Last week I was invited to try out a Pilates class at Body Harmonics. I have heard a lot about the studio, but have never had the chance to check out any of their classes.

The class I did was taught by Body Harmonics’ owner and founder, Margot McKinnon and was machine-based. I didn’t manage to take any photos of the room with the machines, but you can find a photo of what they look like here.

At the start of the hour long class, Margot explained that the moves she was going to take us through would give us a taste of what Body Harmonics had to offer. Since she had never worked with any of us in the class before we weren’t going to be as focused on form unless we were doing something really wrong. I imagine it is quite difficult for a Pilates teacher to teach a class without correcting since it is normally such a detailed workout.

One of the main things  that I liked about the class was that it challenged both my body and my mind. What was really neat was how Margot would take you through a move and then revisit it later on in the class as a way to show you how your body could open up in such a short time. Who knew I could be so flexible?

We also got the chance to use “the foam roller”.

If you have never tried out a foam roller go and buy one now! It is the best (and pretty reasonably priced) way to open up your body and challenge your balancing skills.

At the end of the class we were also asked to stand up, close our eyes and just think about how our body felt after this class.I wish I could feel like this all day and every day. Wow. After even an hour class I felt stretched out, less stressed and less hunched. Not sure if the last one makes any sense! Oh, and my abs were also looking more defined

As for the studio space…it is beautiful. Had a very modern feel to it and was very clean. Definitely no qualms about walking around barefoot here!

If anyone if interested in trying out Body Harmonics they have an introductory special – $45 for an introductory consultation and one week all you want Pilates. For more details on this and their offerings check out their website!

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.