This year, 50,000 animals will rely on San Diego Humane Society for help. Join us for the Pilates for Puppies FREE event on Saturday, September 24th - bring a friend and help support!  

Stay grounded through your workouts with dependable grip socks—extra grippy to keep you safe and in place. Choose from a variety of styles for any season, mood or attitude; Crew, Ankle, Full Foot, Strap, Dance, & Toeless.

Pilates is one of the most challenging yet rewarding workouts! So, it only makes sense that we shine a bright, beautiful light on its benefits during National Pilates Day. For those unfamiliar with Pilates, it’s a workout that aims to improve flexibility, build one’s strength, develop control, improve posture and concentration, and increase stamina and endurance. Fun fact: Did you know John Pilates introduced Pilates, which he called “Contrology” because it’s the art of controlled movement? Keep reading to discover four amazing benefits of this special workout. Develops core muscle strength: Pilates targets core muscles, including the lower back, hips, buttocks, and abs. Patterns of movements, working around these areas, strengthen and build endurance in the muscles. Reduces discomfort in various body parts: Because Pilates focuses on core muscles, many of which support the back, Pilates tends to decrease hip and back pain and reduce pelvic floor discomfort (but consistency is key!) Improves posture: Did you read that and immediately straighten up? Well, Pilates helps to align the spine, resulting in good posture. The full range of motions and upper and lower back support, bring awareness to one’s alignment, leading to stronger postural muscles that are often neglected during workouts. Positively affects the nervous system: In short, Pilates decreases stress! Through concentration and breathing, Pilates helps to regulate your nervous system and manage stress healthily.

April 7th is World Health Day, and although chiseled abs and toned arms may come to mind, let us remember that health is multifaceted. Health encompasses your mental, physical, and emotional well-being. Listed below are seven ways (seven ways for the 7th of April) for you to embrace your mental, physical, and emotional health. These suggestions are simple, accessible to everyone, and life-changing when applied consistently. Consider choosing one per day or get gutsy and pick several. Cheers to more life! 1. Stand.Life’s tasks and many of our jobs include sitting for long periods. Today, take a stand (literally!) Move around and re-charge your body. 2. Take a Walk.Take a Walk.Twenty minutes. Commit to 20 minutes. Feel the sun on your face or the breeze in your hair. Awaken your senses and boost your serotonin. 3. Decrease your sugar.Refined sugar (although delicious) can increase your risk of diabetes. Today, opt for natural sugar (like a piece of fruit) instead of store-bought sweets. 4. Tap into Your Creative Side.Diving into your creative side is a great way to destress! Whether it’s painting, dancing, or writing poetry, find something you like doing (don’t worry about perfection) and enjoy it. 5. Be Intentional.Wake up and set your intentions for the day. Spend a few minutes writing down or mentally noting your top goal for the day, big or small. This is a great way to add purpose to your life. 6. Show Gratitude.Reduce your stress by giving thanks for the good in your life. Verbalizing or writing down what you are grateful for helps to rid your mind of negative thoughts and wash your spirit of anxiety. 7. Stay Hydrated.When your body is properly hydrated, it feels its best and operates at its best. From the moment you wake up until you go to bed each night, drink water! Refill your cup and rehydrate your body. Keep Moving with Us. #SanityNotVanity

  The winter months keep us indoors more than usual, which often means more couch time, more time in bed, and less mobility. Less movement affects the body in more ways than one, but one hindrance is in your flexibility!   If you’re feeling less limber these days and not your best, bendy self, consider these four pro tips to improve your flexibility:   Tip #1: Stay hydrated – Make water your permanent best friend! Water forms a large part of your muscle composition. In order for your body and its muscles to respond to stretching, working out, and flexibility training, you need to drink water throughout the day.   Tip #2: Relax – Do not confuse relaxing with taking a nap or sitting on the couch. Why? Well, oftentimes, when people are taking downtime, they are also consumed with stress, overthink, or nurse their fears. Instead, take time to relax by being mindful of your triggers. Peace is priority! Otherwise, stress can cause your body to tighten up. And when your body is tight, it will not be at its most flexible state.   Tip #3: Know when to stretch—Did you know that pre-exercising stretching is to prepare you for your workout, not necessarily to improve your flexibility? If you want to improve your flexibility, one of the best times to stretch is about two hours after your workout. By that point, your muscles will have had time to adjust and recover, which makes it easier for your body to position itself for new levels of flexibility.   Tip #4: Prioritize your emotional health and nutrition—Incorporating water (consistently) in your life is a pro tip to increase flexibility, but it is actually part of a package plan. Good emotional health and good nutrition coupled with water are key for flexibility. Consider eliminating processed foods from your diet as well as foods loaded with preservatives. When eaten in excess, your body becomes sluggish. Try to get eight consecutive hours of sleep each night to contribute to a sounder state of emotional health. When your mind and body are at their optimal state, your body will respond accordingly.