Today is day 20 of my Pilates/Yoga challenge at Core Studio in Toronto. By the end of today I will have done 16 different types of yoga and Pilates classes in 20 days. I still have a week to go in this 30 day challenge, but as I’m only doing the “light” option of 21 days in 30 days I think I’m going to make it! I attempted this challenge before and lets just say I didn’t quite make it.

The biggest challenge for me has been learning that it is ok to spend more time on Pilates/Yoga than on my running. As crazy as this sounds this has been a challenge for me. I don’t think if I was training for a full marathon that I would have been able to do this challenge. It would just be to much for me (for my body and for maintaining a good life/balance).

The benefits so far?

I have more shape again in my waist and my legs are looking lengthened.  I also feel healthier.

I have a friend who currently gets up three times a week before 6 a.m. (a.k.a. the middle of the night for me). The reason for this madness? She does a 6 a.m. boot camp three times a week. Absolutely crazy, but very impressive. This friend has now inspired me enough to wonder if I too could workout in the morning? (Please note that in the past I have attempted to get up 30 minutes before my regular wake up time to do a brief 20 minute core workout and I have failed miserable each and every time.)

My requirements for a suitable morning workout:

-I have to go somewhere. If I say to myself I’ll go to the gym downstairs I will fail.

-It has to start at 7 a.m. and finish at 8 a.m.

-I need a facility where I can make myself presentable for work.

-I need to be able to get to work by 8:30 – 8:45 a.m.

Where I went?

I ended up going to Core Studio this week for their 7 a.m. Pilates boot camp. Since I pre-registered I knew I had to go. Surprisingly it was rather difficult to find a place that met all of my needs, especially timing ones.

How it went?

I only ended up having to wake up 45 minutes before my usual time, but it still felt way too early. I had prepared eveerything the night before, so all I had to do was throw on some clothes and go. Being lazy (and not wanting to take public transit) I called a cab to take me to the studio.

The class itself was good, although I think I was a little more irritable than usual when the teacher tried to correct me. I did find myself slightly panicked with time as well and kept checking the clock. Think this is more a personal trait of always needing to be on time…

Final thoughts?

Not entirely convinced that morning pre-work workout are right for me, but will try them once a week for a month to see if it is doable or to be perfectly honest something that I want to attempt.

I finally took the plunge and signed up for an 8 week Pilates boot camp at Core Studio. Parting with $200 last night was a bit sad, but when you break it down $25 per 70 minute class is pretty reasonable for a reformer based Pilates class. The class size is also really small (5 people), so that means extra attention to me and my abs! Trust me they do need some attention… even after an 8 week boot camp.

The two main reasons that I’m doing this:

• I really do love Core Studio and whenever I go to another studio I always leave wishing I was at Core.
• I need a new challenge

The two superficial reasons why I signed up:

• I cannot be allowed to go home directly after work. Why? If I go home after work I end up snacking like crazy and this is not a good thing.
• My mother’s latest comment to me – when she saw me in DC during September this is what she said:

  “Your legs look really muscular from all that running. Too muscular. Once you stop all that marathon running (she isn’t a fan) you can focus on other things like Pilates.”

  Some of you may think “how cruel”, but sadly she is right. I need to do some lengthening and toning exercises that don’t focus on bulking up my muscles. Hopefully this will do the trick. For the record, though, I’m not giving up on running!

Highlight of my first class: the Jumpboard. Super fun and made me feel like a kid again.

If you haven’t been to Core go now. You won’t be disappointed.

When I first moved to Toronto a couple of years ago I discovered Core Studio on Queen Steet as it was close to where I was living at the time. This trendy yoga and pilates studio quickly became my second home. The Pilates classes I was taking there were amazing and the changes in my body were incredible. I swear my waist had never been so tiny and my core so toned.

I then got a job and moved to another neighbourhood in Toronto. Slowly my daily attendance at Core dropped to a couple of times a week, then once per week and finally I just stopped going. My job and the fact that I was training for a half marathon just took over.

In the last couple of months, though, I have realized that going to this studio added something to my life and taking classes there just made me feel better about myself. I also have realized that actually doing core work is an important part of being a strong runner.

So, I gathered up the courage to go back to the studio and am one of their 30-day challenge participants. I’m on the “light option” of practicing yoga or pilates 21 times in a month. It has been difficult, my core has screamed at me at times and to be honest it is hard to be a level 1 again when I used to be more advanced. I also don’t think I am going to make the 21 times as my schedule hasn’t permitted it. However, instead of stopping the challenge and giving up I am just going to try and do what I am able to.

Participating in Core Studio’s 30-day challenge has given me the much needed kick in the butt to get back to the studio and make room in my life for something I used to love so much.

I think the main reason why I love it here so much is that it isn’t as yoga studio-esque as the other places I have been to. It has some athleticism involved and the teachers are just plain great.

Definitely recommend going here and trying it out. They have an introductory special as well — two weeks of unlimited classes just sets you back $40.