Lots of New Stuff at Rhinebeck Pilates!

We have some great new classes at Rhinebeck Pilates starting up this fall and winter!

Now that the summer has officially passed, don't let the cold weather keep you from feeling your best and staying fit!


New Classes:

Saturdays
11am Tower

Sundays
8am Mat
9am Tower

Tuesdays
9am Curcuit Class (Using tower, mat, chair, reformer, barrels)

Thursdays
6pm Advanced Tower

Call or email the studio to reserve your space!

We also have some plans in the works for the winter and spring. Here's a sneak peak for all you loyal Heads Up readers....

This winter, we're offering Gift Certificate Packages for the first time! Stay tuned for special holiday discount packages on private sessions, towers, and mat classes!

This winter check out our new Pilates Buddy Boot Camp! Sign up with a friend for discount duet sessions which will include working out on the mat, ball, and equipment. These Boot Camp Sessions will run for 10 weeks from your starting date. The perfect excuse to get out of the house, spend time with a friend, and stay fit and active!

This spring, we're launching our Mommy and Me Pilates classes! We have a lot of fun and exciting plans in the works for mommies who want to stay fit and bring their baby along for the fun! We'll have Stroller Classes, Walking Classes, and of course, Mommy and Me Pilates classes.

Workshops for students and instructors!
Our workshops with Ellie Herman were such a success last summer, that we've decided to continue offering workshops to both students and instructors. Stay tuned for more workshops planned for this spring and summer with knowledgable teachers on interesting topics!

Stay tuned to Gift Certificate prices and info on our Pilates Buddy Boot Camp and Mommy and Me classes.

If you have any questions about any of our new classes or gift certificates, please feel free to email or call the studio! Read more!

Oscar Update

Thanks so much to everyone who has been asking about how my dog Oscar is doing with his broken leg. Here is an update on his progress.

Background
Oscar had a splint on the broken leg (which was actually a broken knee) for 4 weeks. He had an original splint on for 2 weeks and a replacement splint put on for the last two weeks because the first splint got gross. He was such a trooper throughout the whole process. He didn't chew or pick at the splint at all, in fact, it seemed very much as though he was happy to have it on and he knew it would make him better.

Once we took the splint off, the vet and wasn't sure what kind of recovery to expect. We knew the leg would be badly atrophied, but we didn't know if the splint would have healed the leg or if it just delayed the inevitable (amputation). In addition to the splint, I had also been giving him a number of homeopathic medicines twice a day.

Well.... I'm happy to report that its been about 8 weeks since Oscar's splint came off and he's just about made a full recovery! We're so excited. He is now a very energetic, happy, spontaneous little puppy. His weak leg that was once so skinny is now just about the same size as the other legs.

What Helped Him Heal
A few things helped Oscar heal after the splint came off. We continued to give him his medicine (and still do). He has our other dog, Ernie, to play and run with which was key in building muscle strength in his leg. We never did try the swim therapy, though I would have loved to, because our daughter was born soon after and we just didn't have time at all! But we did let him dig in soft dirt in the backyard-Dig Therapy-as a way to strengthen both front legs equally with little to impact. He got really dirty but I really think it helped. (I should patent that).

Another step we took was a very unconventional one. We took him to a Blessing of the Animals on th day of The Feast of St. Frances. While I don't consider myself a religious person, I couldn't skip attending this when I heard about it. At the blessing, we all stood in a circle with our pets while the priest said a blessing. He then came over, put his hand on Oscar, and said, "And a special blessing for the little dog with a broken leg". Who knows? Maybe this helped Oscar, too.

These days, Oscar can found at the studio hanging out while classes are in session. Stay tuned for further updates, or stop by to see him!

Here is Dr. Tina Aiken's website, the vet who helped save Oscar's leg:
http://www.kvclinic.com/

Here is a video showing and explaining the type of water therapy (hydrotherapy) that we could have done with Oscar:

Read more!

Become Our Fan on Facebook!

