Dear Students & Friends,
Hope you are enjoying the summer and looking forward to special times with loved ones over the Holiday weekend!
Wishing you a Happy 4th of July!
Also, coming up on July 29 will be the 8 year anniversary for the business!
Wishing you continued good health, joy and freedom of movement in every way!
With Best Wishes Always,
Shannon
Imagine a computer that could analyze your movements and assess where you are vulnerable to injury. It could not only make strength training recommendations but could also actually guide you through the training, offering feedback and correction as you go. Though this may sound far-fetched, the technology is already here and the future only promises for this trend to grow.
As advances in technology are made, devices become more powerful, compact and accessible. What was available to only a privileged few, over time becomes accessible to the masses and even commonplace.
In 1969, the computer used for the Apollo 11 was large in size but had limited storage capacity. A few years later, computers would no longer be exclusive to government and large businesses but personal home computers would start to rise. And today, “the iPhone in your pocket has over 100,000 times the processing power of the computer that landed man on the moon (over) 50 years ago.”*
Similarly, fitness technology has followed this same trajectory. Decades ago, research was done on college campuses with large, clunky computers and cameras analyzing human movement. Expensive equipment was developed and used for advanced level athletes – olympic competitors, premier football or golf players.
What was once only available to a few elite athletes is now becoming like the personal home computer, something more accessible for regular, everyday people.
Fitness Trends for 2022
Many of the trends in fitness are what you might expect considering the times:
online – a trend that looks like it is here to stay for the foreseeable future.
hybrid – a combination of online and in person classes as some gyms and studios reopen.
walking – both for fitness as well as a change of scenery with people spending time at home.
fitness trackers – a myriad of watches, apps and even smart rings.
home gyms – and most unique are the “smart” home gyms…
Of all the trends, the most interesting on the horizon is the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in fitness technology, especially as it is combined with fitness equipment.
You may have seen the Mirror where you can stream classes. Though there are a number of new pieces of similar equipment as everyone tries to get in on this new fitness tech wave, we’ll focus on just a couple of the most advanced ones that have also added AI to “the Mirror”. (Called mirrors because you can see your reflection but technically they are not mirrors). If you haven’t already seen or heard of this type of equipment yet, you probably will soon as this trend becomes more commonplace.
Geared toward weight lifting this offers up to 200 lbs of digital resistance. What’s nice about this fitness technology is that Tonal does an initial strength assessment and then the weights are based on that assessment, and of course, it is adjusted as you gain strength.
There are multiple sensors that monitor your movement offering real-time guidance. It can sense as you fatigue and adjusts appropriately. It’s also supposed to be able to sense if you are favoring or pulling on one side more than the other.
Advertised as “The only home gym with a built in personal trainer.”** While it apparently doesn’t have a camera but uses 3D Tempo Vision™, a sensing technology. This “creates a model of your body and captures its range of motion and pace to determine the appropriate weight you should be lifting for each exercise.”***
For the sensors to work you need about 6 ft of floor space between the Tempo and where you’ll be exercising. Cues with corrections will pop up on the screen when needed to help you maintain form.
There are various weights and props neatly tucked away in a built-in cabinet underneath the Tempo.
Though a virtual fitness trainer developed from AI may sound like fantasy, it’s already here and only likely to continue to advance. Though there are a number of fitness trends for 2022, this seems like the most fascinating one to watch. Compared to putting a man on the moon, these might be small steps for technology but they are certainly making giant leaps for mankind.
This July 29th is the five year anniversary since opening the business. A lot has changed since then. While going virtual was not the plan when the studio opened, it has brought some unexpected joys – like meeting the pets. It’s cute how they know something is happening and try to participate in their own ways. Maybe showing they are more flexible (or just trying to get their humans’ attention). Pilates turns into “pawlites”.
So to celebrate the 5 year anniversary, I thought you might enjoy a video that has gone viral of a dog practicing yoga. This lady seems to have trained her canine well. Cuddle up with your furry friend and see if you can spot the “Pilates” move in this “yoga” video.
Wishing you and your loved ones (including the fur children) continued joy and good health!
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.
| 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
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
Dear Students,
The studio Birthday is coming up soon. I can
hardly believe it has been three years! The time has certainly flown by. It has been a delight
and a privilege to watch and to facilitate each
of you on your Pilates and health journey.
In addition to offering private sessions, the studio started a free educational bimonthly newsletter this last year. If that is something you would like to receive, you can sign-up here as well as catch up on past issues posted here on the blog.
Thank you for your dedication not only to the studio but also in your commitment to self-care through a regular Pilates practice. As you care for yourself, you are better able to serve the ones you love and the greater community. I appreciate you and I’m grateful to be a part of your life and wellness team.
Sincerely,
Shannon
