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.

In an earlier entry I wrote about Quad Spin’s 3 hour spinning class for Haiti. A great initiative and just after finding out about this I discovered that even more studios were organizing events in support of Haiti. Many of them a part of the Toronto Fitness for Haiti effort – something I just happened to stumble upon.

This morning I attended one of these classes at Core Studio and in just that one hour class over $900 was raised and will be donated to Doctors without Borders. Amazing. Just think of what would happen if even more studios offered their time and space. 

To find out more on events happening go to Fitness for Haiti’s Facebook page (or if you own a studio think about how you can help!)

I used to work for an organization called TakingITGlobal and during my time there I developed a love of organizations and people who support youth in the work that they do. I recently came across an initiative – thanks to Core Studio – in Toronto called Now 4 Youth which I think is a pretty interesting combination of helping support youth development and encouraging youth to be active.

In a nutshell what they do is provide funds to at-risk Toronto and GTA youth so that they can advance their education in the wellness sector. Their 2010 programming will fully fund selected at-risk youth to become certified yoga or pilates instructors. At the end of the programs the youth will be provided with a variety of support mechanisms to help them continue their journey.

Definitely check out their website to find out more about this program and if you are interested in helping support this initiative they have just published a coffee table book called Adaptation. This photobook contains artisitic adaptations of yoga and pilates poses. Could make a wonderful holiday gift for the fitness crazed in your life I think?

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.

As soon as I entered the Shas Yoga and Pilates studio this morning I felt like I was in a smaller version of my beloved Core Studio. Very modern, clean and soothing atmosphere. It turns out the founders of Shas and Core Studio did their Pilates teacher training together.  

The Fusion class I took was taught by the founder of the studio. Like their website promised the class was a playful experience. It truly did combine Pilates and Yoga which was a nice change – sometimes I find fusion classes are still predominantly yoga-based. The Hed Kandi-esque music that played throughout class was also enjoyable for me as it wasn’t your typical yoga music. Perfect beginning to an unusually warm November weekend.

The one downside is that the studio is very small and the capacity of the class I was in was 8. I’m not sure how busy their classes get, but I do know that you have to pre-register for any of the classes at Shas. I emailed five days prior to class and was able to get in with no problem. The upside to their classes being small is that you will get more individualized attention.

The other thing that may potentially be an issue is that there are no real change facilities at the studio or at least I couldn’t see them. The bathroom is located outside of the studio as well.

Would I go back?

Yes as I did like the vibe and style of the studio. Once the Passport to Prana wraps up I would consider taking advantage of their two week unlimited offer ($40). 

To see some studio images check out their Facebook Fan page.