Beautiful Body Pilates

Benefits Of Pilates

Pilates is the best, most body-friendly form of exercise. It doesn’t put any unnecessary stress on the muscles and joints and works to rebalance each and every muscle group in the body.

Additionally, it creates and increases strength and flexibility in the spine, which is essential in eliminating and preventing injuries.

Other significant benefits of doing Pilates include improved core strength and better posture.

Engage Your Core

For my fellow Pilates enthusiasts out there: I’m sure you already have a grasp on what the core is and the importance of keeping it engaged as we go about our daily routines. However, there is no better time than now to take in some old information in a new way and get back to the basics!

For simplicity’s sake, the core consists of the abdominal muscles and spine stabilizers. Of course, working all ab and back muscles equally is of high importance, but I’d like to suggest that putting a bit more focus on the lower abdominals is of even more importance. When it comes to overall strength, toning and stability work, the base of the rectus abdominis, the attachment points of the other abdominal muscles, and the pelvic floor are all superstars – essentially, the lower abdominals are the foundation of our ability to move. When it is strong and engaged, it gives us the look of a flat belly and helps stabilize the spine. This greatly improves mobility and range of motion while decreasing any present pain or stiffness in the lower back area.

For pregnant women or expecting mothers, lower core strength can help with childbirth recovery and throughout the labor process as well. Taking some time during your normal workout routine to give a little extra attention to the lower core will quickly prove to be beneficial to your overall fitness

Here are two of my favorite lower abdominal exercises to really focus on extra strength toning without going overboard:

Plank Variation

Set yourself up in a push-up position with your wrists in-line with your shoulder legs. Keep you legs stretched long behind you. Push into the floor with your arms and left leg while bending your right knee into the chest. Your right foot should hover above the mat. Hold this position for a moment and then straighten that leg back behind you. Keeping your foot above the floor, repeat this motion on the same side between 5-8 times. Then repeat on the other side.

The Roll up

While lying on your back, fully extend your legs outward while extending your arms over your head. Inhale and bring your arms up to the ceiling. Slowly exhale and curl your upper body off the floor. Continue rolling forward and begin to reach for your toes. After briefly holding inhale and reverse the movement. Remember to exhale as you lower back down to the starting position. Repeat 6-8 times.

Celebrity Pilates Instructor Nonna Gleyzer

A healthy body, in my experience, is one that appears natural. Apart from being properly ‘aligned, I believe that a person should look good in whatever clothing they may wear, whether it’s leggings for the gym or a cocktail dress for date night.

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Testimonials

“Nonna is tough and she always pushes me to my limit. She is fully committed to what she does. It’s hard work but I wouldn’t have it any other way”.

Gisele Bundchen

“Nonna! I love training with you because of your intuition and creativity. You are a true artist!”

Sting

“Nonna has really helped to change my body in a safe way. She has such a thorough approach at getting you in shape and keeping injuries away. Also she is the kind of person I love spending time with while I’m exercising!”

Natalie Portman

“Nonna has such a solid understanding of what she does and she is always great to work with”.

Tobey Maguire

“Nonna is fantastic! She brings enormous intelligence, experience, creativity and commitment to her work. Not only has my training with Nonna helped to heal my injury, Nonna has noticeably improved my overall physical health and appearance. My posture, my alignment, my flexibility, my strength, and my physical shape have all benefited. It’s wonderful to be able to train hard and get results while focusing on looking good and feeling good”.

Kerry Washington

“For Pilates, my favorite workout, I go to Nonna Gleyzer at Body by Nonna, and I can see my shape transform within a couple of sessions. That’s good because I’m that person who, after one class, lifts up her shirt and says, ‘Where are my abs?’ I want results!’.”