Breathing for Core Optimization and WellbeingAugust 6, 2019

Dear Readers,

Later this year I will be teaching a course for Pilates instructors about breathing. It’s not uncommon to develop less than optimal breathing habits that become obstacles to alignment and wellbeing.  To supplement my materials,  I thought  I’d ask the expert advise of Physical Therapist Elizabeth Shaw from Thrive PT to answer a few questions about the benefits … Read more

What Does Pilates Do to Your Body?July 16, 2019

What Does Pilates Do to Your Body?

If you’re looking for a method of exercise that is both challenging and rewarding and will improve your overall physical fitness, Pilates is the method for you. Pilates can help you develop a more toned and lean appearance and become both stronger and more flexible. 

To move more efficiently, we need to strengthen our … Read more

Pilates Reformer Machine – a Low-Impact WorkoutJune 25, 2019

Pilates Reformer Machine – a Low-Impact Workout

Many people who are seeking a new fitness regime are concerned about the potential damage high-impact exercises, such as running, can have on the joints. At the same time, they may also be concerned that a low-impact workout may not really do the job. If you’re looking for an effective low-impact workout, you may want … Read more

Is Pilates Good for Anxiety?June 18, 2019

Is Pilates Good for Anxiety?

The modern world is fast-moving and filled with technology, unrealistic demands, and conflict. Everyone feels some anxiety from time to time, but when we let anxiety take charge, our sense of reality gets distorted and we cannot function well. Our thoughts can become like a speeding and derailed train, and it can take effort on our … Read more

Is Pilates Better Than Yoga?June 11, 2019

Is Pilates Better Than Yoga?

Many people who want to choose an exercise regime may ask the question: is Pilates better than yoga? The answer is that it depends on what your goals are and that either may be of benefit. In any case, however, professional instruction makes a difference.

Suppose, for example, that you’re having trouble with your knees and … Read more

How Pilates can boost running performanceMay 28, 2019

How Pilates can boost running performance

Outdoor running is a great way to stay fit, especially when the weather is nice and the scenery is enjoyable. Running can calm the mind, strengthen the lungs, and help with weight loss and maintenance. It also boosts the metabolism and aids in circulation, strengthening the heart.

Pilates can boost running performance by working the core muscles … Read more

Achieving a Happier Body and Mind with PilatesMay 21, 2019

Achieving a Happier Body and Mind with Pilates

Pilates is a comprehensive form of exercise that combines the knowledge of several disciplines, including martial arts, yoga, and gymnastics. It also develops mental focus and concentration, as it demands that you isolate the various areas you are working and that movements are precise and controlled.

Everyone has their own reasons for exercising, … Read more

Pelvic Floor Health in NYCMarch 24, 2019

Pelvic Floor Health in NYC

COREY SILBERT IS A PHYSICAL THERAPIST AND CO-OWNER OF “BEYOND BASICS” , A CLINIC THAT SPECIALIZES IN ALL CONDITIONS AFFECTING THE PELVIC FLOOR IN MEN, WOMEN AND CHILDREN. WE LOVE THIS AT MONGOOSE BODYWORKS, AS SO MUCH OF OUR PILATES CORE WORK IS RELATED TO THE PELVIC FLOOR.

HALLE: Tell me a bit about your … Read more

Pilates After Total Hip ReplacementNovember 15, 2018

Pilates After Total Hip Replacement

The are over 200,000 hip replacements a year with the majority being performed on people between the ages of 50-80. Hip replacements are recommended to relieve pain and decreased mobility in the hip often due to arthritis and other degenerative processes .

A total hip replacement involves replacing the femur head ( proximal end of … Read more

The Connection Between Low Back Pain and Weak Gluteals: Part 2October 30, 2018

Low Back Pain and Weak Gluteals: Part 2  

Welcome to part II of a three part series about weakness in the gluteal muscles and the relationship to low back pain . In part I  I discussed what can mechanically happen in the body when the Gluteus Medius (a lateral gluteal muscle) presents weak. This blog outlines the imbalances that can … Read more

Low back pain and PilatesOctober 10, 2018

Low back Pain and the Gluteals

Clinical studies have shown that a majority of low back pain can be traced to weak and inhibited gluteal muscles . There are three gluteal muscles that make up the side and back of the hip and pelvic region: gluteus maximus, gluteus medius and gluteus minimus. The following blog describes how a dysfunctional gluteus … Read more

Strengthening the Gluteals 101August 24, 2018

Strengthening the Gluteals 101

Keeping your gluteal muscles ( butt muscles) strong is an important element to creating healthy full body motions such as climbing stairs, getting out of a chair and most athletic activities. This short sequence will give you a great starting point to creating strong and limber gluteal muscles.

