Tag Archive for: pilates
Please join us for an
Open Studio Event
to preview the 2024 MOVE Pilates Instructor Training Program
November 5, 2023
4:00 – 5:00 p.m.
Join our expert team of instructor trainers for a preview of the 2024 MOVE Pilates Instructor Training Program. Our interactive information session will give you the opportunity to decide if our program is right for you.
- Hear from our instructor trainers and former students who have successfully launched Pilates careers.
- Discover the innovative fitness that began with Joseph Pilates himself.
- Walk-through what to expect in our progressive and comprehensive Pilates education.
- Learn about how we’ve updated our program with adaptable in-person and online components.
- Tour our light-filled studio and explore our Balanced Body Reformers.
- Bring your questions and join the conversation — our goal is to support you every step of the way.
- Join a 20-30 minute Pilates mat class (all levels welcome).
Take the first step toward a marketable movement career as a Pilates instructor. Whether you’re looking for a full-time career or a part-time complement to your current professional or educational goals, this is a great time to pursue a new passion!
Interested but can’t attend these dates?
Let’s chat another time! You can schedule a free 1:1 consultation with our program director. Just fill out this simple form and we’ll reach out to schedule a date.
Quick links:
- Program Schedule
- MOVE Pilates Instructor Training Program Details
- Book a chat with the Program Director
“If you are just starting out or coming back to movement from a break or injury, low impact workouts are gentle on your joints. These types of workouts can ease you into the process of getting stronger, while giving your body a chance to build up the load tolerance on your tissues to avoid injury.”
—Elaine Economou
If you’ve made the decision to bring more movement into your life, congratulations! That commitment to yourself is the first step. And it’s a big one. Now it’s time to find the right workout.
Benefits of low impact workouts
Benefits of low-impact workouts include:
- Strengthening your body
- Improving flexibility
- Minimizing your risk of injury
- Helping you focus on the mind-body connection
- Improving your form and range of motion when working out
These benefits make low-impact workouts like Pilates a great choice for beginners or people who are returning to exercise after a break.
Elaine Economou‘s latest blog post for popular website Sixty and Me shares how a low impact workout can be a smart choice for beginners. Getting started with a mind-body movement system like Pilates can build strength and minimize your risk of injury.
Read the full blog post on Sixty and Me.
What is the best low impact workout?
The best low impact workout is the one you can commit to for at least a few minutes every day. Pilates is a great example. At MOVE Wellness we’ve seen its impact on clients again and again. Doing things you love regularly and getting outside to walk are also wonderful choices. As you build your commitment you can start increasing the pace and adding in workouts like the one I’ve provided below.
Can you lose weight with low impact exercise?
Low-impact workouts can support weight loss by helping you create a stronger, leaner body.
Low impact workout routine
Try this sequence of low impact movements perfect for beginners. You’ll be on your way to reaching your movement goals in no time!
Learn the essentials when you’re ready for more
Elaine Economou’s new Movement Essentials: Getting Started with Pilates is a 28-day program at MOVE On Demand designed to get you moving safely and keep you on track. Each week Elaine introduces you to the basic principles of Pilates with a consistent warm up, weekly classes, and a variety of special topics to enhance your journey. And, it comes with an easy-to-follow calendar that will guide you through a clear progression and provide a foundation for healthy movement.
Watch the trailer to learn more. Support the activities you love to do in life by starting today!
About Elaine Economou
As co-founder of MOVE Wellness®, Elaine Economou helps people move with ease, strength, and joy. Her passion is empowering people to understand their unique bodies and build strength to support moving well through their unique life. Elaine has created Movement Essentials: Getting Started with Pilates to help people move well and live a life they love – wherever and whenever.
Find all of Elaine’s Sixty and Me blogs on her author page.
What is Pilates breathing?
Pilates breathing is a way of breathing mindfully from your diaphragm in coordination with your movements.
How do you breathe when doing Pilates?
