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Firehaus Pilates Studio

Pilates Fitness Studio in the Denver Highlands Neighboorhood

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MindBody

Yoga vs. Pilates: What’s Different, What’s Similar, & How to Choose Between Them

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Are you intrigued to increase your fitness but also looking to get in tune with your body? If so, you may have narrowed down your choices between yoga and Pilates. While they appear similar, yoga and Pilates are, actually, quite different forms of exercise that deliver different results. Let’s have a look.

Similarities of Yoga and Pilates

  • Mind-body connection: Both forms of activity focus on a mind-body connection, with a goal of bringing awareness to the body and its current state.
  • Muscle tone: Yoga and Pilates are able, to different degrees, to help tone your muscles through specific positions or exercises.
  • Flexibility: Through purposeful alignment and positioning, both yoga and Pilates can help the body increase its flexibility.
  • Breath: With deep inhalation and exhalation during exercise or poses, yoga and Pilates allow you to focus on your breathing during exercise.

Yoga and Pilates Differences

  • Mind-body connection: While there is a mind-body relationship between these forms of exercise, the approach to this connection is quite different. Yoga creates a mind-body connection through a meditative state. Pilates, on the other hand, trains the mind to focus on the body during movement to create an understanding and intent for motion.
  • Mats and machines: Yoga is practiced using a mat, on the ground, with some props to help with support and comfort. Pilates also uses mats and props for exercise but also incorporates purpose-designed Pilates machines to encourage proper movement, target exercise, and help further strengthen the body.
  • Fitness focus: Yoga is a spiritual-type practice that concentrates on the body-spirit relationship. You can use yoga to stretch and extend muscles and toning is achieved through holding yoga poses. Pilates offers more of a body-fitness focus that tones the body and improves flexibility. Pilates can be strenuous and helps with weight loss, rehabilitation, and building strength.
  • Core strength: Where yoga strength tends to be achieved through poses, Pilates strength comes from an intentional focus on the core part of the body. By building a strong core with Pilates, you can improve many other physical aspects such as posture, balance, and develop lean muscles.

How to Choose Between Yoga and Pilates

There are a few ways to help you decide whether yoga or Pilates is right for you.

  • Define fitness goals: Think about what you want to get out of your new exercise program. Are you in need of rehabilitation or is toning your body important? Are you looking for stretching or strength building, focus on the mind or increasing the core?
  • Set expectations: By better understanding the differences between yoga and Pilates, you will better set your expectations on what you can achieve. Learn about these different techniques or visit yoga and Pilates studios to understand these exercise programs better.
  • Coaching approaches: Consider how you best learn. Do you prefer an instructor that offers group instruction that you follow on your own? Or do you feel better with individual instruction and coaching? Choose the approach that better aligns with how you prefer to exercise.

Still unsure whether yoga or Pilates is right for you? The best, next step is to try each! We welcome new students every day to Firehaus Pilates with a professional studio and expert instruction. Contact us to see if Pilates is right for you!

MindBody

Eight Things Men Can Expect Walking into a Pilates Studio for the First Time

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Although Pilates has been around for more than 50 years, there are still misconceptions about what it is, what it’s not, and what it can do. One of the biggest areas of confusion and misunderstanding is that Pilates isn’t designed for men, which is surprising given it was created by a man, for men! Let’s have a look at what men can expect when they walk into a Pilates studio for the first time.

1.     Pilates is Not a “Stretch” Class

Many men (people, in fact) believe Pilates is more like a stretch or yoga class. While Pilates offers the opportunity to move your muscles in new ways, the approach is much more rigorous and demanding. Stretch and yoga classes tend to rely on only mat work whereas Pilates offers mat work, resistance, and equipment work.

2.     Other Men ARE in the Pilates Studio

While people believe a Pilates studio will be full only of women, many men take part in Pilates! As a new member of a Pilates studio you can expect to see other men, and male instructors, participating in Pilates workouts and classes. Everyone is welcome!

