On Teaching Pilates

As a Pilates instructor, it's essential that you continue your own practice to stay connected to The Method and to effectively teach your clients. Pilates isn't just a workout; it's a system of movement that incorporates all aspects of the body. As an instructor, you should be aware of how all the apparatus work together, allowing you to teach the method effectively.

In San Diego, classical Pilates instructors are highly sought after, and there is a growing community of practitioners who are committed to learning the entire system. Being able to teach The Pilates Method requires that you have a deep understanding of all of the exercises on each apparatus and are able to connect them. This isn’t meant to be intimidating; it’s meant to inspire. Pilates is an endless journey that continues to challenge and improve our bodies every step of the way.

The importance of connecting all the apparatus in Pilates cannot be overstated. Each piece of equipment serves a specific purpose and is designed to work in concert with the others in order to fully engage the body. Start with the basics, and gradually build your skills and understanding of how to use the equipment together. Seek out experienced teachers, take workshops, and continue your own practice to deepen your knowledge.

In conclusion, continuing your own Pilates practice is essential if you want to be an effective classical Pilates instructor in San Diego. Ritual Pilates offers a fully equipped studio from the neck stretcher to the toe exerciser to make all of these necessary connections. Ritual Pilates also offers monthly teacher community classes in addition to workshops. Stay committed to your practice, and you'll be able to build a thriving Pilates business in San Diego.

Finding a Pilates Teacher

As someone searching for Pilates classes in San Diego, it is important to find a teacher who creates an environment where you can learn to move independently. In a Pilates class, the teacher's role is not to constantly narrate and guide every movement, but rather to facilitate the student's ability to connect with their own body and develop greater body awareness. "I could never do this on my own!" is the opposite of how you should feel. It should feel brand new, amazing, and incredibly challenging- but, simple.  And, from day one, if you'd like, there could be exercises to do at home. 

A good Pilates teacher should be able to provide clear instructions for exercises, but then allow the student to explore and discover how to move within their own body. This approach fosters a greater sense of independence and empowerment, and allows the student to develop a deeper understanding of their own body and movement patterns.

In a class where the teacher is constantly narrating every movement, the student may become too reliant on the teacher's cues and guidance, and may not develop the ability to move independently. This can hinder the student's progress and limit their ability to fully benefit from the Pilates method and maybe even exacerbate bad habits. No two bodies are alike and the biggest change in one's body is always from their own discoveries from moving on their own.

By creating an environment where the student is encouraged to move independently, the teacher is fostering a greater sense of body awareness and control. This approach can lead to greater physical and mental benefits and real change: such as improved posture, increased flexibility and strength, and a greater sense of well-being. Not to mention getting more for your money. You are learning how to exercise in corrective way and create lasting change.

When searching for Pilates classes in San Diego, be sure to find a teacher who emphasizes the importance of moving independently and provides a supportive and empowering environment. By doing so, you will achieve greater results in your Pilates practice.

A Method Applied to a System: How to Truly Benefit from Pilates

When most people think of Pilates, they often think of the reformer and mat work. However, the Pilates method is much more than just these two pieces. In order to truly understand and benefit from the Pilates system, it is important to have knowledge of the exercises on all of the apparatus and how to use them to improve the body.

The Pilates system was developed by Joseph Pilates and is based on the principles of alignment, breathing, control, centering, concentration, precision, and flow. These principles can be applied to any exercise, whether on the mat or on the various pieces of apparatus, including the Reformer, Cadillac, Wunda Chair, Spine Corrector, Ladder barrel, Foot Corrector, Ped-o-Pul, Neck Stretcher, and more.

Each piece of apparatus offers a unique set of exercises that can target different areas of the body and provide different benefits. For example, the reformer offers the most support and can improve strength, flexibility, and balance, while the Cadillac focuses on how to connect your limbs to your back, center, and seat. The Wunda chair is great for developing stability and control, while the barrels are excellent for improving spinal flexibility and mobility.

Knowing the exercises on all of the apparatus and how to use them effectively, you can create a well-rounded Pilates practice that addresses the needs of your body. You can target specific areas of weakness or imbalance, develop greater overall strength and flexibility, and improve your posture and alignment.

In addition to knowing the exercises on all of the apparatus, it is also important to understand how the Pilates system works as a whole. The method is designed to work from the inside out, focusing on developing a strong, stable center and integrating movement throughout the entire body. By using the Pilates principles to guide your practice, you can improve your body awareness and develop greater contol and precision in your movements.

