Explore Pilates Insights for an Active, Balanced Life

The word “Pilates” has somehow become synonymous with core strength. In fact, a LOT of my regular clients come to me initially because their doctor (or chiropractor, massage therapist, or physiotherapist…) told them that they need to work on their core strength. This recommendation in itself usually comes on the heels of recurring back pain. […]

Would you build your dream home on a cracked foundation that was leaning to one side? Of course not! No matter how beautiful of a home you built, or how careful you were with every detail, that dream home would never be strong. Even worse, it might (gulp) fall apart sooner than it should. As […]

Have you ever thought that you might like to run a half marathon or marathon? For years I thought that 5 or 10 km runs were enough. Fast forward 15 years and I found myself committed to running my first half marathon and 2 years later a full marathon. At that time, I had very […]

I had been teaching fitness classes for about 10 years when this “new trend” called Pilates started popping up all over the place. Gyms and Recreation Centres started adding Pilates classes to their schedules. The manager of the gym I worked at, left to open up a Pilates studio. And I was curious about what […]

I think about this all of the time. Does it really have to be hard to stay fit? Unfortunately, it seems to be very common for people to think this way. I have worked with the fitness industry since the early 1990s and hear the same reasons why getting fit and stay fit is so […]

Do men do Pilates? Yes, yes, yes! In fact, one-third of my clientele is male. Did they all come to Pilates feeling excited and confident in their abilities to bend, flex, twist and balance? Absolutely not! Most of them came with the encouragement of their spouses or a medical professional. Almost all of them had […]

TODAY Today I received a notification on my b.PILATES & FITNESS Facebook page from my first “business” mentor, Barb Dales. HOW I FIRST MET BARB I remember this lady in long leggings and a turtleneck (in the days of thong body suits) attending a Hi-Lo aerobics class in front of me at my gym. She […]

It’s amazing how Pilates proves to be life-changing.   How often do you complain about your back feeling tight and sore?  Mike lived with a sore back for years.  Now,  if you ask his wife and daughters, they will tell you that he doesn’t complain anymore.  His wife, Francine, had been attending Pilates classes with […]

    It’s nearing the end of November, leading into very exciting and busy times. The Winter holiday preparations have begun, our stores are decked with Christmas decorations, and craft sales and Christmas parties are happening. All of this can feel so overwhelming that fitting in time for yourself can seem near impossible. BUT…as the […]

  I’d like to introduce you to one of my Pilates teachers. Veronica McClurg is a passionate teacher who truly strives to help each and every one of her clients to feel and move better. She is a teacher of teachers, a mentor to many, and always a student herself. She has studied and certified […]

When you first start practicing Pilates everything is new. Getting familiar with the exercises and general set of the equipment is a big part of the progress you will make. Then progress will slow down some and be less evident. You will definitely have exercises that challenge you more than you might like. You could […]

It is no secret that we do Pilates in Canada, but our Pilates community is quite small. Most Pilates teachers work alone or in a small studio with only a handful of instructors. It can be lonely but I don’t think that it needs to be. We are just a few Pilates Teachers who can […]

  Nicole is a busy woman, who balances being a wife, mom of 3 and working two jobs.   Of course, I love that her favourite exercise activities are running and Pilates, a wonderful combo if I do say so myself!  I’m always impressed with how dedicated Nicole is to fitting in her workouts each week and […]

Runners run because they love something about it.  It may be the time alone to think or free your mind; the people you run with; the sweat; the competition; the weight you lose.  We also, as runners, know the things about running that we do not love.  Those aches and pains that can sideline us […]

I recently wrote a BLOG about Stacey’s Pilates Story and had asked her to tell me her favourite Pilates exercise. As I thought about answering that question for myself, I realized that I have a hard time deciding on one exercise. When I first started Pilates I attended mat classes at the gym I worked […]