tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-67738582007-04-11T08:53:59.307-07:00JamieBlogger321tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6773858.post-1146527225963318982006-05-01T16:43:00.000-07:002006-05-01T16:47:05.976-07:00

By Harriet Spinzer Joseph Pilates was born in Düsseldorf, Germany in 1880. He was a frail young boy, who suffered from asthma, rickets, and rheumatic fever. In order to overcome his weakened state, he studied body building, skiing, diving, and gymnastics. In time, he developed his own series of exercises. He moved to England in 1912, and spent much of his time working as a circus performer

Jamietag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6773858.post-1118094707511105392005-06-06T14:49:00.000-07:002005-06-06T14:51:47.516-07:00

Pilates and yoga, often referred to as “mind-body” activities, show promising benefits which include increased flexibility, improved quality of life, relief of the symptoms of menopause, and some reduction of lower back pain. The findings came from two studies presented today at the 52nd American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) annual Meeting in Nashville, Tenn. One study looked at the effects

Jamietag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6773858.post-1108418046498243962005-02-14T13:50:00.000-08:002005-02-14T14:00:19.420-08:00

From the LA Times:The exercise world's current darlings are both slow, intense and therapeutic. But they achieve their fitness goals in distinctive ways. Yoga and Pilates may be the fitness world's most popular couple. Men and women looking for a less frenetic workout are flocking to both disciplines as copious classes, studios, books and DVDs appear; there's even a hybrid called Yogalates that

Jamietag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6773858.post-1101697655371653912004-11-28T19:02:00.000-08:002004-11-28T19:17:59.543-08:00

As the trend to build larger, more utilitarian fitness facilities continues to grow, one Scottsdale Resort is redefining the fitness landscape. REZA, the Country's first Boutique Fitness Resort, grew out of the idea that bigger is not always better. By combining the luxury and exclusivity of a country club resort with the intimacy of a private fitness studio, REZA is personalizing the fitness

Jamietag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6773858.post-1099895590225005282004-11-07T22:32:00.000-08:002004-11-07T22:33:10.226-08:00

(AP) -- She's often seen in a ubiquitous infomercial peddling Pilates videos, but Mari Winsor's lean and sinewy body may be the best walking advertisement of the exercise phenomenon. The 54-year-old former dancer credits Pilates with restoring her body after a bone-breaking motorcycle accident and giving her the energy to keep up with a busy schedule training famous clients. They've included

Jamietag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6773858.post-1096425198816634372004-09-28T19:30:00.000-07:002004-09-28T19:38:07.656-07:00

One of our readers emailed to ask if we could tell everyone about a new Pilates retreat taking place in Mexico in November. Here's the info: Pilates Retreat on Matanchen Bay near San Blas, Mexico! November 11 - 15, 2004 Cost: $500 This retreat has an emphasis on Pilates and exercise. You will arrive Thursday afternoon and enjoy a light dinner and an informal orientation. On Friday,

Jamietag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6773858.post-1094166415321838152004-09-02T15:42:00.000-07:002004-09-02T16:12:01.220-07:00

(Albuquerque Journal) - Pilates conditions the whole body, adding symmetry, balance and control... Nancy Biersmith really believes in Pilates. So much so that she persuaded her health club to add another class to its weekly lineup. "I have obliques again," she said, referring to her core muscles. "I was getting pudgy around the middle, but Pilates is really good for getting rid of that in

Jamietag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6773858.post-1092430649711373622004-08-13T13:54:00.000-07:002004-08-13T13:58:24.443-07:00

From exercise.about.com: What it is and how to get started Fitness trends come and go like the tides. Some trends stick around for the long haul (think step aerobics), and some trends fade away (remember the slide?). The trend now is to focus on both the mind and body with activities like yoga and Pilates. While yoga and Pilates are similar, they both have different goals. If you're ready

Jamietag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6773858.post-1091483096596701012004-08-02T14:35:00.000-07:002004-08-02T14:44:56.596-07:00

Here's a cool, useful, and free Pilates site filled with detailed instructions -- including pictures -- of how to perform many different Pilates exercises. Includes a nice intro guide. Check it out!

Jamietag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6773858.post-1090115035022556432004-07-07T18:37:00.000-07:002004-07-17T18:49:12.360-07:00

Here's a list of some nice Pilates studio web sites: Studio Lotus Body Awareness Studio 1 Pilates

Jamietag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6773858.post-1090010731846430972004-07-16T13:25:00.000-07:002004-07-16T13:49:44.416-07:00

Choosing a Pilates Video Try to get reviews and recommendations from other people and web sites. Obviously one of the best is Amazon.com. It provides tons of good user feedback and reviews. Also, if you work with or know a Pilates instructor ask him/her for a good recommendation. How to Start Using Your Pilates Video First, watch the entire video at least once or twice in order to get

Jamietag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6773858.post-1089751602063021472004-07-13T13:44:00.000-07:002004-07-13T13:46:42.063-07:00

Here's a great Pilates article from Discovery Health: Pilates, an old exercise regimen made fashionable in recent years by athletes and movie stars, builds strength and flexibility without adding bulk. Unlike conventional weight training, which emphasizes repetition on one muscle group at a time, Pilates focuses on a series of precise, controlled movements that work muscles in several

Jamietag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6773858.post-1089750743691842822004-07-13T13:30:00.000-07:002004-07-13T13:32:23.690-07:00

(Mail Tribune) - At 51, P.J. O’Keefe had a bad back, "no abs at all" and 30 pounds of extra weight. Two years later, she said, "I feel fabulous, look like a goddess and have abs that make my 20-year-old son weep." She credits Pilates. Although the exercise method, pronounced, "puh-lah-teez," has been around for decades, its popularity has soared in the past couple of years. Today, followers

