So what is Yoga-Pilates Fusion?
In a nutshell, yoga will develop a flexible body and calm mind, Pilates will develop core strength and is excellent to alleviate and prevent certain kinds of back pain. Yoga-Pilates fusion brings the advantages of these two kinds of exercise together so you don't have to choose between the two. The first class in the new course just took place today, Tuesday Feb. 7th at 9.30am in the beautiful Spotlight Studio on Main St. Arklow. New courses will be starting soon on Wed and Thursday morning at the Ananta Yoga Studio and Friday morning at the Gorey Holistic Centre. This is a perfect time to start. You can drop the kids off to creche or school and have your workout completed by 10.30, ready to head to work or home to chill out before picking up your little one again or into town for a well-earned latte before you get back into action again. Keep an eye on the schedule at http://www.therapyandyoga.com/timetable.html for new classes always make sure to text before joining a new class as timetable always subject to change.
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That's right! A whole new schedule of classes with yours truly starts this July at KB Fitness on Fitzwilliam St. in the posh D2 part of town. KB Fitness is right in Dublin City Centre with a range of fitness classes, amazing instructors and now of course, a full schedule of Yoga, Pilates and Yoga Pilates Fusion classes.
Check out the full schedule here http://www.kbfitness.ie/yoga-and-pilates.html and call KB Fitness directly on 01 6629723 for details. Here's my profile on their site http://www.kbfitness.ie/trainers.html. Spread the word folks!! Liam B. People in my classes are often asking me what the diffeence is between Pilates and Yoga so here are a few words about the fundamentals of each and why you would want to choose one over the other.
Yoga is different to most forms of exercise in that it emphasizes the synchronizing of breath with movent, it includes balance exercises and inversions (poses where you are upside down) with a heavy emphasis on flexibility. Pilates also emphasizes the synchronizing of breath with movement but is unique for its emphasis on the building of core strength together with correct alignment of the spine. A typical yoga class will lead to greater flexibility than a Pilates class and will tend to improve balance more because of specific balance exercises and inversions. A typical Pilates class will tend to improve and maintain back health better than a yoga class because more of the class will focus on exercises to strengthen core and to maintain neutral alignment of the spine. A typical Pilates class will tend to focus more on your mid-section, toning up and strengthening the area around the abdomen, the tummy and the lower back. Yoga has a more global focuse and so does not focus so much on core and mid-section. Pilates has more of a musculoskeletal focus while yoga pays as much attention to the effect of poses on internal organs and on your state of mind, with attention drawn inwards or towards the breath. A yoga class may include some meditation and relaxation while a Pilates class tends to be all physical exercise. I hope this helps clear up the differences a little bit. I teach and practice both, finding them a perfect complement to each other. Of course to really understand the difference you need to come and try out a couple of classes, so check out our timetable if you would like to experience what the diffrence really is. Trial classes are always free. Look out for some Youtube clips coming soon to demonstrate some obvious differences between the two. Liam B. Who hasn't heard the name Pippa Middleton over the last few weeks? Suddenly Kate's little sister is nearly as famous as she herself is. Wedding fans and celebrity spotters alike were amazed at this hitherto relatively unknown lady's beauty and trim figure. Now Pippa has revealed her secret which you can read in her own words. It turns out that her Pilates routine is an absoulute must a 'weekly necessity' and while she leads an overall sporty lifestlye, Pilates has certainly made a difference to that all important area of core strength located around the bodies mid section.
To hear all about it in her own words just follow the link to yahoo lifestyle. Not that we didn't know this already, but nice to see the evidence in someone with such a high profile. To learn more about where to do Pilates here in Wicklow, Arklow and Gorey check out our timetable and contact pages or email info@therapyandyoga.com, txt or call 086 408 2428. In recent years, particularly since the MBT revolution and the popularity of power walking, many companies have begun to claim that the design of their trainer will actually tone up your legs, buns/glutes just be wearing them while walking. The claim by Reeboks Easytone trainer has been refuted by the ASA but this doesn't take away from the fact that so many people are still looking for a way to get that extra burn in those particular areas. I love my MBTs, although I haven't really used them in a while and I can't say anything one way or the other about the Reebok Easytone, however, what I do know is that certain yoga and Pilates exercises are super effective for targeting these areas. Particularly in these snowbound days when a power walk really isn't an option.
So which poses are best to tone up the glutes in particular? Well, most variations of the Locust pose will do this. Lying face down, lift and stretch your legs away behind you and hold for 3 to 10 breaths. You can do one leg at a time if you want. Chair pose or Awkward Pose are two more which strengthen legs and tone glutes. Pilates Leg Pull Prone with leg lifts is also a powerful strengthener for the glutes. Of course the best way to learn these exercises is from a trained and qualified instructor and every new exercise regime should be discussed with your health practitioner. Enjoy the snow and don't forget to tone up and burn those glutes the holistic way! This is a very common complaint both for people coming to yoga / pilates classes and for acupuncture / massage therapy. Stress is so often held in the shoulders as a protective response to stress and over months and years can lead to chronic upper back pain.
Thankfully this is very easy to remedy and to prevent. Acupuncture and Tuina massage work with or without a combination of relaxing cupping therapy is not only an effective way of relieving this kind of stress but is also a very rlaxing and enjoyable treatment. But what happen after therapy? If you go back to your old habits then over time the same chronic pain will begin to develop. With a few simple yoga stretches and Pilates movements this can be easily avoided. Yoga Eagle pose is the most effective to target that tight area between the shoulder blades. Add to this a Pilates spine stretch and the effects can be miraculous in preventing future pain. Both these simple exercises can be done sitting in a chair or even in the driving seat if your car is (fully) stopped in traffic. If you have time at home to do a short 5 to 15 minute routine with some additional simple exercises (Swan dive, Spine Twist, Cat Pose, Dolphin Pose) then not only will the results on the upper back be better but your mood will also lift, you will breathe better and sleep better. If you would like to discuss this or a similar issue, please don't hesitate to contact us on 086 408 2428 or info@therapyandyoga.com If you have a medical issue please consult with a medical professional. This blog is informational only and is not intended for self-diagnosis or as a substitute for professional medical advice. From Monday October 4th will be starting a new Hatha class at the beautiful Ananta Yoga Studio, just off the N11 at Kilbride Co. Wicklow. The Studio is brand new, really gorgeous, only opened this year and is really becoming popular with its great selection of teachers and excellent cafe (the Romany Stone) just downstairs. My class will be 6.30 to 7.45pm each Monday with prices as in Arklow and Gorey.
Check out the studio at www.anantayogastudio.com and email me at liam@therapyandyoga.com or call 086 408 2428 if you would like to join the class. Will also be teaching Pilates here from November on. Finally found a great place to tech Yoga and Pilates in Arklow. On Main St. next to the Avoca / Wexford Rd round about. The Spotlight Theatre Arts Academy has hard wood floors, excellent lighting and is warm and spacious - just perfect for excercise classes and the best place I have seen in Arklow so far. Tuesday night classes will begin here from October with morning classes (schedule still to be decided) starting from November.
You can join anytime, no experience necessary - Yoga Stretch from 6.45 to 7.45pm (Hatha Yoga) and Yoga Fit 8pm to 9pm. Call me on 086 408 2428 to express interest or email me on liam@therapyandyoga.com. |
AuthorLiam Byrne, Yoga & Pilates Instructor, Acupuncturist, Physical Therapist, Sports Massage Therapist, Archives
January 2016
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