3.     Pilates Can Be Frustrating … At First

Pilates takes a new effort of control, focus, and breathing to be successful. While you can often “force” your way through a normal weight or gym workout, Pilates targets specific muscles groups through more controlled movement. While the first workout may be frustrating, clients tend to get an “aha” moment after that, which empowers them to really feel the workout and make the most of the exercise!

4.     Pilates is a Workout Unlike Any Other

Men may be surprised just how hard a Pilates workout can be! Expect a feeling of great satisfaction as you incorporate both strength training and awareness during a Pilates workout. Sessions can be both physically and mentally tiring, but the results will most certainly be amazing.

5.     Take Pilates Out of the Studio and into Your Gym Workout

As you learn the basic Pilates routine, you will become more aware of your body, how you move, the muscles to (and not to) engage, and how your breath can help with repetitions. All of these skills can improve normal gym or weight workouts. In fact, these skills can enhance your life!

6.     Pilates Will Improve Your Sport

Whether you’re a skier, golfer, soccer player, runner or any other kind of athlete, Pilates can improve your sport! From a stronger core, greater flexibility, improved stability, and corrected alignment you will find that you’re stronger and more aware how to use your body in your sporting activities. Pilates will also help protect you from injury during sports.

7.     Understand Which Muscles Are Strong – and Which Need Some Work

You may feel like you have a good understanding of the power your body currently has to offer. With Pilates, you may be surprised to learn areas of good strength you have along with other areas that are much weaker than expected. Pilates focuses holistically and trains all muscles in the body to give you improved strength all over!

8.     Get a 6-pack Without the Crunches

One of the most noticeable signs of Pilates improvement is the development of strong and defined abdominal muscles. With Pilates, you can forget the crunches as you transform your abs with exercises that build lean muscle mass and tone your muscles. Pilates focuses on a strong core through a wide range of exercise that also improves your posture to make you look taller, slimmer, and stronger!

If you’re interested in trying out Pilates, contact us! Firehaus Pilates offers a range of workouts and instruction to make you look and feel great while ensuring you never feel out of place!

MindBody

Postnatal Pilates: Three Core Pilates Exercises for Every New Mom

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Like most new moms, you’re probably anxious to start getting your body back into shape and maybe even enjoy a little time just for yourself! Postnatal Pilates is a terrific way to begin toning your body, improving your strength, and helping you focus on being present in your new life.

Diastasis Recti Check

Before you get started on Pilates exercises, be sure to have an instructor check to see if you have Diastasis Recti (DR) or a separation of the abdominal muscles. It’s very common for new moms to have a post-pregnancy pooch or baby belly. At Firehaus Pilates, we do a quick and painless test to determine if DR is present. If you have DR, don’t worry – we have qualified instructors to help you with Pilates exercises to ensure you are doing moves correctly and safely!

Pelvic Floor Tilts

This multi-layered area of muscles has earned some love! The pelvic floor muscles run from your pubic bone to the base of the spine in your back. Similar to a sling, the pelvic floor holds organs in place. Pilates pelvic floor tilts help this critical muscle sling recover from pregnancy and childbirth.

To start, lying on a mat, focus on the pelvic floor area. As you lengthen your spine, continue to keep it long and engage your pelvic floor. Engaging this area is the same as if you were stopping the flow of urine midstream. Maintain this squeeze as you lift your pelvic floor upward. This exercise can be done at the Pilates studio or anywhere and anytime of day. Help these muscles recover and grow stronger! Remember to use caution when starting pelvic floor exercises as over-recruitment can lead to cramping and discomfort. Start gently and increase only as your body tolerates.

Toe Taps

While you may think you need crunches and sit-ups to get your post-pregnancy tummy back into shape, nothing could be further from the truth! There are many other Pilates exercises that are more subtle and will actually give you better results.

