There’s a lot of pressure to start off the New Year on the right foot. That’s why we see gyms packed with people at the start of the year. Only to find that many people don’t last past February! That’s why it’s important to set realistic wellness goals for the New Year that you can …
The holiday season is a wonderful and festive time of year for many of us. However, it is often hard to stay in our workout routine during the holidays. Between shopping, holiday parties, traveling, and those year-end work deadlines, it can be hard to stay on track. The good news is that with a little …
When my clients ask, “What is Pilates?” I define it as a system of exercises designed to improve physical strength, flexibility, posture, and mental awareness. My clients continue to train, because they like that it makes them feel strong, coordinated and for some, graceful. Many also love how empowered they feel with less pain and …
What’s at the core of movement? Our core. We need our core muscles in order to improve our physical abilities and reduce pain while exercising. These muscles help us stabilize our pelvis and spine while improving posture and alignment. That’s why in Pilates, moving from our core is actually one of the eight Pilates movement …
8 core strengthening exercises to help with “centering” Read More »
It may surprise you to know that the shoulder is one of the most unstable joints in the body. It is made up of three bones: the collar bone (clavicle), the shoulder blade (scapula) and the upper arm bone (humerus). The shoulder joint is a ball-and-socket joint that allows for the possibility of a wide …
Have you ever noticed that when we look ahead, we tend to shift our head and neck forward? This is something called “Forward Head” posture. This is a common problem from a Pilates and postural alignment perspective that we want to avoid! Forward Head is misalignment of the head and neck, in which the head …
It’s not what you do. It’s how you do it. This is the philosophy the Lee Pilates Method was founded upon. That’s why I recommend that all my clients start with a thorough understanding of the basics and origin of movement. Transforming posture, gaining strength, re-shaping the body, and reducing pain rely on precise movement …
Have you heard of the term lateral breathing in Pilates? Lateral breathing, also called intercostal breathing, is a pattern of breath that allows the abdominal muscles to remain engaged while inhaling oxygen into the body. It is a foundational Pilates breathing technique. It can help increase lung capacity and make the body more resistant to …
Lateral Breathing: the Foundational Pilates Breathing Technique Read More »
Several years ago I had the honor of presenting to the students in the Texas State Physical Therapy doctoral program. They were curious how Pilates might help their physical therapy patients recover more quickly and holistically. The course content I put together educated them on how Pilates can dovetail with physical therapy as a tool …
Hi, my name is Lee Vallely, and I am the founder of the Lee Pilates Method. As an athlete and a Master Pilates teacher with a background and degree in dance, I’ve applied my 30 years in professional movement conditioning to form what I believe is a powerful methodology. Now, I’ve opened up my own …