You can start Pilates breathing by learning how to use a diaphragmatic breathing technique. You want to optimize a full three-dimensional inhalation without overusing any one set of muscles.
What is diaphragmatic breathing in Pilates?
According to Harvard Health, diaphragmatic breathing is breathing deeply from the diaphragm, which “encourages full oxygen exchange — that is, the beneficial trade of incoming oxygen for outgoing carbon dioxide.”
Why is breathing important in Pilates?
Joseph Pilates said that “The breath shapes the movement and defines its dynamic.”
Some benefits of Pilates breathing include:
- Improved focus
- Increased control
- Abdominal engagement
- Higher energy levels
- Better circulation
- Tension relief
- Lower blood pressure
How can I start a Pilates breathing practice?
You can start now! Watching our video above is a great first step. We’ll talk you through the basics of Pilates breathing and practice some breathing exercises to get a feel for it.
When you’re ready for more, you may want to look at Elaine Economou’s new program Movement Essentials: Getting Started with Pilates. We know the more you move, the better you feel. Sometimes we need a little push to get started. Movement Essentials is a 28-day program at MOVE On Demand designed to get you moving safely and keep you on track. Each week Elaine introduces you to the basic principles of Pilates with a consistent warm up, weekly classes, and a variety of special topics to enhance your journey. And, it comes with an easy-to-follow calendar that will guide you through a clear progression and provide a foundation for healthy movement.
Watch the trailer to learn more. Support the activities you love to do in life by starting today!
About Elaine Economou
As co-founder of MOVE Wellness®, Elaine Economou helps people move with ease, strength, and joy. Her passion is empowering people to understand their unique bodies and build strength to support moving well through their unique life. Elaine has created Movement Essentials: Getting Started with Pilates to help people move well and live a life they love – wherever and whenever.
Find all of Elaine’s Sixty and Me blogs on her author page.
MOVE is thrilled to be partnering with Melissa Trauger to provide on-site physical therapy services at the studio to pelvic health and orthopedic populations.
“We know that a continuum of care is important to our clients as they work to get stronger and care for their unique bodies. Partnering with Melissa means that it will be easy for clients to have collaborative care right in the building. Working with a PT who understands the impact and scope of Pilates and GYROTONIC® exercise is the best service possible for our clients. Not only is Melissa a highly skilled orthopedic and pelvic floor specialist Physical Therapist, she shares our values and commitment to care for our clients. We could not be more excited to welcome her to the studio.”
—Elaine Economou, MOVE Wellness Co-Founder
“I am extremely excited to partner with MOVE Wellness to provide on-site physical therapy services to the pelvic health and orthopedic populations of Southeast Michigan. My mission is to improve and maintain your quality of life when it comes to your specific goals, as well as, to bring awareness to an aspect of life (ahem, pelvic health) that should be talked and taught about, early and often.”
—Melissa Trauger, Rhapsody of Motion Concierge Physical Therapy
Benefits of physical therapy at MOVE
Collaborating with area physicians and physical therapists is important to providing our clients an excellent continuum of care. Quite often, when clients are working through a particular issue in their body, it is helpful to work in partnership with their physical therapist (or another medical professional like a DO or Physiatrist) to provide manual therapy, assess injuries and collaborate on movement goals. Post surgical clients can benefit in particular. Our scope of practice is movement and working with healthcare professionals for diagnosis and care plans for post-surgery, neurological issues or pain is the best service possible for our clients.
Long time clients may recall our previous partnership with Julie Simpson of Mend PT so we know how well this kind of partnership can work. We are now so happy to be partnering with Melissa Trauger and Rhapsody of Motion to again offer PT services within MOVE. Melissa works independently inside MOVE Wellness studios, but is knowledgeable about the systems we teach. She is also an eager student of Pilates and GYROTONIC® exercise herself, which is key for us.