Lie on your back, arms alongside your hips. Raise and bend your knees so the knees are over your hips, shins parallel to the floor. Pull in your belly toward your spine. Lower one foot and leg, keeping the 90-degree bend, and tap the floor. Bring the leg back up to the bended start position and repeat with the other leg. Alternate legs as you keep your head down on the mat. Remember to breathe and focus on your tummy staying pulled in!

Heel Slides

A strong core is an important aspect of being able to perform smooth, controlled movements of the body. The core provides inner stability and balance but can be challenging to use as you rebuild your strength. Keep at it! The results of a strengthened core will help you in every aspect of your busy life as a mom!

Lying flat on your back with your hands on your hip bones (or, for more support, hands under your butt with palms down), bend your knees and put your feet flat on the floor or mat. With your feet hip-distance apart, inhale, flex one foot with heel on the ground, and slide this leg out onto the mat. Exhale as you engage the abdomen muscles and slide the outstretched leg slowly back, dragging your heel along the mat. Perform heel slides with both legs. If you aren’t feeling the abdomen working, slow down and focus on your breath and tummy muscle engagement.

Firehaus Pilates offers trained instructors and personalized programs for new moms looking to get back into shape. Remember, though, to take it slow and easy as you get back into an exercise program following childbirth. Your body took nine months to change and prepare for a new baby and it will take a similar amount of time to get back to its pre-pregnancy shape!

MindBody

Why You Should Use Kinesiology Tape for Pilates

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Pilates for rehabilitation focuses on helping improve function and reduce pain by isolating and strengthening affected muscle groups, tendons, soft tissue, and joints. In addition to targeted and guided exercise, rehabilitative taping can be used to help the natural healing process with support and stability both during and after exercise.

Kinesiology Tape for Pilates

Firehaus Pilates uses the kinesiology taping method on clients to provide support during exercise but still achieve a full range of motion.

Chiropractors and acupuncturists in Japan first used kinesiology tape to improve the effects of therapy and provide additional comfort and support after treatment. You may have seen the brightly colored kinesiology tape on athletes competing in the Olympics, but it isn’t just for competitors! Kinesiology tape can be used to help anyone alleviate the discomfort of injuries, protect during physical activity or proactively enhance performance.

At Firehaus Pilates, we use RockTape® with clients to help decrease pain, decompress aggravated tissue, and increase awareness of targeted areas being strengthened and soothed. RockTape is an organic, cotton-based kinesiology tape that is hypoallergenic, contains no latex, and won’t cause an allergic reaction or irritation of the skin.

upper_knee_1_2_1RockTape is used for a range physical ailments including plantar fasciitis, runner’s knee, back pain, rotator cuff, hamstring and groin strains, pain associated with pregnancy, postural correction, tendonitis, swelling, and much more. Used with Pilates, RockTape can help facilitate weak muscle movement, support joint structures, and prevent injury.

Instructors at Firehaus Pilates are trained to place the tape strategically on areas of focus where the tape can stay and last for several days, providing support with no irritation. Once the area has been taped, many clients notice a marked increase in awareness of the targeted section of the body that is of focus. The tape helps facilitate and fast track the benefits of Pilates you can expect! RockTape comes in a selection of colors and patterns to match your personality and help you have fun at Firehaus!

Contact us to learn more about kinesiology taping and to get started on your Pilates program!

MindBody

Searching for the Cure for Chronic Pain in Pilates

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fig-1707104_1920Chronic pain, unfortunately, comes in many forms. Some suffer from back or neck pain while others deal with joint or muscular pain. Fibromyalgia is a category for widespread aches, pains, stiffness, tenderness, and general fatigue. Regardless of the cause or its presentation, chronic pain can wear you down and make life miserable.

For those looking for relief, even the thought of exercise can cause fear. Pilates, however, is one of the few rehabilitation or conditioning techniques that can actually help ease the pain while increasing mobility and health within the body.

