Just last month I shared the annual fitness trends. If you missed it, you can catch the article here.
It’s only February and already there are more amazing technological advancements to share.
You may have seen this in the news. Elon Musk’s Neuralink implanted it’s first brain chip into a human! This neural implant apparently decodes “movement intention”. If you would like to read more, here is an article from the BBC on the topic.
February is American Heart Month and it also happens to be the 100 year anniversary of the American Heart Association.
They are celebrating this year by renewing focus on CPR training and teaching as many people as possible this lifesaving skill. If you would like to learn CPR, here is a list of classes with the American Red Cross.
Also, World Encephalitis Day is happening this month. If you would like to get involved, you can learn more here. Or you can show your support in other ways, like wearing red on Thursday, February 22.
February is a busy month! In addition to Black History Month, Chinese New Year and Valentine’s Day, here are a few lesser known events that you may want to celebrate:
This is a full month and here are a couple of events that are coming up:
February is American Heart Month and this Friday, February 3 is National Wear Red Day®! For more information on heart health, please check out the NIH. Most importantly, take care of yourself and the ones you love by practicing self-care for your heart.
In addition, February 22 is World Encephalitis Day. If you would like to get involved, here are some ways you can show your support.
Happy Valentine’s to you and yours! Wishing you much love and joy!
Now onto today’s featured article…
For the Love of Pilates
It’s been said that Joe was a genius. The equipment especially highlighted his brilliance. He was known to invent equipment for clients with specific needs.
Pilates’ creativity and spirit of invention lives on today. His innovative ideas sparked other thinkers and inventors who created their own pieces of equipment. Joe’s work carries on in new and exciting ways.
Whether to help a specific student with a need or to adapt to the environment when traditional equipment wasn’t available, here are three newer pieces of equipment that have been developed for the love of Pilates!
If you’ve ever rested your spine on the warmed columns of the SS, then you know the bliss. Created by Marie-Jose Blom, the SS is the main star in the full system which includes the arch tubbies, globe, cervical head disc, sacral wedges, and posture pillow.
Developed by longtime student of Pilates, Ron Fletcher came up with the towel. It was created out of necessity, working with what he had at his disposal.
When Mr. Fletcher would teach classes at his California studio, he noticed students were having trouble moving their arms evenly. One arm would be higher and the other arm would be lower etc.
So he grabbed a towel to give the students a visual aid to help them see their arms were uneven as they moved. That’s how the Fletcher Towel was born. I think Mr. Pilates would appreciate the ingenuity of making use of what was on hand.
Similar to Joe’s equipment that can look like a rack out of the middle ages, the CoreAlign® is a large, interesting, even intimidating looking piece of equipment! I suspect it would meet with Joe’s approval;) And this equipment delivers on its name – to get the core aligned!
Developed by physical therapist Jonathan Hoffman and produced by Balanced Body equipment manufacturer, the CoreAlign® is two moveable platforms (like the carriage on the reformer but smaller) with elastic resistance tubes that act like springs and a tall ladder to hold. As you might imagine there are a multitude of exercises that can be performed in different positions on the CoreAlign®.
So there you have it – just a few of the many inventions that have been created for the love of Pilates!
Now I’m curious – if you could invent a piece of equipment, what would that be?
Just respond in the comments if you have an idea you would like to share.
Keeping you on the pulse of Pilates, the 4th Annual Pilates Has Heart Event is coming up! I’m delighted for this edition of the newsletter to have Hilary Opheim as a guest author. She is a Pilates Teacher and owner of Washington Avenue Pilates (WAP). I’m grateful to Hilary for sharing the moving and beautiful story of how this event began. Please welcome Hilary…
Hilary Opheim and Terri Dome at Washington Avenue Pilates (WAP).
So this happened and started it all…
On Sunday, February 17th WAPilates is holding our 4th Annual Pilates has Heart Event. It is hard for me to believe that this summer will be 5 years since I said goodbye to a best friend and client of WAP, the reason I started this cause.
Let me tell you a little bit about why every year we hold this event with 100% of the proceeds going to Texas Heart Institute. It is all in honor of the most honest, strong, funny and courageous person I have ever met. Terri Dome. Anyone who knew Terri Dome left with a better heart. It’s ironic that her heart was too weak to support her greatness. At the young age of 13, Terri was diagnosed with non- Hodgkin’s lymphoma. After a year and a half of radiation and chemotherapy, her cancer went into remission. At 28 years old, she started fainting and discovered that the chemo and radiation had damaged her heart and lungs. After years of pacemakers, Terri underwent a heart transplant on February 14, 2009. Terri called this her Heart Birthday. As soon as her doctors gave her the thumbs up to work out, she found her way to WAPilates.