Melissa works with orthopedic issues and has a special focus on pelvic floor dysfunction. We know that this affects both women and men and can play a role in low back pain, and hip issues. Pelvic floor PT can also be part of the solution for imbalances throughout the body. At MOVE we work a lot to help people have a healthy functioning pelvic floor. So much of what we teach focuses on coordinating breath with movement and the pelvic floor is part of the musculature involved in breathing. Working with Melissa can help clients identify pelvic floor imbalances and learn to release the muscles and regain coordination. She will be a wonderful resource for our clients to help resolve a number of issues.
Meet Melissa Trauger
Melissa Trauger is a physical therapist who treats patients with the mindset that everything is connected in the chaos of the body. This view, along with her love of music, led her to finding the rhapsody within the human body. Both require many moving parts working in concert creating harmonious movement.
Melissa received her Doctor of Physical Therapy from the University of Dayton in 2016, and continues her education to diversify her skills when treating pelvic health and orthopedic populations. Her undergraduate was spent at the University of Michigan where she earned a B.S. in Movement Science. She followed that up with several years spent in Chicago working as a massage therapist and personal trainer.
When Melissa isn’t helping her clients relieve their physical pain, she spends her time with her husband, Ryan, and their dog, Coco. She enjoys writing and playing music, running, and providing comedic relief among friends and family.
Start Now
By partnering with MOVE, Melissa can promote early access to physical therapy through individualized care that includes manual therapy, neuromuscular re-education, therapeutic exercise, and more. Please feel free to reach out to Melissa directly via the contact information below to schedule a call and learn more!
Rhapsody of Motion Concierge Physical Therapy
Phone: 734-519-0020
Email: info@rhapsodyofmotion.com
Website: www.rhapsodyofmotion.com
Instagram/Facebook: @rhapsodyofmotion
Book your appointment directly with Melissa online, by email, or by calling 734-519-0020.
Now available at MOVE On Demand
Movement Essentials: Foundations in Pilates is a 28-day program designed to set you on a path to feeling stronger and more confident in your movement. Each week Elaine Economou will introduce you to the foundational principles of Pilates exercises with a warm up, weekly classes, and a variety of special topics to enhance your journey. The program comes with an easy-to-follow calendar that will guide you through a clear progression and provide a foundation for healthy movement.
Movement Essentials is the first step in understanding your body and getting to know your own movement patterns. If you are ready to add Pilates to your fitness routine, this program will set you up for long term success. If you are familiar with Pilates, you will expand your knowledge and understanding to deepen your personal practice. You’ll get stronger safely, effectively, and efficiently while building healthy habits and consistency into your fitness routine. All in the comfort of your own home.
Start here if…
- You have Pilates experience or have completed Movement Essentials: Gentle Pilates for Everyday Life
- You’re ready to move at a faster pace
- You’re looking to supplement your current exercise program with Pilates
What to Expect in the Program:
- To be challenged by a faster pace
- Practice using correct form to get the most out of an exercise
- Movements that support other exercise programs (walking, running, tennis, golf, etc.)
- Learning how to set a solid movement foundation
- Working towards a 20-30 second plank
- Completing the full Pilates hundred
- Moving the spine in all the planes of motion
What’s included in the full program?
Movement Essentials: Foundations in Pilates includes:
- A series of introductory topics to deepen your knowledge and set the stage for your personal journey
- 1 weekly warm up routine—make sure your body is ready for movement each week
- 2 weekly Pilates classes—customize your journey by doing each class once or twice each week
- 1 weekly special topics class—including feet, core, fascia, and posture
- 2 printable calendars—follow along and keep yourself accountable
Are you ready to start moving?
“The consistency and frequency of your workout routine builds positive outcomes.”
—Elaine Economou
Now more than ever, MOVE Wellness offers a complete solution to get you moving and keep you moving. By committing to this 28-day program, you are committing to yourself. Movement Essentials: Foundations in Pilates is now available for the introductory price of $99.99 at MOVE On Demand.
