Shannon Anderson – Page 5 – Shannon Anderson

Summer Ready: Simple Tips to Look and Feel Your Best

With springtime inspiration in the air, now is a wonderful time to start preparing for summer. With less than 8 weeks until the beginning of June and less than 12 weeks until the official solstice on June 20, summer is just around the corner. While the spring weather is nice and the possibility of getting out more after a year of restrictions, now is the perfect time to enjoy the outdoors and prepare for summer activities and perhaps festivities. So here are a few tips to help you shed some pounds and reinvigorate your body and mind.

Movement

In addition to your Pilates practice, daily movement yields great benefits. Simply going for a walk or putting on some tunes and dancing – whatever gets you moving. It doesn’t have to be for an hour. Just 10 minutes makes a difference. Even count your chores – if you are gardening or tending to something that requires some movement then factor that in. Keep in mind if you are trying to lose weight, cardio is going to play an even more important role.

Nutrition

As you already know, nutrition is key. A nourishing diet has both health and weight loss benefits. If finding the right approach for you with so many diet fads out there seems overwhelming, then just take baby steps.
Maybe try drinking more water as it will help both hydration and satiation so you feel fuller. Or try eating a light and early dinner. Digestion is one of the most energy draining activities the body does (which is why you feel tired after you eat). Eating early will give a head start to that digestion process and then the body can focus more energy to clean out and repairs overnight.Pick one thing – eating early or drinking more water or whatever you feel you need. Then just focus on that for a few weeks. As you gain confidence and a new healthy habit, then add on and take another step.

Sleep

This one may sound counterintuitive. Rest so you can lose weight? But getting proper sleep is important for health overall and can have benefits in losing weight. If the body doesn’t have a chance to do it’s overnight maintenance and repairs, then there’s less energy going to weight loss as your body tries to make up for lost rest. You are not only less likely to want to move and exercise but also internally your body will be doing the same, focusing on maintaining rather than extra exertion.

Several years ago, I had a colleague, who wanted to lose some weight. Now keep in mind she made adjustments to her nutrition and was exercising but there wasn’t progress. Then after a few weeks when she started to get more sleep immediately she began dropping pounds.

Specific Training

In the past, I’ve mentioned how specific training is important. There are a couple of caveats to consider. One is to train specifically for a sport or activity. For example, if you will be traveling this summer and plan on hiking or rowing, then obviously you will want to build up your walking and endurance for hiking or upper body for rowing. The second thing to consider is the area you want to specifically train. Perhaps you don’t have any sports or activities planned, but you want to tone up your arms or abs. Then target that specific area for training. Again, keep it simple and pick one area to focus on and develop a daily practice for it. A regular practice of 5-10 minutes everyday is going to bring noticeable changes.

I hope this inspired you to move and to enjoy the outdoors while the weather is fair. Maybe you were also reminded of some simple lifestyle habits that you want to get back to doing and this newsletter gave you that encouragement to practice good self-care. Hope this helps you feel your best and be Summer Ready!

Happy Spring!

Shannon

De-stress with Yamuna

It is coming up on the one year marker since the in person studio sessions came to a halt on March 11 and online sessions began on March 12, 2020. I remember March 11 clearly and being in the studio. Three things in particular happened that day: the World Health Organization officially declared the pandemic, the first case of local spread and the rodeo was cancelled. (You know it’s serious when that happens in Texas!)

Obviously, a lot has changed in the world over the past year. While change is often challenging, there is good that can come from it as well. In particular, a positive trend has been the move online and being able to more easily learn from Master teachers and experts across the country and the globe.

You may not be aware but Yamuna is alive and active. She generally taught workshops in exotic locations like India, but since the pandemic she too has gone online.

If you need to de-stress due to the pandemic or due to the recent weather event here in Texas or perhaps you’ve always wondered what a class with Yamuna herself would be like…well, now you can do that! For the class schedule, check out Yamuna Live.

In addition to Yamuna, there is Yamuna Anytime or YBR® Anytime, started by Dianne Glass several years ago. You may not have heard of Dianne, but she is one of Yamuna’s trusted teacher trainers and has been with Yamuna since the beginning. I’ve had the pleasure of learning from Dianne on a number of occasions, and I’m grateful for her expertise and guidance in the Yamuna method.

