So the saying goes, “March roars in like a lion….” and that we are doing with a fever pitch for #MarchMatness2016. Teachers and students around the world jumping into the fun of doing a little bit of Pilates everyday.I for one, have shot a lot of video in the past five days in addition to doing an hour of cardio each day after teaching. I am keeping my promise of wearing the ankle weights – just for the simple challenge of the work – and have incorporated the 2.5 lb ankle weights into my Intermediate and Advanced mat classes during the week.
Those students are loving the additional challenge, albeit with a little curse, “whoa” and then a giggle after the the first leg lift. The ankle weights provide a gentle “resisted assistance” to several exercises, e.g., #rollup and #neckpull and a little more feedback and “oppositional resistance” for overhead movements, #corkscrew, #overhead and #controlbalance.
I know I am going to be a new woman when this month is over. The first five days were pure joy!
Practicing Side Kicks into Fan Kicks
The other commitment I made to myself, was to master the Fan Kicks sequence that I learned from Blossom’s work with #KathyGrant. She said Kathy gave the Ailey Dancers that graced her classes, a little something special to do “so they wouldn’t fall asleep doing Side Kicks,” and this fancy move is just a hoot and the trick to keep you working the magic.
I am going on record, that I am practicing it so I can be proud enough to post for #SideKicks! …with the ankle weights, cause they definitely help in the grounding of the base leg.
A lamb, I won’t be when this month is over! #justsayin’ 😉
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Gina Jackson, is a classically trained Pilates Teacher and has been teaching along the Gold Coast of Hudson and Bergen County, NJ for the past fifteen+ years.
Certified by Power Pilates of New York, Gina has trained with Master Teachers Bob Liekens, Susan Moran and Brett Howard; loved workshop training with Cary Regan and Blossom Leilani-Crawford and has particularly enjoyed listening to the personal stories as told by Pilates Elders, Kathy Grant and Lolita San Miguel.
An active teacher and blogger, Gina manages a private personal training business supporting a myriad of clients, teaching all to honor their health, strength and life with the principles of Pilates at its core.