pimpyourmat

fun things comin’ down the pike

admin — Fri, 03 Sep 2010 14:00:19 +0000

I’m working on an app with Demand Media! It’s a fitness app…..so far, that’s all I can say. Except it’s super fun AND useful! We love that combo. Stay tuned for updates. It’ll have a pilates, yoga and personal training component. The best of all worlds.

Core Stability a Myth?

admin — Wed, 01 Sep 2010 23:11:23 +0000

I’m posting the link to an article on Pilates-Pro today. Full disclosure, I have not read all of the internal articles yet, I’m in the middle of reading Professor Lederman’s paper that suggests core stability and conditioning IS a myth in regards to low back health and preventing injury. I am totally interested in science, validity and provable research. However, it’s sounding like a lot of opinion and misunderstanding of fitness in general and it’s intentions, function and limitations. It will be interesting to see how this plays out. I’ll post my thoughts after reading the papers and responses.
If you are a pilates practitioner and would like to know more clink here

New Favorite Website

admin — Tue, 31 Aug 2010 20:09:25 +0000

Every time I get home from a teaching trip, it takes me a few days to recover and reconnect. There are is a toddler to reconnect to, a teenager to satellite around, mountains of laundry, a bare fridge to re-fill and a spouse to love on. I may not be posting every day, but I still reading and researching and working out. Not to mention chatting and emailing with clients on their experiences and recovery from lessons.
One of the websites I have added to my daily routine is Science Daily. It’s completely research based and posts more then 10 articles a day. Some of them are a definite ‘duh’ moment but the great and useful part of the sight is they are all RESEARCHED and scientifically sound. Fitness and Health become solid rather than perceived.
The one I’m posting today hits home as I have a 3 year-old son and a 15 year-old stepson am am on the board of a non-for-profit after school program to try and get play and movement back in to schools. movement is primal. We are stifling and hurting our children by continually taking away recess and sports programs with the awful rise in processed foods. Today’s article on SD is about just that, adding recess back to the school day and its health benefits

LA Update

admin — Mon, 30 Aug 2010 02:52:51 +0000

Last week was a great trip to LA. Strong, fun clients, challenging sessions and breakthrough moments for clients! All in a days work.
And as always, fun sightings on Robertson. Both Ali Larter and Liza Weil trained in the studio.
I’m adding dates, they are listed on the ‘Train with Tandy’ Page as well as a mat class on Thursday nights when I’m in town. Come Play! It’s productive and Wellness fun!

It’s Good for Your Body AND your Mind

admin — Sat, 21 Aug 2010 15:29:09 +0000

Flexibility. The beauty of science is that the truth comes out in the end. Facts are facts and it’s reserach that is catching up to what dancers, yogis and pilates aficionados have known for years. Flexibilty is the third pillar of fitness alongside; Strength and Cardio Conditioning.
Check out the article from RealSimple Magazine via CNN Health

Reebok Rocks

admin — Thu, 19 Aug 2010 23:03:19 +0000

At least I think so right now. Reebok is sending me gear to test and review! Fun. I’ll let you know the details of shoes, bottoms and tops. Can’t wait. In the meantime, peruse their site. I’m hoping for a pair of the Zig Pulse Shoes

Real Men do Pilates

admin — Tue, 17 Aug 2010 16:49:57 +0000

It is such a strange misconception that PIlates is for women, in this day and age, it’s still a paradigm that exits and needs shifting. It was created by a man, for men….military men. Doesn’t get more masculine then that.
It has taken me four years to truly convince my husband to take consistent sessions with me (not for his lack of understanding it’s importance, just for it’s perceived lack of ‘workout’ and ’sweat’). And what happens when he finally does? His body changes faster and for the better…and he LOVES it!
My experience as a trainer has been women will willingly come to a group class and men can be convinced to do privates. Do with that info as you will. That’s the tendency. Men do not like to be watched and women don’t like to be ‘picked’ on. Take that into consideration when you are inviting them to train and experience pilates.
In the meantime, take the time to learn the male perspective and experience with the method. Talk to your clients, friends, or perhaps even read Steven Boshoff’s fictionalized book So You Do Pilates, Do You?

Know Your History

admin — Mon, 16 Aug 2010 16:57:49 +0000

I may rail against a perfectly classical pilates practice at times, but I know where I come from. I trained classically and am technically 4th generation from Joseph through my instructors (3rd, depending on which instructor you go through. lol). I love and respect where the work came from but also allow for research and science to inform the work and evolve over time as we learn more about the body and how it actually functions.
You must know your history in order to intelligently move away from it. Nothing is black and white, variations are what make the work brilliant.
Variations were not only born from ‘need’ of a client but creativity of instructors. It continues to be that. One of the best at creating gorgeous and smart variations was Kathy Grant, an elder (one of Joseph’s apprentices),Dancer, professor of Dance at the Tisch School of Arts, who recently passed away this past May.
If you really are on a pth with your pilates practice, take the time to know your/its history and learn more about the elders and how the work has been passed along and passed down.
A memorial service is scheduled Monday, September 27th in NY to honor Kathy.

I am not a fish…yet

admin — Sat, 14 Aug 2010 14:07:57 +0000

I officially started swimming yesterday. I know how to buy gear, so I did. I have a suit and goggles. So far thats about it. Apparently I swim like a dancer (duh). Very pretty like an Esther Williams movie but wasted energy and unschooled strokes.
For now, I have hung up my running shoes. I’ll keep you posted. In the meantime I’m watching every youtube video about swimming I can sneak in during Milo’s naps.
Here’s one my hubby sent me on the Breaststroke

The Way You Want it to Look

admin — Fri, 13 Aug 2010 14:26:59 +0000

Your body. We all have a vision of what we want our body to look like. Or they way we think we want it to look. We have to be careful and clear. In all things, your body will follow your thoughts. What you think about your body becomes it’s reality.

I typically ask clients to choose three adjectives of what they want their body to be: i.e Slender, Muscular, Strong (those are mine) and to use them as a mantra during their cardio workouts. Just as you would use an affirmation to change other aspects of your life. Be very clear what you want out of your body and WHY. Are you keeping up with the Kardashian’s or will it functionally improve your life and your sense of power in the world? Be clear on not only what you want but why you want it.

The functional part: Train your body the way you want it to look, strong and supported, so pull the abdominals in the entire workout. Eventually they will learn to live there. Let your chest be open and strong, and it will follow suit. Relax your shoulders away from your ears and soon it won’t be a thought for them to stay there. Connect your upper back and soon it will automatically engage.

Also, look at the bodies you admire. Train with someone who looks like that. Yes, genetics play a big role, however, you want to train with the people that you like the result they get. Are they sinewy and flexible, are they thicker and crazy strong? Choose someone you look up to and it will be easier to listen and be guided by them.

Keep your goal in mind as often as possible. Stand a little taller in the shower, take a break from your desk and stretch your chest open. Start living with the body you want right now and it will begin unfolding, right now.