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4/12/13 7:23 P

Izadora, Have you checked out Pilatesanytime.com? Love their site!! Tons of workouts to choose from, many mat and floor routines and the teachers all seem very knowledgeable. There are also many levels to choose from. If you really love Pilates it's a great way to get variety. I think they even have a free one month trial which, if you did 3X/week for the month you'd have a lot to continue with. I have apparatus at home and have had training but still like to use it for myself. Also, Youtube Intermediate mat pilates by Pilatesology has a great mat routine. It's pretty fast but listen to her modification cues. Hope that helps.

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4/12/13 7:10 P

Thanks!! I needed that one!

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4/2/13 6:02 A

Hello everyone! I am trying to recommit to a 3x week at home pilates routine. I am doing about 15-20 minutes in the mornings. If anyone has any (beginner) routine suggestions, they would be appreciated!

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2/1/13 5:27 A

Getting it done
+++++++++++++++++++

Whatever it is that you must do, go ahead and get it done.
Instead of avoiding the effort, embrace the opportunity to
make a difference.

You may not get it perfect, yet you can get it done. It may
be tedious and not much fun, yet it can bring great new
value to your world.

It feels much better to have it done. So get yourself to
that good feeling as quickly as possible by going ahead and
getting it done.

Don't just let your life happen in a random, unfocused
manner. Make life happen in the way you choose by putting
your time and effort into it.

Every choice, every action or lack of action, has
consequences. Choose the very best consequences for yourself
and for your world by choosing to do what must be done to
bring them about.

Right now, you're in a position of great power, so make good
use of that situation. Take an active role, get it done, and
create a great and fulfilling life for yourself.

Ralph Marston

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1/31/13 10:36 P

I actually prefer pilates to yoga, but agree that they are two totally different things. I do yoga when I'm feeling kinda lazy. I find even the power yoga to be boring. I like the tempo of pilates and the way it really works the muscles. Unless I add weights to yoga, there's not alot going on with it.

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1/31/13 11:29 A

Yes, it is very challenging. Much understood and under-used form of exercise. When I mention that I do pilates to people, most respond that they prefer to do Yoga. I mentioned that they are completely different types of workouts/exercises and can be done in conjunction with each other. I told them that I would be happy to share information about pilates if they wanted information, however, maybe 1 person wanted information because she wanted to reduce her abs; I told her that pilates is great for the abs/core. I don't know why there is so much resistance when it comes to even trying pilates.

Oh well, while I don't do it as often as I would like, I love it!... My problem is that I also love kickboxing/boxing, strength training workouts using free weights/barbell, hooping, rebounding, etc... there is just not enough time in a day to fit everything in. I have to get in the mind set that I can do a short pilates session on the mat or light resistance on the reformer (... or if I have worked my upper body with dumbbells, do lower body resistance on my reformer, or vise versa).

... so glad to have met at least a few people that enjoy pilates. Keep up the good work. Once I get over this cold I will try to get back into the swing of things, hopefully this weekend. ~ Dee

Edited by: JAZZID at: 1/31/2013 (11:31)

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1/31/13 10:02 A

I definitely overdid it last night. I woke up at 1am and my whole body was sore. Took two ibuprophin and went back to bed. It was only 30 mins of pilates and 30 mins of yoga, but I forget how tough it is.... my body reminded me.

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1/22/13 8:51 P

Dee, I am happy to hear that you are feeling better. Definitely take it one day at a time and add the exercises back in slowly.

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1/22/13 6:24 P

Hey guys, I am just getting over a cold so I really exercising for over a week. I have been walking but nothing more. I want to start adding back in pilates on my reformer this weekend. Little by little, I may not do pilates every day, but I want to start out with at least one session per week. I have cardio and strength training workouts to do also.

I hope everyone is doing well. What's on the agenda, what have you all been up to?

~ Dee

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1/5/13 12:43 P

I loved that! Thank you for sharing!

I think there are many times when we forget to acknowledge what we have accomplished.

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1/5/13 10:17 A

Going good
+++++++++++++++++++

You've done great so far, and survived every challenge. Keep
it up, and make it even better.

It hasn't been easy, and yet you have done it. Now you can
continue putting your growing experience to more positively
purposeful use.

Some things have turned out great, while other things
haven't worked out so well. And through it all, you've
learned some extremely valuable lessons.

Your life today has powerful momentum. Your great
opportunity today is to point that momentum in a positive,
meaningful direction.