Jamietag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6773858.post-1089750167207632192004-07-13T13:01:00.000-07:002004-07-13T13:26:48.346-07:00

(Time Health) - Romana Kryzanowska weaves her way through Drago's Gym in midtown Manhattan like a mother hen, tending to her clients, teachers and apprentice instructors. The setting could be just about any well-appointed Pilates studio. What's unique is Kryzanowska, a pint-size dynamo who has taught Pilates for the past six decades — and who has just re-leased a four-volume DVD called Romana's

Jamietag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6773858.post-1088195527161740472004-06-25T13:29:00.000-07:002004-06-25T13:32:59.513-07:00

Want a taut butt, flat stomach and bearing as regal as Nefertiti's? Practicing Pilates, a series of controlled exercise movements, can develop muscle tone and improve posture. Brooke Siler, founder of the re:AB Studios in New York, recommends doing these five exercises for at least ten minutes every day, building up to 30-minute sessions three or four times a week SINGLE-LEG STRETCH Lie on

Jamietag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6773858.post-1088015412924707622004-06-22T11:29:00.000-07:002004-06-23T11:30:12.923-07:00

(TheIndyChannel) - Let's talk about Pilates, and men, don't shut me off yet because this includes you! We've all seen Daisy Fuentes strut her stuff on TV promoting this fabulous new exercise program. Other celebs like Beyonce Knowles and Melanie Griffith swear by the magic of Pilates. Many people believe that this is probably just another fad that will last about a year and fade away into the

Jamietag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6773858.post-1088015379631243552004-06-23T11:29:00.000-07:002004-06-23T11:29:39.633-07:00

(Post-Standard) - When she entered the world of fitness 20 years ago, exercise was about looking good. "Now it's really about functioning and living great and living well and avoiding the hospital as much as possible. . . . It's prevention," says Ellen Barrett, 32, a fitness expert who grew up in Manlius. She has made a name for herself (it's on the cover of exercise videos, a Web site and,

Jamietag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6773858.post-1086539847571408092004-06-06T09:36:00.000-07:002004-06-06T09:37:27.573-07:00

(Manning River Times) The days of having a quick stretch in preparation for a sporting endeavour are well and truly over. Sporting men from across the Manning are discovering a new program that is helping them prepare their bodies for a range of sporting activities. Taree's Elite Fitness is now offering a weekly pilates class for men only. The course has been designed especially to

Jamietag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6773858.post-1086539752182795722004-06-06T09:34:00.000-07:002004-06-06T09:35:52.183-07:00

(PRNewswire) Ever wonder what a celebrity fitness expert keeps in her gym bag? Following is a recommended list from Mari Winsor, celebrity Pilates trainer and feminine fitness consultant to the Vagisil Women's Health Center(R), on what she carries in her own very busy gym bag: * Face Towel: A crowded gym is likely to run out of towels fairly quickly, so pack a small face towel

Jamietag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6773858.post-1086539453738657722004-06-06T09:28:00.000-07:002004-06-06T09:30:53.740-07:00

(The Hudson Reporter) Former Rockette takes on challenge of teaching health, fitness Susan Heart says she has been a performer all of her life, ever since she first put on a pair of dancing shoes when she was 7 and took tap and ballet lessons on her native Long Island. "It's always been a part of me," said Heart, who has called Guttenberg, then North Bergen her home for the last 20 years

Jamietag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6773858.post-1085549608083484242004-05-25T22:32:00.000-07:002004-05-25T22:33:28.083-07:00

Experts debate benefits of mixing moves from yoga and pilates (CHICAGO TRIBUNE) The Saturday morning Piloga class began in a way that would please most traditional yogis -- with meditative breathing. But as the cross-legged students exhaled deeply, the experience morphed into pilates. "Drop your abs towards your spine," instructed Randi Whitman, owner of Chicago's Frog Temple Pilates studio

Jamietag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6773858.post-1085279705516816152004-05-22T19:33:00.000-07:002004-05-22T19:35:05.516-07:00

From the Houston Chronicle: We asked Gemma Hobbes, owner of the new Breathe Studio for yoga and Pilates in Fort Worth's Ridglea area, and one of her instructors, Jacque Crossin, to explain a few basic Pilates exercises. The Pilates Hundred This beginner's exercise is designed to warm up the body and make the abdomen stronger. · Lie flat on your mat with arms by your side. Bend your

Jamietag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6773858.post-1085279590000303442004-05-22T19:31:00.000-07:002004-05-22T19:33:10.000-07:00

If you've ever wondered how all those honed and toned celebrities keep their bodies in perfect condition, the answer lies in a form of exercise devised by a sickly German at the turn of the last century. Rebecca Haylings finds out more from a local practitioner. In an age where we seem to be obsessed with what we should and should not feed our bodies, it is no surprise there is a multitude of

Jamietag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6773858.post-1084845497616249662004-05-17T18:45:00.000-07:002004-05-17T18:58:17.616-07:00

In the pictures, P.J. Catalano doesn’t look like a dancer. She is very heavy, and it is tough to imagine she had ever danced or taught dance professionally. Somehow, she had lost control of her life and her weight. “My mother had been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, so I was in a pretty rough spot and going through a divorce,” Catalano says. “I was pretty unhappy and I had put on a lot of weight.

Jamietag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6773858.post-1083901101232813262004-05-06T20:38:00.000-07:002004-05-06T20:42:48.326-07:00

At Nathan Hale School, candy bars are confiscated. Bake sales are frowned upon. The vending machines don't carry soda -- only water, milk, or juice. This is a "junk food-free school," an early phase of a districtwide initiative to fight childhood obesity. It's where third-graders have salads if they don't like the main course, and where seventh-grade girls take Pilates after school.

Jamie