As a Pilates teacher or student in San Diego, it is important to seek out a studio or teacher who offers a comprehensive Pilates program that includes all of the apparatus and emphasizes the principles of the system. By doing so, you can ensure that you are receiving a well-rounded and effective Pilates practice that will help you achieve your goals and improve your overall health and well-being.

In conclusion, Pilates is not just the reformer and the mat work. The Pilates system encompasses a variety of apparatus and exercises that can be used to improve the body from the inside out. By knowing the exercises on all of the apparatus and using the Pilates principles to guide your practice, you can develop a well-rounded Pilates practice that addresses the needs of your body and helps you achieve your goals. If you are searching for classical Pilates in San Diego, be sure to seek out a studio or teacher who offers a comprehensive program that includes all of the apparatus and emphasizes the principles of the system.

Sticky Spot Fix

Whether you’ve done Pilates a few times or you’ve been doing it for years, this tip will be helpful. It’s not hard but rather it gives our work more intention and thus making it more mind/body+spirit.

We all have sticky spots in our bodies and Pilates can bring awareness to where they are. These are spots that don’t like to move freely and make you feel <ugg> stuck and sometimes they prevent us from exercising all together. Some notice these spots right away because they literally can’t go any further and some can keep moving along recruiting other muscles to cheat and get through the exercise. Regardless, we want Pilates to build strength and be corrective and improve our bodies so we must address these sticky spots.

There are many factors that affect how one navigates these exercises and feeling stuck: body composition, stress levels, and learning styles to name a few. I could dive deep into all of these topics but I’ll keep this post about that FIX. Your fix is: breathing through it. There is a very particular way to breath in order for it to be a tool, however. You must breath in and out through your nose, the inhale and exhale should be be full (4-6 counts), and the breath should fill up and empty your lungs in such a way that you can physically feel it. If this feels abstract/impossible- then just make your breath perfectly quiet. It'll will force you to send that breath barreling down to the lowest part of your lungs.

Step 1: Lie down on the floor with bent legs

Step 2: Place your hands underneath the sides of your middle to low back- right at the base of your ribs.

Step 3: Inhale through your nose and send the breath to where your hands are and you should feel the ribs expand into your hands. You’ll find it easy to move the ribs higher up so challenge yourself to expand the lowest part of your ribcage. Ideally, your back fully connects to the floor.

Step 4: Exhale through your nose and keep your back pressing into the floor. You should feel your stomach pull towards your spine. Do this for 10 full breaths. This sets your breath for your entire workout.

Which leads us to our first exercise in the mat series, the 100. Practice pumping your arms beside you with your focus on sending your breath to the base of your ribs. Now try the roll up, the roll over, and so on.

Try prefacing your next home workout w/ this emphasis on breath and you’ll experience a fuller physical ritual and more freedom of movement.

Leave a comment or question below, I’d love to know how it goes.

breath

it can be the difference between moving and not moving

Your Daily Mat Work on the Contrology Mat

The basic mat is stripped down to the first 8 exercises in Joseph Pilates’ book, Return to Life. Once you’ve learned the exercises and the order it will take you approximately 5 minutes. Then add one exercise a week from the entire series of 34 and soon enough you’ll have a dynamic workout you can do ANYWHERE.

If you are ready for real change, as in feeling amazing and subsequently looking amazing, then you might be ready to invest in a Pilates Mat for home use. The Contrology Mat is the ONLY mat I swear by. The foam is different, the strap is different, the handles are different. And by different I mean RIGHT.

You want a firm mat, the foam should be dense and literally talk to you. The job of the strap is to teach you how to use your hips and has to be a particular length. The dowel at the top needs to be fixed in place but give you feedback if you aren’t using it properly. You can trust the Contrology Mat to deliver all that.

• The Hundred

• The Roll Up

• The Roll Over

• Single Leg Circles

• Rolling Like A Ball

• Single Leg Stretch

• Double Leg Stretch

• Spine Stretch Forward

Receive a 5% discount by shopping with Ritual. Click the About Nicole Martin page and scroll to the bottom to start shopping.

The Gift of Pilates

The holidays are here! I think black Friday started the day after Halloween this year, MY GOODNESS. We’re all so happy that this year isn’t like last year, right? With the rollout of the vaccines for ages 5-11 I’m feeling a tremendous amount of gratitude for science and our community. San Diego county is 80% vaccinated. I am feeling celebratory!

