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September/October 2016

6/9/2016

 
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I just loved watching the Olympics in August. To see such incredible athletic skill and dedication on display was amazing. The amount of hard work those sports people put in just to participate, let alone win a medal is mind boggling. My stand out favourite moment was Eliza McCartney winning the bronze medal in the pole vault. What an unspoilt, humble, beautiful and very happy girl. For once, I didn't mind that the weather was awful in August and felt no guilt at binge watching as much as I could. I think that the weather is improving at last and there is an occasional hint of spring in the air, as it should be seeing as September 1st is the official start of the season.

You may have seen a number of athletes at the games visualising their actions for their discipline, going through their movements repeatedly before their event. Imagery and visualisation are techniques that elite athletes use to enhance their training and is something we try to incorporate at all levels in our classes. We constantly use cues to give you the idea of what is expected of your Pilates moves and how they should feel. ' Roll your marble to 12 o'clock', 'reach your head to touch the ceiling', 'your limbs float like balloons' and many, many others. We try a raft of different cues to find those which work and we suggest you hang on to the ones that seem to work best for you. Use your favourite imagery all the time to help you activate your power house.

Even for elite athletes, time passes and the effects of ageing affect their wonderful bodies just like the rest of us mere mortals. Bone thinning (osteoporosis) and loss of muscle mass (sarcopaenia) are an avoidable side effect of growing older. Research suggests that increasing leg strength and muscle power and improving balance help reduces bone and muscle loss. Pilates is the way to go as it improves strength and balance in safe and supported positions. It is also important to maintain flexibility and put your joints through full range of movement. We need to know if you have been diagnosed with osteoporosis as certain exercises will have to be modified but you can still do your regular class.

We have lots of lovely baby news. Jen had a gorgeous baby boy in May early, by a number of weeks. In fact, she was back in class again before her actual due date which must be a record anywhere. Mum and baby are both thriving and well. You may have noticed that Jie is pregnant ! She is due in the first week of November. We will miss her but it is very exciting as we love having pregnant and new mums in class. We know we have at least one other in the pipeline. Pilates is a great exercise to do before, during and after pregnancy as it makes you so strong just where you need to be but you must tell us really early in case we need to modify anything. We NEVER divulge this information.

We have already made some timetable adjustments to accommodate Jie's ante natal classes on Wednesday nights and may have to tweak further when she has to stop working. I will keep you posted. There is one other timetable adjustment on Mondays at 9.30 am. The advanced class is now intermediate instead to give more people a chance to join. I have attached the latest timetable for you all to look at. All the prices are current including the cost of a shared session at $45. Our special has ended on that.

I know it hasn't been a bad winter but I'm loving the occasional hint of spring in the air. It starts to make you think of summer activities and perhaps how your body might look while doing them ! If you would like to add in an extra class in the week to help achieve a summer body, let us know and we'll try to fit you in.


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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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