VAIL, Colorado Kellie D'Elia-Laskin witnessed first hand the healing power of pilates when she helped her grandmother recover from two debilitating strokes in 2001. Using a pilates reconditioning program she created, D'Elia-Laskin was able to rehabilitate her grandmother from immobility in a hospital bed to walking on her own in only a month. This experience led D'Elia-Laskin to further investigate the use of pilates to better the lives of her students in a variety of different ways. Recently, she has returned to Vail to lead an enhanced pilates program at the Vail Vitality Center in the Vail Mountain Lodge. The new program is currently under way.

We're thrilled to welcome Kellie back to Vail and to Vail Vitality Center, said Frank Johnson, Vail Mountain Lodge general manager. She brings such a fresh approach to her classes and to programming in general. We're looking forward to announcing several new pilates options thanks to Kellie's creativity and expertise.

D'Elia-Laskin has been teaching pilates for more than 12 years. She was first exposed to pilates at age 4, when her ballet teacher incorporated pilates mat techniques into a warm-up routine before barre work. Her interest in the practice was rekindled years later when she was managing a rock-climbing gym in Boulder. She began a yearlong training program at the Pilates Center in Boulder, where she was trained by some of the best instructors in the country. After earning her teaching certification, she led the pilates program at the Vail Athletic Club (now Vail Vitality Center) for five years, while continuing her pilates education with Barbera Huttner. She also received pilates training from Rael Isacowitz, of BASI.

My initial experience in Vail was very positive, D'Elia-Laskin said. It led to so many unique opportunities, and I went on to spent time on Martha's Vineyard, in Massachusetts, Lake Tahoe and, finally, in Reno, Nev. I am happy to be back where it all started for me.

While living in Reno, D'Elia-Laskin trained with Dr. Martina Young, the original co-founder of The Physical Mind Institute. In addition, D'Elia-Laskin trained with Dr. Bruce Crawford, a Reno-based physician who developed a scientifically designed series of exercises to help combat pelvic floor weakness. The program is called Pfilates, or pelvic floor pilates.

Pfilates goes beyond Kegel exercises by using movements that condition the pelvic floor and also tone the thighs and glutes, D'Elia-Laskin said.

Pfilates was created using pilates exercises based on extensive EMG recordings taken from the pelvic floor. The technique provides a widely accessible method of recovering or enhancing pelvic floor strength, important for normal bladder and sexual function.

D'Elia-Laskin would like to add a Pfilates training option to the Vail Vitality Center curriculum, as well as a ski-specific pilates program and reconditioning sessions for stroke victims.

For information or to register for an enhanced pilates program at Vail Vitality Center, visit http://www.vailathletic

club.com or call 970-476-7721.

Original post:
Enhanced pilates program new at Vail Vitality Center

Pilates instructor teaches healthy habits

A group of young girls learns all about getting healthy thanks to the help of a South Florida Pilates instructor who battles with an auto-immune disorder the all natural way.

Tonka Cascias runs ProPilates in Fort Lauderdale, home of her infamous cardio ballet barre workout.

Local 10's Neki Mohan and her Women of Tomorrow mentees were up for the challenge, which introduces heart pumping exercises and health to teen girls who want to feel and look better.

"I really enjoyed the class. It was fun, interesting. I am a cheerleader," said one girl. "Active, but this was a little bit more the other side of hard."

"I was really shocked at first. We started really slow then it started really working my body," said another.

The workout gives the teen's a head start on healthy habits for life.

"What I hope they take from today is the concept of health and how important it is and the simple truth that if you don't have your health, you have nothing because that's what I was faced with," said Cascias.

was diagnosed with a debilitating auto-immune thyroid disorder six years ago.

Doctors prescribed medicine. Instead, she became a raw vegan and reversed her symptoms. Now, she is spreading the word and educating everyone.

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Pilates instructor teaches healthy habits

Stott Pilates instructor-trainer Anjali Sareen converted her fascination for fitness into her job

Fitness is my passion. It must have rubbed off on me from my elder brother. Even my husband, Sharat, is into sports, starts Anjali Sareen, the only Stott Pilates Instructor Trainer in India. Anjali is also the co-founder of The Zone, Mind, Body Studio, which she runs with her husband in Kormangala.

