instructor, Personal Training and Nutrition Coach
Spray Tan
Anti-Orange Solution
1 Hour Rapid Development
Tanning dust (helps tan not be sticky)
PH Balancing Spray
Loyalty Punch Cards Available
Preslei Berryhill - NSTPA Certified Spray Tanning Professional
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Linda Stevens
Linda Stevens is the Social Media Coordinator and Barre Instructor for Core Studio The Pilates Barre. She is a Fitness Professional, writer, and traveler, who resides in Onalaska, Texas
BOOST YOUR IMMUNE SYSTEM WITH PILATES/BARRE
The immune system has gotten some serious attention in the media the last few years. COVID certainly played a major role in increasing awareness on what we can do as individuals and inside our families to boost our immune systems. After all, a healthy immune system helps us to avoid illness or fight it off more effectively when we inevitably get sick.
But COVID isn’t the only reason we should do what we can to keep our immune systems at peak performance. We are coming into cold and flu season, kids have gone back to school and will bring back viruses to spread to unsuspecting family members, and as the world gets back to a new normal, we are more exposed and vulnerable as a result of being around more people after so much time being fairly insulated inside our homes.
And illness isn’t the only reason we want a strong immune system, either. When our immune systems are healthy, we reap many rewards that impact our lives in positive ways.
Benefits of Having a Strong Immune System include
💪fewer infections from pathogens like bacteria and viruses
💪 to bounce back more quickly after illness
💪less fatigue
💪faster healing of wounds
💪helps maintain ideal body weight
💪lowers blood pressure
💪decreased risk of disease, including cardiovascular disease
One of the ways you can strengthen your immune system and enjoy these many benefits and more is by practicing Pilates/Barre regularly.
5 Ways Pilates/Barre Boosts Your Immune System
Here’s how.
1. Lymphatic Drainage. Every cell in our bodies produces waste and that waste is carried by lymphatic fluid to the lymph nodes, where it is expelled from the body. Lymph fluid is moved around the body via breathing, the movement of intestinal fluid, and muscle movement. Pilates/Barre is especially well suited to moving this fluid around because the practice activates a multitude of muscle groups and joints. And that is good for emptying the lymph nodes because many of them are found in our joints.
2. Stress Reduction = Decreased Inflammation = Improved Immune System
Having a regular movement practice like Pilates/Barre reduces stress. The impact that physical exercise has on stress is well documented, researched, and understood. The impact is especially dramatic when the mind-body connection is a component to the practice, such as it is in Pilates/Barre. When we reduce stress, we decrease inflammation in our bodies. This directly improves the function of our immune system. Also, reducing inflammation reduces our risk of disease.
3. Stimulates the Gut, Where 80% of the Immune System Resides
Our “gut” consists of the intestines and the pathways that lead to it and away from it, starting from the mouth and going all the way to our bottom. It’s the digestive system and we all know that it plays a powerful role in how we feel and on our health. This is partially due to the fact that 80% of our immune system resides within the biome that is our digestive tract.
And what surrounds that digestive tract? The muscles that make up our core. Pilates/Barre calls on our core (and NOT just our abs…the entire core!) to be involved in every posture. In turn, this delivers blood flow and stimulation to the very place where the mass majority of our immune system lives. What’s good for the gut is good for the immune system!
4. Nasal Breathing Boosts Immunity and Fights Infection
When practicing Pilates/Barre, deep, intentional breathing is as important as any of the physical postures. Research has shown that nasal breathing boosts immunity and helps fight infection, too. The nose itself acts as a filter of sorts. It stops some pathogens from fully entering the body as it warms and humidifies the air you inhale. Also, deep nasal breathing delivers an increased load of optimally-oxygenized air to the entire body.
