Easton Pilates

Friday, July 26, 2013

Pilates Benefits Your Career!

On Boston.com today in Chad O'Connors Article: Self Improvement: 6 things you can do to enhance yourself and career he discusses how Pilates can not only bring wonderful health benefits but how practicing Pilates can actually help boost your career! He writes:

There are so many benefits to exercise, such as good health, self confidence, positive endorphins, better sleep, and stress relief. An effective form of exercise to try is Pilates.

Sarela Bliman-Cohen, product management consultant and Pilates instructor, said “Pilates is a very challenging total body workout, and it makes you feel energized. After working all day long, Pilates is very satisfying.”

Pilates is a very focused form of exercise that forces you think about every movement and so much control is involved. That sense of focus can carry over to the workplace and help you with the ability to better focus at work. “It is often said that people that take Pilates gain 2 inches in height. This occurs by fixing and being mindful of posture, lengthening muscles, and fixing muscular imbalances and tightness,” said Julie Erickson, Owner of Endurance Pilates and Yoga.

For full article go to: http://www.boston.com/business/blogs/global-business-hub/2012/09/self_improvemen.html?p1=Well_MostPop_Emailed6

Another reason to LOVE Pilates!! The benefits are endless!

Easton Pilates Studio serving Easton~ Mansfield~ Canton~Foxboro~ Stoughton~ Sharon~ Norton-

We welcome students!

Easton Pilates offers Pilates group, semi-private, private classes and Myofascial release services in the studio. Private and in-home instruction is available. Mat and Barre, Reformer and Cadillac classes are available.
~Increase core strength & flexibility, reduce back pain~
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Sunday, July 21, 2013

Why is the Core So Important?

The core has become an everyday term in fitness but what is it exactly and why is it so important? The core is the abdominal muscles, glutes and the entire back area that connects to your spinal cord and supports the spine. The core is made up of the upper abs, obliques, and the very deep layer of abdominal muscles. These deep muscles are not worked by simple exercises such as crunches and require a more intensive workout like Pilates to strengthen the core. When you have a strong core, the weight of supporting your body is not placed on your bones solely.

Increasing your core strength will create a leaner appearance by cinching your waistline and giving you a flatter stomach. A strong core will protect your spine which is very important as many of us sit at a desk in front of a screen all day. A strong core is a preventative measure against future back pain. You will notice an increase in your balance if your practice sports like paddle boarding, running, snowboarding, golf, or tennis with a strong core. Another benefit of core exercises is improved lung capacity. Core muscles are connected to the diaphragm so working out these muscle groups will enhance one’s ability to inhale and exhale completely. If the body is able to take in more oxygen, the heart is able to pump more blood, improving the overall performance of the body. The benefits of a strong core generated by practicing a core-centric workout like Pilates not only build abdominal muscles but improve your overall health and wellness.

The Core

Easton Pilates Studio serving Easton~ Mansfield~ Canton~Foxboro~ Stoughton~ Sharon~ Norton-

We welcome students!

Sunday, June 30, 2013

Chronic Pain, How Myofascial Release Can Help

Unfortunately there are many people in the world living with chronic pain: back pain, neck pain, hip pain, headaches just to name a few. Myofascial Release is a practice that goes to the core cause of the problem to release the symptoms where traditional therapy, surgery, or medication has failed to produce results.

The fascia is a tough connective tissue which spreads throughout the entire body from head to toe without interruption. A myofascial therapist will scan the whole body for restrictions and assess for postural dysfunction. After examination of skin and tissue integrity, the skilled hands of the therapist will apply light to moderate timed pressure into the fascia and wait for a release. The therapist will repeat this timed pressure into various areas of fascia until each restriction has released enabling muscles to stretch and elongate promoting a lasting effect.

Many patients have returned to normal activity and pain free lives after sessions of myofascial release. Whether you are experience lasting pain for the first time or have been living with chronic pain for years, myofascial release can help. Nobody should have to live with pain!

The Fascia tissue in the body.

Easton Pilates Studio serving Easton~ Mansfield~ Canton~Foxboro~ Stoughton~ Sharon~ Norton-

We welcome students!

Sunday, June 23, 2013

When You Commit to Pilates, Pilates Commits to You!

It is widely accepted by physiologists that generally it takes about 28 days to change a habit. In Pilates, we are reminded in class or in private sessions of many, many tiny adjustments that need to happen in order to have correct form. When you have correct form, you are properly exercising and using your core as your powerhouse. You are not relying on your legs, arms or neck to do the work for you. This is how we build and strengthen our core and stop over-using muscles like our quadriceps to muscle through motions, creating a long, lean body.

