Studio A Pilates: About Us

Hope you all had a wonderful 4th of July! We are pushing through the summer with plenty of pilates and fitness options. We are constantly striving to challenge you all and create new ways to improve your fitness level. We are offering new classes this summer, feel free to check out the schedule and sign up!

NEW CLASSES:
TRX Classes coming soon! We are soon offering TRX classes at Studio A Pilates. We will be the first studio/fitness facility in the area to offer this revolutionary method of leveraged bodyweight exercise in a class setting. Many places offer private sessions, but none have branched out to have a group class. The TRX Suspension Trainer will give you a comprehensive full body workout that will build power, strength, flexibility, balance, mobility and prevent injury all while constantly challenging your core.

We will keep you posted on the new TRX class days and times.
In the meantime, sign up for a private lesson before the classes come so you can try the TRX.

Teen Pilates Camp is continuing for a second sessions with 3 more weeks of classes. The classes are for teens ages 13-18 and are held Tue/Thu at 1:00 pm. The second session will begin July 13th and run until July 29th. Cost is $135.00.
Pilates is a great cross-training tool for your teen who is taking a break from a seasonal sport or great for anyone who just needs to try something new!

EXERCISE OF THE MONTH:

Pilates Push Ups:
Pilates push-up is an advanced move. You can start working on it now - just know that is takes a while to build up the core strength, arm strength, and stability it takes to fully do this exercise.

Begin Standing

"Pilates Push-Up" photo (c) 2007, Marguerite Ogle
Begin standing with good Pilates posture.
Inhale: Keep your shoulders down as your bring your arms straight up over your head.
Curve Down

"Pilates Push-Up" photo (c) 2007, Marguerite Ogle
Exhale: Allow your arms to follow your ears as you nod your head and begin to roll down toward the mat. As you roll down, pull your abs in and curve your spine until your hands reach the mat. You may need to bend your knees toward the end to get your hands to the mat.
Walk Out to Plank

"Pilates Push-Up" photo (c) 2007, Marguerite Ogle
Inhale: Walk your hands out on the mat in three big steps until you are in front support/plank. Be sure to keep your shoulders away from your ears.
Keep your pelvis very stable as you walk your arms out. It should not rock back and forth with the movement or your arms.
End in plank position with your hands directly under your shoulders, your legs straight, and your body in one long line from your heels to your ears.
Pause at Front Support/Plank

"Pilates Push-Up" photo (c) 2007, Marguerite Ogle
Exhale: Hold your plank position. Your legs and arms should be straight. Your heels, hips, shoulders, and ears should be in one line.
Rotate your arms are so that the inside of the elbow faces forward. This is important as it helps stabilize your shoulder blades and sets your elbows in position for upward movement.
Lower Toward the Mat
Inhale: Bend your elbows straight back along your sides so that your arms brush your ribs. (This is different than some push-up styles where the elbows are allowed to splay outward.)
As you slowly lower yourself toward the mat, keep your shoulder blades settled in your back; they should not pop up or move together. This is an essential part of the exercise as it teaches you to stabilize your shoulders and torso.
Return to Plank
Exhale: Keep your abs lifted and extend your elbows so that your body rises, in one long line, up away from the mat.
Many people find that keeping their inner thighs together, and imagining that their sit bones are pulling together, engages the lower body in a way that helps you get back up without collapsing.
Walk Back
Inhale: Walk your hands back to your deep curve position. Keep your pelvis lifted, and again, don't let the pelvis rock.
Roll Up to Standing
Exhale: Use your abdominals to slowly return the pelvis to the upright position and allow the rest of the spine to roll up, vertebrae by vertebrae.
End in a standing position.

Inhale to lift your arms and repeat this exercise three to five times.