the lovely LUCCA!

LUCCA - taking after his momma LA PLAYA's trainer Erika's Kloumann new addition to the team!!

Pilates Training in Greece

Acropolis, City of Athens in View

I had a wonderful experience teaching Pilates in Greece!  The students in Athens were extraordinary.  They were attentive, eager to learn and passionate about Pilates.  I love my job. Our cruise was a perfect way to unwind after a week of work.  Todd and I visited spectacular locations in only 4 short days, finishing in Santorini which was unforgettable.  Truly an experience that I will treasure forever.

Meri

My Favorite Green Drink

MY FAVORITE GREEN DRINK

Boku Super Food is a certified organic (and vegan) combination of the very best ‘superfoods’ available.  Add a spoonful of Boku Super Food to any smoothie (or just a glass of water), will instantly upgrade that drink to a nutrient-dense, disease-fighting natural medicine powerhouse that works wonders for your health. Check out these ingredients:

Land Vegetables: Maca root, Horsetail, Nettles, Flax Seed Meal, Wheat Grass, Barley Grass, Alfalfa Leaf Juice, Dandelion Leaf Juice, Barley Grass Juice, Oat Grass Juice, Ginger, Broccoli Juice, Spinach Juice, Parsley Juice, Kale Juice (all certified organic, absolutely no pesticides used)

Wildcrafted Land Vegetables: Carob Powder, Nopal Cactus, Spirulina, Chlorella

Probiotics: Numerous strains of beneficial bacteria that improve immune function, aid in digestion and actually help generate beneficial nutrients in your gut.

Enzymes: Numerous digestive enzymes, including bromelain, papain and others.

BOKU® Super Food was born out of necessity. When founders and Santa Barbara residents, Lynn and Reno Rolle´ learned that their son was diagnosed with a focus problem in 1994, they rejected the automatic prescription for mind-altering pharmaceuticals and began searching for natural, less harmful alternatives.  They consulted a naturopathic physician who experienced recent success using super green algaes, spirulina, and other potent, live foods. Skeptical at first, the results quickly ignited their passion for using food as medicine.

Boku delivers the most potent, high quality nutrient dense superfoods on the planet.
Made from whole foods, every Boku product is certified Vegan, Kosher, and Organic.

Boku contains no filler, no chemicals, no preservatives and no "cheap" ingredients like apple fiber or soy lecithin. Boku Super Food is all about extremely high-density nutrition. The result is a product that delivers literally thousands of healing phytonutrients (plant-based medicines) that can help prevent serious disease and restore normal, disease-free biological function.

How soon will you feel the difference? I think it depends on what else you're eating, and if you are exercising regularly. If the rest of your diet is fairly clean, you will begin to notice significant improvements in physical and mental performance within a couple of weeks. Your regular Pilates routine will help your body circulate all this great nutrition so that it reaches every cell in your body. Remember: It's not what you eat that counts, it's what you absorb and circulate that counts. Exercise helps your body distribute the nutrition so that it reaches your brain, eyes, skin and other tissues, bathing them in a nutrient-rich solution that greatly enhances cellular health. Healthy cells lead to a healthy body, and healing happens from the inside out.

Here’s my favorite Boku Smoothie:

A frozen banana, a couple ice cubes, a squeeze of honey, and a scoop of Boku Superfood,-cover with almond milk or coconut water, - whir in the blender.  Yum

You can purchase Boku online or locally at Alchemy Arts.

http://shop.bokusuperfood.com/

Pilates: What's True and What's False?

:: Mary Monroe (IDEA FIT)

There are many inaccurate ideas circulating about Pilates. It’s mostly for women? You have to be flexible to take part? We asked instructors to tell us which Pilates myths they encounter most frequently and to share suggestions on how to counteract false perceptions.

 

Dispel Myths With Great Instruction

“‘Pilates is mostly for women.’ Because of this myth, we work hard to make sure our men’s class is outstanding. We designed it to enhance running, cycling and surfing, and all of our men comment on how the class has positively impacted their sport. It’s fantastic to see strong men get blown away by the subtle posture corrections and use of the core muscles. By the end of a session, they are sweating and high-fiving us for a great workout.

“‘You have to be flexible to take Pilates.’ We explain that we tailor our program to the needs of each client. For example, with clients who are extremely flexible, we work on stability so they are strong throughout their full range of motion. Often, dancers and gymnasts are weak at the end of their range of motion or lack integrity in their joints, and they can be vulnerable to injury.

—Instructor Staff, Center of Movement and Balance, Solana Beach, California

Educate Students About the Facts

“‘Pilates exercises are difficult and very strenuous.’ I tell students that when Joseph Pilates was alive, he called his method ‘Contrology’ because it is about control of the body. Everything in Pilates is done with precision and, if done diligently and regularly, can contribute to increased body awareness. Form is of prime importance, and speed in execution is irrelevant.

“Pilates is done at the pace a person is comfortable with and hence is one of the most appropriate exercise programs for elderly people, those new to exercise and even disabled people. I caution students not to be intimidated by instructors who teach group classes at an advanced level. This is a great way to get injured. I advise taking private lessons with a knowledgeable instructor so the individual can work at his or her own level, learn the proper way to do the work, avoid injury and get the most out of his or her practice.

—Josie Roth, Owner, Infrastructure Pilates, Los Angeles

Help Students Feel Successful and Reach Goals

“‘Pilates does not engage the arms and/or legs.’ I like to address this with the ‘intentionality factor.’ I explain that every movement in class (and, hopefully, outside of class) is done with intention and purpose. So, if one's legs are not fully engaged, are the inner thighs active? Is the client intentionally reaching through the tops of the thighs and extending the legs? If the arms are lax, again, is the client actively reaching? Are the triceps muscles working? Are the shoulder blades long and wide along the back? I pass these questions and cues on to clients so that they are engaged and present throughout their entire body and not just in parts.