Posture

I say this all the time, perfect posture is a myth. We all have different bodies, lifestyles. What we all need to do is to move more and what I mean by this is being mindful/aware of the the length of time we are staying passively in one position.

For example, when you are at your desk working, are you the type that once you are engrossed or focused you can sit for hours in the same position without moving? Then you leave work you drive to where ever you have to go etc. You see where I am going? You are in the same position, shoulders rounded, spine rounded, flexed, hip flexors in flexion etc. Now these positions are not particularly bad, but it’s the amount of time we stay “stuck” in those positions.

We have all heard the saying “motion is lotion” and that is so true. We need to move our bodies in every plane of motion, we need to extend our spines, open up the frontline of our bodies, add more twisting or rotation and side to side (lateral) work, move our hips, include more extension work and take care of our joints.

A simple way to add a little more movement to our lives is not only changing our daily sitting and postural habits but I also taking movement breaks. I talk about movement breaks daily, this is adding short bursts of movement/self care through out your day. They can be anywhere from 1-10 minutes daily. Check in with your body, what does it need?

Here is a short movement break video from my instagram page and I have several sprinkled throughout my page, have a look and maybe save and include them to your day.

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If you need a reminder, setting a reminder on your phone is a great way to help you get in the habit of changing your position through out the day.

Our bodies are designed to move in a complete 360 degrees. Our bodies are pliable, mobile, strong and resilient.

In life we like variety, similar to our bodies, variety in daily movement is beneficial. 🙂

Hope this helps.

Let me know in the comments if you will be adding these mini routines to your day.

Be well my friends.

Cathartic

Blast your favorite tunes and dance, or jump, move how you like to move. No one is watching but, if someone is, who cares. Release whatever you need to release. If during or at the end you are overcome with emotions, allow it to flow.

Movement is therapeutic. Movement is cathartic. Gift yourself the time to feel.

In today’s connected society, we are bombarded with information, too much at times, this information overload does not allow us to be still, sit with ourselves and just be.

Movement is beneficial for the “physical” but, more so for the mental aspect . This is a form of self-care.

Just my two cents.

Breathe my friends, breathe.

Time Waits on No One

Time waits on no one and life is busier than ever, but  let us not forget to stop  and appreciate the small things.

This year let us focus more on building and maintaining healthy relationships, self development, being healthy,  finding a form of exercise or movement practice that makes you feel good , laugh more.

Enjoying nature more, going for more walks, having actual conversations with each other, be present and enjoy the moment  when we are with family , learning new things, or revisiting a hobby you once enjoyed.

Enjoy life, eat the cake, take the trip, life is short.

Be well.

Five things I do when I am having a bad day

We have all experienced these days at some time or another. I am going to keep this short and sweet.

1. I go for a walk. Sunshine and fresh air and appreciating the wonders of creation.

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2. Turn up the volume and dance. Music will lift your mood.

3. Write it out. Journaling is a great way to work through issues or problems and journaling allows you to be fully present and aware of how you are feeling. Never underestimate the power of the pen.:)

4. Exercise, you knew this would be one of my coping strategies. The saying “movement is medicine” resonates with me and I have proven it to work and lift my mood.

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5. I will typically call my mom. You are never too old to need your mom. 🙂

What do you do when you are having a bad day? Please share in the comments.

I am always here cheering you on.

Be well.

Online Group Pilates Class

Feedback from one of my group pilates classes.

If you would like to join to the next class, send me a DM and I will add you to my email list.

Once added to the list you will be notified first before I open to registration to the public.

The classes are smaller in size so I can pay attention to your form.

See you in class .

Virtual Classes

The Ground Up

The ability to kneel or sit on the floor and get back up is one of the best ways to preserve our mobility and predict our overall fitness and longevity.

This simple act may not seem like much but, when you stop and think about it, our ability to be able to control our bodies and the strength it takes to “pick ourselves up” off the floor is priceless.

This is particularly important as we get older. This simple act works every muscle in our bodies and it works our balance, core strength, upper body strength, leg strength, flexibility, coordination, mobility and stability.

I find this movement will also reveal any strength weaknesses we may have.

Along with tailored exercises to help address these weaknesses, the repeated act of moving from the ground up will help to restore the strength.

As babies we learned to crawl before we could walk and the ground helped with that, the ground as resistance.

If this is a challenge for you, start slow and work your way up. Use a sturdy object as support to help you get stronger.

Be well.

How I Prevent Burn Out

Recently I was asked my tips on preventing burn out, so I thought I would include my response here as well.

Burn out is real and it plagues so many of us.

Here are a few of my tips to help prevent it.

1.Proper nutrition. I make sure I feed and nourish my body well.

2. I make sure I make the time to get my workouts in. It can be as easy as going for a walk.

3. Connecting with family and friends.

4. Taking time off. We all need vacation, no matter how much we love what we do, we have to make time for a reset.

5. Proper rest. I make sure I am getting a good nights sleep. I like to take my magnesium at night, it contributes to a great nights rest. The CALM product is good product to help with sleep.

6. I definitely make sure I have recovery days in my schedule.

7. Setting boundaries is another way to prevent /help with burn out. It is OK to say NO at times.

We have to listen to what our mind and body needs. Take care of YOU. Self care is not selfish, it is a necessity.

How do you prevent burn out? Let me know in the comments.

Be well.

Jodie

Accountability

Everyone needs a coach, a motivator , a cheerleader, someone to be accountable to. Let me be YOURS!

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Each person comes to me with a unique “story” and movement background. No two bodies are alike, and will not be doing the same workout. Each person has different goals and movement patterns, so the workouts are tailored to each person.

I take the time to plan (write out) each and every session for my clients, but, I can also change the routine depending on how your body is feeling that day. Everyday the body asks for different things and it is important to tune in and listen.

My training style is a mind and body experience. You will work in the sessions, but you will also have fun.

Feel free to reach out to me by filling out the consultation on my website. I look forward to working with you.

Jodie

Strong and Supported

I am often told by my clients that my teaching style is unique and in the sessions/classes they feel encouraged, strong and capable in doing the exercises. They never feel like they can’t do a particular move or exercise sequence and they always feel better after class.

My goal as an instructor is to “meet” each and every client where they are physically at that given moment.

Every exercise I teach, starts from the “base”, where we start slow and layer on “moves”.

By doing this I am giving each person options in class. I am a firm believer in listening to your body.

Remember, you are strong, your body is amazing and I applaud you all always.

Always cheering you on.

Keep building one another up.

Be kind.

Making Fitness a Lifestyle

In order to to make fitness a lifestyle or habit find a movement practice you like to do.

If you like to walk, walk. If you like to dance go ahead, dance. Fitness should be fun.

You don’t have to workout for an hour daily or push yourself so hard you are exhausted.

I am here to tell you shorter workouts, 10-30 minutes is just as effective.

Value rest, yes, include rest days in your routine.

I say it all the time, you are your biggest cheerleader. Don’t worry if you miss a workout, just jump right back into it.

Keep going.

Speak to your self with kind words. Yes, it matters.

Remember, Rome was not built in a day, be patient with yourself.

You are not only getting physically strong, but mentally as well.

Remember, moving your body is something you get to do, not something you have to do.

We are all a work in progress.

Be well.