Dianne had the innovative idea to hire a videographer and create classes online years before the pandemic. YBR® Anytime has professional quality filming, lighting etc, classes added regularly and a video library. It’s something worth checking out!

As times change, I hope you prioritize what is important, continue to practice good self-care, including Pilates and perhaps de-stressing with Yamuna too!

A Love Story: Joe & Clara

For the February newsletter, a Valentine’s edition on Joseph and Clara Pilates’ love story seems only appropriate. Parts of the story may have casually been mentioned during class but history obviously isn’t the focus. After nearly a year of social distancing, here is a positive, uplifting Pilates story of how two people came together.

Joseph Pilates was born on December 9, 1883 in Germany. During the Spanish Flu or Pandemic of 1918, Joseph Pilates was interned on the Isle of Man as he had been working in England (as a circus performer) when World War I broke out. After the war, he returned to Germany and remained there for several years working as a boxing trainer.

Mr. Pilates was asked to train the military police but aware that the Germans were rebuilding their army, he decided to move to America in 1926. His brother was already living in the States.

The legend goes that on the ship moving to America Mr. Pilates met Anna Clara Zeuner or Clara. Unfortunately, later academic research has not been able to clearly verify when the two met, but the story of them meeting on the boat is something that has been shared in the Pilates community for years.

Whether they met on the “love boat” or shortly after arriving in America, they still found each other. It’s easy to imagine all that might have brought them together – after World War I, a Pandemic and being immigrants in a foreign land.

Theirs became a lifelong partnership both personally and professionally. Clara taught alongside Joe and even considered by some as the better teacher. Joe was the innovator of the movement system and machines as well as a performer, but he could also get impatient sometimes. First generations teachers have shared that Clara was the one who would come alongside and explain things. Clara also helped manage the business and continue to run the studio even after Mr. Pilates passed in 1967.

Joe and Clara spent approximately 40 years together. If they did indeed meet on the ship in 1926, then that’s over 40 years. If they met later in the United States, then just under 40 years. Mr. Pilates’ studio opened around 1929 in New York. Stories from first generation teachers make it sound as though Clara was with Joe from the beginning.

Interestingly, in terms of scholarly research, they have not been able to find any marriage records for Joe and Clara. It is now thought that theirs was a common law marriage. Clara was referred to as Mrs. Pilates and the first generation teachers all assumed they were married.

Joe and Clara Pilates found each other as they made a fresh start in a new country. They would spend the rest of their lives together. It sounds as though Joe had found the perfect partner in Clara to share both his life and life’s mission.

For a sweet video of Joe & Clara, please check out the link below.

Joe & Clara at Home

They demonstrate how his equipment (the “wunda” chair) could be used as furniture and convert into workout equipment.

Getting an “Edge” in the New Year

New Years often brings new goals and resolutions, especially in the area of fitness. If you are inspired with the New Year and looking to invest in some bigger pieces of Pilates equipment for home, this newsletter has you covered. Specifically, we’ll focus on Spine Correctors, Baby Arcs and The Pilates Edge.

The pieces of equipment chosen for this issue don’t take up as much room as a reformer or Cadillac/Trapeze Table, but they are more of a financial investment than something like a foam roller or ball. If you have a nook or a workout space carved out, these pieces might help complete it.

Spine Corrector

The Spine Corrector has a special place in my heart as it was my first piece of Pilates Equipment (other than the red Fletcher® towel, of course!) and I still have it to this day. I chose this equipment because it was a great piece for home. Besides the personal benefits, it didn’t take up too much room and could slide into a corner.

For simplicity, we’ll focus on two main points for the Spine Corrector: the arc and the material. The Clara Step Barrel® (named in honor of Mrs. Pilates) has a higher arc and supports more spinal extension. The East Coast and Contour Step Barrel™ have more of an elongated arc shape.

In terms of material, you now have a choice of either the classical wood or foam (like what a foam roller is made out of). The foam or Clara Step Barrel ®Lite version has the advantage of being lighter in weight so it’s easier to lift and/or move around. The Pilates Arc™ variation has the elongated arc and can detach into two usable pieces of equipment.