MOVE Wellness Studios offers Reformer Pilates classes in Ann Arbor, MI, led by experienced trainers.
Pilates is an excellent way for men and women of all ages and fitness levels to build strength and flexibility. In Reformer Pilates, the exercises are done on specialized equipment, called a Reformer, to provide more resistance and allow for the fullest expression of movement.
Reformer Pilates is highly adaptable; when done properly, it can be modified to accommodate injuries, build endurance for beginners, or challenge even the toughest athletes.
With that in mind, our Ann Arbor studio limits Pilates classes to six people to allow for more individualized instruction. A weekly group class is a great way to get motivation, support, and accountability!
We also offer private training sessions for those who want to work one on one and enjoy a completely customized Pilates experience.
What is Reformer Pilates?
Reformer Pilates is done on a rolling platform with springs that add resistance to your Pilates workout. This allows for more dynamic movement that can train many parts of the body in different ways.
The Pilates Reformer has a bed-like frame with a flat platform on it, called the carriage, which rolls back and forth on wheels within the frame. The carriage is attached to one end of the Reformer by a set of springs. Springs can be added or taken away to provide different levels of resistance as the carriage is pushed or pulled along the frame.
The Reformer gives you more options in how you do your Pilates exercises.
Pilates exercises can be done:
- lying down
- sitting
- standing
- pushing the footbar
- perched on the footbar
- perched on the shoulder blocks
- upside down
- sideways
- and more
Can beginners do Reformer Pilates?
Yes! Reformer parts can be adjusted to your body size and level of skill, so it’s a great option for beginners.
At MOVE Wellness, we make sure that everyone feels supported by first starting with a one on one or group Pilates Essentials class so we can familiarize you with the basics.
Is Reformer Pilates better than doing mat Pilates?
Mat classes tend to focus on core work and require you to support the stabilization of your body. Equipment like the Reformer, on the other hand, provides a frame to work within.
Because the Reformer provides some support, it may feel easier than working on a mat, but your Pilates trainer can make it more challenging by adding or taking away springs. Working on the equipment can also efficiently target and tone specific areas of your body.
The type of Pilates that works best for you will depend on your body and fitness goals. Our trainers can help make recommendations if you’re unsure which class(es) you should take.
How many times a week should you do Pilates Reformer?
We recommend practicing Pilates three times per week to support neuromuscular patterning and see the most rapid change in your body.
However, we recognize that barriers like time and finances may limit the number of sessions you can do each week. We’ll work with you to customize a plan that meets your needs.
Can you lose weight doing Reformer Pilates?
Pilates helps create long, lean, fit bodies. There are many ways that doing Pilates supports weight loss, but it is also recommended that clients also eat a healthy diet and incorporate some form of cardiovascular training to boost their metabolism.
Is Reformer Pilates more expensive?
All in-studio classes at MOVE Wellness are on mixed equipment and include all aspects of Pilates. Pricing depends on whether you do private sessions or small group classes.
Reformer Pilates at MOVE Wellness in Ann Arbor, Michigan
The MOVE Wellness fitness studio is conveniently located on Jackson Road near I-94 in Ann Arbor, Michigan.
We offer both private training and small-group classes for Reformer Pilates. Each session or class is led by one of our experienced Pilates trainers so you can have a safe and effective workout, regardless of your age, fitness level, or wellness goals.
The Benefits of Pilates for Men
What do you think of when you picture a Pilates class? For many, ‘Pilates,’ brings up images of leggings-clad women doing light exercises that look more like stretching than an actual workout — but that’s a complete misconception.
Although Pilates doesn’t incorporate intense cardio or heavy weights, it’s still a tough workout for men and women of all ages. In fact, some of the top athletes in the world incorporate Pilates into their routines.. Pilates works new muscles and movements, so it’s challenging without causing the strain some higher-impact workouts do. But whether you’re a pitcher for the Chicago Cubs or a retiree looking to switch up your workout routine, you can find benefits in Pilates.
