When dancers try Pilates they generally love it. Pilates wasn't developed for dancers, but Joseph Pilates worked with a ton of them, especially when he made his big move to NYC. He continued to work with famous ballerinas and modern dancers as the system of exercises developed, making it easy to see how the two could have become so closely related.

Pilates is incredibly useful to dancers when cross-training. Whether you're just trying to lengthen your spine, develop long lean muscles, develop a strong core, or rehab from pain or injury, Pilates can help. I promise. (Coming from personal experience. I'm sure another post on that will be in the future...) Not only that, but the system of exercises will teach you proper alignment, helping you to AVOID future injuries (yay!).

Dancers find peace in doing Pilates because it uses the full body movements that they are used to. The mind is the most important element when training in both dance and Pilates. Focus on alignment, breath, grace, strength, posture, etc. are all integral parts in mastering both. 

It usually doesn't take much to get dancers to try something that is going to help them feel better so I'll keep it short.

My dancing friends come see me! Let's stretch and get strong, and maybe even create a few dance combos while we're at it? 

Jessie
xo

Runners run. And that's pretty much it. I've met a few exceptions, but for the most part that's what they focus on. Practice makes perfect. I get it. But listen, what if I told you that you could run even faster, get injured less, and make yourself taller (well, at least standing up straight for once)! 

A lot of runners develop certain habits when running, whether they roll their shoulders forward and lift their chin resulting in that hunch back we love so much; or they roll in on their feet every time a foot hits the pavement (or treadmill...whatever). Muscles are overused, tendonitis or bursitis can form, and all of this could lead to a strain or worse, a tear! 

But you should keep running.

No really. 

Just do Pilates too... duh.

Pilates is going to help you create the strongest core you've ever had while lengthening the spine. Pilates is known to improve posture. That hunchback can be reversed, FYI. Balance gets better, body alignment (yes including those feet) improves drastically, and you'll finally have no excuse when it comes to stretching. We'll help you safely stretch those hamstrings, quads, calves, and what have you. This increased flexibility will improve a runner's stride, and increase the overall range of motion in the hips.

Running is rough on the body. Your joints take a beating. Your muscles tighten up. But that run is the best part of your day isn't it? Secretly? Yeah, I thought so. Just take care of your body. Pilates is a tool you can use daily (yes, even AT HOME) to make that daily run possible without risk of injury. The two translate well, as both focus on breathing and finding the most efficient way of moving.

Just try it. Tell me what you think. Find a YouTube video, come to me, read a Pilates book, whatever it is! Try it for two weeks. Get back to me! I'll be waitingggg....

Jessie
xo

People are ALWAYS asking me "Who actually does Pilates? Like, who is it good for?" My answer is ALWAYS "Everyone." Plain and simple. Pilates is good for everyone. There's some of you who don't exactly like that answer and that's why I decided to make a blog series explaining who Pilates is good for and why it's good for them. 

Because it's the end of the summer and outdoor swimming is almost over (unless you're psycho- no offense), a lot of swimmers decide to start cross training during the winter months, rather than deal with a indoor public pool filled with little demon children demonstrating their best dead man's float.... 

Enter Pilates.

I'm not a swimmer myself, but I've done my research and have found that like most sports, swimmers rely on proper body alignment for peak performance. Pilates helps stabilize those deep abdominal muscles that wrap around your entire trunk. Each of these exercises integrate the shoulder girdle and pelvis when developing that core stabilization. Having proper alignment will prevent strain and in some cases, even tears. Oh, and did I mention you'll swim faster? Quality matters, people!

Pilates is mind-body oriented; all this means is that you are going to use your brain as much as you use your body, if not more! In both Pilates and swimming you'll find yourself needing to focus on breathing, balance, and alignment more than how long or how far you've gone. The two translate well. It actually makes the activity more fun in my opinion. The worst is looking at the clock every five minutes in class AMIRIGHT?!

Well guys, if you're not a swimmer, have no fear! There's about 5 or 6 more of these posts coming your way and you're gonna have to be one of the things I post. Maybe. If not I'll take it as a challenge to find how Pilates is good for you! 

Happy Hump Day!

Jessie
xo