• Equipment: You won’t need to bring much with you to a class, as the studios will provide equipment for the workout. The exception would be a non-slip mat would prefer to use your own rather than a shared one from class.

• Bring a water bottle to stay hydrated.

• Think fitted breathable clothes: Choose clothing that’s stretchy but not baggy. Clothes that will stay in place as you move. Your instructor needs to see the alignment of your bones and how your muscles are engaging.

• Skip the shoes: Pilates is done barefoot—no fancy footwear needed. If you’d like something on your feet opt for non-slip “sticky” socks for hygiene and better stability on the floor.

• Opt for unscented products: Many people are sensitive to perfumes and strongly scented deodorants, lotions, and sprays.

• Avoid hardware: Skip clothing with zippers, buttons, or metal clasps.

• Hair up: Tie long hair back (a bun on top of the head is best for lying flat).

• Grip socks
• Water bottle
• Small towel (for sweat or extra head support)
• Hair tie (keep it out of the reformer springs!)
• Positive mindset

The post How to Get Ready for a Pilates Class 0 (0) first appeared on Tone & Strengthen.

Pilates was a game changer for me as a deskbound professional. Pilates exercises like Planks and Dead Bugs trained my torso to remain upright and efficient, even when fatigue sets in.

• The Deep Core: We’re talking about the transversus abdominis—your body’s natural corset. This isn’t just about looking good; it’s about stabilizing your spine.
• Posture Correction: In our ‘tech neck’ world, Pilates acts as a reset button. It realigns the spine and opens up the chest. Pilates focuses heavily on the spine’s natural alignment and strengthening the muscles that support it, helping to undo the damage from desk jobs and slouching. We’ll talk about how this focus on ribcage placement and shoulder blade placement fundamentally changes how you hold yourself.
• Enhanced Core Strength and Stability: The “powerhouse” is central to every Pilates exercise. We’re talking deep abdominal muscles here, not just the ‘six-pack’ muscles. This foundational strength is key to everything from better balance to reducing back pain. Performance Note: Think of Pilates as the ‘insurance policy’ for your other hobbies. It makes you a better runner, a stronger lifter, and even more agile on the pickleball court.”
• Increased Flexibility and Mobility: Pilates is a fantastic blend of strength and stretch. You’ll gain long, lean muscle mass while simultaneously increasing your range of motion. It’s that wonderful feeling of being both strong and supple.
• Mind-Body Connection and Mindfulness: This might be the most profound benefit. Pilates is all about concentration and control. It forces you to be present, to focus on your lateral breathing and how your body is moving in space. It’s a moving meditation, giving your mind a much-needed break from the daily grind.
• Injury Prevention and Rehabilitation: Because the movements are low-impact and focus on proper form and muscle balance, Pilates is often used in physical therapy settings. It builds strength safely, making your body more resilient to injury.

You can also listen to this on my podcast  9 to 5 Wellness linked below. See you soon in a Pilates Class.

The post Benefits of Mat Pilates 0 (0) first appeared on Tone & Strengthen.

This mat Pilates class is a combination of exercises developed by Joseph Pilates. The class will focus on stabilizing the core, improving posture, and strengthening the total body!

Utilizing props such as the Pilates ball, light hand weights, the Pilates ring/circle as well as many others keeps class interesting and ensures you’ll never take the same class twice! Don’t worry if you don’t have all the equipment. Just show up to the class the coach gives many options, and all the exercises can be done body weight. All fitness levels are welcome.

* Yoga mat, Pilates ball, loop resistance band, Pilates ring, and two light dumbbells are suggested for this class *

The post Mat Pilates – Mar 2nd – Apr 6th 0 (0) first appeared on Tone & Strengthen.

Utilizing props such as the Pilates ball, light hand weights, the Pilates ring/circle as well as many others keeps class interesting and ensures you’ll never take the same class twice! Don’t worry if you don’t have all the equipment. Just show up to the class the coach gives many options, and all the exercises can be done body weight. All fitness levels are welcome.