She not only trains lay people but also conducts intensive training and education programmes for potential Pilates instructors.

We lived abroad for quite some time. I was not working and that gave me a chance to follow up on my area of interest. I started looking critically at various gyms and health clubs there and realised that most gyms were intimidating. You walk in and you find sculpted bodies working out and that itself can turn off some one who is obese and be a negative influence on them, says Anjali who looks really trim and fit.

Another thing that I did not like was the non refundable' registrations. I did not approve of it. So when we returned to India, I decided to have my own place and run it the way I wanted to, she explains. Her studio is designed in such a way that the work out area is not visible to the visitor but has a helpful front desk and an office where they can speak to the instructors.

Anjali trained in Pilates for 15 years and has been an instructor trainer for the last six years.

It has been a long journey. I started off as a group instructor, did kick boxing, cardio boxing, yoga, Tai chi, karate and kalari, but did not teach them formally.

Talking about the history of Stott Pilate, Anjali says: It was started by Joseph Pilate, who created this style 100 years ago. He died in 1967. His students did not copyright the technique but started training people.

The best thing about this style is that it allows you to refine the information of the past and incorporate it to the modern day research. The style is not stuck in a time zone. It is designed in such a way that it can be used as rehabilitation therapy, for athletes, geriatrics or anyone else.

The exercises are designed for each individual's need and strength. Stott Pilates is good for the elderly as they tend to lose focus with age and these exercises require them to concentrate. That's one of the reasons for Pilates' popularity.

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Going with the flow

Renaissance Pilates will hold its fifth annual fundraiser for cystic fibrosis this weekend at Maxwell Place Park in Hoboken.

Beginning at 9:30 a.m. on Saturday, attendees will enjoy a free 55-minute workout from the studio on the edge of the Hudson River.

Those attending the Pilates in the Park class are asked to donate money to support the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, and 8-year-old spokesmanStanley Zolek, the nephew of Renaissance Pilates founder Danielle Buccellato.

Participants are asked to arrive by 9 a.m. to the park, located at 1 11th Street in Hoboken.

A raffle drawing will be held directly after the class, followed by a champagne toast on the City Bistro rooftop.

Local and national supporters have also donated money to the cause.

Today is the last day toR.S.V.P. online.Organizers are asking for a suggested donation depending on what attendees are willing to contribute.

Visit the groups website for more information or email rpinfo@renaissanepilates.com.

Link:
Hoboken pilates studio to host fundraiser to benefit Cystic Fibrosis Foundation

With a quiet fountain bubbling in the corner and a few more adornments, the MyMindEmbody studio will offer those interested in either pilates or yoga a peaceful place outside of the gym at Embody Fitness to enjoy these classes.

The idea for the studio was developed by Embody general manager Katie Paris who wanted a relaxing space for the classes as well as a larger space.

When we were first at the Kingwood Athletic Club, the pilates and yoga classes were in a very small area, so when we decided to start hosting these classes, we all wanted to hold them in its own space, Paris said.

Embody, which is located at 1574 Kingwood Drive, is celebrating the opening of the new studio May 12 with pilates and yoga class demonstrations being held intermittently throughout the event which runs from 9 a.m. until noon.

The MyMindEmbody studio features several reformer pilates machines which allow for participants to go through a range of different exercises.

The studio also has a spacious area in front of the reformer pilates machines to allow for numerous mats for the yoga class. The studio will also offer a hot yoga class during the week.

A lot of the people who take yoga and pilates class are not typically gym people. With the new studio, those who do not like the gym atmosphere or are looking to relax with these classes will have a quiet space and do not have to step in the gym if they do not want to, Jo Elaine Philips with Embody said.

There are still a few additions Embody is working to put together before the grand opening including a couple of other pieces of furniture and draperies which will hang from the ceiling to add to the zen feeling of the MyMindEmbody studio.

The pilates classes are taught by instructors Sandy Brady and Rhoni Marple Kirshner while Carol Lloyd will teach yoga.

We are very excited to start our classes in the studio and hope more people will come to check out our classes and see what all we have to offer, Paris added.

