I like using metaphors to describe how Pilates works. The technical and anatomical language is not as easy to grasp. That’s why I share the symphony metaphor with each person who is considering taking up Pilates. It will give them a good idea whether this is something that might work for...

The rotator disc is definitely not a classical piece of Pilates apparatus, but many contemporary Pilates teachers use this tremendous tool to get hip, leg and especially the pelvic floor muscles working hard.  

If you struggle with your balance, don't worry, that’s exactly the point....

I have honestly stopped teaching the full Swimming exercise in my beginner mat classes. Too many students have limited shoulder flexion (they can’t lift their arms overhead without creating some sort of disorganization in the shoulder girdle).

So I’ve starting doing a variation of the...

Swimming is an exercise that you will come across in almost every single Pilates mat class. It’s an excellent exercise to work the hip extensors (glutes and hamstrings), spinal extensors (erector spinae) and practice trunk stability while lying on your stomach.

You might have noticed that...

Did you know you can get stronger and more stable in your core just by breathing correctly? I know; too good to be true. (I hope this news makes your day!) Take a breath right now; feel how it moves through the body. Notice how and where it goes. In Pilates, breath has a very specific function:...

You might have noticed, that in Pilates and yoga push-ups are done with the elbows close to the body (aka narrow push-ups), vs. sticking out to the sides, like in more traditional fitness. I’ve heard them called “Triceps Push-ups” which is really a misnomer. Any push ups in...

Let me show you a fun but challenging exercise to build strength in the shoulders for push-ups. I use the magic circle, one of my favorite tools to create core stability. The catch with push-ups is this: We assume that we can build stronger shoulders and arms by doing them. But that's not always...

If you’re here, then all of the different moves can seem overwhelming. Don’t be intimidated! While the moves may seem extremely technical and pre-determined, there is actually a lot of flexibility within them. In fact, you can even do some of these exercises at your desk, to free your...