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HAVE YOU TRIED THE REFORMER?

As we move out of the winter months we might want to put a spring in our step by upping our physical game. With the best of intentions the winter simply doesn’t lend itself to a lot of physical exertion due to dark nights and cold mornings. After winters gestation period spring is an opportunity and a time for rebirth. It’s a chance to look at the world through fresh eyes and also try something new.

When it comes to exercise I like to switch up my routine as we enter a new season. To be honest I get bored and I love to challenge my body by switching up my classes.

I’m a huge fan of Reformer Pilates and I can credit these classes with helping me to regain my post baby body a few years ago. It’s been quite a while though since I took a class though but I decided to return to Pilates Performance Ireland (PPI) in Dundrum and see if the passion was still there.

reformer pilates, positively physical, exercise, full body workout, pilates performanceThe Reformer is a bed like frame with springs and straps attached! Don’t let that frighten you because the best thing about this exercise is that your back and body are supported by the bed at all times which is great for me as I have a bad back from a car accident. The Reformer gives you a full body workout and it also helps to build a very strong core. Half way through the class I felt a huge smile appear on my face as I realized just how much I missed these classes.

I felt grounded and really connected to my body as the instructors encourage you to really use your breath with each movement. It’s a potent destressing exercise for many reasons. The deep breathing helps to calm your central nervous system and the movements help to really move your energy through your body. Your circulation gets a boost, your spine and muscles are stimulated and of course those feel good hormones wake up and start to flood your body too.

Because of the strong focus on core strength your balance and posture will also be improved and in an age of computers where we sit at desks for long periods of time I welcome any exercise that helps with that. Your flexibility will also increase and what I like is that it really helps to give you a lean shape and stretches out the muscles as opposed to bulking them.

IMG_1893 Pilates Performance Ireland offer a wide range of classes suitable for all levels and abilities. You can also book personal sessions which I would advise anyone who has injuries or back problems to do as the owner Sarah MacLachann who is a Pilates master is excellent and can really help you to get to the root of your problems and work slowly with you to build your strength back up.

**As printed in Positive Life Magazine

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COVER OF RUDE HEALTH MAGAZINE

I WAS DELIGHTED TO BE ASKED TO APPEAR ON THE COVER OF (read more here) RUDE HEALTH  AND SHARE MY TIPS AND TRICKS OR SURVIVAL TECHNIQUES!!

 

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VIP COLUMN – The Benefits of Looking After Number One

James was sick and then I became ill with the worst virus imaginable. It got me thinking yet again about our health and wellbeing. We can’t do much about a bug except let it run its course but in general we can do a lot about our day to day habits. This column is for the Mummies. After all if we’re not feeling good a domino type effect is unleashed throughout the whole family.
During pregnancy we focus on our health and wellbeing like never before but then when the baby comes we tend to neglect ourselves completely. I could write the book on tried and tested. From any and every exercise or new super food, I’m your woman! Lately though I’ve managed to find a few things that get results and make me feel good. Finding time for everything is always a problem. Being self-employed and a single mum it really is a daily balancing act. The early mornings coupled with staying up late working always has me reaching for the coffee but recently I was introduced to matcha green tea. It has the same effect as coffee but it’s also an antioxidant superfood that calms the nervous system, aids focus, stabilises the blood sugar and can even help weight loss. This tea comes in powder form and I even find the process of making it quite therapeutic. I add it to yogurts, make milk shakes out of it and it can even be used as a facemask so the benefits are endless.
Walking and fresh air for you and your kids has enormous benefits as well because the great outdoors helps to kill off bacteria and if our recent weather continues well there’s no excuse so get outside! I’ve been doing reformer pilates which is using a machine as opposed to the mat and the results have been fantastic. It lengthens and tones but also incorporates breathing so it’s good for the mind, body and soul. We need to start thinking of our health as a package therefore just eating well or just exercising is not enough. A little of everything is far better than a lot of one thing. You need to take care of yourself from the inside out.

I LOVE:

Koyu organic Japanese matcha green tea, €17.95-€27.95 depending on strength. Visit www.matcha.ie

JAMES LOVES:

These MorEPA high quality omega 3 fish oils, which are essential for kids as they play a crucial role in brain function, growth and development. €19.95

ASK ALISON:

Hi Alison,
I’ve heard you talking about Reformer Pilates recently. My time is limited but like every Mum I want to get back in shape. I have a bad back and had a section. Is it safe for me?
Martina, Dublin

Hi Martina,
There are huge benefits to doing Pilates post natal, we all want to be yummy mummy’s but our body/posture may have changed so much during the pregnancy, where do we start?