This year my 7 year old said, “let’s not get so much stuff, last year was too much stuff.” First, I gave myself a pat on the back, second, I thought, let’s see how little (maybe even none!) buying of stuff I can do. Challenge accepted. Investing in an experience is just so much more meaningful.

With that said, Gift Certificates are available!

Please reach out if you have questions as to what would be the best for your lucky recipient. I’m happy to help. Or, peruse here.

Pilates Party Weekend: for the enthusiast and teachers

You are invited! November 13th + 14th. I love the timing of this event- right before the surge of the holidays. I have no problem making my workouts a priority, no matter how busy, if I’ve discovered something new in my body. It’s so exciting!

I promise you will discover LOTS. You’ll walk away with fresh eyes for the whole system and your body.

Please visit Pilates Aligned for more info and sign up. You can sign up for as much or as little as you’d like. Events begin at 7am pst and last until noon. Day passes as well as weekend passes are available.

 THE BLOCK PARTY is a time we “block” off” to come from all parts of the world fostering a supportive culture, learn new innovative ideas, and move together as classical Pilates enthusiasts.

THE BLOCK PARTY happens three times a year, in spring, summer, and fall, with this fall kicking off the first ever hottest virtual and in-person PILATES WEEKEND PARTY featuring a talented group of teachers sharing what’s currently going on in their practice.

If you like to have fun, keen on learning new ideas, want to refresh your practice and love to move THE BLOCK PARTY is where you will want to be on November 13 & 14, 2021.

Contrology Workout Event by Balanced Body

Join Jayne O’Brien, Carmen Lanteigne and me for the Connecting with the System Contrology Workout. Each of us will teach a segment of the workout, which will feature the Contrology Reformer, Cadillac, ped-o-pul and arm chair. Follow along wherever you are or observe us in motion. 

After the workout Balanced Body CEO Ken Endelman and Pilates Elder Jay Grimes will join us for Q+ A.

Reserve your FREE spot here!

All Kinds of Strong

I read this article last year and was just reminded of it as I’ve been chatting with friends about the trials of getting back into a “normal” pace of life. I hope you are feeling optimistic.

The article talks about the importance of learning new things and how it relates to our overall outlook on life and our confidence. Did you learn a new skill last year? How was it taught? Did you enjoy the process? Did you find it gave you a fresh new perspective on everything?

As you know I think Pilates is the perfect workout in everyway. I also think that an open studio class, which is what the Community Contrology class is, is the perfect learning format. I take 3 open studio classes every week and all three deepen my understanding of myself (not just my body) in a new way. To continuously learn new things about yourself and to be reminded that you are in charge is confidence building work. This journey is boundless and fun. The Pilates Method of body conditioning is a life changing skill to learn

To those of you that have joined in the Ritual, I’m so excited for you.

Community

I was honored to be featured as “woman of the month” for Pebbles Pilates. Pebbles is a clothing brand in Stockholm, Sweden. Helena, the owner, has created the type of community that is irresistible. I’ve been in touch w/ her via email since summer of 2019 but when we had a chat this last Thanksgiving via IG, I felt honored more than ever to be chosen as a Role Model for her brand. She truly embodies her brand and her authenticity could be felt on my side of the world. She is extending 15% to all Ritual Pilates followers this month, use the code Nicole15 at checkout. Also, do check out her blog for Pilates videos; I have a 20 minute mat/wall video that was just added. Enjoy!

www.pebbles.me

liberation top + leggings

Values

I recently sat down and made a list of my own values. It was a simple yet profound exercise. If you’re at a cross roads of any kind I highly recommend it, you’ll likely be very clear with how to proceed afterwards. The first word I wrote down was quality. Quality is very subjective and different for everyone. For me it’s more of a feeling, a knowing in my gut that something is of high value to me. “Quality is the standard of something as measured against other things of a similar kind; the degree of excellence of something.”

Some of the values that followed quality were : love, discovery, curiosity, simplicity, self-development, community, individuality, fun, discipline, optimism. But above all, quality. It’s at the helm of all my decision making. Once I know that something adds quality to my life I’m committed. Gardening for example. As a Montana native I honestly can’t remember a time when I didn’t garden in some way even if it was a little pot on a fire escape. Big or small scale, gardening is a lot of work. But once you’ve tasted something you grew, there’s no going back. Gardening adds quality to my life in so many ways. Delicious food and lots of variety for starters, it allows for us to compost, collect rain water, there are loads of great life lessons for my daughter- especially when things don’t grow or get eaten by an opossum.

