Year End Wrap Up and a Look Ahead!

Here's to another fabulous year for Rhinebeck Pilates and Heads Up on Your Body blog!

As always, I'm so proud of all my pilates students and instructors for their hard work and dedication to the pilates method. We had a great year at the studio... here's just a few highlights from 2010!

-We've moved beyond the tower and the mat in group Pilates Curcuit classes to include reformer and chair (and if you're lucky, the ped-o-pul and trapeze bar, too!).

-We launched our Exercise of the Month series. Each month, a different exercise was the focus at the studio. Not only did we focus on the featured exercise, but we also used information about that exercise to enhance and more deeply understand other exercises that were similar.

-One of my instructors, Jessie Zalla, came for some classes and a killer workshop, Matwork From the Inside Out.

-Hardtail Workout Jeans hit the Rhinebeck scene!

-We welcomed Tammy Ogletree, our newest pilates instructor, to Rhinebeck Pilates. I'm so proud of my team of instructors, I think we just might have the best team going right now! Its all about balance, right? At Rhinebeck Pilates we are a balance of knowledge, humor, kindness, encouragement, and curiosity to continue learning everyday from both our students and continuing education. Now that's what I want in a pilates studio!

-We also welcomed Judith Muir, Alexander Technique teacher with 30 years of teaching experience and an incredible wealth of knowledge.

-We built our retail section of the studio up to sell Hardtail pants, foam rollers, foam roller covers, water bottles, Alycea Ungaro's Real Alignment Mats, canvas tote bags, tank tops, and t-shirts.

-We had a few fun events and classes, such as hosting the Rhinebeck Jewish Center's monthly women's group for a Kabbilates class.  I also taught a Functional Pilates class at a Rhinebeck Holistic Mom's Group meeting.

-We had our second Open House event, lots of a great energy and new pilates students around the studio!  This year, Holistic Heath Coach, Heather Buehl, was also part of the event, offering complimentary health coaching services those in attendance.

What's to Come in 2011....

-We're now on Facebook and Twitter! Join us for discussions, and find shared articles and videos of interesting and breaking news in the pilates and fitness world!  Facebook and Twitter are quite fun, they help to bring pilates instructors and students together from around the local community and around the globe.  Also a great way to find out last minute if there's room in a class or duet session at the studio.

-We have two new classes in the works, These classes are especially exciting their content is so valuable and so refreshing! They are:

Group Alexander Technique Classes

Group classes in the Alexander Technique are a rare find, so naturally we're very excited to offer them at Rhinebeck Pilates! Taught by Judith Muir on Wednesdays and Sundays, these classes offer an affordable way to practice and learn the Alexander Technique. Benefits include: improved posture, improved biomechanics, relief from pain-causing habits, and an increase in mind-body coordination. This is a must-come class!

Mommy with Baby Pilates
This class is for moms with babies up to 18mos. Finally- a class where you can bring the baby and workout with other moms! One of the beauties of this class is that the babies will be playing nearby, and occassionally included in the exercises. This class will be on Thursdays at 10am, and is NOT held in the studio. It is across the parking lot from Rhinebeck Pilates, at Waddle n Swaddle, a baby boutique.

-New website design! I can't wait for the debut of our new Rhinebeck Pilates website! Its been in the works for a looonngggg time. Anyone who's ever waited for a website to go live knows how long it actually takes! Our new site features fantastic new photos, an easy-to-navigate class schedule with class descriptions, and is full of pilates and Alexander Technique information.

-Workshops! We have a few fun and interesting workshops planned for both instructors and students. At Rhinebeck Pilates, we like to keep things interesting and offer workshops not typically found elsewhere. One sneak peak I can give you for the workshops is that Judith Muir is planning an excellent sounding workshop on stretching.

-We will continue with our Exercise of the Month series. In 2011, the monthly exercises expand a bit from classical pilates exercises to include focuses such as Balance, Coordination, Breathing, and opposition.

-What else will 2011 bring?  Even I don't know for sure... the studio and pilates have a way of inviting new and exciting things into my life that I never expected!  Join us for a class, come take a private, or just come visit the studio to see what its all about.