5. High Quality Sleep is Essential to a Healthy Immune System
Having a regular movement practice like Pilates/Barre leads to higher-quality sleep. According to the Sleep Foundation, “Sleep provides essential support to the immune system. Getting sufficient hours of high-quality sleep enables a well-balanced immune defense that features strong innate and adaptive immunity, efficient response to vaccines, and less severe allergic reactions.”
Regular and consistent movement, especially when led by a qualified instructor, is a proven way to improve the wellbeing of your immune system so you can get sick less often and get well quickly when you fall ill. Call to schedule your free intro Pilates Session or Barre Class Spread the love
READY TO HIT THE BARRE?
You don’t need to be a ballerina to benefit from 30 -45 Minutes at the barre.
In fact, this low-impact, dance-inspired workout is perfect for anyone looking to improve flexibility, enhance posture and body alignment, tighten core muscles, strengthen and stabilize smaller muscle groups, and refine the mind-body connection.
Barre Incorporates Several Elements of Fitness
Barre workouts combine the best of the best: the intensity of strength training, the core strength of pilates, the mindfulness of yoga, and the flexibility of dance, all mixed into one dynamic workout.
The sessions are low-impact, focusing on high-reps and small-range movements with isometric movements like pliés, planks, and leg lifts.
Barre classes can apply many different components of exercise, depending on the type of class and its format.
The efficacy of your barre class depends on its length and the types of movement that are included.
Barre is a full-body workout designed for all fitness levels. It’s a workout you can do at home or in a studio to acquire strength, build endurance, maintain a healthy weight, and gain confidence, contributing to your overall fitness and health.
With that, let’s explore the many benefits you may experience from barre workouts.
Benefits of Barre Workouts
Take a quick look at Instagram’s #barre feed, and you’ll see pros, beginners, models, and celebrities all taking part. You may wonder, “why has it become so popular?”
“What exactly can it do for my body?”
Here’s a rundown of the benefits you can experience from doing regular barre workouts.
1. Muscle strength
Barre workouts will leave no muscle untouched. You will strengthen your core, arms, thighs, glutes, and pelvic floor.
Strengthening your muscles helps you maintain muscle mass as you grow older, control your weight, keep your joints supported, and balance better.
And a strong core contributes to the proper functioning of your entire body.
The repetitive movements with hand weights, resistance bands, and a ball will have you building a beautiful barre-glow with your muscles shaking.
Some movements will work for your larger muscle groups with control, while others will have you working in a small range and pulsing to fatigue the muscles.
Simply put, barre workouts will challenge you and change you—for the better.
2. Muscle endurance
Endurance influences your heartbeat and breathing patterns. It also lowers your risk of developing health conditions and diabetes.
Engaging in regular barre classes will increase your muscular endurance.
Your endurance increases you’re stamina, allowing you to maintain a higher level of activity in your everyday life. Plus, a more heightened endurance can help you exercise longer and with higher intensity.
3. Flexibility
Most bodies are either very flexible but not strong or strong but not flexible.
Barre allows you to achieve the best of both worlds through focused stretching, dynamic movements, and weight-bearing exercises.
Barre exercises involve intermittent stretching, helping you enhance your flexibility and your joints’ range of motion.
Maintaining flexibility makes it effortless to move throughout your day, preventing stiffness and even injuries.
4. Increased Bone Density
Decreased bone density leads to injuries and osteoporosis, causing bone weakness and breaks.
Participating in regular barre exercises can help you maintain or increase your bone density.
5. Improved Posture & Body Awareness
With barre’s flowing movements, you will feel like your body is realigned, balanced, sculpted, and toned.
After multiple sessions of barre exercises, you may find yourself standing or sitting straighter, leading to improved posture. You may also feel more connected to your body, bringing awareness to your posture.
Good posture also positively impacts what’s going on inside your body.
It decreases pressure on your spine, reducing your chance of back pain and injury. It also helps with breathing because you have more space to take deeper breaths.
6. It’s Fun and Full of a Variety
Barre workouts are unlike any other. They incorporate a variety of energizing exercises, such as sculpting, pilates, core, dance cardio, and more.
