Align Pilates® Minneapolis

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.

The healthiest picks for your weekend pleasures and indulgences.

Got to Have It
Windy Tree Yoga Pant

• What: Pants that flow wherever you go.
• Why: Whoa, Nelly!
• Where: Online at Etsy.

Bits and Bites
Origami Restaurant

• What: “The best sushi in Minneapolis.”
• Why: Finger food for busy hands.
• Where: Origami Downtown ~ 30 North First Street, Minneapolis / Origami West ~
  12305 Wayzata Blvd, Minnetonka

Around Town
Local-to-Global Jewelry Artist Mart

• What: Jewelry artists and designers from around town and across the globe show and sell their goods.
• Why: You’ll be charmed, I’m sure.
• When: Saturday, November 14th ~ 11:00 am – 5:00 pm
• Where: The Cargill Lounge at the Walker Art Center ~ 1750 Hennepin Ave., Minneapolis

I Think I Can
How to Work Out on Your Lunch Break

• What: Tips to help you squeeze in 30-minute power breaks.
• Why: Make your workout work for you.
• Where: Online at Shape.

Practice Makes Perfect
Save Your Bucks Sundays

• What: Workout with Align instructor trainees at discount prices: $5 Pilates mat, $10 Reformer and $15 Private classes.
• Why: Strike a pose, save a buck.
• When: Every Sunday.
• Where: Align Pilates Studio ~ 3021 Holmes Ave S, Uptown Minneapolis.

This song in particular.

For many different reasons.

Very Loud.

Props to the MJ.

Michael Jackson- Man In The Mirror

Watch an awesome performance.

It just keeps getting better. Pilates helps strengthen bodies. Now, it may even help support our drooping economy. Say what? Check out the recent Star Tribune article that addresses this very issue. If you have been considering a career path as a Pilates instructor, now may be the perfect time to jump aboard.

Don’t stop ‘til you get enough. Even though the economy is down, people aren’t giving up the things they truly love, like Pilates. So it makes sense that instructors are in high demand in the Twin Cities area, and many studios say that they can’t find enough. Local instructors can often charge up to $65 an hour, which is just one great reason to pursue this profession in tight times.

Help others help themselves. Pilates improves lives. It has become a favorite exercise routine among those who want to stop pain, rehabilitate after injuries, improve their overall posture and keep their bodies healthy. Through a regular Pilates practice, individuals learn how to activate their core muscles in order alleviate bodily ache and stress. By becoming a Pilates instructor, you can help fellow Minnesotans improve their quality of life while enhancing your own health and fitness.

Step right up. Don’t know where to go or how to start? You’ve come to the right place. Align Pilates is thrilled to provide top-notch instructor training at our licensed private career school. Our mission is to develop the best instructors through the most comprehensive training program in the mid west. Together, our directors have over 20 years of experience, and they are dedicated to providing a supportive and personal relationship with each student. At Align, you’ll receive more than just an education—you’ll gain a unique and thorough insight into the human body’s movements and capabilities.

See what your body can do to pull yourself out of the recession. Get more information about our Teacher Training Program on alignpilates.com.

This morning, I took my first Pilates reformer class.

As this was only my second experience with Pilates (the first being a mat class I took a million and a half months ago), it certainly does not come naturally to me. And at 7:00 am, it comes even less naturally. Ergo, I struggled with certain details, like figuring out where to put my feet, hands and limbs so I didn’t go flying off of the equipment and become the first woman ever to suffer a Pilates-induced concussion.

Luckily, I love a class that can laugh…both with me and at me.

When I walked into Julie Odderman’s class, I immediately admitted that I did not, by any stretch of the imagination, know what I was doing. Julie replied, “That’s really very okay.” She wasn’t lying. Throughout class, she was equally attentive to her four students, was quick to adjust and help correct our postures and, in my case, point us in the right direction. Literally. And all this with a smile and an optimistic joke. Her good humor and support kept the class enjoyable and lighthearted. And I indeed felt really very okay.

Thus, I managed to get through my first class without any significant bodily damage and I feel great. I’m already looking forward to the next session.

But the best part? When it came time for pushups, Julie went easy and allotted only three to me.

I think this is the start of a beautiful reformer relationship.

Cloud Cult – Pretty Voice

Listen now>

G. Love + Slightly Stoopid – Mellow Mood

Listen now>

Grand National – Peanut Dreams

Listen now>

The healthiest picks for your weekend pleasures and indulgences.

Bits and Bites

Let’s Dish ~ Heart Healthy Meals

• What: Got a crammed schedule for the upcoming week? Check out chef-created menus and order meals for next-day delivery, or pick them up at one of the Dish-n-Dash stores. Look for the Heart Healthy symbol.
  
• Why: Because you can dish it out and take it.
  
• Where: Online at Let’s Dish.

Got to Have It

OM Girl Indian Mendhi Tee

• What: A 100% organic cotton tee with an intricate Mendhi design.
  
• Why: Things that make you go Om.
  
• Where: Online at Von Maur.

Around Town

Get in Gear 10k Run, 5k Run/Walk, 2k Fun Run & 1/2 Marathon

• What: Minneapolis’ annual marathon that marks the arrival of spring.
  
• Why: You’re on your mark, set and ready to go.
  
• Where: Minnehaha Park Pavilion ~ 4801 Minnehaha Ave. South, Minneapolis
  
• When: Race Day: Saturday, April 25.
  
• Last Day Registration: Friday, April 24, from Noon to 8:00 pm at the Pavilion.
  
• *Note: There is no race-day registration!

I Think I Can

Motivational Wallpaper

• What: Browse for an inspirational desktop background by clicking on location keywords (think: Maui, New York, Oregon coastline).
  
• Why: Find your happy place.
  
• Where: Online at InterfaceLIFT.

The healthiest picks for your weekend pleasures and indulgences.



Bits and Bites

Matisse and Jack’s Bake at Home Snacks

• What: Customizable bite-size snacks made from the comfort of your own kitchen.
• Why: Home is where all muffin tops are accepted.
• Where: Find recipes online at M&J.

Got to Have It

Hardtail Roll Down Short

• What: A solution to your warm weather workout wardrobe woes.
• Why: We wear short shorts.
• Where: Available online at Londo Mondo

Around Town

Minneapolis Recycle Run

• What: A local 5krun and a great opportunity to recycle those old running shoes. Proceeds go toward watershed clean up efforts.
• Why: Run [for the] forest run.
• When: Sunday, April 19th
• Where: Registration takes place at the Lake Harriet Bandshell, 4135 Lake Harriet Parkway.

I Think I Can

Lance Armstrong Nike Commercial

• What: Watch one of the world’s most motivational men do what he does best.
• Why: Cutie patootie.
• Where: Online at You Tube.