I Do/Don’t Push Through Physical Pain Because….

I don’t push through pain because I’ve done it enough to know that pain is a cautionary tale. In fact, the “No pain, no gain” mantra needs to disappear forever because it’s absolutely false. Pain usually means I’m doing too much, too fast, too soon and my body is about to go on strike. But in the past, while doped up on adrenaline, endorphins and youth, I’ve ignored all the pain signals that eventually landed me in the emergency room. Multiple times. And then I was relegated to rest and a boring regiment of PT exercises which really sucked as a professional dancer whose passions and income were wrapped up in my ability to perform.

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Purpose-driven Fitness Is…

Purpose-driven fitness is loving my body and loving myself. It’s sticking to a consistent exercise program that’s designed in alignment with my fitness goals, my current fitness level, and my learning style. But it also honors the way I love to move and feel in my body. It challenges my body enough to change it without injury. And each challenge teaches me about my ability to lean into awkwardness and self-doubt to discover what I’m capable of with consistency, time and effort. Purpose-driven fitness reveals my strength, tenacity, and resilience.

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I Prefer Gym/Home Workouts Because…

I prefer in-studio workouts but the pandemic has gotten me accustomed to training virtually at home. I love going into a Pilates studio for private lessons because it has all the equipment I can’t fit into my apartment but is integral to the Pilates Method of training. When lockdown began, all I owned was a Gratz Low Folding Mat, a Spine Corrector and some small props.  And I felt so lucky. I did RTL Mat 6 days/week and couldn’t believe how strong I got. Those 34 exercises ain’t no joke when it comes to delivering a sweaty, heart-pumping, full-body workout; especially when done in 34min. It really reinforced the value of intentional exercise, repetition, and moving your joints through their full ranges of motion.

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I Prefer Personal Training/Group Classes Because…

I prefer personal training or, as we call it in Pilates – private lessons. Why? Because I like a lot of attention! But it’s not an ego thing. I simply benefit more from a training program designed specifically for me and what my body needs in order to advance my practice – safely, effectively, and strategically. Private lessons ensure that I’m being challenged appropriately and getting direct feedback and modifications whenever necessary. Plus one-on-one lessons are an opportunity for me to ask all of my burning Pilates questions and work on specific exercises or movement patterns that challenge me the most. I can’t do that in the context of a group class because I have to play nice and share my teacher’s attention.

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Setting Fitness Goals Is Important to Me Because….

Setting fitness goals is important to me because it’s hard to create any type of lifestyle habit without a compelling reason for it. I prioritize exercise because mobility and longevity are important to me and I want to be as active as I can, for as long as possible. If I forget my “why?” there are a gazillion other things that can overrun my schedule and take priority; even a Netflix binge.

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My Fitness Goals Are…

My primary fitness goal is to simply keep moving and feeling comfortable in my body. For me, comfortable means “athletic”; constantly challenging what I’m physically capable of. Plus, exercise energizes me, inspires my creativity, sparks my productivity and puts me in a much better mood. And it makes me a more confident and better version of myself. That alone is #goals

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