Though there have been ups and downs along the way, you're
going good. Now you can keep going even better.

Deep within, you know what works. Keep doing it, keep making
new progress, and keep your life on a positive, fulfilling
path.

Ralph Marston

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1/5/13 9:48 A

A few well-designed movements properly performed in a balanced sequence, are worth hours of doing sloppy calisthenics or forced contortions.
quote from Joseph Pilates

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1/1/13 12:21 P

Hey there Jazz...It's great to see you on the boards again. I know I have slacked on posting, way to go on your workouts!!!

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1/1/13 1:33 A

JAZZID, you have started 2013 out magnificently. Keep up the good work. I hope everyone will take a look at the Raelpilates information you provided.

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12/31/12 4:01 P

I like the dvd workouts: www.raelpilates.com/ .. excellent instruction. I have all three workouts.

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12/30/12 7:13 P

FITANDFUN7, we are starting a weekly challenge for Pilates. Your input would be greatly appreciated. The initial challenge is really for beginners. If you are more advanced we could easily do a challenge for the advanced. Questions: Is once a week often enough for you? Should we do the challenges for something more like 2 or 3 days?

Happy New Year!

Bettie

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12/8/12 12:36 P

I find standing pilates to be a new level of experience. It works your core in a different way and really promotes your balance.

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12/8/12 12:28 A

I would like to up the anti on my pilates workout. I have been doing floor work with bands. I need to expand a little I was thinking of watching some videos on Sparkspeople and get inspired. Any suggestions for a new comer to the power of pilates.

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11/20/12 9:22 P

You are welcome!

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11/19/12 4:05 P

Thank you so much! Great to be in-the-know!

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11/19/12 3:10 P

Youvegotthis, a reformer is an apparatus that helps with pilates positions. Here is a link with detailed information pilates.about.com/od/buyingequipmentetc/a/
Pilates-Reformer-Benefits.htm

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11/19/12 3:08 P

Good day everyone! Many post in the team threads, however I notice that the daily chat is lacking. What ideas do you have to keep the chat active?

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11/15/12 8:17 P

Hi is this team still active? I was looking to join an active team...

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10/18/12 11:25 A

Hi...Just joined this team and ran across your comment regarding a 'reformer'. Uh...What is a reformer?!

Thanks!

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9/13/12 3:21 P

Hi Everyone,

I'm new to SparksPeople, new to this form but an old hand in pilates. Have been practicing for years and am considering signing in for a pilates teachers training. Just for myself, to get better, not to actually teach. Does anyone have any thoughts on how I might find a teachers training in... Iowa?

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9/5/12 5:55 P

What Pilates DVD are you guys using? I'm thinking of buying one, so I can do some matwork at home, beside being on the reformer twice a week.

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8/24/12 11:44 A

My August matwork challenge was kind of a bust, just don't seem to be fitting it in, need to fit in yoga, too.

September is going to be bringing new directions to me and I should maybe do some yogalates lol. I have a really good DVD with such a workout and have had some good classes mixing the two. We'll see.

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8/14/12 9:42 A

Glad the back is feeling better, Determined Soul! Pilates matwork really helps my spine if I am consistent with the pilates, which I am not always. I also include moves that are really helpful for pain I have in my right hip a lot.

I did do the 15 minutes yesterday of matwork, staying consistent with two times a week right now and things feel pretty good.

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8/12/12 2:37 P

I have added pilates back into my morning routine, instead of at night. My back has really been giving me problems lately, however the past few days I can feel it getting better already.

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8/12/12 1:42 P

Doing excellently with my little challenge, to the point where the challenge is cancelled (have too many challenges going, having to opt out of some this week) but will be continuing with twice a week matwork. Some of my pain has been getting a lot better since reintroducing pilates.

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8/10/12 8:18 P

Did my 15 minute mat work routine for my little August challenge. Not doing a countdown of the minutes, just 15 pilates minutes twice a week. Now I think it needs to become a routine, not just an August challenge. It really helps my spine and various other health problems I have been lately accumulating. I did buy a yogalates DVD, going to try that, too. Love the mix of yoga and pilates.

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8/10/12 5:57 A

Couldn't sleep in the wee morning hours so I pulled out my reformer and had a great session. Wonderful way to start the day!

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8/6/12 10:17 P

I use two of the thick pilates mats for yoga and strength as well as my floors are hardwood.