* Yoga mat, Pilates ball, loop resistance band, Pilates ring, and two light dumbbells are suggested for this class *

The post Mat Pilates 0 (0) first appeared on Tone & Strengthen.

This mat Pilates class is a combination of exercises developed by Joseph Pilates. The class will focus on stabilizing the core, improving posture, and strengthening the total body!

Utilizing props such as the Pilates ball, light hand weights, the Pilates ring/circle as well as many others keeps class interesting and ensures you’ll never take the same class twice! Don’t worry if you don’t have all the equipment. Just show up to the class the coach gives many options, and all the exercises can be done body weight. All fitness levels are welcome.

* Yoga mat, Pilates ball, loop resistance band, Pilates ring, and two light dumbbells are suggested for this class *

The post Mat Pilates – Jan 19th – Feb 23rd 0 (0) first appeared on Tone & Strengthen.

Utilizing props such as the Pilates ball, light hand weights, the Pilates ring/circle as well as many others keeps class interesting and ensures you’ll never take the same class twice! Don’t worry if you don’t have all the equipment. Just show up to the class the coach gives many options, and all the exercises can be done body weight. All fitness levels are welcome.

* Yoga mat, Pilates ball, loop resistance band, Pilates ring, and two light dumbbells are suggested for this class *

The post Mat Pilates 0 (0) first appeared on Tone & Strengthen.

Great for guys too! Please bring a yoga mat and towel.

All Virtual classes are recorded and recording is provided to registered participants for 48-hrs after class.

*Yoga Mat, resistance band, and two medium/heavy dumbbells are suggested$ for this class *

The post FREE 20/20/10 Cardio Strength & Core – Virtual Class 0 (0) first appeared on Tone & Strengthen.

Great for guys too! Please bring a yoga mat and towel.

All Virtual classes are recorded and recording is provided to registered participants for 48-hrs after class.

*Yoga Mat, resistance band, and two medium/heavy dumbbells are suggested$ for this class *

The post FREE 20/20/10 Cardio Strength & Core – Virtual Class 0 (0) first appeared on Tone & Strengthen.

This 60-minute class will open with a short meditation, move through seated warm-ups, and progress to standing poses using the back of the chair for balance.   Debbie will offer variations and options throughout the practice so that you can tailor your experience to meet the needs of your mind, body, and soul. Feel both soothed and energized with this accessible yoga practice.

Set up your device and have a seat!  

Debbie’s teaching is passionate, respectful of individual bodies, attentive to alignment, and characterized by thematic flows. Delivered with compassion and humor, her teaching is designed to leave the practitioner feeling inspired and empowered. Debbie completed her yoga teacher training in March 2019. Debbie has been practicing yoga since 1994. She is constantly inspired by the power of yoga to strengthen, heal, and reawaken the awareness of the miraculous sweetness of life. She likes to share this power of Yoga with her students through her teaching.

All Virtual classes are recorded and recording is provided to registered participants for 48-hrs after class.

*An upright chair like a kitchen chair or a stable folding chair is recommended for this class*

The post FREE Chair Yoga – Virtual Class 0 (0) first appeared on Tone & Strengthen.

This 60-minute class will open with a short meditation, move through seated warm-ups, and progress to standing poses using the back of the chair for balance.   Debbie will offer variations and options throughout the practice so that you can tailor your experience to meet the needs of your mind, body, and soul. Feel both soothed and energized with this accessible yoga practice.

Set up your device and have a seat!  

Debbie’s teaching is passionate, respectful of individual bodies, attentive to alignment, and characterized by thematic flows. Delivered with compassion and humor, her teaching is designed to leave the practitioner feeling inspired and empowered. Debbie completed her yoga teacher training in March 2019. Debbie has been practicing yoga since 1994. She is constantly inspired by the power of yoga to strengthen, heal, and reawaken the awareness of the miraculous sweetness of life. She likes to share this power of Yoga with her students through her teaching.

All Virtual classes are recorded and recording is provided to registered participants for 48-hrs after class.

*An upright chair like a kitchen chair or a stable folding chair is recommended for this class*

The post FREE Chair Yoga – Virtual Class 0 (0) first appeared on Tone & Strengthen.