Through acknowledging the deep connections between mind, emotions, movement, and optimal health, Pilates classes at The Smart Body offer a distinct Somatic Advantage.
A Somatic approach to Pilates, yoga, dance, and exercise acknowledges and understands the deep relationship between movement and behavior. It acknowledges the body as a thinking, feeling, and knowing entity onto itself. In this sense, the body comes equipped with thousands of years of its own genetic wisdom that can be tapped into for support. Therefore in any Smart Body class, the mind and body have a sense of equality and work together as a team, leaving room for the wisdom of the body to better inform the mind on multiple levels. Practicing any movement through the lens of Somatics not only helps us to recognize the physical sensation as information, but also emotional “feeling states”, psychological belief systems, and trauma as opportunities to practice being true to our own nature; our more authentic selves. The Smart Body™ Way movement classes incorporate “touch and talk” in an effort to bring the body into consciousness and the mind to its senses. Ultimately, the somatic advantage of The Smart Body™ aims to unify, integrate and coordinate the many individual elements that create a sense of wholeness, health, ease, and longevity.
Smart Pilates-Play
For students who have mastered both Heal and Move class series and are comfortable using anatomical terms, body systems, and other somatically based tools. Exercise transitions, class flow, and pace are all emphasized. We strive to become more balanced while challenging how mobile our stability can be. With a commitment to having fun, an open mind, and consistency, you will notice marked improvements in integrated strength/flexibility, balance, efficiency, breath capacity, and body awareness.
Smart Pilates-Move
Learn how movement can support the optimal functioning of the body. We will explore how breath supports movement, and therefore posture. Core support is defined, so we not only become better at Pilates, we become better at moving through life. While some might qualify this class as more therapeutic, functional movements (standing, sitting, “bending-over”, walking, squatting, pushing, reaching, and pulling) are added to the classical Pilates repertoire so that what we learn in class is easily applicable to the movements and sensations we create outside the studio. This class is perfect for those who are challenged by chronic pain, injuries, illness, conditions like Arthritis, joint replacement, childbirth, or having to sit at a desk all day! You will leave class feeling invigorated, energized, and easy in your body and mind.
Classes are held at The Cancer Support Community in Walnut Creek.
Osteo-Pilates
Did you know that one out of every two women over the age of 50 has low bone density (either Osteopenia or Osteoporosis)? With adults over the age of 60 representing the fastest growing population segment in the U.S., everyone should understand how the risks and needs of our aging bodies change over time. For those in this group, average abdominal exercises might be completely undermining your health and longevity!
Osteo-Pilates is a modified Pilates class designed to accommodate anyone with low bone density. Learn how to age powerfully and gracefully while building bone and improving posture, balance, strength, and flexibility.
Classes are held at The Cancer Support Community in Walnut Creek.
The Smart Body Pilates is experienced on many levels
BENEFITS OF THE SMART BODY PILATES
The Smart Body™ Pilates is steeped in the embodiment of developmental movement principles (how the human body has evolved over thousands of years as well as how we mature from embryo to adult).
Students will learn about the anatomy of the living body, how it is designed to move and how to use Pilates-based movement to support rather than undermine this design.
We will learn how to support movement through all body systems (organ, fluids, endocrine, immune, nervous, cardiovascular, respiratory, skeletal, fascial, muscle)
Every class involves a look at the relationship between mind, breath, and posture. You will learn how to cultivate stability
In this way we acknowledge the body as an ever-developing and evolving organism; thinking, feeling, and knowing entity itself. This knowledge gives you the education and freedom to know how, when, and why to modify ANY movement in exercise and life.
Practicing Pilates through this lens not only helps us to become mindful about physical sensation, but also the emotional “feeling states” where we can get stuck, the psychological belief systems that limit and hold us back, and trauma. Awareness of the living body provides opportunities to live more optimally; with less pain, more ease and confidence, joy, independence, and spontaneity.
ENHANCES PHYSICAL FUNCTIONING
Promotes muscular strength, power, and endurance
Increases flexibility and range of motion
ENHANCES PHYSICAL FUNCTIONING
Elevates mood
Boosts mental clarity and focus
Cultivates sensorial awareness
Fosters a conduit of inner-connectivity and outer-expressivity
Generates energy and “zest” for life
Builds confidence through exploring each individual’s sense of “inner resilience”
ENHANCES MOTOR LEARNING
Develops core bodily control
Creates better static and dynamic posture
Nurtures a greater sense of body awareness
Cultivates coordination
Supports the development of well-balanced stability and mobility
WHAT IS PILATES
Joseph Pilates’ method (originally called Contrology) is believed to be adapted from his experiences studying martial arts, boxing, Greco-Roman wrestling, and gymnastics. It is typically used to tone deep abdominal muscles, improve the support of the lower back, relax tense muscles, increase flexibility, and improve breath and posture. These movements are based on awareness building, body conditioning, and postural alignment. As a rule, regular practice of Pilates yields a progressive improvement in breath, core support, body/mind control, health, and wellbeing.
WHAT IS SOMATIC
Soma means body in Latin, so somatic means of the body, and is most often used in connection with one's health.