Here are answers to some common questions about Pilates, its benefits for men, and a free Pilates workout you can try from the comfort of your own home.
Try even more Pilates classes with our MOVE On Demand Series: Building a Strong Core with Pilates for Men and sign up for our free 14-day livestream class trial.
What is Pilates, exactly?
Pilates is a safe, adaptable exercise method that can be done on a mat or with a specialized Reformer machine. It uses resistance and your own body weight to stabilize your core and strengthen your body. Pilates’ adaptability makes it great for all body types and fitness levels, while still being a challenge for even the toughest athletes. This form of exercise is an efficient, effective, and safe way to increase your flexibility, develop your core, and release tension.
Some men dismiss Pilates as a form of exercise because it doesn’t involve high intensity cardio or heavy weightlifting. But don’t let that fool you — Pilates is a great workout that corrects muscular imbalances and builds a strong and stable core, without the impact on your joints that extreme fitness can cause.
Can you gain muscle with Pilates?
Yes. Pilates helps lengthen the muscle and build strength for men of all fitness levels.
Is Pilates good for weight loss in men?
Pilates supports weight loss by helping to create a leaner, fitter body. However, for best results, men should combine Pilates with cardio and a healthy diet.
Do men do Pilates?
Yes, we have many men in our studio who enjoy the benefits of Pilates. Top athletes, including tennis champion Andy Murray and members of the Super Bowl-winning New England Patriots, also do Pilates.
What are some benefits of Pilates for men?
Here are some benefits of Pilates that men of all ages can enjoy:
- Improved flexibility: Flexibility is crucial. According to Harvard Health, it allows us to more easily achieve a full range of motion, which leads to both improved athletic performance (a smoother golf swing) and functional abilities (reaching and bending). Muscles get shorter and less elastic as we age, so exercises like Pilates that lengthen the muscles and improve flexibility are great for keeping you moving.
- Building strength: Pilates can be an effective strength training workout for all fitness levels; this exercise can be adapted to provide stability for beginners or provide a challenging workout for athletes.
- Alleviate pain and side effects of illness: Working the deep abs and pelvic floor can help alleviate back problems, and can be incredibly beneficial for men who have been, or will be, treated for prostate cancer. According to the American Cancer Society, the “chance of having prostate cancer rises rapidly after age 50,” making it especially useful for men in this age group.
- It supports weight loss: Pilates helps to create long, lean, fit bodies. There are many ways that doing Pilates supports weight loss, but it is also recommended that you eat a healthy diet and incorporate cardio to boost the metabolism.
- Safety: While high-intensity workouts are great for getting your heart pumping, they can be jarring on your joints and possibly cause injury. Pilates, especially when done with a knowledgeable trainer, is a safe, effective way to workout without the pain. It can be done as a standalone routine or worked into a more high-intensity regimen for variation.
- It can be done alone or in a group: Men still wary of trying Pilates (despite the endorsement of many professional athletes!) can start off with a private Pilates session. One-on-one sessions will put you in contact with a Pilates trainer who can give you individual attention and a great introduction to this workout that’s adapted to your current fitness level. At MOVE Wellness, small group classes are limited to six students to allow for personalized instruction.
How quickly will you see results with Pilates?
Everyone responds differently to Pilates, but if you maintain a somewhat regular practice, you’ll see changes quickly. According to Joseph Pilates, the creator of Pilates: “10 sessions — feel the difference, 20 sessions — see the difference, 30 sessions — have a new body.”
Pilates Workout for Men
This 20 minute Pilates workout will take you through exercises that will help with the tight hamstrings and shoulders that are common for men, but experienced by all. All you need is your mat!
Getting started with Pilates
Pilates can be done on a mat or with specialized equipment. Mat Pilates classes, like the 20 minute workout above, tend to focus on core work and require you to support the stabilization of your body. Pilates equipment, like the Cadillac or Reformer, gives you a frame to work within that is often more helpful than a mat, but can be more challenging when springs are added or taken away. Working on the equipment can also target and tone specific areas of your body very efficiently.