Baby Arc

Like it sounds, the baby arcs are just the “arc” only portion of a Spine Corrector. The West Coast Style is open without handles and the East Coast Style is closed on the sides and has handles. One of the benefits of the baby arcs is that they fit particularly well under the legs and feet without the possibility of sliding or moving (as can sometime happen with the Spine Corrector).

Pilates Edge

Rather than a curved line, the Pilates Edge is a straight line but at an incline. Though the arc shape naturally lends itself to spinal extension movements, there are still some excellent spinal extension exercises that can be practiced on the Pilates Edge as well. The Pilates Edge supports the spine and core and can be used behind the back or under the legs and feet.

Wishing you and yours a bright, beautiful and healthy New Year! As 2020 brought focus on what is most important and simplicity, may we carry that clear vision into 2021 with hopefully a return to some more “normal” times. Please continue to stay healthy and safe!

As Always – Keep Calm and Pilates On,

Shannon

Holiday Magic! Coming Full Circle…

A little magic is definitely called for in 2020! As this historic year comes to a close, it’s not too late for new possibilities. Maybe this season will be a bit more meaningful than the past hustle and bustle. Even if festivities take a unique or distanced approach, I hope you enjoy more of what matters.

Continuing the series “Pilates Equipment for Home”, this edition covers the Magic Circle, of course! Probably not the magic you were looking for (but somehow so 2020:)

Magic Circles

A little history, using what was available at the time, Joseph Pilates fashioned the first magic circle from the metal ring you would find on a barrel of beer! Closest to the original design, the “Spring Circles” from Balanced Body increase resistance depending on the number of metal rings. The lightest resistance circle is actually two rings of metal. The average magic circle is comprised of 3 rings and the heaviest is 4.

Similar to the classical Magic Circle, the Flex Ring Toner® is encased in rubber ensuring there are no potential sharp edges and making it rust proof.

The main distinguishing feature for the Ultra-Fit Circle® is that there are also handles on the inside of the ring and not just the outside. There is a mini and regular sized Ultra-Fit Circle®. The mini is for beginners and for those with a smaller upper body frame and the regular is for those with more practice and/or broader shoulders.

The Fitness Circle® Pro has latex free handles. The Fitness Circle® Lite is made of Fiberglass and the Fitness Circle® Flex is made with plastic.

Thankfully, Magic Circles are more widely available today than in the past (and don’t have to be made from barrels of beer!) Circles can commonly be found in the fitness section of many stores and on Amazon from a variety of manufactures.

Wishing you Happy Holidays and a bright New Year!

Warmly,

Shannon

Keeping it Straight

In the last newsletter, we had a ball covering toning, fitness and Yamuna® balls. In this issue, we’ll keep it straight and discuss linear rather than round props. Specifically, we’ll focus on Thera-Bands®, the Stretch Out Strap® and Fletcher® towel.

Thera-Bands® offer resistance and can be used to strengthen the upper or lower body, as some of you know from having literally been tied up during a class! 🙂 It is helpful to realize that different manufacturers have different color coding to denote the resistance level, but there does not seem to be a universal color coding system. For example, a “yellow” Thera-Band® from Balanced Body® and OPTP® is the lightest resistance, but from Merrithew® it is regular strength.

Tip:
Check the resistance level from the manufacturer to make sure you are getting the right level for you. It should either say light, medium or heavy or have a chart with the resistance levels.

It is helpful to realize the length and width also varies between manufacturers. Some manufactures make the bands 5 ft and others 8 ft long. Some bands are wide and others more narrow. If you want to do foot exercises, you’ll need a wide band to cover the ball of the foot and toes (as pictured at the top).

Thera-Band®:

Sets:

This is a good standard set and commonly used in Physical Therapy. They have a light to regular strength set and then another set with heavy and extra heavy bands. Please note though these bands do contain latex.

Thera-Band® Set

Single:

If you would like to order just one Thera-Band, you can order a light, medium or heavy from Balanced Body®. The two extra heavy strengths are not available as a regular length band but sold in yards/bulk only.

