Creative, functional workouts to sculpt, tone and give you a body that serves you well in life, because ultimately that's what we all need. It's not about how you look, it's about how you feel inside and out- full of confidence in your own skin. On my YouTube channel we celebrate all ages and levels of fitness with something for everyone. Every workout will teach you something new about your body and is rooted in over 50 years of experience in movement, dance and pilates. I am a Fully Certified Pilates Instructor with over 13 years of practice in many settings from Physiotherapy clinics specialising in Sports Injuries to Rehabilitation post knee, hip and shoulder replacement. I had my own boutique studio in London pre the pandemic and now I choose to share my teaching online for anyone in the world keen to learn more about their body and grow physically, emotionally and mentally through an intelligent, focused, movement practice.
February, the month of love, is not just reserved for showering affection on others. This Valentine's season, let's redirect some of that love inward and embark on a journey of self-love. Let's explore how taking care of yourself can be the ultimate act of love.
• Love Begins with Self-Care - In the hustle and bustle of everyday life, it's easy to neglect the most important person – yourself. Just as Pilates can strengthen and rejuvenate the body, a self-care practice will nourish the soul. Take time for activities that bring you joy, whether it's a relaxing bath, a walk in nature, or reading a good book. Treat yourself with the same kindness and attention you would give to a friend.
5 Benefits of Pilates Breathing and 5 Health Conditions it can Help
1️⃣ Increases your lung capacity
2️⃣ Improves muscle activation and performance during exercise
3️⃣ Reduces anxiety and stress
4️⃣ The exhale activates the core muscles
5️⃣ Improves mental health by focusing your attention to the mind/ body connection
One Lung Breathing is an incredible tool for anyone as it focuses you on one lung and one side of your ribs at a time. I’ve found it very helpful for people new to Pilates in understanding HOW lateral breathing works.
I have exciting news for you. My first book on Pilates will be published this spring!
Last year I was asked by a publisher to write an easy to follow guidebook on Mat Pilates and I am thrilled to announce that it's now available for Pre-Order on Amazon UK and Amazon.com
I spent all last summer writing it and many a late night post YouTube broadcasts working on it to make it as easy to follow as possible. If you can I would love it if you could pre-order a copy on Amazon; pre-orders help push the promotion of books and I need the help to get it out there to everyone who needs it. It's very reasonably priced and a great little guide you can dip in and out of whenever you need to refer to an exercise or want to build your own little programme for home practice. It has all 34 of Joseph Pilates original exercises in with tips and cues to make the difficult exercises more accessible and the easier exercises more challenging- not that mat pilates isn’t challenging enough anyway 😊
Happy New year!
This year I plan to focus as much on keeping a healthy mind as well as a healthy body. It’s going to be an exciting year with lots of fun Pilates practice, new ideas to boost your mental and physical health and a deepening of our community connection.
The term cross pattern also known as cross crawling involves using the opposite arm and leg at the same time. This cross lateral action integrates both sides of the brain for optimum learning and brain communication so it’s not just your body that benefits but your brain too. Essential to do as you enter midlife if not before as our brains and bodies need challenging to both maintain, and improve our health and wellbeing.
It has been a momentous year at Rachel Lawrence Pilates and I wanted to thank you all for your continued support. Whether you read the blog, follow me on twitter or instagram, read my Facebook page or come to class you are all appreciated.
With more and more of you tuning into the benefits of Pilates and a healthy lifestyle the business has gone from strength to strength just as your wellbeing has. It's so rewarding to see and hear how you have created your own healthy lifestyle from what you've learned.
Well done!
There are exciting plans ahead for 2016; more health and wellbeing news, more classes and I will be adding Pilates films for you to view and take part in at home, so stay tuned for a bigger, better, healthier 2016!
Merry Christmas to you all,
Rachel x
I love Easter for so many reasons, the break from work, the sunshine, the cherry blossoms that start to appear on the trees, and not least of all the possibility of some extra chocolate. I do love my chocolate! But after the Easter break, I can feel a bit lethargic and in need of something fresh, clean and healthy so here it is. My post Easter detox smoothie, a perfect antidote!
It’s got a zing from the lime, and tastes exceptionally fresh and clean. The pineapple is packed with Vitamin C, essential fibre, and potassium so great for heart health, digestion and clearer skin. There is also a little known fact that the enzyme it contains Bromelain has been found in studies to reduce swelling, bruising and pain associated with injury and surgery. So one to add to the recipe book for those occasions.
Coconut oil is a 'must have' ingredient, it has too many benefits to list here but a key one to note in relation to Easter and chocolate is its weight loss properties! It contains short and medium-chain fatty acids that help in taking off excessive weight. Furthermore, it increases the body’s metabolic rate by removing stress on the pancreas, thereby burning more energy which in turn helps to lose weight.
So drink, enjoy, and feel a little bit smug that you're doing something incredibly healthy for yourself.
Ingredients
Half a small pineapple cut into chunks
1 banana
1 apple cut into chunks
Juice of half a lime
250 ml Coconut water
1 dessertspoon coconut oil
2 dessertspoons of Linwoods Milled flaxseed, almonds, brazil nuts, walnuts and co-enzyme Q10
I like to keep things simple so put it all in the blender and whizz until fully blended. You can have this as a meal replacement (I had it for breakfast today) in which case drink it all. If you're having it with a meal then share with a friend/colleague or get the kids to drink it with you! You never know you may convert them into smoothie fans too!
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