Six Keys Pilates of Manayunk and Philadelphia

So, you have made the leap to try Pilates and signed up for your first lesson. The apparatus can be intimidating and some of the exercises seem impossible. Don’t fret. Your instructor should begin with the question, “Why are you here?” Then proceed to, “do you have any injuries or issues I should know of? [...]

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY…   After completing another workshop and lesson, I am always surprised to feel muscles I haven’t felt yet. I can feel all parts of the Powerhouse, muscles in my back that I seem to forget and my inner thighs. I am always reminded of the areas of weakness that I need [...]

Corkscrew Transition from Open Leg Rocker: Maintain the seated position, bring straight legs together, walk down legs and lay onto back with legs at 90*, head down and arms long. Inhale take legs to the right and begin the exhale as the legs swing to the left. Inhale legs to the left and exhale as [...]

Joseph Pilates was a man… so why don’t more men do Pilates? In my experience, I have seen both sides of the spectrum. Men either enjoy Pilates or they don’t try it because they think its not “hard” enough for them or “feminine”. What I find interesting is that a man invented the method, pretty [...]

5th in the “Series of Five” CRISS CROSS Transition from Double Straight Leg Stretch, hands stay behind the head and draw the right elbow to the left knee. Inhale at the center and exhale as you twist to the other side. Repeat 5-10 times: better to perform 2 good ones to each side. Purpose: To [...]

DOUBLE STRAIGHT LEG STRETCH Fourth in the “series of five” Transition from single straight leg stretch: legs together; 90*, hands hold behind head Inhale, lower legs from Powerhouse, exhale,  lift Repeat 5-10 times Purpose: To strengthen the lower back, strengthen the lower Powerhouse, stretch the hamstrings Goal: To lower legs from the Powerhouse and get [...]

Baby Boomers and Pilates This generation makes up about 78 million people, the oldest are 63 this year and they are not giving up on themselves. They are turning to any type of exercise they can find and pushing themselves to the limit. From doing so they incur injuries and are given anti-inflammatory meds and [...]

SINGLE LEG STRETCH Transition from Rolling Like a Ball by placing both hands on right leg, lying back, keeping head up and extending left leg (45*). Stretch right knee into body and stretch left leg away, switch hands to left leg and repeat. Perform this 5-10 times each leg. (Ex: right/left = 1) Purpose: Strengthen [...]

SINGLE LEG CIRCLES Begin by lying on back with left leg bent, foot on floor. Right leg at 90*, arms long by your side. Slightly turn out right leg and begin by making small circles into the heart first (counter clockwise) Repeat 5 times, reverse circles (5 times) Inhale as you begin the circle, exhale [...]