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Pilates is practiced world wide and has gained popularity in recent years, spurred in part by growing evidence for its health benefits. Hundreds of studies have suggested that Pilates breathing techniques may benefit people with a wide range of medical conditions, including COPD and for post -COVID pulmonary support.
Pilates combines sequences of slow, flowing upper- and lower-body movements with breath awareness and a variety of thinking skills that include focused attention and imagery. It’s highly adaptable and therefore ideal for people with different fitness levels. You can do Pilates on a Reformer, a special Stability Chair or while sitting in a sturdy chair, on your bed or the floor. For example, you can extend your legs, move them from side to side, or lift them, even when you’re sitting. The Reformer does help support the limbs so you can focus on your core without hurting your back and neck. As well, the Reformer is a special raised mat so you do not have to worry about getting up and down off the floor.

Studies suggest that Pilates can help people boost their ability to walk and do other types of exercise, as well as improve their quality of life. The benefits are thought to arise from the combination of movement, breathing, and relaxation.
The movements safely and gradually strengthen the heart and major muscle groups. The deep breathing exercises enhance oxygen uptake, which can ease breathlessness. Finally, the meditative aspect of the practice helps lower stress.
Hour-long classes cost $15 for ZOOM , $18 for in-person and  $21 for a drop-in. Wear loose, comfortable clothing and footwear is not required. Check our schedule for what works for your life and contact us. Free Virtual and in-person consultations are available by texting us at 204.999.9984 to create a health care plan that includes Pilates. Pilates is considered an umbrella treatment under Physiotherapy so book with the physio to recover it under insurance.

April is Stress Awareness Month in Canada. That feels odd to say. All of us are already very aware of stress. But the problem is that for the longest time, stress was seen as something to get rid of, to spend energy hammering away at purging it, eliminating it. Stress has always been known to cause headaches, stomach aches, insomnia and depression. Not so long ago, you were supposed to suck it up, do your work and not complain. But then researchers began to discover links between elevated levels of stress and all kinds of serious diseases, like heart disease and diabetes. We can not get rid of stress; your mind sees all stimulus as stress.

What we can do is choose better thinking styles about stress and practice the embodied exercises and breathing we teach at the studios to eliminate the negative effects of that stress. What strategies work for you, to keep you strong and resilient? Getting your cells to move, to create fluid exchange and then training the base muscle and then the bigger muscle and then doing cardio is a great 4 step recipe for success. Your mind will flow with your body; your body with your mind!

“Strength doesn’t come from what you can do. It comes from overcoming the things you thought you couldn’t.” ~Rikki Rogers

Happy New Week and new month! This month’s series is about consciously choosing how we want to feel regardless of our circumstances.With self-awareness, we unlock access to choice: we get to choose how we respond, who we are being, how we are feeling. The practice of intenSati is the embodiment of consciously calling up a renewing emotion and experiencing it fully.

In this month’s intenSati classes, you’ll find a cardio series that will allow you to embody the energy of gratitude so that you can look for possibility, train your brain to welcome adversity and bounce forward no matter what life throws at you. You’ll also find a stretching sequence designed to promote positivity in the body and remove mental and emotional blocks, as well as a closing meditation that will help seal all of this month’s work in.

This month, which emotion are you choosing regardless of your circumstances?

LUNGtivity is a special exercise program, coordinated by the Lung Association, for people with lung disease. We will be offering classes and will be able to help you tap into other community resources.

LUNGtivity is a community based education and  exercise program for people with lung disease from COPD, pulmonary fibrosis, bronchiectasis,  pulmonary hypertension, chronic bronchitis, CF, emphysema, or lung cancer, and suffering post COVID breathing/lung issues. New evidence is emerging that indicates up to 50% of COVID survivors who require hospitalization will have long term lung issues that are  similar to those with lung disease, such as shortness of breath, fatigue, weakness, de-conditioning, flare-ups and lung infections. While no one knows if COVID related lung issues are reversible, get worse or improve, this exercise based rehab will play a pivotal role in regaining function and enjoying activities of daily living (ADL).

This program  is  even for someone with an oxygen tank. Patients must be able to adhere to their medications as prescribed and identify symptoms of a flare up and know when to seek medical attention. We assist clients in all of this and in setting up an action plan with their family physician or respirologist to assist in the event of a flare-up. Self management is the concept of giving clients the tools they need to take control of their own health and wellness.These skills are important factors in their ability to manage their lung disease.

There is a warm-up, cardio strength, stretch and cool down portion for a 30-45 min class on Zoom and maybe one day back in person. We practice breathing techniques & relaxation techniques as well. It is 8 weeks 2X per week and pre-registration is required.

BENEFITS:

*increased endurance
*increased functional status
*increases independence with ADL
*decreases severity of dyspnea (shortness of breath)
*improves quality of life
*join a helpful and supportive community
*helps decrease anxiety/depression
*improves sleep patterns
*helps maintain weight and regular appetite
*improves balance and decrease risk of falls

It is not necessary to have a doc referral or to be in or have taken the Pulmonary Rehab program.They can contact the studio directly to register at this email or text 204.999.9984

Cost is income driven, based on ability to pay. No one is turned away. They need high speed internet, chair, mat, water to sip, pillow, a charged cell phone with
charging code near by.

Classes start the week of Tuesday April 6 and Thursday April 8running  8 weeks until till May 27. Call to register yourself or someone you love and want to help thrive.

Click here to find out more.

What do you Fight with Fitness? Anxiety? Depression? Weight Gain?

Loss of muscle strength? It is your spirit and mindset that makes fitness medicine so share your stories and pics with us! Get your heart in the game and inspire others to show up in their own lives to make fitness and exercise medicine!

We have a variety of emotional, spiritual and physical fitness class choices on Fridays for you, like intenSati for uplifting moves and meditation, MELT for fascial training and Pilates for strength gains.

Click here to sign up for Fight it with Fitness Fridays

United in support with Cancer Care for cancer prevention and creating cancer care programs

Click here to read about Pilates & Cancer

How many of you have tried positive affirmations in the form of vision boards, journalling and in front of your mirror?

It’s your spirit, your intention, your energy that makes exercise medicine. Call that up. Get your heart in the game!

Join us for uplifting fitness, mixing some adaptable cardio (you can do it sitting down in a chair) with yoga, Pilates, marital arts fun and call and answer affirmations, locked and loaded in at the end with a moving meditation. This month the theme is about choosing something you want to upgrade, not something immediate, that takes a bit of time and “Being Energetically Aligned “in your heart, mind, body…sneak peek…

I am love in action
I enjoy life now
I make the best of things
All is well