Thera-Band® Single

Flex-Band®:

This is a non-latex, environmentally friendly option! As I’ve mentioned, international shipping can sometimes be an issue as Merrithew® is based in Canada, but these Flex-Bands® are great. The length and width on these bands are a good fit for most exercises. The width on this band covers most feet for foot exercises.
Light
Regular Strength
Extra Strength

Stretch Out Strap®:

The Stretch Out Strap® is similar to the Thera-Band® in that it can be used for upper or lower body exercises, but obviously the strap doesn’t have the elasticity of the band. While there are not different levels of resistance like the Thera-Band®, the strap offers isometric resistance and support. As the Stretch Out Strap® name implies, the strap is great for stretching. Where a band doesn’t necessarily hold the weight of the leg in a hamstring stretch very well, the strap will assist better in such stretches as it offers support without any give.

The loops on the strap are helpful not only with stretching and gauging the right level for you, but also for the grip. For those with arthritis in the hands holding something thin like a band or plain strap may not be ideal. But with the Stretch Out Strap® or similar equipment, hands can slide through the loops. Rather than grasping, an open hand can be used through the loops instead, making upper body strengthening and stretching more accessible.

Stretch Out Strap®

Special Note:
Staying in the Pilates lane and trying to keep the newsletter concise, yoga straps have not been covered. Did want to give them a brief mention though as these straps can be useful in Pilates, Physical Therapy and of course, yoga. Yoga straps can frequently be found in the fitness section of many stores and online at Amazon etc. The Stretch Out Strap® obviously has the loops and yoga straps generally do not. Yoga straps often do have a sort of buckle which could be used to create a loop.

Fletcher Towel®:

Developed by first generation Pilates teacher, Ron Fletcher, the braided design serves a purpose. The braid places the fabric on a slight diagonal, so it has a little give, similar to the Thera-Band®, but as it is fabric, it stops like the Stretch Out Strap®. Before the braid was created, a rolled up towel was used to achieve this effect. Where a Thera-Band® offers different levels of resistance, the Fletcher® Towel meets the students where they are at. Whatever strength the student has to pull on the towel, that is the resistance he or she will get out of it. As students get stronger, the Fletcher® towel continues to match their strength. In addition, as the Fletcher® Towel is thicker, this makes it a little easier to grasp than a Thera-Band® or Stretch Out Strap®. Most people think the red Fletcher® towel is just a cute accessory, like a scarf, but the stylish braid actually has a function.

Fletcher Towel®

Hope this article helps you “keep it all straight” between the various Thera-Bands®, straps and even towels out there. Most of all, hope you continue to be centered and strong.

Keep Calm and Stay Aligned,

Shannon

As a reminder, this series is concentrated on equipment pieces that are accessible for home both financially and physically (easily fit into a small space). Since Pilates and other reputable manufacturers’ may not be as commonly known, this series will direct you to recognized names in the industry, but similar products may be found on Amazon or through other retailers. This is not an endorsement of any particular company or product.

How To Have A Ball!

If you thought there was a wide variety of Foam Rollers to choose from in the last issue, you are going to have a ball with this edition. To keep it more manageable, we are going to focus on 3 types: toning/weighted balls, fitness balls and Yamuna® balls. Beyond these, please see Balanced Body where you can check out more than a dozen different varieties including “pinky”, spiked, Franklin, posture balls and more…

As a reminder, this series is concentrated on pieces that are accessible for home both financially and physically (easily fits into a small space). The Pilates balls chosen for this edition are the ones I thought would be most helpful for the majority of those reading this newsletter. There are many other great Pilates balls too.

Since Pilates and other reputable manufacturers’ may not be as commonly known, this series will direct you to recognized names in the industry, but similar products may be found on Amazon or through other retailers. This is not an endorsement of any particular company or product.

Pilates Balls:

Toning/Weighted Balls: Small

Toning balls, like the name implies, are weighted balls. They are small and easy to hold like dumbells. They generally come in 1-3 pounds in weight.

1lb Set:

Merrithew does have 2 & 3 lbs available as well but do watch as some are sold individually and others as sets. Also, this company is in Canada so shipping to the U.S. can sometimes be an issue.

2lb & 3lb:

Please note these balls are sold individually. So if you want a set of 2lbs, it looks like you will need to purchase 2 balls.

Fitness Balls:
Large

Fitness balls are the large size that can support a persons body weight. You can sit or stretch your back or front with your full weight on the ball.

Finding the right fitness ball is based on your height. When seated, you want knees in line with hips or even hips a little higher than knees. But you do not want your knees higher than your hips (like trying to sit in a kindergartner’s chair!)

