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.  

Well, with Valentine’s Day around the corner, people are tapping into creative, special ways to celebrate love, including celebrating themselves with self-love honoring events.

One of our favorite studios is down in the sunny Caribbean Islands, Anguilla. Retreat AXA is a full-service wellness studio with barre-based fitness, homemade cold-pressed juices, and an athletic boutique. Sara is an all star barre and spin instructor who pursued her dream of opening a studio down there. Before Anguilla, you could find her teaching 20+ cycle and barre classes each week at Equinox and Exhale. Sara is an exhale certified instructor with a certifications from American College of Sports Medicine Group Fitness and National Academy of Sports Medicine Personal Trainer. Check out her guided workout below!  What advice would you give to someone who's interested in a barre-based class but isn't sure if they'll enjoy it or it will be the right fit? I would suggest giving it a try and keeping an open mind! I know, easier said than done, but there's nothing like actually visiting a studio and taking a class. Read the bios of the instructors and find someone that seems like a good fit. Try a beginners class if its offered at the studio. Explain it's your first time and be sure to explain any injuries or limitations you may have. I always tell new students that it takes 4-5 classes to really "get" barre, so cut yourself some slack, listen to your body and certainly take all the breaks you need in those beginning classes. When did you figure out that you wanted to pursue a career in the fitness industry? I sort of fell into teaching full time after I left a corporate job and began consulting on my own. On a whim, I got my Spinning certification and picked up a few classes for fun. Long story short, I began teaching way more and consulting way less, and here we are!   How is life in Anguilla compared to Boston? You really can't compare life on a Caribbean island to live in a major city because they are pretty much the exact opposite of one another! We certainly miss some of the conveniences of living in a big city (Amazon Prime and Dunkin Donuts are big ones), but island life is amazing. We're big beach people, so we're truly fortunate to have some of the world's most beautiful beaches just down the street from our house. The slower pace of life is refreshing as well; we were more than ready to leave the traffic and some of the hassles of city life.  What does a normal day look like for you?  We get up at 4:30AM and arrive at the studio about 5:15AM for our 5:30AM class. After class, we take care of administrative and studio stuff until our 8:30AM and 10AM classes. We close from 12-4PM which, during that time, my husband oversees Kizel, who is integral in our cold-pressed juicing program. While we're closed, I often run errands and take our dog for a beach walk. I'm back at the studio to re-open at 4PM and prepare for our 5:30PM class.  Outside of classes at Retreat, what are your favorite exercises to incorporate into your routine? We brought a Peloton down to Anguilla which I am absolutely obsessed with! I also work out with a personal trainer three days a week.  Lastly, any recommendations on where to stay and what to do when we visit Anguilla? There are so many great places to stay and things to do in Anguilla! I'd highly suggest the Quintessence Hotel, Frangipani and Cap Juluca for a splurge, although there are many great moderately priced accommodations on the island. Honestly, as long as it's clean and has hot water, you can't go wrong in Anguilla! With 33 beaches on the island, you're never be at a loss as to where to go relax and catch some rays. If it's your first time to the island, definitely go snorkeling in Little Bay, take a sail with Traditions, spend a day at Sunshine Shack, happy hour at Sand Bar (you must get their frozen rum punch!) and Friday night at Dolce Vita. If you're a sports fan, be sure to watch a game at Elvis' Beach Bar