What’s It Like? Trying Pilates, Part 1: The FREE Fundamentals Introductory Session

Hi, I saw your sign/My friend told me about you/I found you online/My doctor told me to try pilates, and I’m calling to get some information about your studio, your class times, all that. Call me back, Thanks!

This is a very common request at IM=X Pilates Blue Bell, and this blog series is here to give an idea about what it’s like getting started in pilates. Whether it’s by phone or walk-in, or less commonly by email, everyone gets the same piece of advice: make an appointment for a FREE IM=X Fundamentals Introductory session. We can give you all the information you’re looking for first, but putting the information in the context of trying pilates first will make it come together better. There is always an Intro on the schedule and a new intro will pop up to suit your schedule if you ask for one.

The Fundamentals sessions are scheduled for 30 or 90 minutes, while all regular classes are 60 minutes. The 30 minute Fundamentals class preceeds a class on the schedule.  Upon completion of the Fundamental session you may stay for the class on the schedule at no charge to you.   The 90 minute Fundamentals sessions combine the 30 minute introduction with an introductory class.  Both of the Fundamental session formats cover the same information & experience.  To facilitate your first time at the studio please fill out an online Member History Form prior to your initial visit.   This allows the session to be devoted to your background info, learning the Fundamentals and using the Xercizer machine, and asking all the questions you’ve thought of during the Fundamentals session.

Call 484-231-8565, stop in at 1320 DeKalb Pike, or sign up online to schedule your FREE Fundamentals Introductory session and discover why people rave about IM=X Pilates Blue Bell, the only IM=X Pilates franchise studio in eastern Pennsylvania and western New Jersey.

The Psoas Muscle (as in “So Az” but not to be confused with So What)

We’ll bet you didn’t give much thought to the psoas muscle until you started attending Pilates classes.   We spend a fair amount of time talking about this muscle due to the role that it plays in core strength, lower back & hip health. Not to mention that most of us sit for a large portion of our day which leads to a tightened psoas muscle; and, some of us even become acutely aware of the psoas inflexibility while attending Pilates classes.

From Christine Northrup’s book “Women’s Bodies, Women’s Wisdom”

In my early thirties, I often experienced right hip pain and the inability to walk normally for several minutes after getting up from prolonged sitting.  I’d have to swing my right leg back & forth for a bit to get the leg to work properly.  My then-husband, an orthopedic surgeon, ordered hip X-rays, which were, of course, normal.  Now after ten years of pilates, I no longer have this pain and dysfunction because I have learned how to stretch, strengthen and relax both my psoas muscles…. Hip and low back pain is remarkably common in women, and many times the problem lies in a contracted psoas muscle – the place in the body that we tend to store tension.

The psoas is a huge muscle that is about 16 inches long, stretching from the rib cage and trunk to the legs.  It passes through the pelvis and attaches at the inner side of the femur.  Most hip pain in women originates in a tight psoas muscle, a muscle that is right in the center of the body and is very sensitive to our emotions.  It contracts when we are afraid and it helps us move freely when relaxed and toned.  By learning how to relax and release my psoas, I have a stronger core and more aligned hips than ever before.  I urge you to get in touch with your psoas for a lifetime of joyful movement.

Some additional resources for getting in touch with your psoas:

• “The Psoas Book” by Liz Koch recommended by Christine Northrup
• “Release Your Psoas” article on Yoga Journal website:  http://www.yogajournal.com/practice/169
• “A Runner’s Guide to the Psoas” article on Running Times website: http://runningtimes.com/Article.aspx?ArticleID=23715
• And, last but not least, don’t forget to schedule your IM=X classes!

Swedish Limpa Bread from Beard on Bread

I started baking bread in college on snow days.  I lived in the cutest little 1920′s studio apartment (complete with Murphy bed behind french doors – aka the bedroom). The apartment was not exactly a model of energy efficiency and got pretty cold in the middle of the winter.  Not to mention that in the corn fields of Illinois we had plenty of cold & snowy days. On days when we were shut in due to the weather I started baking bread. Partly because I liked fresh bread & partly to warm up my apartment.  Even my friends noticed the a pattern & were always happy to donate some beer or flour to the bread baking cause. Believe me, they helped eat the bread, too. IMO, this recipe is the perfect snow day recipe - heat up the house & smell the bread bake! 

