Align Pilates® Minneapolis

After the excesses of the holiday season, many of us want nothing more than a healthy start to the new year. However, we all know that motivation can be an issue during the dark, cold days of January. But here at Align, we get it! And we’ve designed a two-week winter cleanse that will snap you out of your malaise and get you focused on balancing your body, mind and spirit. Starting on January 20, join a group of like-minded people who are committed to a healthy shift in priorities. Align’s second annual winter cleanse will kick off on Friday evening with a two-hour nutrition workshop, where you’ll learn about healthy and safe ways to detoxify the body through food. Superfoods and meal planning will be discussed, and you’ll leave with a variety of recipes to help fuel you through the program. The Align cleanse has been designed to help you reset your metabolism, build your immune system, create flexibility and increase your circulatory system and heart rate. Through yoga, barre class and Align’s exclusive Prana Stretch technique, you’ll emerge from the program feeling centered, strong and healthy. Sign up now–only a few spots left!

Touch and movement have been used since the ancient times to enhance well-being and to heal. The power of touch is what helps us make connections to the world and each other. Being the earliest of the five senses developed when we are in the womb and after birth we continue to grow and thrive by receiving touch.

Dr. Dacher Keltner, a psychology professor at the University of California, Berkeley, has found that the power of touch is much more profound than we might have realized. Dr. Keltner reports on a wave of studies that have documented incredible emotional and physical health benefits that come from touch throughout our life suggesting that touch is truly fundamental to human communication, bonding, and health. He continues that touch is our primary language of compassion, and a primary means for spreading compassion.

To maintain health we need sleep, good nutrition, water, air, sunshine, exercise and love. Compassion is an aspect of love. By caring for ourselves we have more to give to others. Taking time to reward your body and mind with a recharge of energy to renew your senses. One way to refill our cup is by receiving a massage. Many are finding out the many health benefits to receiving a massage:

• Improving circulation
• Relax and soften injured, tired, and overused muscles
• Increase joint flexibility
• Enhance immunity by stimulating lymph flow—the body’s natural defense system
• Improve the condition of the body’s largest organ—the skin
• Release endorphins—amino acids that work as the body’s natural painkiller
• Lessen depression and anxiety

Studies have shown significant biological changes as the result of a single massage! With so many kinds of bodywork there is something for everyone. At Align we offer Pranassage, Thai massage, Indian Head Massage, and Reiki.

- Mary Sullivan CMT

The ballet barre workout is sweeping the nation, yet the appeal is not new. Ladies have long lusted after the lean and poised physique touted by dancers. And while you don’t want go so far as to kill for a ballet bod, like Natalie Portman’s rather disturbed Black Swan character, you may be interested in bellying up to the barre to see what you can do.

Align’s very own Barre Class uses many of the movements that you already know in a new way—even if you’ve never donned a pair of toe shoes. Combining the stretching and toning movements of Pilates and yoga, the strengthening and sculpting principles of ballet plus an energetic cardio workout, you’ll target your arms, tummy, butt and thigh muscles. The small focused movements are meant to tone without adding undue bulk. No tutu required.

Finally, a bar that’s belly-friendly.

L-O-V-E. It’s the positive four letter word. And even though the Valentine’s Day hoopla may leave you saying other four letter words that we won’t repeat here, we hope that you reserve the L one just yourself. Whether your V-Day plans consist of dinner with a sweetie or an overdose of boxed chocolates and sappy reruns, we highly suggest taking some time to give a little love to you. And what better way to give yourself a big wet-sloppy than indulging in a juicy Prana Stretch class. After desert, or once you hit that chocolate with the icky pink gooey stuff in the middle, slip into something a little more comfortable and join us for Align’s second annual special Valentine’s Prana Stretch Class.

And since nothing says L-O-V-E like F-R-E-E, that’s exactly what you’ll get: 15 minutes more of Prana Stretch Class at absolutely no additional cost. Surrender to the stretch. And Happy Valentine’s Day, you sexy thang.

