The Movement Studio Pilates

Here’s some feedback from one of the workshop participants…
What most stood out for me after attending this workshop was how much
more clearly I could visualize and understand the positioning of my
shoulder blades, the bones of my arms, my ribcage, and my spine – both
at rest and during movement. I especially appreciate how this has
enriched and improved the familiar movements I typically use in ballet
class.
It has been very exciting to apply the tools Danielle shared to my
dancing. I now have a deeper knowledge of how to control and work with
the movements of the shoulder girdle. I am finding I can create more
symmetry in my arms and more freedom from tension. This workshop
cleared up a lot of the clouds in my proprioperception of my shoulders.
It also gave me many new, and better choices, on how to approach
port de bras. Jane Hamaker, dancer and Movement Studio client

Instructors at The Movement Studio are constantly absorbing new methods and theories to help improve their teaching; to engage with different strategies that will enhance the Pilates experience for their students.

This coming August, three of our instructors, Karen, Danielle and Steph, will be participating in an exciting workshop in Seattle. All three of these fantastic teachers come from a dance background and have been involved with movement their entire lives.

The workshop called the Seattle Festival of Dance Interpretation is put on by the Dance Art Group. Danielle, Steph and Karen are excited to be working with Martha Eddy in a session called FLUID MOVEMENT. It’s going to focus on: Continue reading »

There is a growing awareness about the amount of chemicals used in cotton production. According to the Organic Trade Association, ”cotton is considered the world’s ‘dirtiest’ crop due to its heavy use of insecticides, the most hazardous pesticide to human and animal health.” And “cotton covers 2.5% of the world’s cultivated land yet uses 16% of the world’s insecticides, more than any other single major crop.” And as cotton makes the transition from field to fabric, more chemicals are used in the process, including “silicone waxes, harsh petroleum scours, softeners, heavy metals, flame and soil retardants, ammonia, and formaldehyde.”

The skin, the body’s largest organ, naturally absorbs toxins in the air, lotions, deodorants and chemical fragrances that we lather on. The skin also absorbs chemicals from the clothes we wear, especially when we sweat while exercising or doing Pilates.

There are several new clothing companies like Prancing Leopard  and Vancouver’s own Skyler clothing that are  coming  out with lines of work-out clothes made exclusively from organic cotton. These products go a long way in helping everyone — from the farmers who are working with the crops, to helping keep watersheds and groundwater clean to taking care of our own bodies.

The Movement Studio encourages people to subscribe to as healthy a lifetyle as possible, whatever that includes. It’s important to remember that being healthy differs from person to person – Pilates is a great way to help keep the body toned and supple while helping with mental focus and clarity. Give us a call at 604.732.9055 to book an assessment to make Pilates a part of your routine.

This week, I thought I’d search the world wide web for the latest, most exciting news from the world of Pilates. Here’s some of the interesting stuff I came across:

Lawyers in Australia are four times more likely to suffer from depression than in other professions. How are they combatting it? With help from Pilates.

Pilates in the Park is a fundraising event held by Pilates for Pink, a foundation supported by Shape magazine that encourages women to stay healthy through Pilates while raising money for the Breast Cancer Research Foundation. The event will take place on October 4th in Union Square Park in New York City. Classes will be held outdoors throughout the day and the event is already sold out.

In New Zealand, Pink Pilates is a specific movement regime designed for women diagnosed with breast cancer. The program’s purpose is to give trength to women that have been diagnosed, are undergoing treatment or are in the healing process.

I know mentioning the Calgary Flames is sacrilegious but… this year, veteran Flame Theoren Fleury decided to try for an NHL comeback. Many people had doubts that the player notorious for his substance abuse who has been out of the league for six years would be able to hold his own. But he shocked naysayers when he showed up for training camp in the best shape of his life, with Pilates to thank for much of his newfound strength and agility.

Jennifer Gianni talks about the importance of breath as the first and most important building block to become a strong Pilates practitioner.

Don’t forget to stop in at The Movement Studio to check out classes and find information on our unique Teacher Training program that we’ll be offering in the near future. 

ps — have you started following us on Twitter yet?

Kate gets on a plane to fly to France today!

Clients and colleagues alike will miss the sweet girl who kept everyone’s schedules on track for the past three years.

From everyone at The Movement Studio — we wish Kate a wonderful adventure and look forward to hearing all about it.

On Saturday August 29, The Movement Studio was very excited to host a workshop with Gyrokinesis Master Teacher, Mia Munroe. The students were treated to Mia’s extensive training and years of experience. One particpant in the class was happy to report that “she is an excellent teacher and has wonderful energy.”

Mia also had a great time with the students. “I had a lovely time in Vancouver and look forward to nurturing Gyrotonic at your studio,” she said, with promises of coming back to hold another workshop for anyone who wasn’t able to take advantage of this opportunity.

To learn more about  Gyrokinesis, click here.

Stay tuned for updates on our next Gyro workshop!

We just wanted to let everyone know that there have been some changes in personnel at the front desk.

As many of you already know, Kate has recently graduated from UBC with a degree in French and Geography and is taking up a position teaching english to high school students in Lyon, France this fall. She has really enjoyed working at The Movement Studio for the past three years and will miss everyone very much!

Elecia is excited to be joining the Movement Studio and will be keeping the same hours as Kate: Tuesday and Thursday afternoons/evenings and Sundays. She will be glad to help you with any questions you might have and looks forward to getting to know everyone and helping wherever she can. Please feel free to stop in to the office and introduce yourself!

The Movement Studio Pilates page on Facebook is a great place to meet and keep in touch with other Pilates enthusiasts.  We encourage  you to sign up and pick up or start a conversation!  We will send out quick Facebook updates to all fans with changes in hours of operation, instructors or other important news on your favourite Pilates studio in Kitsilano.