The challenge is going pretty well, basically just added 15 minutes of matwork per week to the routine. I have a lot of time off until the end of August and have pledged to go to gym each day it is open for the rest of the month. May look into a class. Have to see who the instructor is.

Woot!

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8/5/12 1:56 P

Sounds like a very good plan. I found that I need to go buy a pilates mat. I have been using a yoga mat because I had really thick carpeting and that was all I needed. I was getting double use out of it. Now that I live in a place with wood floors it is a little painful.

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8/3/12 9:02 P

I'm having fun with it, Determined! Just taking it slow for now, only twice a week.

After this challenge, will step it up again, get off the mat and onto some machines.

We'll see lol.

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8/1/12 7:52 P

That is fantastic! I think I might join you. I'm really needing to shake things up a bit!

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8/1/12 8:13 A

Huzzah, starting a miniature pilates challenge for self in August of doing a teeny amount of 120 minutes for the month. This translates to adding approximately 15 minutes to my regular exercise routine twice a week and in honor of new beginnings and knowing WHO I am (someone who needs pilates and yoga in addition to strength and cardio lol, and a lot of other good things) I did the first 15 this morning and have 105 to go!

LOVE AUGUST!

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7/30/12 12:12 P

I have never found a specific book for it, however about.com has a good bio. I find that when you get basic contrology books they tend to have a bio that accompanies them. I would love to have book dedicated to the bio of Joseph though.

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7/29/12 5:24 P

Today I dragged out my Magic Circle and incorporated that into my routine. It felt really good--I'd forgotten how much I love it! There's just so many different things you can do with Pilates, there's no reason to ever be bored with it.

Here's a question: why has no one ever written the definitive biography on Joseph Pilates? Or maybe I don't know about it?

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7/29/12 1:58 P

you're welcome Carrie!

I am completely with you Chef, one day of pilates makes me feel so much better. I go for the pilates on days that I feel I am beginning to slouch more.

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7/29/12 1:48 P

Huzzah! I just posted an introduction in the intro section. I was on here before but my computer had problems with spark. The new computer handles the site well so now I am back and had been looking for the team, which I just found.

In much the same way I have been making changes in my pilates routine in the sense that, though I have done pilates for decades, it has been on again, off again. I exercise daily and come back to pilates as I need it. I have recently been trying to get the body back on an even keel, having had some challenges, and am trying to do two pilates workouts a week but honestly that hasn't been happening. So I looked for this team again hoping to find some ideas for getting the pilates mojo back.

I do plan on getting it in this week. Even one short session helps a lot.

Thanks for listening! Woot!

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7/28/12 6:22 P

thank you for sharing!!

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7/28/12 6:09 P

The great thing about pilates is that you can take the moves you know and create your own routine. Start with things that warm up your back, then move to leg work, then to ab work, then back to the moves that relax you.

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7/28/12 2:13 P

I need a new Pilates routine as well it seems like I have done them all.

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7/27/12 6:42 P

Hello! I've just realized that I'm in a Pilates rut and need to do come up with some new routines!

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7/25/12 7:48 P

for new equipment. I am really getting back into a 5 day a week pilates routine

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7/25/12 12:32 P

Hi... I'm new here and to pilates..I just received a Malibu Pilates chair and did a few of the movements yesterday and WOW.... can I feel it in my legs and arms today!!
Does anyone else have one of these? Maybe we can talk about it... send a Spark Mail or just comment here if it's OK...not sure where I should have put these comments...

Oh... by the way- I'm Carol!!

Edited by: HAPINANA at: 7/25/2012 (12:33)

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7/19/12 10:26 P

I like how you are substituting the crunches for pilates exercises. I do that a lot as well.

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7/19/12 9:27 P

I've been lurking for a while, and I'm happy to see some new posts:)

This summer, I joined a challenge with a local facebook group to bike/run/walk (however you want, any combination) 100 miles each month. We're also doing push-ups and crunches, but I substitute the crunches with various pilates moves. I'm always looking for new videos and trainers online for pilates. I have to keep it new and fresh....and difficult:)

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7/19/12 6:58 P

I am very excited about the new topics and I think for the team this is a step in the right direction!

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7/19/12 6:56 P

today has been very productive for me, I hope you are liking some of the new topics.
What are some changes you have made to your workout routine this summer?

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7/19/12 6:37 P

Use this thread to have daily dialogue...

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