Special V-Day Prana Stretch Class at Align

• Monday, February 14th
• 8:30 pm – 9:45 pm

Whether or not you’ve seen Black Swan, chances are you’ve seen a ballerina; you’re familiar with the beautiful long and lean look that dancers obtain via their daily regimen of toning, strengthening and posture-improving moves. Well, Natalie Portman is not the only one creating a ballet buzz around here. Enter Align Pilates. The studio has recently installed a ballet barre in anticipation of its brand spankin’ new Cardio Barre class. Get ready for a high-energy workout that builds muscle, burns fat and helps you strive toward that ballet bod. Align’s Cardio Barre class combines:

• Stretching and muscle toning movements of Pilates and Yoga
• Strengthening and sculpting principles of ballet
• PLUS a cardio workout

The class has yet to make its way onto Align’s schedule, but it will be there soon. We promise. Align is working on creating a top-notch repertoire and schedule that will get you toned for the winter thaw that is soon to come. And if you are interested in doing a little preparatory leg work to see what a barre workout is all about, check out a few of these super sculpting ballet moves, as documented by iVillage Health. You’ll see that you don’t need to squeeze your tootsies into toe shoe or your junky trunk into a tutu to strive toward that sexy swan look—Align’s Cardio Barre is great for all body types and workout levels. It’s about knowing what the moves are and how to do them right. Just as Natalie. And stay tuned for more details on upcoming Align Cardio Barre classes!

I’ve been thinking a lot about posture lately because, truth be told, mine is pretty bad. For 8 hours a day, five days a week, I sit hunched in front of my computer. If you do the math, that’s not only 40 hours of work time, but it’s also 40 hours of spine-crunching, neck twisting and back wrenching sit time…and that’s not even counting the quality-couch time I spend with my laptop lover almost every evening. By then end of the day, I feel like ol’ Quasimodo. I need better posture STAT! And I have a hunch that if you are reading this right now, you do too.

Lucky for us, there’s a 15-minute routine that can help straighten us out, even while we sit at our desks or spend time in our cubes. It all starts with paying attention to our sitting habits. Then, with a combination of shoulder rolls, a few simple yoga moves, like Pyramid and Chair Pose, and some side bends, we’re on the road to proper form.

So long, Quasi. We’re bringing sexy back.

Would you believe me if I told you that one workout routine has the power to give you an energy boost, flatten your midsection, strengthen your back and improve your flexibility…all while sitting down? Probably not, right? Well prepare to be amazed. If you haven’t been introduced already, it’s time you got to know Gyrokinesis.

Gyrokinesis is a seated workout routine that adopts many of the same graceful and energetic movements found in Pilates, yoga, dance, swimming and Tai Chi. In a Gyrokinesis class, you sit on a low chair or stool and move in there-dimensional, circular movements. These movements target your core muscles, allowing you to shape and strengthen your abs and achieve a greater range of movement. The ultimate result is a taller, tighter, leaner you.

This Prevention article gives the scoop on Gyrokinesis and the benefits this workout routine has in store for your body. Got the scoop and want the goods? Align offers Gyrokinesis classes that are open to all levels of movement. Try a class this week and understand first-hand the genius of Gyrokinesis.

Do you find yourself on edge and wanting to avoid certain situations like they are dentist appointments, or do you have so much self-confidence that you fantasize about being the leader of the free world? Do you know what you want when you want it and aren’t afraid to say it, or do you prefer to keep your emotions tactfully bottled up inside? Are you an ‘Ernie’ or a ‘Bert’? Besides giving insight into your, eh-hem, ‘special’ personality, your answers to these questions could say a lot about your chakras. Yes, your chakras. Everybody has them, seven of them, to be exact.

Chakras are otherwise known as centers of energy that run along the midline of your body. Each one of them corresponds to an emotional or mental characteristic. Some of them are open and active like a seven-eleven, and some are shut up tight like…well, use your imagination. The key is to find out which ones are working overtime for you so that you can strive toward emotional and mental balance. Now wouldn’t that be nice.

Per usual, we are here to help. Here’s an excellent chakra test that will help you see which of your energy centers are wide open (or active), which ones are closed (under active) and how to kick those under-achieving buggers into high gear. And, as luck would have it, Align has introduced a new Yoga Chakra Series so you can put it all into practice. It starts June 17th so you have plenty of time to figure out what these chakra thing-a-ma-jigs are really all about.

We are pleased to announce that Align’s Summer Boot Camp Series is back…and it’s bigger and badder than ever! This year’s new and improved series offers Kettlebells, Pilates Mat classes AND outdoor cardio classes at Lake Calhoun. And just to make sure you get the most out of your experience, we’ve also added a camp kick-off Yoga class, a nutrition workshop, a special closing Prana Stretch class plus UNLIMITED floor classes throughout the entire series. All this means you’ll get toned for your summer tan, and there’s no tent, flash light or fear of chiggers required. Now that’s my kind of camp.

What: Align Pilates Summer Boot Camp Series

When: June 7th through June 25th
Visit the AlignPilates for class times and rates.

Where: Align Pilates Studio / Lake Calhoun

Boot Camp is limited to 20 people. Sign up today!

The Temper Trap – Sweet Disposition

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