Ain't No Mountain High Enough

To improve your upper body strength, try the mountain climber exercise. Start in plank position without allowing your hips to sag. Be sure to pull in your powerhouse and place your hands directly under your shoulders. Next, pull your right knee toward your left shoulder. Slowly straighthen your leg, return to the starting position and try on the alternate side. Aim for four sets of ten repetitions. For a variation of this exercise with the stability ball, click here.

Create a Home Practice

Some of you may have wondered how or where to start in creating a space for home practice. The space for home practice doesn't have to elaborate, just carve out a bit of space in your home that can be solely dedicated or easily converted when necessary. As you can see from the picture, I chose to dedicate a small space near a large window in my home to practice pilates. It’s just enough space for my mat and any equipment that I choose to use. Although not necessary, it is helpful to have a mirror in this place so that you may check your form.

If you have created a place in your home for practice, share your tips for success with us by posting a comment.

Girl about Town

Some of you have probably wondered how I came to pilates. Well, the truth is that I was in search of flat abs without crunches and a movement-based exercise like belly dancing. I decided to try pilates and it was unlike any workout I had ever tried before! It toned the small, hard-to-work muscles like triceps and provided great results. You can probably guess what type of results caught my attention. Yes, a flat belly! In the beginning, there was so much to learn but I stuck with it because it’s a challenging, full-body workout that does not require equipment. It’s also lots of fun and makes me feel strong! So, in short, that’s my story.

How did you get started? To share your story, post a comment or send me an email.

Break a Sweat

Regardless of what politics you may practice, it is a time of change and renewal, in light of the Obama presidency. Millions watched as Barack Obama was sworn into office because he promises change and specializes in getting people involved at the grassroots level. Before he began his presidential campaign, he was asked why he wanted to become president. He answered that he wanted to be of service.

Saturday, June 6, Flat Belly Pilates will also serve by offering free pilates sessions to support HIV prevention efforts by raising funds for YouthAIDS. YouthAIDS is an organization that seeks to reach 600 million young people in more than 60 countries with life-saving messages, products, services and care through the use of media, pop culture, music, theatre and sport to stop the spread of HIV.

You can help by joining Flat Belly Pilates for a FREE 30-minute pilates session and donating to the cause. Although classes are free, a minimum donation of $25 to Youth AIDS is greatly appreciated and will be used to stop the spread of HIV/AIDS among the youth. To check availability of free sessions on June 6, please send an email to mail@flatbellypilates.com.

Break a sweat for charity!

New Session Packages

Flat Belly Pilates introduces a three-session package. Save $30 with the purchase of the single three-sesion package! In one weekend you could begin to decrease stress, strengthen your core and improve your posture. The new price list is below.

Single	Duet
1 session for $60	1 session for $80
3-session package for $150	3-session package for $225
10-session package for $450	10-session package for $675

Celebrate Pilates Day!

Don’t forget to celebrate Pilates Day! Pilates Day is an annual, international, community event celebrated on the first Saturday of May every year. The Pilates Day mission is to foster the public's appreciation and awareness of Pilates.