Inspiring Life from the Core

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Inspiring Life from the Core

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I Move My Body with a Flexible Mind – Teach From The Heart

written by Carol Crincoli, Pure Pilates Director

When stress and anxiety creep into our lives, the overwhelm can be daunting, even paralyzing. As a movement professional and a workout lover, I know that exercise not only benefits our physical fitness, but plays a huge role in our mental health and overall wellness.

When I was an “aerobics” instructor back in the early 1990’s, we were still believing and preaching the “No pain, no gain” philosophy. Nike told us to “Just do it” and it was “All In or Nothing” for Adidas. High energy, (let’s not forget high impact!) aggressive and fast paced movement modalities were popular. I remember the exercise high I would get, followed by aches, pain and fatigue. 

Don’t mistake my less than ideal memory of fitness a few decades ago and think that I now believe intense workouts are not worthwhile or that they can’t be enjoyable. My current workout schedule includes outdoor road cycling, spinning and HIIT (High Intensity Interval Training). They are weaved into my Pilates, stretching and barre classes, to create a well balanced routine that takes into account my body, my brain and my “fun meter.”

Moving your body should be enjoyable and your exercise choices – Fun! 

Scientifically, we know that when we exercise, our brain sends out chemical signals.  These signals or neurotransmitters are responsible for how we feel, how we act and how we behave.  There are approximately 100 neurotransmitters working in our brain, carrying out many functions. 2 of these signals are endorphins and serotonin and they are responsible for why we feel so good when we exercise.

So, if we understand that exercise will transmit a “feel good” signal from our brain to our body, why don’t we get out of our chairs, off our devices and move? 

For many, exercise is a chore. It is a task that gets added to the daily to-do list. I am here to offer some tips to reframe your beliefs about exercise and maybe, just maybe, raise that fun meter!

Let’s not call it exercise – There are days when I love a good workout, but sometimes our bodies just need to move. I tell my students all the time, “listen to your body, it just might tell you something you need to know.”  Being intuitive and checking in with our body can help to decide what type of movement your body and mind might be craving.

Get outside – Joseph Pilates reminds us,  “By all means never fail to get all the sunshine and fresh air you can.”  Walking and running outdoors or hiking in nature can reduce blood pressure and heart rate, boost your energy and mental clarity and clear your lungs. 

Try something new – I recently added “rebounding” to my workout options.  In the “old days” we called it a mini-trampoline, but telling my friends that I have a Rebounder sounds so much more interesting.  Investigate and review a new activity that might pique your interest and get you moving more often.  Plus, adding something new can increase the synapsis of the brain which is great for your concentration and memory.

 

Go virtual – We are staying home more than ever.  Why not enjoy the comforts of your home, commute to your computer screen and drop into a virtual fitness class.  Check out the variety of streaming services that are available to you.  Cardio, strength training, yoga, Pilates, barre – you name it and it’s there waiting for you with just a click of a button. Most have a free trial for 7 days to 30 days so you have nothing to lose!

 

Make it fun – Exercise does not have to be torture, unless that makes you happy! Finding movement that excites, energizes and sparks joy is the perfect equation for a successful and consistent workout routine.

 

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Katie is a passionate mover who was brought to Pilates through dance. After a professional dance career, Katie discovered her love of teaching-connecting the mind and body, and working with students of all ages and levels. Her appreciation and understanding of everyone’s ever changing body and needs only became greater as her own body went through pre and post natal stages, an experience which has helped Katie navigate problem solving, and bring a freshness to each session making them feel personal and specific to each body’s needs. Her sessions are full of flow and aim to challenge clients with a sense of comfort, and often a little humor, all of which she has brought to Pure Pilates since 2016. Katie thinks the gift of movement and self care is one of the best things one can do for overall wellness, and is thrilled to seek and fulfill milestones and goals with each of her clients. When she’s not at the studio, Katie is taking care of her three little humans- another job that also makes her smile, laugh, and challenges her on the daily.
Eighteen years ago I discovered my love for Pilates. After having my two children, I felt the need to move my body again. At the time I was living in North Carolina, and worked through many different exercise and training programs. I discovered Pilates, and instantly knew it was right for me. Forteen years later, and a move to New Jersey, I decided to share my love of Pilates with other people looking for some way to move their bodies. Pilates has also been a way for me to keep me strong and flexible to continue many activities. My family loves to be active, and I often find when we are all together (mostly vacations) our days consist of activity and movement such as hiking, kayaking, or skiing(more on this later). As I have gotten older I find it even more imperative now that I keep my body strong. Recently I was in a skiing accident that left me with many knee injuries and ultimately having to go into surgery. I found being able to do light Pilates a few weeks after surgery kept me sane and ultimately helped with recovery time. Pilates has not only helped me be able to keep up with my children, but has also provided me with a body that is able to function at peak performance. My approach to Pilates can be described in one, simple word: movement. Movement can help you, both physically and mentally. Movement, and Pilates, is ultimately about self care. Having a built in time to focus on your body and movement can help relieve yourself of feeling tired, anxious, and stressed. Movement awakens you. Even after one session you can leave feeling calmer and energized.
Enjoyment of life through movement is a vital part of Kathy’s philosophy. When not in the studio she leads an active lifestyle trail running, cycling, skiing and hiking. She also loves connecting with people while traveling with family and friends. One of her favorite cycling trips was riding along the coast of northern California. Learning new things and sharing knowledge is also important to Kathy. She has a passion for food, likes to cook for her family and experiment with new recipes. She is currently trying to achieve the perfect pizza. She is also an avid reader of historical fiction and biographies. Her latest endeavor is learning to play golf.
Carol M. Crincoli, owner Pure Pilates studio, has been in the fitness industry since 1990, with experience in corporate and commercial fitness, recreational programming and teaching as an adjunct professor. She began practicing Pilates in 2003 and received Pilates training through the PhysicalMind Institute in New York, NY. She holds certifications from the Pilates Method Alliance (PMA) and the American Council on Exercise (ACE) as a group exercise instructor, personal trainer and lifestyle and weight management consultant. She was also accepted into the IDEA-PFT Recognition System as an Elite Level Personal Fitness Trainer. She is the only trainer in the NY-metro area for Trent McEntire’s Arcus equipment. Carol graduated from the Boston Conservatory of Music with a BFA in musical theater and a minor in dance. Opening Pure Pilates is the culmination of a lifetime dream, and her mission to "inspire life from the core" is a holistic approach to health and wellness—from exercise and nutrition, to stress management and self-care. Carol is also the inventor of 8th Avenue Rail, an organizing solution for Tower springs.