Simplicity, another listed value. I really dislike when things are complicated. Or even worse when it’s so obvious that someone is over complicating something. Like pizza crust, for example. I make my own every Friday night. My bff taught me how one night about 12 years ago. I didn’t write anything down nor have I ever needed to look up a recipe. This is because she made it insanely simple! She was methodical but gave me basic instruction. Most importantly, she let me do it all. I’ve felt like an expert pizza dough maker since. I absolutely adore when something is presented so simply that it seems that is THE way it’s done.

These two values largely, if not completely, govern how I learn and teach The Pilates Method. I believe Pilates to be the most excellent form of exercise there is and we all know now just how pandemic-proof it is. If you have a wall and a floor, you’re set. It doesn’t get any simpler. I believe Jay Grimes and Vintage Pilates to be the crème de le crème so that’s who I learn from. I firmly believe that you don’t need to mess with the exercises- AT ALL. I’ve seen it messed with every which way, and I will tell you from experience that your body will quite literally fall apart when you dismantle the system. Complicated teaching leads to being worn out mentally and chances are you won’t move much. The very opposite of quality and simplicity.

That’s all pretty obvious stuff. But maybe a little less obvious is how and who I teach. I used to really struggle in defining my ideal client; my clients are all so different in every way, how can I possibly put them into one category? I know I like them, that our sessions always feel like a great exchange of energy, they ask few but good questions, and they are extremely responsible and successful people in their personal life. Then it hit me one day after a workshop - they are all independent learners! Right then and there how I teach and who my optimal client is became clear as day- so simple! If you are an entrepreneur this stuff can seem impossible to work out. But there it is.

I teach The Pilates Method how it was originally designed because I believe to be the highest in quality and ever so simple (but ridiculously challenging). You get optimal results by simply following the recipe. If you are a life-long learner, show me once and then look out, I exercise because I love my body, I tend to dig deep when learning, I like improving myself, and I love building relationships then you’ve come to the right place.

Cueless

The very first time I visited Vintage Pilates in Los Angles was in 2013. I attended a Mat Workshop taught by Jay Grimes. It was fantastic, of course. He’d say 3 words and you’d be working so, so hard. I felt my whole back body work like never before. There was a Q+A that followed and I was sure someone would ask about the back. Everyone felt it, right? It was a crazy amount of back work, right? No one asked about the back. Hmmm, guess it was just me that had been overworking her front side all this time. Ok, gotta ask but I’m super nervous. My hand shot up.

“Yes?” He said.

“What cues did you use to get us to work our backs like that? I’ve never felt my back work so hard.”

He just stared at me. His eyes narrowed and he put his arms behind his back. The room fell dead quiet. It felt like 5 minutes passed and the air around me was feeling sticky. My face was definitely red. What had I said?

“I hate the word cue. I don’t use cues.” he politely said.

I don’t remember what he said after that because I was too busy being embarrassed. There I was in a sea of really fit and so-much-better-than-me-instructors that totally knew not to ask about cues. Or so it seemed.

A lot of time has passed and I’ve since enjoyed a lot more learning from Jay Grimes and Vintage Pilates. And, I’ve heard a lot of cues. Cues aren’t bad. No. It’s what happens to instructors when they are searching for cues. They become cue hunters and fixated on delivering the “right” cues. Someone says something in a class and it hits you like a bolt of lightening; you feel something you have never felt before. You stop…feel the magic…this is new…and immediately, you want to know what that CUE was. Your thinking is that if you deliver that CUE your clients will have the same sparkly moment. I wanted everyone to feel their back like I’d just felt mine.

And we’ve all done it. We’ve memorized them, wrote them down, and delivered our cues with pride. We’ll even take a deep breath to build up the delivery, we’ll give a slight pause to ensure the words are heard, and THEN repeat the exact words that were so life changing for us. We expect the client to jump up and say “YES, that was it! I now understand corkscrew, completely.” But more often than not, that doesn’t happen. No two bodies are alike. The words that work for one body on a particular day may not work for another. Darn. More importantly, though, delivering a memorized cue means that you haven’t started doing the best part of your job. That’s what Jay Grimes doesn’t like.

