Where Are Your Shoulders? Down!

Keep your shoulders in your back pocket! If I had a dime for every time I heard that (thanks Tina!) when I first began my Pilates adventure I could buy an island!

The reality is, for most of us maintaining correct form is a never ending challenge that we don’t always meet. It’s always easier to let those shoulders round and to tuck that chin, but in the end it means all that hard work to strengthen those abs goes out the window.

It’s All About Core Strength

The only way to get that intense ab engagement we all seek is to make triple sure those shoulders are down and away from our ears, with our neck properly aligned. That’s what forces engagement. Neglecting either means you’ll round those shoulders forward, engage your chest and neck, and leave the abs to tag along for the ride. Who wants that?

Keeping your shoulders down and back is an essential element of the Pilates Balance Joseph Pilates created nearly a century ago, and it continues to guide us as we strive for perfection in our daily practice.

As this article in the San Francisco Chronicle points out, when the core isn’t trained correctly, less suitable muscles step in and the result is bad posture, tightness, a loss of flexibility, and possibly the kind of physical imbalances that can cause injuries.

We all know that a dedicated Pilates practice develops stability and alignment, improves posture, and in the process becomes an ideal foundation exercise for any cross-training sport, not to mention the physical demands of everyday life. So keep your chin up and your shoulders down!

Take YPL’s March MATness Spring Challenge!

Rather get busy with Spring Fitness than Spring Cleaning? You’ll like this. YPL is issuing our first March MATness Spring Fitness Tune-Up Challenge and we’re announcing it with another first time ever offer: a 50% sale on mat five and 10-packs!

If you’ve been away from the mat for awhile, this is a great opportunity to get back in the swing of things. If you’re already taking my mat classes, the YPL Challenge will power you into super fitness just in time for Summer.

March MATness 5,10 Mat Packs Half Price!

From Friday, March 1st through Friday, March 15th, grab a March MATness 5-pack or March MATness 10-pack for half price! Then just book your mat class and knock that Winter rust off.

Find this limited time offer in the Online Store under Group Floor. Limit one pack each per customer. *Classes need to be used by March 31st.

Saturday Morning Wake Up

Start the weekend right. Warm up with a mat class at nine, then follow up with a 10 o’clock tower class!

Saturdays, 9-11 - enjoy the mat, then stay for the tower challenge! (limit 2)

The Lowdown On Gluten

In just the past couple of years the gluten free diet approach has swept the country. Hollywood celebrities have been quick to jump on board, endorsing the benefits on talk shows and in print, and by some estimates those practicing this trend may account for as much as 25% of all consumers.

But as usual, whenever it comes to diets and their effectiveness, the jury is not in complete agreement as to the benefits.

The medical community recognizes three unrelated conditions that are connected to gluten: celiac disease, wheat allergy, and gluten intolerance. While celiac disease is probably underdiagnosed, the other two are almost certainly overdiagnosed.

Read more about gluten, its deadly history, and the latest in diagnosis and treatment for sufferers in this interesting article in Slate.

YPL On Social – Lets Connect!

Social media lets me stay in touch with my profession and my great YPL clients! For specials, events, and ways to get more out of your Pilates training, bookmark my Do The 100 blog. I also tweet, YPL’s Facebook fan page is a great place to hang out, and Google+ is the latest address for YPL online! We’re just getting started building the new addition. Won’t you please join us and connect?

Now book your next YPL Private or Duet (sorry, no group class sign-up yet) using our Facebook app.

Facebook App

When you visit YPL on Facebook you’ll see a MindBody app sitting on top of a Book Online tab right under the message button. Just select a service — Private or Duet — a type (same choice) and a day. It’s that easy.

When finished you can share (we’d sure like it if you did) your YPL fitness session activity directly to your page. The app does the rest, and your Facebook friends will know how much you enjoy a YPL PIlates session!

Convenient And Secure Online Scheduling

YPL offers several convenient ways to book online. The YPL online scheduler (left) is your main connection for booking classes, appointments, and for maintaining your account. It’s fast, convenient, and available 24-7. Not sure how it works? Visit YPL’s help page for tips.

What happens if you try to sign up only to discover you’ve missed the cutoff time for the workout slot you wanted? Not to worry. Just e-mail or call, and if there’s a spot that’s still open I’ll work you in. The same goes for those rare occasions when the system’s down, or if you need to late cancel.

Road Warriors Need A Work Out Too

When you’re traveling, finding a studio or gym you can trust is a big problem. MindBody’s exclusive online finder locates the next available fitness class wherever you are, from their extensive list of fitness studios located throughout the country.

Whether you’re in Seattle or Miami, New York or L.A., just

1. browse to the MindBody finder web page,
2. pick a practice (Pilates, yoga, etc.,)
3. enter your location, and
4. forget about having to make do with that worn out hotel treadmill.

(Tip: if you’re a client, you can also book YPL classes and sessions directly through the browser.)

There’s also a free mobile app for your phone or tablet, so no matter how you choose to connect, there’s just no excuse for skipping class anymore.

The Pilates System

Joseph Pilates explained his breakthrough fitness concepts nearly a century ago, when he developed an interrelated set of physical and mental relationships that, when followed, achieve a defined goal. (You can read the original Pilates Method at benjamindegenhardt.com.)

To explain his revolutionary fitness plan he diagramed the importance of developing a physical and mental relationship.

At YPL, the Classic Practice focuses on achieving the rhythmic harmony that naturally occurs when mental clarity and physical conditioning are in synch. The feeling you experience is one of accomplishment, control, and exhilaration after powering through a challenging workout.

YPL Gift Cards Are Available Online Or In The Studio

A YPL Gift Card is a great way to introduce a friend to Pilates fitness. Treat someone special to a memorable fitness experience that’s sure to make a difference.

Shop for your YPL Gift Card online today. Just select the Online Store tab, then look for Gift Cards - or customize our special YPL house brand (above) the next time you visit the studio.