If you see it you’ll hit it. It’s a mantra that goes through my head quite often. I use it in life, in business, when I am in my Pilates class and especially when I mountain bike!

And it pretty much sums up the story I’m just about to tell you. It’s a story I seldom share, although I probably should - you likely have a similar story yourself.

You see, in my early twenties I began to experience hip stiffness and pain. Years later, in my thirties, I was given the diagnosis of arthritis in my right hip, with my left on it's way.

One of my big issues though, was over the course of 10 years I had let my body get away with murder. I had so many issues with walking, mobility and general pain I just didn’t really like moving them much anymore and had lost a significant amount of muscle tone in my legs.

When a physio told me to get “emotionally prepared for a hip replacement” that hit me hard, then I woke up the next week and made a conscious decision to do something about my lack of mobility and over a period of time things started to change for me.

It didn’t happen overnight and I’m still “working on it” but with a change of mindset and some milestone targets I’m leaps and bounds (pardon the pun) from where I stood nearly 10 years ago.

I go to Pilates class once a week and I’m comforted by the fact that our clients come to Pilates for themselves and certainly not to judge those around them. I have never felt the stress of having to be an exceptional student just because I jointly own the business and my it’s my husband who is teaching.

Pilates is part of my life now, it has helped me rebuild my muscle strength to where I can experience and benefit from other forms of exercise. I now go mountain biking and love it and in turn I have become fitter and stronger – which brings a great feel good factor. We just completed the Timber Trail mountain bike track over Easter, something I would never have considered even 5 years ago!

Do I still experience pain? Sure. Do I make noises in class about difficult exercises? You bet I do. Do I have a few limitations of the angles my body can get into? Definitely. But in the end it’s my body, it’s my Pilates workout I’m performing and the milestones I hit, no matter how big or small are mine and I celebrate each and every one of them in my own way.

So the underlying message for those of you with limitations is “we get it”. We get that there are things you may or may not think you can do today, but might do tomorrow. Heck, there are things some of us might not be able to do even in a lifetime.

And my mantra of “if you see it you’ll hit it” is all about setting yourself milestones - and progressing a little is still better than not progressing at all.

So whatever fitness goals you want to achieve, no matter how big or small, you’ll be assured at Momentum Pilates of an environment that is full of support and full of understanding on the fact we are all different.

It’s all about you, your body and your goals – you might even have fun along the way and meet some great people. To get in touch just drop a line to studio@momentumpilates.co.nz.

The other day I spent five hours in my car, not all at once but it was enough that by the end of the day I felt it, I really felt it.

And after so long in the car it’s easy to forget the things you know e.g. if you sit better you might not feel so terrible when you get out!

And then I go to my Pilates class and remember all the things I should have done - it helps me to reset my bad habits and look after my body better in the week ahead.

You see, from Pilates, I know that by lengthening my body and spine I will improve my posture and alignment and, believe it or not, it all starts by breathing in.

Let me explain.

Breathing is the sixth Principle in Pilates and plays an important role in strengthening the body and improving posture.

Joseph Pilates said “breathing is the first act of life and the last – our very life depends on it”. And he used this philosophy within his workouts.

Breathing in the right way can accentuate movements and help with the flow of an exercise. Most of us, when performing a difficult or heavy movement instinctively hold our breath.

Breathing in the right way sets up your Powerhouse (or core) to be as strong as possible. Breathing the wrong way (or holding your breath) can, in fact, weaken your Powerhouse and consequently slow or stop your movement and affect your posture.

And that brings me back to remembering when I step into that car, a little bit of thought and setting myself up in the right way can ultimately save me from issues later on.

Breathing may sound easy but it can take time and practice to co-ordinate breathing correctly with your movement.

To learn the fundamentals and to gain more from the movements you make, it’s worth talking to someone who can break things down into easy bite sized chunks for you and make subtle changes to the things that you do to make the biggest impact.

To learn more and speak with an experienced Authentic Pilates instructor give us a call at Momentum Pilates Tauranga today 07 578 7870.

With the growth of the health and fitness industry, Pilates has become a bit of a buzzword lately. But it seems that the more popular Pilates becomes, the more misconceptions and confusion there seems to be around what Pilates really is.

So we thought we would dispel the five most common myths about Pilates we hear that may be holding you back from giving it a go.

Myth #1: I’m not flexible enough to do Pilates.

Pilates doesn’t need you to be flexible right now. Pilates helps you to gain flexibility and strength over time. The things that keep you from being more flexible are usually the things we do in everyday life. For instance, do you ever get sore, tight or achy after gardening or after exercise? Well, a short Pilates workout after you’ve finished up for the day is a great way to lengthen you out and prevent tightness and sore muscles that may otherwise occur. Pilates helps you do the little things you enjoy in life for longer.

Myth #2: Isn’t Pilates just the same as Yoga?