Now what I have to say here isn’t news. It wasn’t the cue. It was you moving and doing the work and being in your body and it all fell together to create a learning opportunity. You know that. But have you tried to put that moment into your own words? What happened in your body? What did you feel? Explore all of your senses, really hone in on what’s happening for you. That’s the fun, creative, put-your-own-spin on it part. That’s where we get to reinvent the wheel as much as we want. Don’t change the roll-up, but please do create vivid imagery that helps us hold our heels in place, round our spines, and work our center. All day long. Say it any way you’d like. Once you start using your own unique experience as a guide, cues won’t matter.

Community Contrology Class

The community class is an open studio style class (everyone is doing different exercises, similar to a circuit). You’ll move independently while I investigate your work on a deeper level. This is for you if you love Pilates and want consistent improvement in how you move.

The the term Contrology is what Pilates classes were originally called and since I’m always striving to get closer to the original work this term is a better description for what I offer.

The biggest difference in these classes is that I do not narrate your movement. When you get used to working like this you cannot go back to working any other way. I know from experience. And, my body keeps changing and improving exponentially, so I know I’m on to something.

The Contrology Class is available online or in the studio. I started taking my own online lessons in 2016 and teaching online in 2017. If you really want to take ownership of the method I highly recommend trying it. You’ll need to be able to move through your series on any apparatus or on the mat independently. I suggest printing out the exercise list and keeping it nearby. I use this list of exercises, scroll to the end for the mat.

The Contrology class allows for me to make real corrections in how you move: I can see your pace, how you transition from one exercise to the next, and where you hold tension. These are important things, these are the things that lead to real improvements in your body.

Spirit Check

How’s your spirit? I hope it’s hanging in. Spirit has been top of mind for me lately. Spirit is defined as the non-physical part of a person, which is the seat of emotions and character or soul. Just like you I’ve had days where I’ve felt so grateful for all that fills up my days and I’ve also had days where I’d like to bag the whole lot and start fresh- quite the emotional rollercoaster.

I’ve thought about New York City more than ever this past year. I lived in NYC for a year in my early 20’s doing nothing in particular, except building character. I worked odd jobs while attending a City College, had way too many roommates, and survived on street food. I enjoyed every.single.minute. While holding the news and stories of the people in NY in my hands daily this year (I love my NYTimes delivery), I felt myself remembering my 20’s w/ new clarity; really feeling my experience. 20 some years later I find myself looking back and giving myself nods of approval. I gravitated to what fed my spirit and made me feel ALIVE. I made decisions based on what I would discover, learn, what was fun, what felt authentic, and had the most flavor.

My spirit was raised to new heights that year and my standards for community were forever altered. The community of NYC is big and bold, very different than the rural community of Montana where I was raised. I found it to be supportive, full of love, stable, it damn-well knows who it is, it lifts you up, it teaches you something new daily. I used to think this elevated feeling could only exist there. As an Anthropology major I really dug into studying what made it special; I wanted to take that full flavor feeling w/ me. Was it the incredible diversity, was it simply the density, maybe the public transportation?

Or, was it just me feeling in love w/ people when I’m there? Absolutely, loving everything about people. This year I’ve answered some of my own lingering questions. This year it finally sank in that it is not so much the place, but rather, it’s collective spirit.

How we’ve missed each other this year. So much! We’ve had to take care of ourselves and friends and family extra. It’s reminded me so much of how I tended to myself and the people around me that year in New York. Genuine chit chats all day around the city. Currently, it’s been genuine chit chatting all over zoom. But just the same I feel that love, support, discovery, it’s been an uplifting experience because we’ve needed each other more than usual. That lovely exchange of stories about the everything and nothing of our daily lives all the while getting in our Pilates. It turns out that NYC spirit transfers when you are just loving on people.

back in the day

high expectations

Pilates is the perfect workout. Absolutely perfect. It’s truly a wise investment and you should have high expectations for your sessions. A good instructor will teach you a feeling that’s 100% yours to last a lifetime. You can do your mat work, wall work, and standing arm series anywhere making it very sustainable. You are guaranteed feeling like a million bucks after and the more sessions you have the more valuable they become; you can see and feel your body transform. It’s exciting and inspiring and always a good investment.

