Reminder: No Classes February 4th

Hello all! Just a quick reminder that I will not be holding my regular Thursday classes this week. Those are 9:15 a (home studio) and 6:30 p (wcc).

Mat vs. Reformer

From a thin piece of foam barely an inch thick to a large contraption of springs and pulleys that could double for an ancient torture device, the Mat and the Reformer seem to belong to two different worlds, yet both support the exercises developed by Joseph Pilates. Personal Best Pilates wouldn't want to be without either one. Are you wondering whether it's time to venture from mat to reformer, or considering coming off the Reformer’s moving carriage and joining a mat class? Read on, and join the Mat vs. Reformer debate by adding a comment below!

photo: http://www.pivotalmotion.com/westlake-about-pilates/history/

When Joseph Pilates worked with wounded World War I soldiers to rehabilitate muscles and increase mobility, he used "found objects as exercise apparatus". The modern Reformer still shows its roots as a bed frame and springs although is designed with a moving carriage regulated by a set of springs that create the resistance the body has to control. In performing mat and reformer exercises, the emphasis is on proper alignment but on the mat you must support your limbs by yourself and on the Reformer there is help from the straps. The exciting aspect of the reformer is the variety of positions you can work from – sitting, reclining, high-kneeling, standing, on or off the box – all on a moving carriage! The Reformer allows us to go a bit above and beyond what our bodies can do alone on the mat, from a really deep hamstring stretch to an elusive teaser adding resistance, movement of the carriage and the height of the box. But summarized up by this studio in Hamilton, Ontario, the mat remains fundamental: "For total body conditioning, Joe used mat exercises as the benchmark. Mastering mat work was his test of true strength and integrated movement. Simply put, there is no assistance from straps or springs when you are on a mat." It's just you!

In terms of availability, mat classes are more widely available and easier to teach to a group, which makes them more economical as well. Having taught mat for years, getting into Reformer work showed me the benefit of variation for both energizing the workout and challenging the body and mind in new ways.

I want to give a BIG thank you to all of you who have taken private and small group reformer classes, exploring with me the potential and fun of Pilates off the mat. I look forward to starting the 4-week, Level 3 Reformer class starting Jan 18th at our NEW time - Mondays at 9am. And continuing on with my private clients into 2010.

What do you love about your Mat or Reformer workout?

Pencil in Pilates - classes have begun.

Mat classes in Ann Arbor have begun for Fall 2009! Fall is a busy time but don't forget to schedule time to take care of "you". Looking forward to hearing all your summer stories and picking up where we left off with your fitness goals. Check the calendar at the bottom of the blog for any changes that could occur due to weather or holidays.

Pilates at the Ojibway Club, Georgian Bay

Pilates classes are running Monday, Wednesday and Friday @ 9:45 for 2 weeks while I am on vacation in the beautiful islands of Georgian Bay near Pointe au Baril, Ontario. With all the tennis and boating, folks look forward to an hour of stretching and strengthening the core at the start of the day.

She Rocks! Triathlon

The first all-women's triathlon in Michigan, She Rocks! was a great success. I was so nervous as I waded into Portage Lake with my two friends and daughter...fortunately the over 55 and the under 30 were grouped together in the staggered start. Grey clouds held in their rain for a choppy, but storm-free 800 meter swim. The clouds burned away as we all started peddling through the gorgeous countryside near Portage Lake for 10.7 miles. The 3 mile run threaded its way through a forest trail before a long straightaway on road. The four of us had a great race, and it definitely sparked a fire in us first-timers to do this again. Aren't so many of our fitness challenges like that? At first it seems like an impossible goal, but then - when it's over! - the impossible has melted away and left only motivation to it again. But faster!

Even trainers need trainers. Thanks so much to my guide and inspiration, Lisa Hesse of Women In Motion (http://womeninmotion.us/index.cfm), and to all the WIMmers: great job! Thanks to EST Events (www.estevents.com) for making first-time triathletes feel so welcome and charting a great course. I finished the race in 1 hour and 45 minutes....a personal best!

Welcome

Personal Best is all about conquering challenges...even of the tech world! Check back here for class schedules, proud moment photos, and to schedule private Pilates sessions on the reformer. To your health!