If you’re new to Pilates or fitness in general, it can be worthwhile to begin with a private Pilates session to get individualized attention and a more customized Pilates-based fitness program. You can also explore Pilates on your own and learn the Pilates basics with a beginners Pilates workout.
At MOVE Wellness, our memberships allow clients to individualize their experience by selecting from a movement menu of in-person, livestream, or on demand options, with the expert support you need to meet your goals.
Ready to give Pilates a try?
Call us today at 734-224-2306 to learn more or start now online. We offer private training and small group classes in our Ann Arbor, Michigan studio. In addition, take classes from the comfort and privacy of your own home with MOVE Online Class Options. There are even classes specifically focused on core exercises for men!
Pilates is a whole-body exercise system that was created by fitness and conditioning enthusiast Joseph Pilates more than 85 years ago. Whatever your conditioning goal, Pilates is an efficient, effective, and safe way to increase your flexibility, develop your core, and release tension. While the exercises in this system work out the full body, there is a focus on breathing well and engaging the core muscles to support balanced and efficient movement. Pilates is suitable for all bodies at any stage of life.
At MOVE Wellness we believe in community, in learning from one another, finding inspiration in our individual journeys, and supporting our clients and staff. We see so much growth within the larger Pilates community and a desire to honor the work as a system that can provide whole body health to those who practice it. The evolution and innovation of Pilates along with a strong desire to increase opportunities for everyone to access the system, makes it a great time to be a part of this industry. We do this work because we are a network of motivated individuals committed to changing lives through movement.
What is Pilates Day?
As an industry, the Pilates community has a shared passion for the work that Joseph Pilates created. Pilates Day is a celebration of that work organized by the Pilates Method Alliance (PMA). The PMA is a professional association for Pilates teachers whose mission is “to advance Pilates as a profession and to promote and perpetuate the teachings of Joseph H. and Clara Pilates.” Pilates Day is set aside annually for the community to come together and highlight this extraordinary movement system. Whether you participate by doing Pilates, teaching Pilates, hosting an event, or learning something new about Pilates, everyone is encouraged to join in and spread the word. It’s all about feeling connected to the Pilates community and celebrating a shared passion.
When is National Pilates Day?
Pilates Day is celebrated annually on the first Saturday in May. You can search online for events in your area. Or, celebrate at home with a free Pilates workout from MOVE Wellness.
Strengthen with Pilates is a great way to build strength using Pilates principles. Join Laura for just 20 minutes to feel strong and supported in your own body in episode 1 of Strengthen with Pilates. No props needed!
What are the benefits of Pilates?
Pilates can help strengthen the body and improve stability and mobility. These improved fitness levels can help prevent injury and give you greater ease of movement through a full range. This system can also relieve low back pain and the postural effects of sitting. It is a safe weight-bearing exercise that can mitigate symptoms of osteoporosis/osteopenia, and there is mounting research that Pilates supports a number of pathologies, postural issues, and is an effective method for whole body strengthening.
Whatever your conditioning goal, Pilates is an efficient, effective, and safe way to increase your flexibility, develop your core, and release tension.
Joseph Pilates said about the effects of his method, “10 sessions — feel the difference, 20 sessions — see the difference, 30 sessions — have a whole new body.”
Become a Pilates enthusiast any month of the year
It doesn’t need to be Pilates Day for you to try Pilates! MOVE Wellness offers Pilates classes and private training sessions all year round. Join us in-person at our Ann Arbor, Michigan studio, or online with MOVE On Demand and MOVE Livestream. You can also visit our YouTube channel for more free Pilates videos like the one above.
Contact us today to sign up for an introductory private session or start a FREE 14 day trial of our livestream classes. We can help you design a Pilates program to help you meet your individual needs and goals.