Explore Pilates Insights for an Active, Balanced Life

Pilates has changed my life in so many ways. One of the surprises is all the different people it’s brought into my life. Pilates is for everyone, and I’ve taught children as young as 12 up to adults in their early 80’s. No matter their age, every person who enters the Pilates studio teaches me […]

Can you guess the time of year when I have the most people cancelling classes due to injuries? It’s the same time of year when I have the most people coming to the studio with unusual back pain. You guessed it – it’s when the weather warms up and yard work season begins. Rather than […]

It’s well known that Pilates helps you to build a stronger core; I wrote about how Pilates does it in last week’s blog. But do you know why you need a strong core? I’ve got four good reasons for you – and none of them are about getting six-pack abs (you’re welcome!). 1. A Stronger […]

It’s well-known that Pilates strengthens your core. A strong core is essential in everything you do because it stabilizes your whole body from your head to your toes. When you have a strong, stable core you stand taller, are less prone to injuries, and even breathe better (seriously!). Every single exercise in Pilates strengthens and […]

It’s no secret that I love what Pilates does for me and so many others. While I don’t expect everyone to do or love Pilates, I do hope that everyone finds reasons to love movement in their own way. By regularly moving your body in all the ways it can bend, stretch, reach, and twist, […]

Not all Pilates studios are the same, which means finding the best Pilates studio for you may take a few tries. For example, if you’re looking for a large group class, mic’d up instructor, and pumping music, b.Pilates & Fitness is not a good fit.  And that’s okay! There are many options out there and […]

While Pilates is for everybody, everybody faces challenges in Pilates; even the instructors! I was at a Teacher Connect Workshop recently where each teacher shared an exercise or series of exercises they struggle with. Then they did the exercise while the other teachers observed and gave feedback on how they might modify something to make […]

I have always loved the feeling of working out, but even I have to work to stay consistent with my fitness practice. Just because I have a Pilates studio in my house doesn’t mean I always feel motivated to use it! No matter your personality type or goals, sometimes you simply need help to stay […]

Pilates is becoming more well known, which is wonderful! Thanks especially to social media, more people want to understand the Pilates method and are trying out all “types” of Pilates (more on that later). It’s taken me decades to unravel what Pilates is, and every year I seem to uncover something new or understand the […]

I have a full Pilates studio in my house, but I know that not everyone can be so lucky. Clients often ask me what the best at-home Pilates equipment is, so they can challenge themselves when they aren’t in the studio. The good news is that Pilates can be done almost anywhere, and there are […]

It may be January, but I’m already thinking about what I need to do to get ready for the TransSelkirks Half Stoke Trail Run this summer. Since trail running is so different from road or track running, I know that I’ll be including lots of Pilates for trail running to improve my performance and reduce […]

I’ve learned a lot in my almost three decades of working in the fitness industry. Sure, there are the obvious things like technique and the various types of exercise; but the biggest lesson I’ve learned has been about people. I think part of what I’ve learned comes from my own journey and the passing of […]

It can be hard to stick to your fitness routine and keep moving over the holidays. You think we’d be used to the disruption, as it comes every year! It’s also not the only time our “regular” schedules are interrupted, especially if you have school-aged children. There’s spring break, daylight savings time, summer vacation, and […]

Balance is one of those things that seems to get worse with age. It’s also something that we need to keep us stable in the activities we do every day: reaching, leaning, and even walking require balance. If you make an effort to maintain and improve your balance, you’ll be able to keep doing the […]

I regularly get asked how often you should practice Pilates. Well, that’s going to depend on your current fitness level and your goals. But before we get into that, here’s what Joseph Pilates had to say:  In 10 sessions, you feel better, in 20 sessions you look better, and in 30 sessions you have a […]