Happy New Year!

Hello everyone and Happy New Year! Hope you are well and looking forward to a wonderful 2012.

I'm excited to tell you about two new classes I'm starting at the new Yoga Rooms location in Salford, just outside the Manchester city centre on Tuesday evenings. A rehabilitation/beginners class will be from 6:05-7:35 and an intermediate/advanced class will be from 7:45-9:15. Obviously I have had to let my drop-in class at Studio 25 go (see last post) but will hopefully be taking a few of those folks with me! All equipment is provided so just bring yourself in some comfortable clothes. There is secure parking and the studio is located next to Salford Central Rail Station should you find yourself coming by train- there's a good map on the website highlighted above. At the moment both classes are on a drop-in basis at £8.50 but will soon change to block booking once the classes start filling up. If you are a client of mine already your first class is free.

Hope to see you in class soon!

Best,

Alexandra

New drop-in Pilates class at Studio 25

Starting this Tuesday, September 13th, I'll be teaching a drop-in Pilates class from 6:30-7:30. It's at Studio 25, in the heart of the Northern Quarter in Manchester. All levels are welcome- I aim to make this a casual yet challenging class that doesn't require pre-registration or previous Pilates experience. It's just 8 pounds on the day, cash only. Email me if you have any questions regarding the class....hope to see you there!

Alexandra

alexandraxsmith@gmail.com

Pilates and Reformer Studio

Located just outside Manchester in the town of Warrington is the Posture Fitness Pilates and Reformer studio. This is where I've been sneaking off to once a week for wonderful reformer classes. Being a Pilates teacher doesn't necessarily mean that we do what we preach all the time, however, if you don't keep on top of your practice it's not only your body that starts to suffer. Your teaching can become bland and repetitive no matter how much you read or study. I've learned so much in just a few sessions: things that either I've forgotten since my training or modifications that weren't covered in my course. Even just hearing someone else explain the same exercises you teach everyday can have a positive effect on your teaching and help you to fully express yourself to clients. And it's so nice to be on the other side and just sit back and let someone else do the teaching! Just thought I'd share this with you in case you're in the area...I highly recommend it.

- Alexandra

Swiss Ball Workshop!

I'll be running a swiss ball workshop at the Yoga Rooms in July- make sure not to miss it!

It's Saturday, July 30th from 12-3. Price is 25 pounds (20 pounds for concessions) and notes will be given to you on the day for you to take home to remember the exercises. You don't need to bring anything but yourself- everything is provided for you. This is a perfect opportunity to learn new exercises, even if you've been doing Pilates for years. I have tailored it to be suitable for all body types so there's no excuse- get your booty to class!

Following the workshop I will be running a trial 6 week swiss ball course at the same location on Sunday's from 5:15-6:45, first class being on August 7th. You must sign up for the whole 6 week course to attend, so the workshop would be a perfect opportunity to see if it's for you or not. No experience in Pilates or yoga is necessary.

The Yoga Rooms is a lovely little studio in Chorlton, located in the heart of the town amongst lovely shops and cafes- ideal if you have to travel for the workshop and are looking to make a day of it. Please don't hesitate to get in touch if you have any questions about the workshop, directions, or classes in general.

Hope to see you there!

Alexandra

Starting Your Day Right

Joseph Pilates studied many types of movement, from yoga to tai chi, boxing and gymnastics. This not only makes Pilates a great exercise for all sorts of activities, it means that you can apply Pilates techniques and principles to a variety of movements.

The Vinyasa yoga Sun Salutation is a great way to start your day, here are some links to help you out. I would suggest watching the video and then printing the diagrams out to keep next to you in case you forget what you're doing!

How To Do a Basic Sun Salutation on Howcast

Click here for the diagrams!

Video I like

I'm always hesitant to follow exercise videos, especially Pilates videos, because I find that a lot of them focus more on 'feeling the burn' rather than finding your alignment, working with your breath and creating a deeper connection with your body. Admittedly my research is minimal, but what I have seen is enough to put me off videos. Hopefully there's a wonderful collection out there that I haven't come across yet....you guys know of any good ones?

However, I did very small bit of research today and found a little tid-bit I'd like to share with you. Her demonstrations and explanations are clear and informative without overloading the viewer with too much information. To view more from her collection it'll cost you money, but from what I've seen I think it could be a good investment if you need a little inspiration in your practice or teaching.

Here's the video. Also check out the other sections such as cooking, which look pretty good too!

Take care,

Alexandra

news, updates and thoughts

From the lack of attention I'm currently giving this blog, you would think I never consider posting, however, that's not true. I think of posting all the time. You know when you think of doing something so often, put it on your to-do list and even compose drafts/create serene writing scenarios (I'm usually looking quite hipster sitting in a coffee shop, writing about my amazing Pilates career in my 'dreams') and truly believing I'll 'do it tomorrow'? Well, it's the day after yesterday so let's get started....

The first month at Ellesmere Pilates has been pretty good. Shona and I really only told a few friends and clients so numbers were on the low end, however, it gave us a chance to get a feel for teaching in the studio. Advertisements will go out in the area soon as we're ready to start bringing in more people. If you or your friends live in the Chorlton area give us a shout- we'd love to see you in class!

I've also started teaching a pregnancy class at The Yoga Rooms on Sunday evenings. We've just ordered a new lot of swiss balls so on Sunday evenings you will find me along with 12 lovely pregnancy ladies bouncing around trying to find our balance and stabilizing our pelvic girdles. The class is good fun and a lighthearted/energizing way to end the weekend and help cure the Sunday blues.

Also, I've been reading a great book about Postnatal fitness. It's "The complete Guide to Postnatal Fitness" by Judy DiFiore. It not just for Pilates teachers either- it is written in a very informative manner that could benefit a whole range of teachers and women alike. Any woman that has had a baby in the last 2 years, or is going to have a baby soon will love this book- and teachers, well, it's such a good refresher and idea book for new exercises.

Lastly, I'd just like to share a bit of something I've been thinking of lately, and that's the idea of bartering your services. Trading isn't something we do very much anymore, but in this economy it can really come in handy, especially with Pilates teachers and the like. I've come into this business at an economic low where people aren't as willing to splash out on things like they used to. I hear it a lot, 'I would love to come, but I just can't afford it". I understand, because I can't afford to go to lots of classes myself! I was reminded of this the other day when I was getting my hair cut. We were casually chatting, as you do, about things when it came up that I teach Pilates. Turns out he loves Pilates but can't make it to classes at the moment for both time and financial reasons. It was then that I envisioned a perfect working relationship: me with perfectly cut fringe everyday and him with amazing posture all day whilst cutting hair. How great is that? We should all be shouting our talents more these days.....speak up next time you're at the hair dressers, babysitters house, spa or any social gathering. Not that everywhere you go has to be a networking adventure, but make sure you have business cards packed because you never know who you'll run into. It doesn't even have to be something you have a degree in or do professionally. Above all, it's just a nice thing to sit and have a think about your talents, the things that could possibly improve your life (also the people involved, of course) and if they are interchangeable somehow. At the very least, it will just provide a bit of perspective on your 'employable' characteristics. Oh, and money is taken out of the equation, which is, in it's own right, very refreshing and creative.

Hope everyone is enjoying Spring in all it's glory and of course the bank holidays, if you're on this side of the pond. I'll be back very soon with more practical Pilates advice for you practice:)

Take care,

Alexandra