The studio is now open by appointment only, with small group classes resuming in August.
Please contact the studio by email info@victoriapilates.ca for more information.
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July 6, 2020 Covid Update
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Author Archives: Susan
Victoria Pilates Winter Holiday Closure 2019-2020
Each year, we close our doors for two weeks so that both staff and clientele can enjoy the holiday season. This year our closure will run from Sunday, December 22 until Sunday January 5th. Regular classes will begin at the same time as the school year, on Monday, January 6th.
While the holidays are filled with delicious food and drink, as well as visits with family and friends, it’s important to remember to take time for health and wellness (especially when Pilates classes are not running!)
If you’re looking for ways to keep up with your Pilates practice over the holiday break, please check in with an instructor (or pick up a copy of one of our books) for tips on how to keep up with your Pilates routine over the holiday break – And to help with those New Year’s resolutions, we’ll be offering Core classes starting in mid-January to help jump start your health & wellness regime for 2020!
Lisa’s New Adventures – Goodbye from Victoria Pilates
After 15 years being an integral and invaluable member of the Victoria Pilates family, Lisa has decided it’s time to pursue other opportunities and experiences. Her eldest son Simon is in his first year of university, and her younger son Liam is active in soccer, baseball, baseball and track, and is also only a year from graduating.
Lisa is now ready to take on some new adventures with her life and her family. We are very happy and excited for her; she will be greatly missed, and we hope to see her regularly in the studio working out.
Victoria Pilates Staff Biotensegrity Workshop
This May, the Victoria Pilates staff participated in an intensive full day biotensegrity workshop. Biotensegrity is a newer way of understanding the anatomy of the human body on a functional and scientific level.Developed by R. Buckminster Fuller, tensegrity is a physics and architectural principle that explains compression and tension within structures. Applying this idea to the human body, orthopedic surgeon, Dr. Stephen Levin, began to research and develop the concept of biotensegrity (bio, meaning ‘life’ + tensegrity). The human body is made up of various biological structures, including muscles, bones, fascia, tendons and ligaments, all combined within a system of tension and compression.
Through this development, many movement professionals have evolved the way they think about movement and human anatomy. Though an understanding of biomechanics is still important, biotensegrity places a strong importance on the structural understanding of how muscles, ligaments, bones, and organs work together in a system.
This concept helps movement professionals understand how to help their clients preserve joint integrity and avoid loading their joints. It also helps practitioners work with clients who have muscular-skeletal issues or injuries, as well as those who want to have a healthy lifestyle or wish to gain strength and flexibility.
February is Heart Month
Each year, February marks Canada’s national Hearth Month. In Canada, cardiovascular disease is the second leading cause of death. Though many Canadians are affected by heart disease, there are ways for those who are afflicted to improve cardiovascular health, and ways for others to help prevent later onset.
Though heart disease may occur even in healthy individuals, who are not necessarily predisposed to medical conditions, certain activities and lifestyle choices can help increase both heart and overall health, including:
- Eating a healthy and balanced diet, rich in vegetables
- A healthy level of activity, suited for your own mobility and ability levels, whether that be running, walking, hiking, Pilates or other activities
- Avoid smoking and secondhand smoke, and consume alcohol only in moderation
- Educate yourself and those around you to recognize the symptoms of heart attacks and strokes – Early intervention is important for recovery
- Reduce stress where possible, as research has shown that chronic stress can have a negative impact on both your overall and heart health
- Get involved with local events and fundraisers to help raise awareness and funds for cardiovascular health in your community, province, and country.
Heart & Stroke Canada’s website has information, stories, and event listings to help inform Canadians on what’s going on in the world of cardiovascular health.
Victoria Pilates Studio Holiday Closure
Each year, we close our doors for two weeks so that both staff and clientele can enjoy the holiday season! This year our closure will run from Sunday, December 23 until Sunday January 6th. Regular classes will begin at the same time as the school year, on Monday, January 7th.
While the holidays are filled with delicious food and drink, as well as visits with family and friends, it’s important to remember to take time for health and wellness (especially when Pilates classes are not running!)
While everybody’s health and fitness needs differ, some ways you can focus on your wellness over the holidays are:
- Gentle stretching and breathing
- Practicing Pilates at home (talk to your instructor about home exercises!)
- Spending some time outside, perhaps going for a walk
- Remembering to drink lots of water and eat fruits and veggies (in between all of the holiday feasting!)
Even with our best efforts, sometimes we still feel a bit sluggish after the holidays, so returning to Pilates (and your regular routine) may be a welcome start to the new year.
To help with new years resolutions and preparation for spring activities, we will be offering an array of workshops and specialty classes to help keep you healthy and motivated. We will offer a gardening workshop in January, a core series in February and a Hip & Knee workshop in February.
You can find sign up sheets and posters in the studio, so make sure to register soon if there is a workshop that interests you as spots fill up quickly!
