Pilates Goddess Blog
People Feel & Function Better When They Do Pilates We in Pilates have been talking about back pain and exercise for decades. And while a whole host of anecdotal evidence does point to the deep core strengthening of Pilates as a huge help in preventing and treating back pain, the scientific evidence has been scant. […]
What is a functional exercise, anyway? I consider a functional exercise to be one that works with a movement pattern that we use all the time, helps correct imbalances in that movement pattern, and builds strength. Other people may define that differently, but this is my definition. If it doesn’t work with a common movement […]
I realized today that I have been doing Pilates since 1986/7, which is a solid 30 years. Pilates feels like home to me. It is so familiar, but can be so different depending on whether I have a teacher and on how my body is doing. But in the end I can boil my love […]
Breathing in Pilates and everywhere else is crucial on many levels. Proper breathing helps everything! Breathing comes up a lot in the Pilates studio. In fact, one of the first exercises we teach new clients is the Hundred, which involves a whole lot of breathing in flexion. A while ago I taught a workshop on […]
Diastasis Recti can be both helped or worsened with Pilates. Here’s how Pilates can help. Diastasis Recti as defined by the NIH: Diastasis recti is a separation between the left and right side of the rectus abdominis muscle, which covers the front surface of the belly area. Most diastasis is seen in pregnant women, where […]
I was contacted a few months ago by the folks at Porch.com to contribute to an article about setting up a Pilates space at home. My question was, “How do you choose your best Pilates teacher?” The original article, which gives information on everything from home equipment to the Pilates principles and how to breathe […]
The Pelvic Clock® Device is brilliant for those of us with unstable pelvises and back pain. A few months ago I received an email from the folks behind what was to become my new favorite little exercise device, the Pelvic Clock®. And I did not answer right away. I thought, “This little gadget is small, expensive, […]
If you own a pilates (fitness, yoga, dance) studio, you need Studio Shape Up! I have to start this review with a confession. Chelsea Streifeneder sent me an advanced reader copy of Studio Shape Up back in January. Yes, January! And I actually read it right away, because I know that Chelsea never does anything half-assed and expected […]
Neutral Spine Is Not A Thing! Neutral Pelvis Is. I am not sure when I started hearing the phrase “neutral spine” popping up from clients and other Pilates pros, but it has been quite awhile. For whatever reason, I am hearing it a lot lately. But when I ask people to define the phrase, they […]
Rating – 5/5 Stars Martin Kettelhut’s Listen…Till You Disappear is an extremely practical, step-by-step guide to uncovering your limiting thoughts and beliefs, reconciling your past, connecting with others, and crafting your very own awesome future. Martin Kettelhut, PhD Spoiler alert – I went to graduate school with Martin Kettelhut at Temple University. We were very, very close […]