Tip: Since people have been at home and sitting more, try sitting on a fitness ball at your desk rather than a regular chair. This will stimulate your core, improve your balance and be a good posture reminder. Begin sitting on the ball for short periods of time (20-30 minutes) and then gradually increase as feels right for your body.

Burst Resistance Fitness Balls:

If you go to the link and scroll down, there is a little chart on that page that will help you find the right ball for your height.

EcoWise Fitness Balls:

These balls are also burst resistant and free of latex, PVC, etc. Unfortunately, it looks like they only have the small and large size available. If you are really short or tall, this could be a fit for you.

Yamuna® Balls:

Technically, we are stepping outside of the Pilates realm when we talk about Yamuna. Yamuna® Body Rolling (YBR) is a method all on its’ own, but since there are so many other kinds of balls for myofascial release, I wanted to go ahead and include YBR in this newsletter. If you would like to learn a little more about YBR and compare to other kinds of rolling, please see these previous articles on the topics: “On The ‘Yamuna’ Ball” and “On A Roll”.

Whether you are looking for gold, silver, pearl or black, you will find it all and more on the link below. In addition, you can learn more about each kind of ball when you click on its link on Yamuna’s website and find what is right for you!

YamunaUSA

Hope you had a ball in this edition and that what you learned will help you stay on the ball!

Keep Calm and Roll On,

Shannon

Pilates Equipment for Home: Part 2 ~ Spinal Alignment

In Part 1 of this series, we covered how to choose the right mat for your body and your space. Continuing with Part 2, we are going to focus on some of the most requested and popular pieces of equipment for home, specifically, the Foam Roller and the SmartSpine.

The Foam Roller is hands down the most requested piece of home equipment. I get asked about the roller more than any other item. You might be surprised at the great variety of rollers to choose from, including one that can act similar to a Reformer!

The SmartSpine is also a frequently requested item. Though more of an investment than a Foam Roller, many students love the SmartSpine. This is the type of item that students put on their Holiday wish list and let family members know about it!

Though the Foam Roller and SmartSpine can be used in a variety of ways, such as seated or even standing, one of the main ways they are used is to align the spine while lying down. With the Foam Roller, the vertebrae are directly on the roller although there are some recent variations where the spine goes between two connected rollers. This more recent innovation on the Foam Roller is similar to the SmartSpine where the vertebrae rest in a groove and the equipment provides columns along each side of the spine.

With the SmartSpine, one of the wonderful benefits is that it can be heated, further facilitating the release of the spinal muscles and finding the core connection. Both the Foam Roller and the SmartSpine are used to release muscles, not only in the spine but also in other ways, such as releasing the Iliotibial (IT) Band on the roller.

The Foam Roller and the SmartSpine obviously present a challenge to balance even when lying down. Remaining balanced on either piece of equipment can bring to light imbalances in the spine or core, especially when a leg or arm is lifted. These pieces of equipment can stimulate and realign the spine while reawakening the core.

As a reminder, this series is concentrated on pieces that are accessible for home both financially and physically (easily fit into a small space). While there are other Pilates pieces that help with spinal alignment, some of which we’ll cover later in the series, the Foam Roller and SmartSpine are very home friendly.

Foam Rollers:

The Foam Roller was not invented by Joseph Pilates but was actually developed by Moshe Feldenkrais. To learn more about how the Foam Roller made its’ way into the Pilates world and about the difference between rolling on foam versus a ball, click here to read a previous article on this topic.

There are a variety of Foam Rollers. There are rollers that are cut in half so that they have a flat, stable side and actually do not roll. There are short rollers that can be used for the feet. There are rollers that have knobs and grooves to dig in and release muscles. The list below is hardly exhaustive.

Tip: In order to insure that you get a Foam Roller long enough that you can rest your spine on it, look for 36 inches long. Also, look for full round (unless you want one split in half for more stability). Generally, the size you want to look for is 6” x 36”.

Foam Rollers come in 3 types of densities: hard, medium and soft. Most of you are probably familiar with the medium and some the firm Foam Rollers as these are the most common types of rollers in gyms and studios.

Hard:
If you see terms like “high density” or “extra firm”,
these are hard, durable foam rollers.

