Joseph Pilates developed the Principles as the heart of his Contrology program. They are meant to be applied to all aspects of apparatus and mat work.

Join Founder/Director Lauren Stephen for this interactive workshop where we will continue to explore and apply the Principles!

These classes are appropriate for most levels of Pilates experience. As they apply the Principles to your Pilates workout, it is important to have taken at least 5 private sessions or at least 10 mat classes before taking this class.

Date: May 30th, 2008
Time: 5:30-8:00pm
Cost: $45 before May 16th. ($50 after May 16th.)

Instructor: Lauren Stephen
Level 3 Romana’s Pilates Instructor.

Call (206) 405-3560 to sign-up!

Buy 8 Private Sessions or 12 Semi-Private Sessions and receive our free gift: a free Mat-Madness package - 30 days of unlimited mat classes.

Offer good through May 12th.

Sign up at the front desk.
(206)405-3560

Course Open To:
This course applies Pilates principles to your personal workout and is appropriate for participants who have taken at least 5 private Pilates sessions, or a minimum of 10 mat classes. Please ask your instructor if you are unsure if this class is appropriate for you.

Course Description:
Joseph Pilates developed the Principles as the heart of his Contrology program. They are meant to be applied to all aspects of apparatus and mat work. In this workshop, we will continue to explore and apply those Principles.
· Expand and deepen your understanding of the Seven Principles of Pilates and how they apply to your workout.
· Hone your ability to focus and sustain that focus.
· Increase the efficiency of your workout to gain more profound and transformative results.
· Maximize the overall personal benefit of your Pilates program.

“Concentrate on right movements each time you exercise, else you will do them improperly and lose their value.” - Joe Pilates

Instructor: Lauren Stephen
Lauren has been dedicated to the work of Joseph Pilates since 1991, after struggling with acute ligament strain. Comprehensive training with Master Instructors Romana Kryzanowska and Sari Mejia Santo, led to her improved physical strength, and compelled her to help bring the true work of Joseph Pilates to the public. In 1993, Lauren co-founded what is now Pilates Seattle International. Lauren is a Romana’s Pilates Level 3 Instructor Trainer, and has brought her teaching skills to Spain, England and around the United States.

To Register:
Call 206-405-3560
Tuition: $50
Early Bird Special: $45 if paid by May 16th.

Location:
Pilates Seattle International Studio
413 Fairview Ave N, Seattle, WA

I became an acolyte of the highest order, though I was by no means actually very good at Pilates. (I am one of those unfortunate sway-backed babes with muscle memory in my legs and feet reaching way way back to the dark ages of gymnastics and ballet class. So the Teaser is never an effortless flow of grace for me, more like a grunting, shaking .) The changes to my body were evident and the compliments rolled in. Co-workers commented on the way that I walked. Boyfriends were delighted. Family and friends could be relied on for a steady stream of encouragement.

Then at the ripe old age of 46, I had a baby and since then, Pilates has become my life-line. There’s no question that my ability to carry my 8 lbs 12 oz baby girl to term with minimal - okay, well, let’s be totally honest minor discomfort has everything to do with faithfully showing up three times a week to my semi-private sessions. Rick, one of my long-standing teachers, guided me through my 7th month with colors (and a lot of leg springs.)

I recall the true wonderment in the night nurse’s voice as she helped me out of bed following the caesarian since I had relatively little problem. “My, my, you’re quite athletic, aren’t you?!”

I have to admit, getting back to Pilates was a major goal for me. And again, my teachers guided me carefully, reigning in my enthusiasm with caution, modifying my routine to safeguard against injury. Side splits were out of the question as was short spine, semi-circle, and my friend the teaser.

Then about a year after Kate’s birth, I realized I was stuck. Kate was a healthy, happy, tall and strong baby girl and she quickly put on the pounds (I’m happy to say that she’s hovered at 33-35 lbs for some time now), but ouch, it was a major strain on my back. In fact, my lower lumbar muscles spazzed out completely on the right side and my left hipflexor shut down to compensate. Ouch! Lying down on the reformer and having the teacher straighten me out felt like I was doing my foot-work nearly sideways!

At Lauren’s urging I started seeing Dan for Physical Therapy. At that point, it became clear to me that I had to start all over and learn the basics of scooping, of being aware of my powerhouse and using it in a completely new and different way.

Now nearly two years later (and a million leg springs later), I’m happy to report that my injury is well contained. Incrementally my powerhouse has strengthened so that as I add a new exercise to my routine I’m easing into it without pain or a need to force it to happen.

Who knew starting over was the only way forward?

Who should attend: Parents of newborn to pre-school age children.

Who is teaching: Teresa Shupe was certified in the Romana’s Pilates method at Pilates Seattle International in 1998. She has been dancing since she was a young child and has a BFA from Ohio University where her professional education in dance included studies in anatomy and kinesiology. She continued her studies of the moving human body by training in martial arts for the past 12 years. She currently holds the rank of black belt in the street fighting art Kajukenbo and is on the teaching staff at Seven Star Women’s Kung Fu. Teresa continues her studies of movement and anatomy by regularly attending workshops offered by notable Dance Professionals, Physical Therapists and Martial Arts instructors from around the USA.

Teresa was motivated to create this class for parents since having her daughter four years ago when she came to recognize the unique challenges faced by many post partum Moms. For many parents the desire to get back in shape, or get back to the gym, often loses against the reality of new time constraints, lack of child care, work, sleep, family demands, etc. From my own experiences I came to realize that caring for an infant or toddler is a physically demanding job for just about all parents. It takes some serious heavy lifting. Heavy lifting you say? That sounds like a work out to me!!

The goal of this class is to help parents recognize and implement simple exercises that are “hidden” in their every day chores related to caring for their infants and children. To learn to find opportunities for parents to stretch their muscles and be physically active with their children during the busy day. We will also review correct body posture and practice correcting awkward movements made while struggling with the large accessories that come with the modern child (car seats, strollers, cribs, etc.) and learn how to move them about with ease and efficiency.