I still remember that phone call from Terri asking, “what exactly is Pilates?” Can I do this with my recovery from a heart transplant? Am I strong enough? She was afraid she would be limited in her ability. She agreed to give it a try, and my life, those of the WAP Teachers, and many, many clients were forever changed.
Terri was a bright light. No matter what was happening with her body, the pain she was having or how she felt, she made all those around her smile and laugh. She didn’t want anyone to know her as the “sick girl.” Many didn’t know about her heart transplant until she agreed to do a piece for our newsletter.
Terri was a true fixture in our studio. She had “her” chair and after her workout, she would sit in her chair, iPhone in her hand playing Words with Friends or checking out movie times so she could hit the theatre. Her Friday Pilates sessions were her favorite. My personal workout with Kim, who was also Terri’s Teacher, was right after her workout. It was noon on Friday and usually a quiet time so it would be just the 3 of us in the studio.
She would watch when we got to advanced work, looking up from her iPhone and saying with all seriousness, “Oh yeah, I do that!” as if that was no big deal. She would sprinkle all the clients’ workouts with her contagious laugh and commentary. They would leave the studio with more than a healthier physical body. They left with a more whole heart.
Terri was quiet in what she did for others. She volunteered and would visit kids dealing with cancer as she had. She would sit and talk to them about the job she had at Lucas Film. She talked with them about Star Wars and all the behind scenes, made them laugh, and she would listen as they shared their feelings and fears. She knew what they were going through and was able to share that with them. She would also give her time to the Texas Heart Institute and speak on her experience to help others.
Terri became more than a client to many of us. To me she was one of my best friends; she was a rare find in that department. If you were lucky enough to know Terri and have her in your circle, then you had a friend who would back you to the end, fight for you, and unconditionally love you. That is a gift that she had like no other.
On July 1, 2014, we lost Terri. It took a good year for the studio, clients, and instructors, to come to terms with her no longer being in our world. Her chair seemed so empty and the Friday afternoon was silent. In late 2015, as my client Carla and I were starting her session I told her, “ I want to do something to honor Terri, to continue her work and to keep her memory alive.” That is how Pilates has Heart was born.
We decided to combine her love of Pilates and WAP. Terri always said that Pilates and WAP saved her life. So, our first annual event was held on Valentine’s Day, February 14, 2016, her Heart Birthday. Those who knew and loved Terri came together for a Mat class, and in a true grassroots way raised over $3,000 for the Texas Heart Institute. Her husband Steve Dome spoke for the first time about Terri, and many gave donations and helped spread the word, Pilates Anytime being one of them.
On Sunday, February 12, 2017, Pilates has Heart held it’s second annual Mat class at Silver Street Studios. We raised double with a little over $6,000 and each year we have continued to grow with Pilates Nerd donating shirts in 2017 and many wonderful raffle prizes. Our 3rd Annual Pilates has Heart moved into our studio where we feel Terri would be happiest!
3rd Annual Pilates Has Heart Mat Class ~
This year we will fill our studio with those that love Pilates and are wanting to help the community that is dealing with heart issues or will be one day. Making a difference as we all hit the mat, sweat, meet and laugh. I know that Terri will be in her chair, smiling and enjoying every moment of it. I know because every year I feel her there.
Pilates has Heart is an emotional time for all at WAP and when it is over each year our friend is missed even more. Thanks to all that come, support, give and join in the cause I know that we are making a difference not only for people like Terri but, for our community and friends.
Keri Sprung, with Texas Heart Institute, knew Terri Dome, and I think her words speak to the heart of the event: “Terri’s beautiful heart and mind continue to inspire our research and education, and we are deeply honored to be a part of this event celebrating her unwavering courage and dedication to helping others.”
About the author ~ Hilary Opheim
Hilary trained with John Gossett in Houston, Texas. She opened up WAP in January of 2005 and has continued her journey of learning and practicing Pilates as a teacher and as a student. Hilary has her own Teacher Training Program, Mentorship Program and Workshops that she presents and continues her own studies with Benjamin Degenhardt’s 360 Program and Cara Reeser Heritage Program. http://www.hilaryopheim.com