When practicing Pilates, your body is a work in progress. Pilates is not meant to be “perfect”. We have great moments when we make a new connection. “Wow, when I make sure my big toe is in my midline then I can feel how my under-butt is now connected!” Sometimes it may be frustrating that you can’t seem to quite bend your bones enough to get a pose yet. Over time, these small adjustments we need to keep reminding ourselves of will eventually become habit and we can advance to the next level.

Joseph Pilates, founder of Pilates, stated, "In 10 sessions you will feel the difference, in 20 you will see the difference and in 30 you will have a whole new body." Whether you seek improved balance, core strength, lean thighs, a higher butt, less back pain, tight abs, greater flexibility, or a clear mind, with consistent Pilates sessions all and more is possible!

Image via Shape.com

Easton Pilates Studio serving Easton~ Mansfield~ Canton~Foxboro~ Stoughton~ Sharon~ Norton-

We welcome students!

Friday, June 7, 2013

Our Feet

Our feet are our bodies’ anchors to the world! They are the foundation of our entire bodies. How often do we pay attention to them? For most of us, the answer is not too often! Joseph Pilates, founder of Pilates, understood the importance of feet. He even invented the foot corrector and the toe stretcher, two devices which improved foot mechanics. Joe also incorporated pedals for the feet on some of his machines and began many of his classical Pilates’ exercises with foot work.

Photo via www.tptherapy.com

The feet, when corrected, can resolve imbalances up to the hips and stabilize muscles in the pelvis. When feet are worked on, often knee, hip and back pain can be resolved. The toes play an important role by helping create balance. If you perform toe lifts, which connect your feet up to your lower buttocks and your entire core, you will notice an improvement in your balance as your core strengthens.

Pilates teaches awareness to the feet and its relation to the rest of the body which sits on top of the feet. There’s a lot of weight resting on our feet, so good alignment is essential to balance all the forces that the feet must endure. When the core is strong, it lifts your body weight off of your feet, yet you are connected so you stay grounded head to heal and arches.

Many people encounter pain in their arches or heels during their lives. A great remedy for this pain, in addition to practicing Pilates, is Myofascial release. Myofascial release involves freeing the fascia which is the connective tissue throughout our entire bodies. Stretching the fascia and releasing bonds between fascia though Myofascial release can relieve foot pain or pain anywhere in the body. Choosing proper, comfortable footwear is essential to foot health as well.

Easton Pilates Studio serving Easton~ Mansfield~ Canton~Foxboro~ Stoughton~ Sharon~ Norton-

We welcome students!

Thursday, May 23, 2013

Added Benefits of Pilates Exercise

In a recent article on Pilatesstyle.com written by Dr, Eugene Harry, he discusses the "5 Hidden Benefits of Exercise," which include:

Younger looking, more blemish-free skin The increase in circulation and perspiration that occurs with exercise delivers more nutrients to your skin while allowing impurities and waste to be removed. The result—a healthier complexion!
Natural “feel-good” chemicals Exercise releases endorphins, the brain chemicals that boost your mood and make you feel happy, as well as relieve stress, and enhance your self-esteem and self-confidence. Exercise has also been shown to increase neurotransmitters, such as serotonin and dopamine, which gives us a natural high and allows us to sleep better.
Constipation prevention Exercise increases the contractions of the wall of the intestines, helping to move things along through the intestinal tract more easily, and decreasing the time it takes to pass through the large intestine. But wait an hour or two after eating before exerting yourself: Exercising too soon after a meal can divert blood flow away from the gut and toward the muscles and slow down the digestion process.
Prevents brittle bones Walking, jogging, dancing, Pilates and yoga are all weight-bearing exercises that help strengthen bones. During weight-bearing exercises, bones adapt to the impact of the weight and the pull of muscles by building more bone cells, increasing strength and density and decreasing the risk of fractures and osteoporosis.
Enhanced immunity Physical exertion increases the rate at which antibodies flow through the blood stream, resulting in better immunity against sickness. The increased temperature generated during moderate exercise makes it difficult for certain infectious organisms to survive.

All the more reasons to stick with your Pilates commitment!

pilates

Photo credit via Pilatesstyle.com

Easton Pilates Studio serving Easton~ Mansfield~ Canton~Foxboro~ Stoughton~ Sharon~ Norton-

We welcome students!

Tuesday, May 14, 2013

How's Your Posture?

Don't let this happen to your body! Take control with Pilates!

Easton Pilates Studio serving Easton~ Mansfield~ Canton~Foxboro~ Stoughton~ Sharon~ Norton-

We welcome students!