With summer just a few months away, here are a couple of articles that can help you get in shape.
The first article is on how to do a “Body Audit” so you can assess where it’s best to focus your efforts.
The next article gives some helpful anatomy to better understand the arm muscles so you can be ready for a “Sleeveless Summer”.
Cheers to your health,
Shannon
Body Audit – How to maximize your workouts
The four categories you should aim for in your workouts. Plus a bonus one. And tips how to maximize each one. From cardio to posture, get your well-rounded workout here.
Sleeveless Summer
Though the biceps get a lot of attention, they actually are not the strongest flexor of the arm.
To find out what muscle is, read the full story here.
Getting creative and finding simple ways to get more movement in your daily life can make a huge impact.
In the past few years, you may have heard the saying that “sitting is the new smoking”.
The numbers are staggering. Depending on the report, the US ranks between 29-49 in terms of life expectancy. Low for a high-income nation, especially considering how much is spent on healthcare.
What studies have found is that it’s not food or vitamins or soil depletion that are the culprit.
It’s a sedentary lifestyle.
Even a little bit of daily movement makes a big difference.
Places in Europe or New York where people have to walk 15-30 minutes a day to catch a subway – the numbers drastically improve for longevity.
To give you ideas of simple ways you can get more daily activity, here is a short (under 3 minute and 30 seconds) TED Talk. It’s by an executive who found a creative way to fit 20-30 miles of walking a week into her busy schedule.
Hope this inspires you to move and think outside the box!
For the February Newsletter, I want to share a special Valentine’s edition. It’s the love story of Joseph and Clara Pilates. I wrote about it a few years ago. If you haven’t heard the story, you are in for a treat.
Read about Joseph and Clara Pilates love story here. You’ll also find an archival black and white video of Joe and Clara at home working out on the equipment he invented.
Waking up from surgery, Eve found out she had cancer and a radical mastectomy had been performed. In 1955, it looked like her dance career was over and she went straight to Joe to begin her recovery.
With her permission, I’m sharing Suzanne’s story to offer some encouragement this Breast Cancer Awareness month.
She recently wrote, “I owe you big time!…You instilled in me the importance of continuing to practice and move correctly.”
Suzanne has been practicing Pilates for over 18 years now.
That foundation really helped her recently.
A mammogram earlier this year showed a few scattered calcium deposits and after biopsies, Suzanne had to have a mastectomy. Thankfully, there wasn’t anything in the lymph nodes and all cancer removed.
The incredible thing was that 6 weeks after a mastectomy she was back to class and had full range of motion!!!
Suzanne said “I think it was because I was in good shape before the surgery. And thanks to you teaching me the importance of movement everywhere will pay off in the end! So true for me.”
Suzanne is healing well and taking medication but fortunately didn’t have to have chemo or radiation.
Suzanne also said she “will keep up her Pilates practice hopefully another 18 years because as you know, when you rest you rust!”
As a cautionary tale, Suzanne strongly advises not to skip your annual mammogram. Her spots happened in less than a year.
I hope Suzanne’s story encourages you to take care of yourself with regular checkups and to stay active and keep moving! It might pay off in ways you couldn’t have expected!