Furthermore, using a few props, changing pace with fast and slow tempos, creative barre choreography, and invigorating music allow you to get the most out of your workouts while having fun!
If you’re looking for a workout that’s challenging, low-impact, and fun, you can’t go wrong with barre.
7. It’s For Everyone
Do you know what the most incredible thing about Barre is?
You can work with the movement to suit your needs by limiting or expanding the range of motion.
It meets you wherever you are on your fitness journey and has everything you want to look and feel your best!
Exercises can be adjusted for beginners, pregnant women, active agers, pros, and those who have an injury, but they can also be modified for those wanting a challenge!
How Long Before You Can Begin To See Results?
It will likely take a few weeks of regular barre classes to see significant outcomes from your efforts, although you may feel the effect of the workout right away.
Barre workouts focus on many muscles, some of which you may not train regularly.
You may feel sore after your initial barre exercises, but this should ease up after the first few sessions as your muscles adjust, strengthen, and you become more flexible.
You will likely see the benefits from barre classes by maintaining regular exercise each week and partaking in other healthy habits, such as a balanced diet.
Ready To Hit the Barre?
There’s no more incredible feeling than noticing how much you’ve improved and how you are now closer to your fitness goals.
By engaging in regular barre workouts, you can build strength, increase your flexibility, maintain your health, improve your posture, and keep you strong as you age gracefully.
Our soft opening is Monday February 13, 2023. There will be two classes a day Monday-Friday 8:00 AM - Movin in the Mornin and 4:30 PM Meet me at the Barre! Call or text Linda at 281-923-8463 to get started.
Pilates for Chronic Pain
What is Pilates
Pilates is a method of exercise and physical movement designed to stretch, strengthen, and balance the body (7. An Exercise in Balance: The Pilates Phenomenon). It will stabilize and strengthen your core postural muscles supporting the spine. Pilates helps with alignment which helps relieve and prevent back pain. When doing Pilates, you gain greater control over the movement of your body through correct spinal and pelvic alignment, concentration on movement, and proper breathing.
Benefits of Pilates Over Other Strength Building Exercises
Traditional workouts that are weight-bearing often build short, bulky muscles which are easier to injure. Through Pilates, your body becomes more flexible and your strength is balanced. It elongates and strengthens the body improving muscle elasticity and joint mobility. Also, many traditional workouts emphasize one muscle group over another, so your body’s muscles often become unbalanced. Weak muscles get weaker and strong muscles to get stronger. Pilates strengthens the whole body evenly from your neck all the way down to your ankles and feet. No muscle group is overworked or underworked. Because of these benefits, Pilates is a popular exercise for professional sports teams, athletes, and even physical rehabilitation centers.
Benefits of Pilates for Chronic Pain
Pilates exercises for chronic pain work by enhancing the primary muscular support system of the body, to offload the joints and important structures of the body, ultimately leading to a reduction of pain. Pilates is great for chronic pain sufferers because exercises are low impact, increase muscle strength, and can be altered to fit your ability level. Often your brain will move away from focusing on painful areas when it is busy concentrating on the body as a whole.
Benefits Include:
Reduced or eliminated pain
Great for injury recovery
Increasing control over pain
Create more efficient patterns of movement
Better posture
Less risk of injury
Improved function making daily activities easier
Greater feeling of well-being
Increased confidence and independence
Reduced muscle stiffness
Improving joint mobility
Increases flexibility
Promote weight loss
12 Scientifically Proven Reasons Pilates Leads to Peace of Mind
Improves memory: The part of our brains responsible for cognitive function and memory start shrinking in our late 20’s. Recent studies show that exercise improves the creation of new brain cells and protects existing cells. Another study shows that people who practice mindful activities such as yoga or Pilates experience superior brain function.
Trains your brain: Learning a new Pilates routine will help challenge the body and mind.