While Joseph Pilates did draw influences from Yoga, amongst other forms of exercise, they are definitely different. Pilates focuses on total body strengthening and toning in each and every exercise. Pilates is also often called “dynamic” which means that you gain strength and flexibility while in a continuous “flow” rather than holding static poses.

Myth #3: Will I get lost in a large class?

Unfortunately we do hear of this happening in some studios. We have small class numbers to maximise the attention that you get from your specialist Pilates instructor to ensure you gain more from your time with us. We work hard at creating a safe and friendly environment where questions (and fun) are welcome.

Myth #4: I am too out of shape/I have an injury and can’t workout

Pilates is something that anyone can do. It is an exercise that caters to YOUR body and level of fitness. At Momentum Pilates, we get to know our client’s with an initial private session and continue to work closely with them when it comes to achieving their fitness goals or working with injuries.

Myth #5: I’m really fit, Pilates is slow/gentle and won’t benefit me

Again, a Pilates workout is catered to ALL fitness levels, from beginners to elite athletes. It challenges control and coordination while stretching and strengthening the body. If you’ve done Pilates in the past and feel that it wasn’t challenging enough for you, let us know!

Pilates is more than just improving your fitness, it also helps to improve your lifestyle. It’s about teaching you how to move your body in the right way, so you don’t suffer back pain after a long week of sitting at your desk, or tight hamstrings after a stint of gardening. Pilates helps you become a better version of you, in all aspects of your life.

So now we’ve dispelled a few myths, why not see for yourself and ask us about the our beginners Foundation Courses. We’d love to show you more of why we love Pilates at Momentum Pilates Tauranga. Contact us now for more information

We hear people say - “Oh I can’t do Pilates, I’m not that flexible”. It’s an interesting thought pattern and one we understand. But the reality of the matter is that Pilates is more than than just "a stretch class" which is what most believe it is. Pilates is actually an education in how to use your body more effectively whilst providing you with a fully body workout.

So the first thing we concentrate on in Pilates is simply getting your body moving. This is something that everyone, regardless of age, flexibility or strength can manage. It takes very little time at all until you begin to grasp the first Principles of Pilates, “Control” and “Concentration” (these are elements we have explored in previous blogs).

Then, once you have grasped those key fundamentals, you encounter yet another challenge - “Precision”. At this stage you are starting to understand your body better, building on what you have learnt and beginning to create smoother and more effective movements.

Precision essentially means your movements become more definite and accurate and you become conscious of the placement and co-ordination of your body without losing the flow of your workout.

But precision isn’t just important when it comes to the exercises within your workout, it’s just as important when you are transitioning from one exercise to another and positioning yourself correctly on Pilates apparatus.

When you are working with precision, EVERY movement has a purpose. This keeps your muscles engaged so that you achieve maximum benefits over the full period of the workout. Because it’s not just the exercise that will give you results, but the way you perform it.

And because you are using your body more effectively you are learning “technique”. This technique is important because it not only allows you maximum benefit while you are working out but it also delivers learnings that you take into the activities you undertake every day.

Pilates is a workout of both the Mind AND Body and because it is YOUR workout, your starting level doesn’t matter - it’s what you learn and how you progress that counts.

For an education in how Pilates can help you use your body to it’s best effect contact us at Momentum Pilates Tauranga at studio@momentumpilates.co.nz

Our third Principle of Pilates is Control. But what does it mean to be in “control” and why is it so important to a Pilates workout?

Think of a time when you may have witnessed an athlete or a dancer perform. It’s immediately clear the immaculate control they possess, such precision, such effortless grace. As a spectator it’s hard not to be in awe of the incredible control their mind possess over their every movement, how they run with such determination and strength, how they seem to leap effortlessly into the air, how they seem to hang there for what seems a lifetime or how they tell a story with such precise movements.

This is of course an extreme example but it does highlight with practice and focussed attention you can gain control“over you body for immense gain.

And by practicing control you can also prepare your body for the rigours of everyday life. Think about the sorts of things you do without thinking - what happens when you lift your arms over your head to put on a teeshirt? Do your shoulders rise? Does your back arch? What about when you sit down? Do you fall into the chair or sit down with control? If you practiced the art of “control”, your mind would begin to train your body into better habits and fundamentally change the way you move, look and feel.

When Joseph Pilates came up with his original work, he referred to it as ‘Contrology’, because he believed that moving in a controlled manner worked and strengthen the muscles of the entire body rather than just one muscle group at a time.

Moving with control involves using the mind to think about what you want to do and how you are going to move, so you are consciously controlling your movements and adjusting your form when things go awry. In contrast to other disciplines Pilates focusses on a series of controlled flowing movements rather than churning out high number repetitions - and it’s harder than most might think!

By focusing on controlling your movements, you form a deeper understanding of the way you move. This will allow you to move more efficiently, build strength, stamina, stretch, tone and will also help you to minimise and prevent future injuries. Most importantly of all it will give you command of the biggest vessel you have - your body!

Contact us today at studio@momentumpilates.co.nz or call 07 578 7870 to begin your Pilates journey.