I want to feel excited and inspired about buying my pilates clothes as well. I want each piece to be a good investment. These days with our minds on the environment more and more having less and having high expectations is vital; I steer clear of trends that will end up in a landfill in a few months. I want a few pieces to go a long way; I want to put on one thing in the morning and feel like a million bucks no matter where I end up. Pilates—>grocery store—>school pick up—> out to dinner.

I just recently discovered Pebbles Pilates. They make the most perfect one piece. They are small brand and source from factories in Portugal that work with a seamless design to minimize fabric waste. They keep a close relationship with factories and suppliers in order to be able to source better fabric and be transparent in their production process.  I love that they only offer a few pieces but have completely mastered them and that one-piece will get you through your day: I throw on a sweatshirt, denim jacket, or cardigan and I’m ready for anywhere. Also, the fabric is incredibly durable and the design is classic ; you will not find these in a landfill ever.

fix your feet, fix your life (or at least your Pilates)

I just started a course called Feetness. It’s an online course created by a Romana certified instructor in NYC. It’s incredibly thorough yet really easy to navigate and apply. I’ve only completed 1/3 of the program but I’ve been doing the exercises regularly and amazed at the results. My favorite stretch is placing one finger between each toe so that your clasping one hand to one foot and then use your hand to stretch your toes back and forth. Really pull and press. At first I couldn’t wedge a finger in between my 3rd and 4th toe or my 4th toe and pinky. Which tells me I pretty much just walk around on that one little part of my foot all day. Poor foot.

Not only do the stretches feel good and relax my whole body but I’m also experiencing a shift in awareness when I do Pilates. If stretch my feet before I do Pilates it’s a completely different experience. My seat kicks on right away, my quads don’t blow up, and my low back is grounded. Wow, just from spending about 2 minutes on my feet.

Pilates is a full body workout and the feet are a part of every exercise. I am always aware of my feet and I keep an eye on them and try to make them look the way they are supposed to; but since the program I’m feeling my feet. When I pull my toes Up and Back I’m feeling the reach through my heels all the way from my seat, instead of just a shin knife. I’m also feeling my arches and feeling that I’m able to pull them up to my stomach. Crazy.

The apparatus do so much to help us stretch our feet and connect our feet to our bodies. The foot corrector, toe corrector, and 2x4 are invaluable. But what I’m realizing is that I was making my foot tightness worse with some of these things. User Error, big time. I’m a hard worker by nature and when it comes to exercise I’m no different. I would work, work, work, and push, push, push. I would end up tightening my feet as a result. It’s pretty much impossible to mess up a manual stretch, however. Now when I go to use the foot corrector, toe stretcher, or 2x4 I can now differentiate when I’m working from tension because I’m more connected. I can back off and work a little less but get more results.

And, a nice side benefit is that my feet look much nicer. Plump feet are way prettier than flat feet.

Before teaching or taking a class of any kind, try doing the above mentioned stretch. Worth it.

a ritual to try

MarchMatness started it all. I am proud to say I did not miss a single day. I did all 34 exercises everyday and I feel amazing. Nothing makes me sing The Method’s praises louder than the mat work, it’s my favorite. I’m a mover and mat allows for that endless flow. It got me out of the body slump I have been in for the past year. Yes, YEAR! I was practicing minimally. I allowed the stress in my life to crowd out the time I used to reserve for Pilates and it all led up to me feeling horrible in my body. It also made teaching way more difficult.

I felt so invigorated after March I kept it going for the month of April. I did the reformer EVERY day. The whole advanced series. By the last week it was taking me only 35 minutes. So right now, here we are in May, and I’m still getting the advanced series done in 35 minutes and I’m proud to say I’m feeling that 2 way stretch as much as I did while I was in The Work. A little daily dedication got me right back to where I feel freaking amazing in my body ALL the time. Aren’t we so fortunate, as instructors of this Method, to feel amazing in our bodies. It leads to a much quieter mind and all around better quality of life. This is what I am so passionate about and love sharing.

I would never wish a whole year long slump on anyone, but it happens. If you are in need of a pick me up, here’s my ritual if you want to give it a go:

1. Pick an apparatus and a series and do it every day. If it’s a yoga mat, no problem. Just commit to it, all 34 exercises. Same time, same place.

2. Then set a timer. Keep yourself on track; it’s too easy to get stalled along the way when things aren’t feeling as they “should.” 30-45 minutes works well for me.