Pilates (especially Pilates done on the Reformer) helps mums restore tall posture, improve muscle tone and start working muscles again that we may have switched off during pregnancy e.g. gluts

Sarah MacLachlann from Pilates Performance Ireland recommends doing 2 to 3 reformer classes a week which I do. If you had a C Section or have Diastasis Recti (separation of the abdominal wall) the Pilates reformer is a safe and effective place to start exercising again. I’ve tried everything and I really feel the reformer works. I have had amazing results in inch loss too. www.pilatesperformanceireland.com (01) 4957797

LITTLE BLACK BOOK:

Aromatherapy massage has great benefits for both you and your child. Patricia Sheridan an aromatherapy practioner from lavenderlane has been working with me lately on an array of problems and I have found it very helpful. It can help with PND/depression, sinus congestion, menstruation and much more. Children who are touched and held grow to be really confident adults also. The word “aroma” means smell and “therapy” means a treatment designed to cure.

Massage is used in Aromatherapy to assist the passage of essential oils into body. Aromatherapy can also be used during pregnancy for morning sickness, emotional imbalance, Variosce Veins, Haemorrhoids, Stretch marks, Backache and Constipation. Essentials oils can be used in the labour ward to help relax the mother and also inhaled during contractions. Visit www.lavenderlane.ie

MOTHERS LITTLE HELPER

Try to meditate for 10 mins every day. Meditation can bring many spiritual and mental benefits. It brings peace of mind and real abiding happiness. It can also help reduce stress, relief from anxiety, tranquillity and help you to achieve your goals.

/0 Comments/by
,

VIP COLUMN – The Benefits of Looking After Number One

James was sick and then I became ill with the worst virus imaginable. It got me thinking yet again about our health and wellbeing. We can’t do much about a bug except let it run its course but in general we can do a lot about our day to day habits. This column is for the Mummies. After all if we’re not feeling good a domino type effect is unleashed throughout the whole family.
During pregnancy we focus on our health and wellbeing like never before but then when the baby comes we tend to neglect ourselves completely. I could write the book on tried and tested. From any and every exercise or new super food, I’m your woman! Lately though I’ve managed to find a few things that get results and make me feel good. Finding time for everything is always a problem. Being self-employed and a single mum it really is a daily balancing act. The early mornings coupled with staying up late working always has me reaching for the coffee but recently I was introduced to matcha green tea. It has the same effect as coffee but it’s also an antioxidant superfood that calms the nervous system, aids focus, stabilises the blood sugar and can even help weight loss. This tea comes in powder form and I even find the process of making it quite therapeutic. I add it to yogurts, make milk shakes out of it and it can even be used as a facemask so the benefits are endless.
Walking and fresh air for you and your kids has enormous benefits as well because the great outdoors helps to kill off bacteria and if our recent weather continues well there’s no excuse so get outside! I’ve been doing reformer pilates which is using a machine as opposed to the mat and the results have been fantastic. It lengthens and tones but also incorporates breathing so it’s good for the mind, body and soul. We need to start thinking of our health as a package therefore just eating well or just exercising is not enough. A little of everything is far better than a lot of one thing. You need to take care of yourself from the inside out.

I LOVE:

Koyu organic Japanese matcha green tea, €17.95-€27.95 depending on strength. Visit www.matcha.ie

JAMES LOVES:

These MorEPA high quality omega 3 fish oils, which are essential for kids as they play a crucial role in brain function, growth and development. €19.95

ASK ALISON:

Hi Alison,
I’ve heard you talking about Reformer Pilates recently. My time is limited but like every Mum I want to get back in shape. I have a bad back and had a section. Is it safe for me?
Martina, Dublin

Hi Martina,
There are huge benefits to doing Pilates post natal, we all want to be yummy mummy’s but our body/posture may have changed so much during the pregnancy, where do we start?

Pilates (especially Pilates done on the Reformer) helps mums restore tall posture, improve muscle tone and start working muscles again that we may have switched off during pregnancy e.g. gluts

Sarah MacLachlann from Pilates Performance Ireland recommends doing 2 to 3 reformer classes a week which I do. If you had a C Section or have Diastasis Recti (separation of the abdominal wall) the Pilates reformer is a safe and effective place to start exercising again. I’ve tried everything and I really feel the reformer works. I have had amazing results in inch loss too. www.pilatesperformanceireland.com (01) 4957797

LITTLE BLACK BOOK:

Aromatherapy massage has great benefits for both you and your child. Patricia Sheridan an aromatherapy practioner from lavenderlane has been working with me lately on an array of problems and I have found it very helpful. It can help with PND/depression, sinus congestion, menstruation and much more. Children who are touched and held grow to be really confident adults also. The word “aroma” means smell and “therapy” means a treatment designed to cure.

Massage is used in Aromatherapy to assist the passage of essential oils into body. Aromatherapy can also be used during pregnancy for morning sickness, emotional imbalance, Variosce Veins, Haemorrhoids, Stretch marks, Backache and Constipation. Essentials oils can be used in the labour ward to help relax the mother and also inhaled during contractions. Visit www.lavenderlane.ie

MOTHERS LITTLE HELPER

Try to meditate for 10 mins every day. Meditation can bring many spiritual and mental benefits. It brings peace of mind and real abiding happiness. It can also help reduce stress, relief from anxiety, tranquillity and help you to achieve your goals.

/0 Comments/by