Kick-start 2009 with Pilates to increase core strength, flexibility, and postuer. Pilates is an excellent form of exercise not only for kiteboarding, but for all sports and activities that require balance, strength, flexibility, and endurance. I start the first in three series of Beginning Pilates courses in Hood River on January 6th. There are still spots open! I also start a Tower Pilates class at Flow Yoga Hood River on January 5th. Information on both series is below.

Beginning Mat Classes:

Instructor: Tonia Farman. Classes take place at 1020 Sherman Street in Hood River.  To book, email Patricia Railton: wprailton@embarqmail.com

Series 1: Tuesdays & Thursdays at Noon
Jan. 6, 8, 13, 15, 20, 22, 27, 2
Starts: January 6th

Series 2: Mondays & Wednesdays, 9:30-10:30 am
Feb. 9, 11, 16, 18, 23, 25, March 2, 4
Starts: February 9th

Series 3: Tuesdays & Thursdays, 5:40pm-6:40p
March 12, 17, 19, 24, 26, 31, April 2, 7
Starts: March 12th

Tower Pilates Class: Mondays, 8:15am

Instructor: Tonia Farman. Tower classes take place at Flow Yoga Hood River.  Call 541-386-YOGA to sign up.

What is a "Tower" class?
Here the student performs mat exercises along with exercises utilizing the "tower".   The "tower", originally designed to fit inside of a doorframe, is bolted both to the wall as well as to the floor, and houses numerous springs and bars.   This workout utilizes the spring tension to both aid and challenge the student as he/she strengthens his/her powerhouse. Often one of the most popular pilates classes!

What is Pilates and why should you take it?

Pilates emphasizes the balanced development of the body through core strength, flexibility, and awareness in order to support efficient, graceful movement. What is core strength? It is the balanced development of the deep and superficial muscles that stabilize, align, and move the trunk of the body, especially the abdominals and muscles of the back. These are specifically the muscles that we exert about 75% of our strength for kiteboarding.

I added Pilates to my athletic repetoire because of the results that I got from it. It increased my core strength so much that I can now execute every board grab in the book, except for two where I'm limited by arm length. It not only changed my athletic performance, it changed how I sit, stand, walk, and go about my day. In actuality, I could say that Pilates changed my life!

What are the benefits of Pilates?

longer, leaner muscles (less bulk, more freedom of movement)
improves postural problems
increases core strength, stability and peripheral mobility
helps prevent injury
enhances functional fitness, ease of movement
balances strength & flexibility
heightens body awareness
no-impact, easy on the joints
can be customized to suit everyone from rehab patients to elite athletes
complements other methods of exercise
improves performance in sports (golf, skiing, skating etc.)
improves balance, coordination & circulation

Which Pilates Method do you teach?

I have trained through, and teach, the Stott Pilates Method. This method incorporates modern exercise principles, including contemporary thinking about spinal rehabilitation and athletic performance enhancement. It has been refined by a team of physical therapists, sports medicine and fitness professionals as one of the safest and effective Pilates methods available.