Pilates, arguably glamorized by Hollywood and popularized by professional sports players, is actually for everyone!
Back in 2007, I realized my posture was getting worse, slouching regularly at work especially into the evening hours. I could foresee that continued desk-work and slouching would one day turn me into a hunchback and I had to do something about it. Small shifts in one’s direction would make large changes in the long-run so I made the choice to correct my posture and turned first to yoga.
While at the Yoga studio inside the Mandarin Oriental in Hong Kong, there was an intriguing room on the side full of strange, almost surgical looking equipment. This piqued my curiosity and so walking gently into the room I was approached by the trainer and it was then that I entered the world of Pilates.
People commonly associate Pilates with physiotherapy in some respect, and it is – but working the core is a real workout! You won’t be grunting as you would in the gym lifting slabs of iron, you’ll be sweating, working muscles you never knew existed. It’s a perfect complement to hardcore training or sport of any sort.
Coming to Vancouver I serendipitously happened upon Pilates Unlimited located in downtown on Alberni closer to the West End. It’s there I met Monique, who owns the studio and is one of Vancouver’s Pilates pioneers having been guiding people for over 18 years. Here’s a sneak peek of a lesson with Monique!
Need to knows:
– Pilates Unlimited Featured numerous times in the Georgia Straight’s “Best of Vancouver” for Pilates Studios, located on 1760 Alberni Street 604 875 0404
– Other instructors and studios I recommend in Hong Kong: Monique at Philip Wain, Ervin at Isofit
– My beautiful Carla top from Omberry – a refreshing vintage-inspired yoga line that you should definitely check out. You can order my top and everything else and get it shipped anywhere!