Deeper muscle activation means the better function of the nervous system: We use specific areas of the brain every time we move.
Calm mind and emotions with Pilates: Pilates has a lot of the benefits of mindfulness meditation which include a calmer mind.
Relieves stress tension in your body: Through releasing tension in your muscles, stress hormones are reduced. By removing stress from the body, you also get it out of your mind.
Tames your stress: It can also prevent stress, due to the mindfulness aspect.
Makes you happier: When the body is positively stressed it releases endorphins that make us feel good.
Makes you more creative: Mindfulness meditation is known to improve creativity.
It lets you control your emotions: The breathing techniques you learn can help calm your mind in stressful situations.
Mindful Movement helps release emotional tension: You learn to gain control over the deep core muscles closely connected to emotional baggage.
Teaches you to be yourself: With Pilates your progress is based on personal standards and priorities, you are not in competition with anyone else.
Become more confident: Confidence can be gained from having good posture.
How Safe is Pilates for Chronic Pain?
Many of the exercises require reclining or sitting positions. They are also low-impact exercises that are only partial weight-bearing. This is not a cardio workout. When doing Pilates, the focus is on the way the body moves, it is not about the number of repetitions, and you don’t want to over-stress your muscles. It’s not an exercise that is known to make you sweat, because it’s all about concentration and breathing. The exercises are pretty safe considering many physical therapy facilities use Pilates to rehabilitate after injuries.
What Conditions does Pilates help with?
Chronic back pain
Fibromyalgia
Post-surgery
Postural pain
Whiplash
Shoulder pain
Hip pain
Arthritis
Multiple Sclerosis
Chronic Low Back Pain
Pilates can help with chronic low back pain because it strengthens your weak core muscles that often create pain. Pilates is so effective with chronic back pain that it is considered one of the best choices of therapy for people with back pain. Just make sure you check with a doctor and use a Pilates instructor with plenty of experience helping people with low back pain.
Arthritis
Many people with arthritis are afraid to exercise because they are concerned about intensity. However, Pilates exercises are low-impact, gentle movements, that are purposeful, preventing stress on joints.
Fibromyalgia
Pilates is also an excellent exercise for people with fibromyalgia. Not only is it great for stability and a low-impact exercise, but also for breathing. Pilates emphasizes breathing techniques to relax muscles and prevent tension. Breathing oxygenates the blood and increases circulation to all regions of the body. Oftentimes people with fibromyalgia tend to disconnect from their bodies. Pilates is all about the connection of the mind and body. It also helps to prevent hypermobility and reduces fatigue symptoms associated with fibromyalgia.
People with heart disease, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or diabetes can participate in Pilates, as well. However, it is recommended to check with your doctor first.
SESSIONS BEGIN MONDAY FEBRUARY 13th
Call or Text Destini at 936-391-4106 to schedule your FREE 30 Minute Intro Session
The Top Ten Reasons Barre is Raising the Bar
1. You don’t have to be a ballerina or look like a fitness model to come play.
Zero intimidation, zero judgment. YOU ARE WELCOME HERE. And in fact, our instructors are among the most upbeat, positive group there is—and studies even show that having a positive experience while exercising is a predictor of how successful you’ll be, which is why positivity is actually built-into our barre classes. Our instructors will have you laughing, smiling AND sweating.
2. You’ll reshape your body to be long, lean and fierce in as little as thirty days.
What! (We know, right?) Come three times every week and we’ll show you a side of your body you never saw before. Barre works your muscles in ways that traditional workouts don’t, using micro-movements and isometric holds to lift and shape muscles. (And that includes your butt.) In short? You’ll get toned everywhere. And we mean everywhere.
