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September/October 2015

22/9/2015

 
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Spring is here and you have managed to stay motivated over the worst winter months ( with our help of course ) and all that work will pay off when the inevitable warm weather arrives and you are fit, toned and ready for all your summer activities. Personally, I can't wait for summer to come.

In a survey of the latest fitness trends, mind body classes such as Pilates remain as popular as ever and it is envisioned that all types of fitness classes and personal training will have a more mindful element in the future. The name for this type of work is integrative training . The focus is on the process rather than being goal orientated. Remember that during your Pilates practice .

I believe that Pilates is truly a form of integrative training with all the required elements of fitness such as strength, flexibility and endurance but exercising the whole body in a totally mindful way.

Mindfulness enhances any exercise experience and its benefits flow over into daily life too.

There was some research done in 2008 that suggests mindfulness training can positively affect the genes that help fight cancer . Follow up research by the same team in 2013 found that this type of training also seemed to decrease cellular aging which should result in fewer illnesses and a longer life. Yet another great reason to keep up with your Pilates.

There are many integrative training techniques that we use in Pilates such as breath focus, movement awareness, controlled movement and touch . Myofascial release is also used in this type of training and is something I have written about before and that we recommend in the studio. It is like a form of self massage that you can perform on your own using foam rollers, hard and soft massage balls, tennis balls and even golf balls for the very dedicated. It allows you to deal with life's muscular aches and pains simply and easily. Done just before bed time, it can improve sleep quality too.

In terms of Pilates, rolling like a ball or seal is a myofascial release for the spine but do it on a nice soft mat and stay very relaxed while you do it, perhaps widen your knees and hold your knees rather than ankles and focus on really massaging your back. Remember to breathe throughout. 8 times is enough.

If you would like to know more about this, please ask one of us.

This year is Northland Pilates' tenth in operation and I am thrilled we have achieved this. I certainly would never have had such successful years without the wonderful instructors we have working at the studio. This year sees Val with us for five years and Carla for three . How time flies.

We also are lucky enough to have Ying Jie starting . She has completed all her training and has moved up from Auckland to join our growing team. Like me, she is certified to teach mat classes and Pilates on our apparatus too.

This means we have more times available to do private sessions. If you are interested in adding another dimension to your Pilates with some personal work, please let me know and we'll organise a time. I guarantee you will enjoy it and it will refine and enhance your mat work as well.





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    Author

    Niki Barker is a lifelong fitness devotee.  Previously a physiotherapist with a long career history in paediatric and adult rehabilitation and extensive experience with war injuries.  

    And a lover of Pilates .

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