Swedish Limpa Bread – 1 large free form or 2 small free form loafs

• 1 package yeast
• 1 tsp sugar
• 1/4 cup warm water (100-115 degress F)
• 2 cups ale or beer lukwarm
• 1/4-1/2 cup honey
• 2 TBSP melted butter
• 2 tsp salt
• 1 tsp ground cardamom
• 1 TBSP caraway seeds or 3/4 tsp anise seed, crushed
• 2 TBSP fresh grated orange peel
• 2 1/2 cups rye flour
• 3 cups unbleached flour

Directions

• Dissolve the yeast & sugar in water in large bowl; proof for 5 minutes.
• Combine lukewarm beer or ale, honey, butter, salt & stir well.  Add to yeast mixture.
• Add spice of your choosing and orange peel.
• Mix the rye and unbleached flour together.
• Add 3 cups of the flour mixture to the liquids & beat very hard with a wooden spoon (or mixer with dough hook).  The dough will be sticky & there is no need to knead at this point.
• Cover bowl with a cloth & let rise in a warm place for 45 mins to 1 hour (see note below on bread rising).
• After the first rise, stir down dough & add remaining flour.  The dough will be sticky.
• Turn out on a floured board using 1/2 – 3/4 cup flour.  Kneed well (dough will remain tacky).
• Shape into a ball place in buttered bowl & turn to coat with butter on all sides.  Cover & let rise until doubled in size.
• Punch down the dough &  shape into 1 large or two small balls
• Place on a the dough on a greased baking sheet & brush with butter
• Cover loosely with plastic wrap or waxed paper and refrigerate for at least 2 hours (up to 3 hours).
• Remove dough from fridge and let sit uncovered for 10 – 15 minutes while oven is preheating to 375 degrees.

Bake until bread sounds hollow when tapped.  If making 1 large loaf then baking time will be from 1 hour to 80 minutes.  If two small loaves then baking time is 40 – 45 minutes.;  Cool on rack.

 Tip for rising bread – put 1 cup of water in a microwave oven – heat & bring to a boil.  Keep the cup of water in the microwave & add your covered bowl of dough to the microwave, close the door.  Do NOT microwave the bread – just the cup of water.  Your bread will rise perfectly.

I saw the light…

Hi All,  We recently recieved this from a member who prefers to remain anonymous.  If recognize her please respect her privacy!  Thanks!

Yes, I saw the light. No, it was not the light at the end of “The Tunnel” but an epiphany occurred when Paula called out the move “Arm Press with Reverse Curl” (arms up – legs up - curl up).  I could not help but notice that my inner thighs had taken on an actual SHAPE and, yes, I saw the light.  It was really rewarding to see a noticeable change in my shape.

I remember when I had my introduction to IM=X at the Blue Bell studio in September, 2010. My primary objective was to lose 1 clothing size. At that time I was working at a sedentary job often sitting for hours at a time. That is, it was not unusual for me to sit 12 or more hours per day! I am much more active today thanks to the strength that I have built attending semi-private classes at the studio for the past 16 months.

We often talk about a “before & after” wall at the studio but it’s hard to put yourself out there on display. Plus, changes occur so gradually that you might not notice the changes until you change clothes with the seasons. So, for my New Year’s Resolution I decided to put myself out here to demonstrate a Pilates point!

1 month before starting pilates

16 months later in the same shirt. There is some definition to the waist & the shirt is much looser.

I saw the light!

Thanks to Paula, Beth, Denise, & Judy I have exceeded my original goal of shrinking a clothing size. And, I even had fun while “working out”. So, I will continue see you at the studio and hope to post yet another size update later this year.

Please share your successes with us!  Stop by the office or email us at info@imxbluebell.com. 

Whipped Tuna Recipe

This recipe is courtesy of Jenn Boyle…

A few years ago, I read “Mediterranean Summer” by David Shalleck, a private chef on a luxury yacht.  It was my version of a smutty novel – with stories of sailing the Mediterranean, meeting locals, and learning new recipes with the freshest ingredients.  This recipe made me want a food processor, and once I made it (and realized how flippin’ easy it was!), I am hooked.  I’ve modified from the original recipe a tiny bit to save some calories, but it is still amazing.