First you’ll want to stretch your quadriceps and … Read more

A Holistic Approach to WellbeingJune 22, 2018

A holistic approach to wellbeing in NYC; Pilates and Naturopathy

It’s no surprise that Pilates is on the rise – with a focus on efficient movement and core awareness, there’s a lot to love about this mind body fitness program. At the same time, Naturopathic medicine – a holistic and natural approach to healing – has become a welcome health … Read more

Pilates and Physical TherapyJune 8, 2018

Pilates And Physical Therapy: A Two-Part Approach

 Pilates and physical therapy. Two separate disciplines with different objectives, right?

In truth, Pilates and physical therapy (PT) have much in common – including a history rooted in building strength and maintaining mobility. Although the approaches may differ based on skill sets; pain free function and individual attention are two of many … Read more

Pilates and AcupunctureApril 27, 2018

A Match: The Powerful Connections Between Pilates and Acupuncture

 In recent years, holistic approaches to health have all seen a surge in popularity – and with good reason. More than just placebo effect, practices like acupuncture promise to have a measurable impact.

Simultaneously, Pilates has seen a resurgence in popularity – bolstered by its focus on core strength and balance.… Read more

BACK PAIN RELIEF IN SOHO NYCNovember 3, 2017

BACK PAIN RELIEF IN SOHO NYC

BACK PAIN

Back pain whether because of injury or just improper posture can seriously interfere with a person’s quality of life. A herniated disk is a surprisingly common and challenging condition where one or more disks are pressing and thereby irritating nearby nerves. More and more doctors are prescribing therapeutic Pilates to manage this … Read more

Reformer Pilates in Soho NYCSeptember 22, 2017

The Pilates Reformer

The Pilates Reformer is the primary piece of equipment designed by Joseph Pilates. It is used in private sessions and small group settings alike.  Although the design has gone through some modern revisions the essence of the machine has remained the same. The reformer provides resistance for some 500 + Pilates exercises designed to coordinate and strengthen … Read more

Piriformis Syndrome and Sciatica- Part 1March 21, 2017

Piriformis Syndrome and Sciatica- Part 1

This article is addressed to movement instructors but is also intended to be helpful to anyone seeking information about piriformis syndrome and sciatica.

The piriformis is an important and sometimes elusive , deep external rotator of the hip.

The sciatic nerve runs either through , above or below this muscle. When the piriformis becomes … Read more

Pilates and Scoliosis in Soho NYCFebruary 10, 2017

Pilates and Scoliosis in Soho NYC

Scoliosis is a medical condition involving sideways curvatures of the spine.  When looking at the spine from behind a scoliotic spine makes either an “S” or “C” shape instead of a straight vertical line. Scoliosis usually begins in adolescence but may also develop in adulthood. A diagnosis can be  confirmed by an X-ray that … Read more

Balancing the Rib to Pelvis Cylinder – An Article for Pilates Instructors and EnthusiastsJuly 8, 2016

Balancing the Rib to Pelvis Cylinder

The rib to pelvis cylinder is the myofascial cylinder that connects and relates the lower rib cage to the pelvis. This group of muscles include the quadratus lumborum, psoas, all 4 layers of the abdominals, latissimus dorsi , breathing diaphragm , pelvic floor as well as the thoracolombar fascia. When the rib cage is … Read more

Prenatal Pilates in Soho NYCMarch 20, 2012

Prenatal Pilates in Soho NYC

Pregnancy is a time of great physical change. Having an educated Pilates instructor to guide you through these times can be not only helpful but essential to avoiding injury and staying healthy.

Prenatal Pilates during the first trimester

As with any exercise program it is always necessary to get clearance from your Dr. to exercise. … Read more