We’ve touched on the importance of bringing awareness to your movements, both within your Pilates workout and within your every day life. We’ve also discussed the first principle of Pilates - “Centering”. Both of these acts, of course, involve a lot of concentration, which is our second principle of Pilates.

We can’t tell you how often clients exclaim, “there’s so much to think about!” And they're right, there is. Pilates is not about churning out large numbers of mindless, repetitive movements - in fact, it is quite the opposite. You will find that each exercise has a small number of repetitions, focusing on the details of the entire body, and therefore prioritising technique and form over numbers.

Because of such attention to detail, you have to be present mentally, thus making concentration a very important part of the Pilates workout. For example, when you work your arms do you think about what your legs are doing? Are your knees locking out? Is your weight placed evenly between your feet? And what about your neck; is it staying lengthened out? Your spine?

So, when you are practicing Pilates, it is important to not only focus on what is moving but what is not moving.

Focussing on the detail of what your body is doing and “concentrating” is how you develop control, it will help with your flow, it helps you to be more precise with your movements and body form - concentration therefore helps you to become more effective. And, because you give 100% of everything you have in the performing of your Pilates exercises, you get far greater gains than you would by doing 50 mindless repetitions.

Another benefit to keeping a good sense of concentration while engaging in your Pilates workout is that in many of our lives, this is the one opportunity of our day to focus solely on ourselves. We get to leave the worries and the drama at the door and look inwardly at how our body is feeling on that particular day. It’s a great way to reconnect with yourself.

Greater concentration comes about from learning and understanding the correct form, flow and technique of the Pilates method. To find out more about how you can benefit from Pilates contact us today at Momentum Pilates Tauranga.

In the previous blog we discussed “Why Pilates”? We will now go into a little more depth about what Pilates is.

Yes, it’s a workout, but how is it different from other forms of exercise? A Pilates workout incorporates controlled movement and breathing- this in turn engages the mind to bring awareness on how your body moves whilst you learn to use it more effectively.

But what does this really mean? To get a better understanding of a Pilates workout, let’s take a look at the Six Principles of Pilates. These principles are unique to a Pilates workout and help to describe all of the factors that are working together to get the most from your movements. The Six Principles are;

Centering,

Concentration,

Control,

Precision,

Breathing and

Flow.

In this blog we explore the first principle, Centering.

In Pilates, every movement should come from your centre or ,as Joseph called it, your “Powerhouse”. Your Powerhouse starts just below your navel and includes the hips, lower back muscles, buttocks, inner thighs and glutes. The stronger your Powerhouse is, the more ability you will have to support your back and be less vulnerable to muscular fatigue. This is because the muscles which incorporate the Powerhouse work together to support and stabilise the rest of your body. Just like a house needs a strong foundation to withstand the test of time, so do you. The Powerhouse is like an internal corset made of muscle, giving you the support that you need throughout your day.

When you bring the awareness of the mind and body to the Powerhouse, we call that centering. Staying centred with your Powerhouse engaged intensifies your workout, supports your back, and gives you the control and stability that you need to benefit from a full body workout and enjoy a greater quality of life.

If you want to benefit from the principles of Pilates, contact Momentum Pilates Tauranga to get started now.

You’ve heard the long list of reasons why Pilates is good for you. But rather than listing bullet points that may or may not be relevant to you personally, we wanted to simplify it.

So why should you do Pilates? Think about your own body; if you sliced it in half from the head down, would it be symmetrical? The answer is no. But why? Take a moment to think about what your posture is like as you read this. Are you leaning on an elbow, are your legs crossed, is your head tilted to one side? How often and for how long are you sitting in this position? All day at your desk, on long car rides, perhaps on the couch in the evening as you watch TV? You may not be aware of how often you sit like that or for how long, but your body remembers, and it begins to form bad habits.

You won’t even realise it’s happening but you will begin to walk with more weight on one leg, keep your shoulders rounded and your head tilted to one side, putting more and more stress on a body part or muscle. Then one day you do one simple movement like picking up a grocery bag, putting on your socks or maybe you were spending some time in the garden, and all of that accumulated stress finally comes to your attention by way of soreness, aches and pains, muscle strains and sometimes worse.

What could you have done to prevent this? This may sound silly but you have to get to know your body. You have to gain control of the movements of your body rather than letting your body control you. What we are talking about is awareness, but this also requires work. Because keeping the body aligned and healthy takes maintenance, just like you would maintain your car, putting oil in so the engine doesn’t overheat. You need to give your body the same amount of attention, and not just after an injury occurs.

That’s where Pilates comes into the picture. Pilates helps to bring awareness to your movements while unwinding those bad habits that your body has accumulated. Pilates teaches you to control your movements and encourages you to work evenly. So not only are you building strength, stretching the body and getting an amazing workout, but your are also learning to become aware of how to move your body correctly so you can take that knowledge out of the studio and into your everyday life.