Medium:
The medium density Foam Roller offers plenty of firmness and is more of a regular roller – not too hard or too soft.

Soft:
What may not be as familiar is the soft version. Developed in more recent years, it offers the benefits of the original Foam Roller (spinal alignment, opening the chest…) but in a more gentle way. If you have arthritis or achy joints, you may really appreciate the soft variation.

Reform Roller!

Called MOTR® (Movement On The Roller), this device is like a Foam Roller and Reformer combined. Rather than foam it is a plastic tube with branches at the top where straps come out offering different levels of resistance. The branches and straps can be stored in the tube itself. Obviously, the MOTR® is more expensive than a Foam Roller (by roughly $300 dollars) but if you are missing the reformer and do not want to make an investment of thousands, this may be an alternative. The MOTR® also does not require much space and can be easily stored away, unlike a reformer.

SmartSpine:

The SmartSpine was developed by Marie-Jose Blom. It is designed with two grain filled columns that run along each side of the spine. The vertebrae rest in the groove between the two columns. The SmartSpine can be heated, helping the muscles that run along the spine to relax and the fascia covering these muscles to release. This release in back aids the abdominals in contracting more readily in front.

The SmartSpine fits the length of the spine and only comes in one size. The only variation is that there is a regular and lavender fragrance. If you have allergies, the unscented might be a better fit for you. If you do not have any allergies or sensitivities, the lavender can add to the relaxing element of the SmartSpine.

SmartSpine

Also available at Balanced Body: SmartSpine

(note: you can just order the SmartSpine itself in the dropdown menu. You do not have to order the whole professional kit…unless you want to:)

Hope this edition on Pilates Equipment for Home focusing on Spinal Alignment helps you navigate all the choices and stand a little taller!

Breathe Deep and Keep Aligned,

Shannon

Pilates Equipment for Home: Mats

Pilates from the comfort of your own home!

I love when Pilates becomes part of a student’s everyday life. That moment when a student notices the posture slipping and adjusts it, or when belly breathing helps during a stressful situation, Pilates goes beyond the mat and applies to life.

Now more than ever, a Pilates practice for home has become important. I have always encouraged a home practice. Whether a full program or picking just a couple of key exercises that would be most beneficial, it’s that regular practice that will help bring about those changes in daily life.

To support your practice and continued growth, I thought a series on Pilates equipment for home would be helpful. We’ll cover the pieces most frequently asked about. This series obviously will not cover all the Pilates equipment or the “big equipment”. We are focusing on home and pieces that are more easily accessible – both financially as well as physically, lightweight and able to fit into a smaller space.

For some of the Pilates equipment, the same or similar products may be found on Amazon or other retailers, but I thought it would be best only to mention Pilates and Physical Therapy manufacturers. This is not an endorsement of any particular company or product. Since Pilates and Physical Therapy companies are probably not as well known, I thought directing you to reputable, recognized names within the industry would be more helpful.

We’ll begin this series with mats, a “fitting foundation”, but stay on the look out for upcoming editions where we’ll cover foam rollers, SmartSpines™, TheraBands, straps, balls, weights and more…

One of the beautiful things about Pilates is that you can still practice without any equipment at all. The mat exercises were meant for home practice and can be done on a floor, towel, rug, mattress and of course a mat. But if you are looking to create your own little home studio or feel it’s time for an upgrade, then adding some equipment might be the next step for you. When it comes to choosing a mat, two important things to consider are texture and thickness!

Texture: Take into consideration both the texture of the floor where you will be doing most of your practice (wood floor, tile floor, carpet…) and the texture of the mat. Some mats can be slippery (like a banana peel) on smooth surfaces (such as a wood floor). YOU DON’T WANT TO SLIP AND FALL!

Some mats have the same texture on both sides and some have a different texture on the bottom side to provide more sticking and traction. Whether the mat is the same on both sides or different on each side, some mats are slick and some mats stick better than others. Pay attention to texture and choose appropriately depending on the needs of your home space.

Thickness: Mats come in different sizes from thin to thick. Again, consider your needs – your body physically and your space (hard floor or soft carpet). A thinner mat on a firmer surface can give more feedback, but if you have certain physical conditions practicing on a hard floor with a thin mat may not be the best fit. For example, if you are boney, have boney areas, a joint replacement or arthritis, you are going to want to consider a thicker mat.