Autumn Changes at Victoria Pilates
After an abrupt end to the summer, we’ve officially entered fall. Fall is a time of transition, and we’ve had a few changes at the studio. Nicole moved to Prince George to practice physiotherapy and we’ve made some changes in our equipment room. We’re now settling into the colder weather and getting used to all of the changes around the studio.We have also welcomed Sara to our team! Originally from Iran, Sara moved to Canada in 2011. She has always been involved in physical activities and sports. She earned her black belt in Karate when she was 19 and taught Karate for over 10 years. Her love for exercise changed her life’s path, and after finishing her undergrad in Chemistry, she continued her studies in physical education and sports science. She is a certified personal trainer, and is currently working towards her master’s degree in Kinesiology while teaching exercise prescription at UVic.To add to her education, she is also completing her Pilates certification. In her spare time, she loves fishing and reading books.
All of our staff wishes you a happy start to the fall, filled with health, happiness and, of course, Pilates!
Five Tips for a Healthy Fall
Have you gotten out of your routine over the summer? Here are five tips to help you adjust to the fall:
1. Get enough sleep
The shifting sunrises and sunsets can be confusing for our internal clocks, especially after long summer nights when many of us stay up later than we usually would. Whether you’re heading back to work, school, or just looking to ease back into a regular sleeping pattern, setting yourself a regular bedtime and wake up alarm can be a great way to plan for your optimal amount of sleep. Most adults require between 7-9 hours per night! (We understand that those who work shifts may not be able to have a regular sleep schedule, but can hopefully still find their 7-9hours of sleep each day!)
2. Stay active and/or spend time outdoors
It’s easy to be outside during the pleasant summer months, but we all know that the grey skies and rains start to arrive in Victoria by mid-September (or October, if we’re lucky!). When the weather begins to shift, it’s important to remember to keep up with your exercise regime and to continue to spend time outdoors in the fresh air. However, make sure you listen to your body and what it needs – some people may benefit from simply sitting on a balcony to enjoy fresh air (especially those who have mobility concerns), while others may benefit from a walk, and others may need a high-intensity sport.
3. Eat regular meals and snacks
Whether you’re a morning or evening person, or someone who despises breakfast, establishing an eating pattern that works for you can be beneficial. In the chaos of summer, we may neglect hunger pangs during the day when we are out and about, but the fall is a great time to settle into a routine and find a meal schedule that works.
4. Keep a day planner
Whether you are proficient with electronics or prefer a physical agenda, keeping track of your appointments and dates can be a great way to help you feel more organized, especially when you’ve booked something that is not in your regular routine. Many experts believe that the more organized we are, the less prone we are to stress.
5. Maintain your mind and body health through regular Pilates classes
Whether your goal is to be a professional athlete, to rehabilitate from a surgery or injury, to work with a neurological condition, or to maintain a balanced lifestyle, Pilates is a great enhancement. Pilates helps you reinforce healthy movement and breathing patterns that you can utilize in other areas of your life. By learning functional movement patterns, you will become more resilient to injuries from your every-day life.
How to keep a healthy routine over the summer!
While the summer months tend to keep us busy and outdoors, many of us lose track of our functional movement patterns when participating in repetitive activities such as golfing, gardening, or sitting for long periods in planes or cars while traveling.
To avoid vacation or travel injuries, it’s helpful to have a routine that keeps your movement patterns in check. Here are some helpful tips for keeping a healthy routine over the summer months:
- Attend your regular Pilates Class(es) if you’re in town!
- Check in with your instructor if you’ll be away and let them know what types of activities you’ll be doing. They can give you some tips to help keep you injury free while you’re away.
- If you’re going on a long trip, try to book a 1-hr private session with an instructor prior to your departure to have a short “home & travel” program custom built to your needs and activities.
- If you already have a home program or regularly do mat Pilates exercises, keep up with your routine while traveling. (*Make sure you have access to a good quality camping mat if you’re working on mat exercises to avoid joint pain).
- If you’re traveling near cities, check in with our instructors about Pilates studios where you’ll be traveling. Depending on the length and location of your vacation, Susan may be able to recommend local studios to attend!
- Regardless of the activities you end up doing, remember to listen to your body. Keep active when you’re feeling up for it, but also remember to rest and not to push past your limit.
If you have any questions about keeping healthy over the summer months, all of the instructors are happy to chat!
Pilates Day Open House – Sunday, May 6 2018!
Our annual Pilates Day Open House will be held on Sunday, May 6th from 10am-4pm.
Stop by with your family and friends for equipment demonstrations and trials, refreshments/treats, and door prizes. Everyone (all ages) welcome! We are located in Cordova Bay, in the beautiful Mattick’s Farm complex.
In other news, throughout the month of May, we are also raising awareness and funds for neurological disorders through a coin drive. All proceeds will be donated to the Neurological Wellness Association.