3. You’ll make all-new #BARREANDSOULMATES.
As humans we have an innate need to seek interpersonal connection. At Core Studio The Pilates Barre, we pride ourselves on fostering an inclusive and empowering community. Looking across the evidence, social support positively influences exercise directly and indirectly. Directly, we cheer you on with encouragement, can be your accountability buddies to help keep you exercising, set goals, and be a happy place for you to escape from your day. Indirectly, support from others helps to foster your overall enjoyment for exercise (working out with your friends is fun!), your confidence in your own ability to exercise, and your attitude towards exercise. We mean way more than just a hashtag when we talk about #barreandsoulmates.
4. No mirrors = no body shame.
You won't find any mirrors inside our barre studio, nor will you hear your instructor encouraging you to compete with your classmates, or to work for your bikini body. Removing the objectifying nature of exercise class improves your overall enjoyment of the class, your self-compassion, state of mindfulness, intrinsic reasons for exercising (e.g. because you enjoy it), and your likelihood of maintaining exercise. A health-focused, non-objectifying environment decreases body image anxiety, self-objectification, and increases your ability to maintain good postural alignment outside of an exercise class. Some people call this science. We call this awesome.
5. You’ll build grit...and grace.
Within a positive psychology framework, grit is the passion and perseverance for long-term goals, and its close cousins are self-control, and conscientiousness; and yes, these are the psychological super-foods to add to your acai bowl. They predict our happiness, quality of life, job success, relationship satisfaction, and health behaviors. Evidence suggests these "trait-like" features, are actually more like muscles, muscles that can be strengthened and fatigued. One way to flex your self-control muscles, is to adhere to a regular exercise regimen, like coming to barre class 3 times a week! Some studies show that participation in any exercise regimen can increase self-control and executive function, and that this self-control can have cross-cutting improvements in your ability to exert control over other hard to maintain behaviors. Other studies show that mental exercises which test your perseverance (i.e how long you can go before you back out) increase your overall self-control. Barre classes are a winning combination of both kinds of evidence. We have two regularly scheduled classes for you to schedule a fitness routine into your week. We also work on pushing you to that point when you are deciding whether or not you're going to stay in the muscle, and then do everything we can to motivate you to stay there. Because that's where the change is, physically AND mentally.
6. You’ll never get bored.
Very rarely will you take the same barre class twice. Boredom with exercise will reduce your motivation to keep exercising, and can result in plateaus in your fitness levels. One day it might be plies and releve, and the next you might be hanging out with mermaids on waterskis. This spicy variety helps to foster your positive enjoyment of classes week after week, and makes sure you're listening!
7. It goes by crazy fast, and we play sweet music.
Music and movement are beautifully intertwined within our brains. Our neural circuity is set up to respond to music with movement, and in general, enjoyment. When your brain is trying to focus on tired, fatiguing muscles, music competes for your brain's conscious focus, and while it doesn't change the fatigue itself, it has the power to alter your perception of, and response to, the fatigue to increase your confidence, perseverance, and motivation. Our instructors focus on finding fun, inspiring playlists for you to enjoy and help drown out the complaints from your quads. Sidenote: Did you know that humans have an innate preference for music that’s around 120-125 beats per minute? It’s no coincidence this is the same number of beats per minute that we use in class. :)
8. It’s AWESOME if you spend all day at a desk.
We’re going to correct your musculature imbalances, improve your posture, and get rid of that back / shoulder / neck / ow I’m getting old pain. Furthermore, it’s low-impact and you’re not going to get injured—but we will make you delightfully bendy! The smaller movements in a barre class can bring a new level of awareness to the body that you don’t get in regular strength workouts. The more you focus on a micromovement, the more you recruit your muscle fibers—and that leads to revolutionary new changes, fast.
9. Students can lose 50 pounds or more, just from barre!
‘Nuff said.
10. This isn’t a passing fad (thank goodness!).
Barre has been changing bodies for 45 years. We just decided to let the cat out of the bag. Rahr. We can’t wait to show you what this is all about!
CLASSES BEGIN MONDAY FEBRUARY 13th
8 AM - Movin In The Mornin
4:30 PM - Meet Me At The Barre