E2 | DAYTON DAILY NEWS TUESDAY, DECEMBER 13, 2005 Healthy Life ESSENTIAL INFORMATION ON MEDICINE AND WELLNESS 24\/7 Flexibility of Pilates is willing to meet you at your level Pilates involves several styles of exercise designed to stretch, strengthen and balance the body, in conjunction with focused breathing patterns. The benefits include greater flexibility, strength and lung capacity. Developed by Joseph H. Pilates in the 1920s, Pilates has long been practiced by dancers and athletes, but it can also safely be used by disabled individuals, senior citizens and people who are recovering from surgery or injuries. Its popularity has exploded in the United States in recent years. Kathy Anderson-Herman owns My Pilates Studio, 8100 Miller Farm Lane, in Centerville. The studio uses equipment that focuses on movements of the spine, increasing flexibility, muscle-lengthening and core stability. Anderson-Herman says that she had tried other forms of exercise but wasn?t satisfied with the results. As a longtime weight trainer, she became interested in Pilates several years ago. ?After my first session, I remember an all-over ?warm? and relaxed feeling. After a few sessions, I was hooked,? she says. As Anderson-Herman continued taking classes, she realized that she had found a form of exercise that was like no other, and she began to train to become an instructor. ?The change that took place in my body as I continued the Pilates was what I had been looking for all along. It was fun, and I looked forward to each workout.? Pilates is not only an exercise for the body, but it is very beneficial for the mind, as well. The required focus and specific breathing patterns make it relaxing and meditative. Pilates can be as simple or as challenging as you want, which makes this form of exercise perfect for anyone. The variety of exercises available through the equipment and props keeps Pilates fun, challenging and a form of exercise that you actually look forward to doing. ?My clients range from athletes to seniors to your average person wanting to be fit and improve their quality of life,? Anderson-Herman says. ?Pilates for me has become a lifestyle. People always ask me, ?Does Pilates really make you taller?? I tell them that it gives them a leaner, stronger body with better flexibility and a healthier posture. The way that they will carry themselves after doing Pilates will make everyone ask, ?What have you been doing? You look taller, healthier and more relaxed.? ?We spend so much money on clothing and cosmetics ? neither of which actually benefit the health of the body. Pilates will give you a new view on life and how you feel about yourself. Pilates is a gift I give myself often because without it, even a new dress doesn?t give that feeling of wellness and a renewed self-esteem.? Anderson-Herman says Pilates can be challenging for athletic people, too. ?For athletes who think Pilates isn?t real exercise, we will create a whole new appreciation for Pilates. We will give them a workout like they?ve never had, and they?ll go ?Wow!? ? At My Pilates Studio, instructors are trained in Stott Pilates, which puts a greater emphasis on how specific muscles are used, particularly with regard to the lower back and core muscles. The studio offers more than just Pilates. There is a yoga room, ballet classes, massages and facials, nutritional counseling, aromatherapy and even a break area. My Pilates Studio offers private training for individuals or group classes, with a variety of classes for all fitness levels. ?A Pilates class should be focused on a particular person,? Anderson- Herman says. ?It can be challenging or rehabilitative, but it should be all about you.? For more information, go online to www.mypilatesstudiodayton.com or call 438-5151. For the Dayton Daily News ? 2005 Marjie Gilliam RIC FRANCIS\/ASSOCIATED PRESS PILATES WORKOUTS can be intense ? but only if you want them to be that way. PILATES ALSO FUNCTIONS as a meditative, relaxing exercise.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
E2 | DAYTON DAILY NEWS TUESDAY, DECEMBER 13, 2005 Healthy Life ESSENTIAL INFORMATION ON MEDICINE AND WELLNESS 24\/7 Flexibility of Pilates is willing to meet you at your level Pilates involves several styles of exercise designed to stretch, strengthen and balance the body, in conjunction with focused breathing patterns. The benefits include greater flexibility, strength […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":264,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"ngg_post_thumbnail":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-5","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news"],"yoast_head":"\n