More than 17 years ago I started Pilates when my friend who had already been practicing it for several years told me on multiple occasions that I had to do it too.  When I asked her what it was exactly she couldn't tell me.  Just that it was something that would benefit me greatly, would change my life and I would probably want to become a Pilates Instructor.  What was she talking about?  She also said it would take some time for me to grasp it and not to expect too much to begin with but once I did get it, I would love it. Finally, without  Google to help me back then and no other information I bravely fronted up for an Initial Assessment at an extremely reputable Pilates studio and have never looked back.

Why Was It So Hard For My Friend To Explain What Pilates Is?
Pilates can mean different things to different people.  So I'm going to outline in this post what I believe are the benefits of Pilates that set it apart from other movement or exercise...

Recently one of my clients commented, "there is Pilates and then there is PILATES!!"  What did she mean by this statement?  She was comparing her own experience of twice-weekly studio Pilates sessions to that of a friend who attends a large weekly mat class at her local gym.  Needless to say, their experiences of Pilates were vastly different and my client was confused about her friend's description of Pilates as it was so different from her own.  In short, not all Pilates classes are equal and there are a variety of options available in the marketplace. In this post, I will explain what is on offer and who it is suitable for. 

Small Group Studio Pilates Sessions  

The Pilates studio is a fully equipped space with machines and equipment that use spring-loaded resistance such as the Reformer, Wunda Chair and Trapeze Table (Cadillac).  There are also a variety of arcs and barrels and small equipment such as rollers and balls.  Held in small...

In my last post, I looked at 5 ways to improve our health that would complement our Pilates training and one of these was to reduce the consumption of processed foods.  While you are focussing on this by increasing your fruit and vegetable intake, should you choose organic or conventional produce? What is the difference? In today's post, I look at the benefits of an organic lifestyle and show you my typical organic day on a plate.

Why Choose  Organics?
After attending a health retreat in 2009,  I made the decision to switch to an organic diet.  After hearing the evidence of the numerous benefits of organics and the shortcomings and potential harm by consuming conventional products, I was completely convinced it's the best investment I can make for my health.  Try researching this for yourself as it's important to feel confident in your decision if you choose to adopt this lifestyle.  One of my clients who also has an organic diet, was telling me how her...

When you are practicing Pilates regularly and taking responsibility for your own health and fitness, you will experience many physical and mental benefits.  In order to maintain our health at an optimum level, what other ways can we continue to care for and nourish our bodies and minds to support our Pilates training?

Here are 5 practical ways to improve your overall health and well-being that both myself and my clients have used successfully. 

1. Stay Hydrated - Water Is Essential For Good Health

This is a lesson I learned the hard way when at 15 I was hospitalised with acute pain which turned out to be kidney stones.  Back in the day, drinking water definitely wasn't cool and this attack hit me after a dance class during a particularly hot summer.  Drinking water was the prescribed treatment and as I couldn't wait to get out of pain and hospital I started to drink lots and lots and water, a habit I've continued to this day.  Each morning, fill a...

Pilates and pregnancy are truly a harmonious union and practicing Pilates during pregnancy provides so many advantages both physically and mentally. 
If pregnancy is something that is not personally relevant to you,  take a moment to consider any friends or family members who are either already pregnant or preparing for pregnancy, as this information could be of huge benefit to them. It could mean the difference between a smooth pregnancy, labour and delivery or ongoing health issues that could impact them for the rest of their lives. Just as a marathon runner trains for a race, a woman needs to prepare for the arrival of her new baby and Pilates can assist perfectly with this crucial preparation.
Over the past 15 years, I've had the pleasure of assisting so many women to exercise safely and effectively during pregnancy and just some of the benefits include:

Strengthening of the Abdominal & Pelvic Floor Muscles

These muscles are under constant strain during...

Recently while catching up with old friends for the first time in 2 years we shared stories of our current career projects.  They were intrigued to learn about  JS Mind Body Pilates, my Online Pilates Membership site which is an Online Pilates Studio. Why did I create it when I'd already had a bricks and mortar studio for the past 15 years?  Who is it for and how does it work?  Here are the answers  to some of those questions:

What is an Online Pilates Membership Site?
It's basically an Online Pilates Studio which is a library of continually expanding videos personally designed and presented by me and is accessible 24 hours a day.  One of my clients recently said the Online Studio felt like I was in the room with her telling her what to do, just like I do in the bricks and mortar studio.  There are 6 courses: Pilates Basics, Intermediate Course, Advanced Course, Exercises for All Levels, Pre-Natal Pilates and  Post-Natal Pilates.
It starts at...

Having been involved in a series of car accidents from the age of 19 onwards  (none of which were my fault, just for the record! ) I've experienced numerous whiplash injuries and understand first hand what it's like to have a vulnerable, painful neck. It can be quite debilitating and interfere with your quality of life. Chiropractic treatment had, in conjunction with Pilates, kept my neck pain well under control over the years until early 2009. My trusted Chiropractor went on leave and her replacement gave me an overzealous neck adjustment with such force that I thought my head was going to detach from my body. I saw stars and it was extremely painful. This was not at all what I was used to and as I drove home I knew I had a serious issue as I couldn't turn my head to change lanes without severe pain. It became worse the next day and I began to experience nausea too as I later learned the vagus nerve had been affected. This was the start of 7 to 8 months of neck pain. After one...