_So which one are you going to work on this week? What will be YOUR focus? Do you even know what I’m talking about? There are 7 principals in Pilates: Centering, concentration, control, precision, breath, flow, and rhythm. Each one of these can be applied to every exercise in the Pilates system. Have you ever thought about applying them to your everyday life? Give it a whirl! Make it a personal challenge to pick one and try to carry it through whenever you can. See what happens and share the outcome. You might be pleasantly surprised. Let me know how it goes and enjoy your principal this week!

_Can’t make it to the studio? Don’t let that stop you from doing your Pilates. Try some arm weight series, 2 X 4, and of course….the wall! And why don’t you keep a magic circle somewhere in your office and do some seated exercises or work on your upper back, posture and arms. One of our fabulous instructors, Bernadette Donovan-Merkert, has terrific suggestions for getting in a minute of time for yourself at work and is always amazed at “how doing a couple of exercises can release muscle tension and help her feel re-energized.” Of course we’re not suggesting that you slack off! If anything, this will help to increase your productivity and promote a healthier work environment in more ways than one.

_Even in a group setting, you can personalize your workout. If you are trying to strengthen your hips/bottom, then put some extra focus there for each exercise. Toning those arms for springtime? Then make the muscles in your arms work in every single movement. If your schedule cannot accommodate the “level” of mat class that you were hoping to attend, then work even deeper. Your instructor’s job is to guide you through a safe, efficient and thorough workout. But the real work comes from you. Even informing your instructor of your “personal agenda” for the class can help them direct your focus so that you can get the most from your class. Remember, you get out of it what you put in it.