More here:
Embody Fitness opens yoga, pilates studio

As part of our ongoing series, We Tried It, health reporter Catherine Pearson and nutrition and fitness editor Meredith Melnick tried a session at True Pilates studio in midtown Manhattan.

Catherine's Take:

I have long wanted to try Pilates, and not just the mat class, but the real deal. Like, on the machines. They're so intriguing -- How do you use them? Are they as scary as they look? -- and the Pilates afficionados I've met always have the loveliest figures. They're long, they're lean and they carry themselves like ballerinas, only somehow less stiff. Which is all a long way of saying that I went into my first reformer Pilates class with pretty robust expectations.

They were met. In my hour-plus long, one-on-one session, my instructor coached me through the basic sequence -- some time on the reformer, sort of the central piece of equipment, as well as the Cadillac (very roughly, tricked-out monkey bars attached to a mat upon which I did a lot of leg and bum exercises). We did each move only a few times -- the emphasis in Pilates is in quality, not quantity, my instructor explained -- and with exacting attention paid to my form. I was told to squeeze my ribs in and scoop my abdominals, schooled on my posture (apparently, I have no idea what it feels like to actually sit up straight, which was a real eye-opener) and did a few simple leg swirls that immediately help open up my very, very tight hips.

It was challenging, both in terms of working my muscles and also forcing myself to pay particular attention to how every inch of my person was aligned, but I also felt extremely safe in a way I sometimes haven't in yoga classes. The machines kind of nudge and keep you into certain positions, and having an instructor there to watch my every, single move no doubt helped, too. When I left, I was walking differently -- head higher, shoulders pinched back, and much more aware of how engaged and strong I could be in my core. And it lasted. For days after, I've been catching myself slumping over on the subway or at my desk and forcing myself to contract my abdominals and straighten my spine.

The issue for me going forward will be cost. Private reformer sessions are just too far out of my budget, although the instructors explained that a few sessions can help build the muscle memory you need to really be more aware of what your body is doing in larger (and less pricey) mat classes. I think I will give that a go. The exercise just really speaks to me -- it's challenging, while also encouraging gracefulness and helped me be more aware of my body. But seriously, would that I were a millionaire, I would go to private reformer sessions all the time.

Meredith's Take:

Although it was predetermined from the time my mesomorphic parents decided to have children, it didn't occur to me until age 15 or so that I would never have a dancer's sinewy physique. Mine is more of a soccer player's build. And since that discovery, I've relegated certain fitness behaviors to an off-limits category called 'What Dancers Do." These include: point work, foot taping, highly-restricted dieting and, well, Pilates -- especially reformer Pilates. So it was with detached curiosity that I approached the True Pilates studio in east midtown.

The swanky two-story gym had the calm warmth of a spa -- and a price tag to match. (Certainly a special treat on a journalist's salary.) A series of reformer machines -- with names like "the guillotine" and "the ladder" -- were laid out across each of two sunny studios. We were introduced to two knowledgeable and patient instructors, who (I was pleasantly surprised to note) looked like us: fit people with some meat on their bones.

As is customary for private sessions, our instructors spent the entire hour adjusting us as we moved through a series of repetitive, isometric exercises. Each one required small muscle movements, but a great deal of realignment. We tucked our tailbones, elongated our torsos through the rib cage and "scooped" our stomachs. I felt my body's bones stack up in a totally novel way.

See more here:
Meredith Melnick: We Tried It: Reformer Pilates

WHEN physiotherapist Lee Ajzenman quit her job at 28 and struck out on her own, it was a leap of faith.

Using most of her and husband Steves first-home savings establishing her new physio and pilates centre, the beginning was tough.

She held her nerve and three years later 600 patients a week go through Core Physio and Pilates in Elsternwick.

I really wanted to go out on my own and offer a service that didnt just treat injuries but the whole person, Ms Ajzenman said.

Core Physio and Pilates runs a physio clinic and pilates classes for all age groups from babies to octogenarians.

Ms Ajzenman, who lives in nearby McKinnon, has son Jamie, 13 months and a baby due in August.

Being a working mum was an adjustment.