Mats:

Thin – EcoWise Flat MatAt 1/4″(0.6cm), this is the thinnest mat on this list (although there are thinner versions out there available from other sellers). If you are going to be practicing on carpet, this could be a fit for you. Made from closed cell foam, these mats are free of latex, PVC and chloride.

Medium – EcoWise Pilates MatAt 3/8” (1cm), this is thicker than the “flat” mat listed above. This is also made of closed cell foam and free of latex, PVC, phthalates and chloride.

Thick – Balanced Body Aeromats At 5/8” (1.6cm), this is the thickest mat on this list (although there are thicker ones available from other sellers). If you will be practicing on a hard surface, this will give more padding but do be cautious as this mat is smooth and doesn’t provide traction so it is a slip risk.

Special Mention: Airex® Pilates Mats
Yamuna likes this mat. It is 5/16 (0.8cm) thick and happens to be sanitized! This is one of the best mats in the industry (Pilates or Yamuna). Please do be aware even with this high quality mat, traction can still sometimes be an issue on certain surfaces (like wood floors). With this mat, it is possible to slide like an accordion on smooth surfaces when practicing Pilates or yoga moves like downward facing dog. Currently, it is sold out at some major Pilates manufacturers, but it looks like it is in stock at the Physical Therapy manufacturer. Both resources are listed below:
Balanced Body Pilates

OPTP

If you have any questions about Pilates or choosing the right mat, please let me know. Glad to guide you in a good direction that fits both you and your space. Stay healthy and safe!

Breathe Deep and Keep Practicing;)

Shannon

Fourth Anniversary and Studio Update!

Dear Students and Friends,

I hope this finds you and your loved ones healthy and well! When I branched out on my own and opened the studio on July 29, 2016, I couldn’t have dreamed the course the journey would take, especially in 2020. I imagine many of you feel the same way. This has been such a historic time.

I’m so grateful for you and glad even in these times of social distancing that we have been able to stay connected. When I started teaching 20 years ago (yes, as an apprentice in the spring of 2000 at the Physical Conditioning Centre), the technology that keeps us connected today wasn’t available back then. In fact, Pilates wasn’t even a household name and I almost always had to explain what I did for a living when meeting new people.

Again, I’m so appreciative of you who have stayed with Pilates and have also journeyed with me over the years from the Physical Conditioning Centre, to PilatesHouston, Inc and eventually to my own studio.

When the Coronavirus Pandemic reached the US, I immediately moved the studio “online” back in March. While I could have legally reopened the studio for “in person” sessions on May 18, after an informal survey the first week of May, I knew overwhelmingly that the students wished to remain online for the foreseeable future. As a number of clients are a more vulnerable demographic, it seemed like a wise idea for other gyms and fitness facilities to go first and wait on reopening.

As many of you are aware, it so happens that the lease on the studio space is up at the end of July. Normally, it would have been renewed in April, when we were in the thick of the lockdown. I delayed the decision as long as I could – waiting to see how things would play out with the reopening and hoping for the best.

With the rising number of cases in Texas and in Houston, I decided a few weeks ago not to renew the lease. As I was also concerned there might be “stay at home” orders for Harris County soon, I quickly packed up and had the equipment moved to a climate controlled storage facility.

Apparently, it turns out it was good timing with the red alert issued for Harris County last Friday. In addition, I also received an email from the building on Friday saying there were 3 people that tested COVID-19 positive at that location. I’m so thankful to already have the studio moved out.

When I started teaching 20 years ago, I couldn’t have dreamed of one day having a studio “online”. I think we all look forward to one day meeting again “in person”, but in the meantime I’m grateful for technology that allows not only the business to remain open “online” but also, and most importantly, keeps us connected and allows me to continue to assist you in your wellness journey, especially in these times!

As we learn to navigate this digital, virtual frontier and find a new normal, I believe we will all grow stronger than before. If you have any questions or concerns about the studio or if you haven’t set up an online session and would like to, please feel free to reach out to me.

I hope you and your loved ones remain healthy and safe. I look forward to seeing you again soon – either online or in a new space one day!

Keep Calm and Pilates On,

Shannon