Ingredients

• 10 oz of high quality tuna packed in olive oil, drained (look for the stuff that comes in glass jars (Flott, Tonino, etc.) rather than cans – it is much better, and worth the few extra bucks)
• 1 Tbsp soy sauce
• 1 Tbsp balsamic vinegar
• 1 Tbsp  fresh lemon juice
• 2 Tbsp heavy cream or creme fraiche (I use whole milk or half & half, whatever I have in the fridge – not as decadent, but still delish)
• 5 Tbsp butter (I would never eat that much butter – I usually swap out entirely for a good pour of top quality EVOO – butter tastes better, but I reserve that for guests, EVOO when it is for my calorie- conscious self)
• 1/8 tsp chili powder (I usually forget this one…)
• 1 minced clove of garlic (not in the recipe, but who doesn’t love garlic?!)

Instructions

• Mix the soy sauce, balsamic vinegar and lemon juice
• In your food processor, pulse the tuna until it starts to break up Add the liquid and optional garlic; process until smooth
• Add the chili powder (optional)
• Add the butter, bit by bit, waiting until each piece is incorporated before adding the next ingredients
• Add the cream/creme fraiche/milk & pulse just until incorporated  (I just do a stream of EVOO)

I most prefer to serve this with sliced radishes.  Crackers are a close second.  When serving guests, I put out both.  The radishes look beautiful, and who doesn’t love a cracker?

Just a note – I stock up on the tuna when I find it on sale, so I always have a good store of it in the pantry.  This tuna is so good I could probably eat it straight out of the jar as a meal.

I love that you can make this recipe decadent (by following the book), or healthy (by following my edits).  The healthy version, served with radishes, is also a perfect south beach snack idea.

Thanks, Jenn!  Can’t wait to make this!  Hmmmm…. recipe for the next IM=X party?  Show up & find out!

Holiday Holdover Workout

It’s the holiday season and the studio is closed!  What to do?  Check out this handy mat workout starring none other than our very own Paula.  It’s a quick 10 minute workout based on familiar IM=X Xercizer moves that you can do during the studio hiatus.

You will be seeing more blog posts next year from all of us at IM=X Blue Bell.  Please forward topic suggestions to info@imxbluebell.com!

October Means Pilates for Pink!

During October, Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Shape Magazine and the Breast Cancer Research Foundation partner to present Pilates for Pink, an effort to raise money to find and treat causes of breast cancer.

View our Pilates for Pink Brochure here: Pink 2011 Brochure

For our fourth year in support of this effort, IM=X Pilates Blue Bell is offering several Pilates for Pink classes during the month:

Saturday October 8, 15, 22, and 29
11am
Pilates for Pink Donation Class
All are welcome! Any age, experience level or ability included
Sign up for this free class online, and please bring a donation for the Breast Cancer Research Foundation

Monday Oct 10 and 24
6pm
“Bring on the Men” Donation Class
Many of our members have a guy in their life they would like to expose to pilates- a husband, a son, a mailman, a golf buddy. Sign up for this class online, and we will assume you are bringing him with you! Please ask him to bring a donation to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation. Refreshments will be served after class.

Host a Private Pilates for Pink Class
Line up some friends and give them the opportunity to try IM=X Pilates for a good cause. Contact the studio to find a good time for your private class. We can host 3-6 people at once. Please bring a donation, either as individuals or as a group, for the Breast Cancer Research Foundation.

Thank ye fer celebratin’!

Thank ye t’ the lads and lasses who celebrated International Talk Like a Pirate Day wi’ us. We enjoyed Pirate’s Booty (Veggie an’ Barrrrbeque flavors!) an’ ginger snaps. Sea dogs an’ land lubbers alike enjoyed they’s self!

Cinco de Mayo Open House 2011

We had a great time at our Cinco de Mayo Open House last night! Thanks to all who made it out. Click here for more photos of the party

Thank you for a successful March for Babies 2011

Sunday April 30 marked the IMX Pilates Blue Bell TEASER TEAM’s 4th annual appearance at the March for Babies. Studio members Gina, Ali, Betsi and her friend Sherrie joined us for a beautiful 3 mile walk around Temple University Ambler and the surrounding neighborhoods. Following the event, massage therapist Kim set up her massage chair for tired walkers as they snacked on free food and drinks, and visited the vendor tents. Thank you to all who supported us this year!