I used to bring Jamie with me to the studio but he has just started in daycare.

It was hard (dropping him off) at the beginning when he cried.

But I have a lot of support.

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Exercise in trust at Elsternwick physio and pilates centre

The Pilates Doctor Studio, 1445 Pearl St., Suite 100, Boulder, 303-745-2837, pilatesdoctorstudio.com

Instructor: Cait Lindsey, of Boulder, who has been teaching Pilates for five years. She did a 300-hour training in Florida and helped open a studio. Then she moved to Boulder and received the 1,000-plus-hour training at the Pilates Center of Boulder, one of the most renowned training systems in the country.

The Pilates Doctor Studio just opened in January, just off the Pearl Street Mall, behind Illegal Pete's (in the alley behind the building). One of the founders, Jay Hart, is known as "the Pilates Doctor" because he travels the country

Leslie Osborne, left, listens to the instructions of Cait Lindsey, top right, during a plilates class at the Pilates Doctor. ( CLIFF GRASSMICK )

Hart and two friends decided to start the studio because they thought downtown was missing a Pilates studio.

What is the workout? A beginner/intermediate Pilates class using the reformer, chair or tower system. Each class is different, but is based on the Pilates principles.

"It's a great way to build strength and flexibility, learn about your own body, be able to have a deep connection with yourself and a greater sense of mind-body awareness," Lindsey says.

She says it's a good cross-training tool for athletes, as well as useful for people in rehab (she has a background in therapeutic Pilates).

Classes are limited to six people.

What's different: Lindsey says this is the only studio to get group Pilates classes in this general area and along the Pearl Street Mall. Also, Lindsey has a contemporary and classical Pilates background, so her classes tend to be hard and alignment-focused, yet fun and exciting. She plays music in class.

Excerpt from:
Workout of the week: Pilates Doctor

(credit: Alyca Ungaros Real Pilates/Facebook)

In recent years, Pilates has exploded in popularity. A secret weapon to pro-athletes, dancers and the average-Joe alike, Pilates combines mind and body techniques to improve flexibility, strength and agility. From one-on-one, individualized sessions, to group classes that blend basic techniques with self-defense training, each of the five Pilates classes below promise to take you on a journey toward a stronger core, slimmer waist-line and toned, lean muscles.

Related: NYCs 7 Best Yoga Studios | NYCs 5 Best Boxing Gyms

(credit: Thinkstock)

14 E. 60th St.,

10th floor

(212) 288-3410

Price: $110 per hour; packages are available Hours: Call to schedule your session

Erika Bloom, a 20-year Pilates veteran promotes a holistic and contemporary approach to Pilates at her luxe Upper East Side studio. Offering private and duet sessions only, every class is customized to meet the individual needs of each client. This methodology not only allows for a unique experience each and every time, but also provides close supervision to make sure you get the most from your workout.

(credit: Sixth Street Pilates/Facebook)

Continued here:
NYC’s 5 Best Pilates Classes

TYLER, TX (KLTV) -

A Pilates and dance instructor at Balance studio in Tyler, Michelle Heines has never been a big baseball fan.

"I did know who Josh Hamilton was," said Heines with a laugh.

The all star outfielderdidn't know Heines. The TexasRangers did. When the Rangersneeded help with new Pilate machines, theteam called Heines up.

"The trainers were pretty sure they could do it," said Heines. "Then they said 'Oh you just come back and do it.'"

With Hamilton coming off another injury riddled season, Heines had to sell the Rangers star on Pilates.

"He (Hamilton)needed to change something," said Heines. "He wasn't sure what he was going to change but he was pretty sure he liked the idea of Pilates. I had him do one exercise. The exercise he did about killed him. I said 'This is just one exercise.'"

The former American LeagueMVP came around asking Heines to work with him without throughout the offseason.

Heines was even invited to work with Hamilton at spring training in Arizona.

"Whensome tourists were walking through the batting cages, we were working," said Heines. "He (Hamilton) said 'Hey, if I hit 40 home runs, tell everyone it was the Pilates.' I said no, 'Tell everyone it was the Pilates instructor.'"

More here:
Tyler Pilates instructor helps Josh Hamilton prepare for big season