I’ve just completed a three month Pilates Reformer Course, whereby I was the oldest student by about thirty years. I mean just look at the flexibility of one of my fellow students!:- Once I’d got over that (and nearly torn […]
I think I managed to hit the peak of my professional Pilates career during my Zoom class for my friends this week. We were in the middle of doing the side plank and I had my phone in front of […]
I am teaching a Pilates class this morning and am really going to have to try and sort myself out. It is entirely possible that I will soon be voted "worst fitness instructor ever". Since the Pink Power Walk a couple of weeks ago I have turned into an 89 year old. My back hurts. I have got sciatic pain in my arse. My hips feel a little bit stiff.
I had some treatment for everything on Wednesday - a combination of massage, manipulation and acupuncture which really helped. Brilliant. It appears that I am a little unstable (in the spine you understand, not in the mind...at least I don't think she meant that). Have you ever had acupuncture? It's very strange. Works very well for many complaints and you can hardly feel the needles going in. I did make a big mistake by trying to take a photo of needles stuck in my arse for future reference. It made me nearly faint. Thankfully my trusty practitioner who must have thought I was mad took the photo for me so here you are....I am feeling the need to share:- 
Then yesterday morning I twisted my ankle in the road and fell over. SO PAINFUL. Now, I am hobbling. I've done the whole RICE thing but it really hurts and the last thing I want to do is jump up and down on the spot - although thankfully you don't have to do too much of that in Pilates.
Oh dear. I'm a mess. I seem to forget that I'm quite old now and increasing the number of classes I am teaching takes a toll on my body. Must remember to try harder to keep fit.
Ps - oh and in the unlikely event that you think you know a worse Pilates teacher I forgot to mention that I have pink tape running up my back (some sort of kinaesthetic muscle support I think she said) so I've got to tuck clothes in massively in the class so top doesn't reveal strips and bottoms don't reveal ankle support AND it's suddenly BOILING hot and I haven't sorted armpits out. Oh. Dear.
I’ve just finished doing a really interesting course – learning about how to modify Pilates exercises specifically for ante natal and post natal pregnancy. Different exercises and considerations are required for each separate trimester and in the first few months […]
Could somebody please remind me in future that it is not big or clever to go out to a really lovely 40th birthday party in Soho in a very cool arty venue and drink FAR too much wine and talk […]
There is an article in "The Times" today all about the rise of the "six pack" and how desirable it has become. I am very pleased to see that one of the best ways of developing a six pack is by doing Pilates. This is very good news for me as a newly qualified Pilates instructor. I can teach men how to develop their six packs. I could become an expert in six packs. I am so liking this idea I need to stop writing about it for a minute. In fact, perhaps I need to stop writing completely for the day and get on with all my other jobs. Can you tell I'm a bit snow-bound today? This is my 5th post of the day. Other recommended ways in the article to expose that muscle often found buried deep within your stomach include:- Start by increasing fat-burning aerobic activity - running, swimming, cycling in order to get rid of some of the fat hiding the muscles. Try a swissball (although don't let it pop like the one my friend went on in a gym and broke all his ribs) Don't bother with other abdominal gadgets. Laugh a lot - it gets the TA (transversus abdominus) going Don't do endless sit-ups - try Pilates instead - much more focused and effective. Try the "bicycle move" - lie on a mat/carpet with hands behind head. Bend your knees and alternate bringing your opposite elbow to opposite knee in a twisting movement, whilst pedalling your legs. If you haven't done them before don't extend the legs fully each time until you've built up some strength in your abdominals. Try and keep your naval pulled in and your spine flat on the floor. Do two sets of 15-20 reps 2-3 times a week. Build up to 4-5 sets. Good luck. If you're looking for a six pack expert, you've come to the right place...
I have just spent all day learning how to teach Pilates. This is to add to my qualification and will be an ongoing training until April next year. I am exhausted. We were taught by one of the other instructors […]