3. When things don’t feel as they “should.” Keep moving! Don’t disregard the feeling, however, no no. Just keep the process simple.

4. Here’s the process: first ask, WHY and then WHERE? Why isn’t it feeling the way I know it “should". The next bit is important- scan your body and notice WHERE you are feeling things the most. DO NOT start thinking, stay in your body and stay curious.Follow this recipe for the week/month. Ask, Why? and then ask Where? For example, you’re on the spine corrector and you are just not feeling the stretch at all. “Why?” It feels hard. (yes, that simple) Then ask, “Where?” What part of your body is talking to you the most? Oh, I feel all the work in my legs. (yes, that simple.)

5. After the WHY and the WHERE, tell yourself this: Every exercise is a full body exercise. Say it aloud if you need to stay out of your head. Your thoughts are a flowing plenty already. Your body needs you more at this point.

6. Last, but not least : Keep moving, get through the series you’d planned on completing. Stop when your timer goes off.

Inevitably, you will have break throughs in your body and this is what leads to break throughs in your teaching as well (if you’re an instructor). My new thing, literally trying it out today, is to write down my why’s, where’s, and what happened. Documenting your process helps you own it, AND share it. This is your craft to grow, evolve, and teach. How wonderful is that.

do as joe says

I’ve been in mat mode for the past month. Next month is March Matness and one can never prep too much. I’ve been experimenting with doing the mat repertoire with just “Return to Life” as my guide. I’ve been using the pictures and I recorded myself reading from the book. Here’s what I’ve learned about my own practice:

Your chin needs to be all the way to your chest in any rolling or articulation exercise. So anywhere you are round. Hundred, Roll up, Rolling like a ball, Ab series for example. When I squeeze my chin to my chest I feel a stretch in my neck, a release in my rectus , and my low abs engage.

Your feet need to work. Not more than your butt, mind you, but they need to stretch out and continue the line of energy out of the body. Joe cues the feet to point forward and down. When I lengthen and reach my feet in this way my quads turn off and my seat does the work. Voila.

Breathe for goodness sake. I could not believe how much the book cues the breath. Inhaling and Exhaling slowly to initiate and keep moving. Lo and behold, breathing makes things better. LOTS better. I could drop into the mat so much more and I could feel my ribs actually settle on to the mat which is the only way to really get at those low abdominals.

I learned a ton more and I feel so much more in charge of my mat work and variations I can give clients. It really is the alpha and the omega of THE WORK.

new rituals

I hope this year is off to a wonderful start. Govt shut down aside; so far so good here. I’ve managed to get in a solid Pilates workout every other day and I’ve carved out a bit of self-care time every day.

I did a cleanse at the end of the year and it was very enlightening. I’ve NEVER done a cleanse, it’s always sounded so torturous to me. The reason I decided it was time to give one a go was my lack of energy and not feeling like myself. at. all. I chose the “Conscious Cleanse,” written by two Boulder yogis. I highly recommend it. For the first time since pregnancy I gave up alcohol and COFFEE. Which was huge. There were lots of other things I gave my body a break from: sugar, gluten, eggs. I feel like a reprieve from alcohol and coffee had the most profound effect on me. I’ve gone back to cocktails and wine, in moderation, but to my surprise I can’t go back to coffee. I’ve read that your average cup of coffee has 100-300 mg of caffeine and a cup of tea has 20-60mg. I feel sooooooo much better without coffee and at this point it’s not worth me going back. Also, I’ve noticed a major change in my skin. So for the moment, my new morning ritual consists of Earl Grey w/ a splash of almond milk.

As for Pilates, my love of all things authentic is soaring to new heights. Have you ever done the mat work from “Return to Life” as-is with no added fluff? We can’t really get any more authentic than that, can we? It’s my challenge for the month. I’ve recorded myself reading the book with a 1 minute pause between exercises. I do 5-10 repetitions of each exercise. Interested? Return to Life is $17 on amazon. Join me!

form your ritual

As lovers of movement it's important to stay curious about our bodies: to be present, mindful, observe, connect, and get sweaty. My newsletters will be connected to my blog and IG so you can follow along as I explore and create a physical ritual that is always evolving.

This blog is a place for me to deepen my own practice and teaching and I would love for you to follow along. I will be incorporating all that I've learned over the past decade along with what I'm currently into. I will also be sharing my own tips from local wellness community here in San Diego.