Rhinebeck Pilates is finally on Facebook! To become a fan of Rhinebeck Pilates and Heads Up on Your Body, click here:

http://www.facebook.com/pages/edit/?id=155362157358#/pages/Rhinebeck-NY/Rhinebeck-Pilates/155362157358

Our new Facebook page will include:

-interesting news articles on pilates, fitness, mind-body exercise, and health
-pilates photos
-Rhinebeck Pilates news
-links to other pilates studios and teachers we recommend
-a community of pilates enthusiasts
-Specials and discounts available only to our Facebook fans!
See you on Facebook! Read more!

Tips on Carrying Bags: Part 2

The following post is written by Hope Gillerman, Alexander Technique Teacher and founder of H. Gillerman Organics. For more information, visit her website http://www.hgillermanorganics.com/ or www.alexandertechnyc.com/.

TOTING, SWINGING, LUGGING & SCHLEPPING: Part 2

SWINGING YOUR TOTE BAG

If you carry a tote bag-
-The shorter the straps the better.

-Don't lock your elbow on your toting side. As you walk, relax your shoulders, lift your chest and let the bag swing. Let your free arm swing too.

-Keep your body straight and shoulders even; don't lean away from the side carrying the bag. If you carry the tote in your right hand (for example), don't lean left to manage the weight of the bag. If you can't do this, you should be carrying two totes, one on each side.

-If you are stuck with a single bag that is super heavy, carry it in both arms in front of you.

DOUBLE TOTING
-The best way to carry heavy loads is to divide them into two bags.

-Two tote bags of equal weight or two shoulder bags.

WISH YOU DIDN'T HAVE TO LUG
Most people lug heavy stuff in backpacks. But there's a difference between Backpacks and Citypacks:

A BACKPACK: is for hiking or traveling. It has heavily padded shoulder straps, a strap across the chest and a strap around the waist. The idea is that the weight of your bag is distributed evenly across your torso and fundamentally supported by your hips.

A CITYPACK: is for light loads (no more than you would put in a shoulder bag). It doesn't have the extra straps around the chest and hips because you need to be able to slip it off your shoulder quickly so you can swing it to the front and easily access your wallet or ipod.

PROBLEM: Using the city pack as if it were a backpack. This means the full weight of computer, books, etc. is supported by your shoulders. You end up leaning forward, straining your lower back, hunching your shoulders and walking with extra stress on your knees
and feet. If you don't already feel the long-term effects, you may feel the strain and discomfort--or you may notice your shoulders feeling sore all the time.

SOLUTION: If you have to carry heavy loads daily, invest in a small backpack with all the bells and whistles by going to a sporting goods store, ordering from LLBean, Rei, EMS or the like. They don't have to be expensive. If you can try them first, put something in the bag and adjust the straps to ensure the weight of the bag sits on your hips without putting pressure on your shoulders.

TO TRAVEL IS TO SCHLEPP
-Simple - everything on wheels.

-Buy the best luggage you can afford with a premium on easy-to-maneuver. Make sure the height of the handle is high enough for you and that the wheels move easily.

-When you are in transit, everything you carry should be transported by your wheelie--strapped on in some way that is secure.

-For carry on luggage--the best is something soft you can put in your lap and rest your folded arms on to reduce stress on you're your neck/shoulders/lower back, OR a firm-sided wheelie you can rest your feet on to increase circulation in your legs for long flights.

H. GILLERMAN ORGANICS REMEDIES THAT HELP
-For any sprains, strains, pain, extra tension or muscle fatigue, True Relaxation Muscle Remedy will solve the problem so you can focus on how to carry your bag.

-Combine it with Clear Mind Tension Remedy for an immediate penetrating relief. As an extra bonus both oils work to revive your mind so you are more focused and alert.

-When you buy both together in a Loosen Up Wellness Kit you get an illustrated booklet with more tips and exercises for staying tension and pain-free.

Visit Hope's website, www.hgillermanorganics.com, for more information on her remedies.


Read more!