Retraining Your Body With Pilates & Without the Pain

Pilates provides ways to help your body re-learn a more efficient way to move without increasing pain. It is a low impact technique, which offers ease on the joints but focused strength building for the core – the predominant area of the body that is critical for movement, stability, and flexibility.

Building core strength enables increased confidence in the way you will move, and can encourage you to strive – and want – to move more. Pain is the reverse, where you are dictated by a feeling of great unease due to painful sensations when you move, or simply a fear that movement will aggravate your discomfort.

Bringing Back Focus to the Body & Connection With the Mind

broken-arm-1221297_1920Those who suffer from chronic pain have a tendency to live in a tense state, opting to almost “disconnect” from their bodies to avoid suffering. Pilates focuses on both breathing and mindfulness for each movement and exercise. This breath work oxygenates the blood and increases circulation, which is a cornerstone of physiological health and nourishment for the muscles, nerves, and tissues. A mindful approach to exercise and life, overall, can benefit those with chronic pain. A sense of wellbeing is possible when you are expertly guided through each movement and motion, aware and in control of your feelings!

Firehaus Pilates works with a range of clients who are in rehabilitation for injury, mobility restriction, and chronic pain. We create custom-made programs using Balanced Body reformers and various other Pilates apparatus’, along with rehab based technique that allows you to progress and recuperate as part of the natural course to improve, heal, and strengthen your body.

Our programs work to carefully increase muscular endurance in all phases of any exercise. You can rest easy that we offer expert and certified instruction to create Pilates programs that account for many variables or challenges you may be feeling. You will be amazed and proud of the progress you can achieve at Firehaus Pilates! Please contact us to explore what we can offer you as you deal with chronic pain – we are here to help make you feel healthy and happy!

MindBody

Excited to Start Skiing or Snowboarding This Winter? 5 Reasons You Should be Doing Pilates Too

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As with many sports, preparation and pre-season training are keys to success. Because of the unique movements and motions required for skiing and snowboarding, focused conditioning will ensure performance, safety, and – above all – fun! There are many reasons Pilates is ideally suited to help you get in shape for winter and stay in shape all season long.

Wintersports and pilates

Power for the Powder

Whether you are a beginner or more advanced on the snow, having a strong, stable core is the beginning of a great winter season. Pilates is all about isolating and building deep abdominal muscles and strength that will create a robust and resilient body. You can expect Pilates to train you to engage your core muscles correctly, so your skiing and snowboarding movements start from an effective base. In fact, core strength power is so central to the benefits of Pilates, you’ll see it’s a common theme behind many of the reasons Pilates is perfect for snow!

Strengthen your back

The lower back is often overused (and under trained) for skiers and snowboarders. Fatigue and poor core stabilization can cause the hip, pelvis, and lower spine to be thrown out of position, which causes undue strain and muscle imbalance. Pilates will help train your body to stabilize the pelvis and keep the spine in a neutral position to cope with the dynamic, ever-changing skiing and snowboarding stances. Expect increased energy and efficient movement making for a safer, less fatigued day on the slopes.

Carve up the Snow

carving-while-skiingBy strengthening your legs, back, and core, you will be able to improve your edging as you transfer power and energy to your skis or board. Pilates offers focused and targeted exercise to intensify your leg power for increased confidence to safely lean into turns and create graceful moves on the snow! If you feel at all out of control or catch an edge on ice, the strength you have developed with Pilates will allow you to safely maneuver your way back to a stable and upright position.

Recover and Avoid injury

Skiing and snowboarding are unique in the demands on moving your body from side to side as not many other sports require this repetitive motion to move forward. A poorly conditioned body or past muscular or skeletal injury can compromise these movements and put you at risk for injury.

Pilates exercises designed for winter sports will help increase strength and flexibility in the large muscle groups, such as the quadriceps, but also train more subtle ligaments, fibers, and muscles in the knees and other vulnerable areas. In practicing Pilates, you will also learn focus that will help bring your body’s overall structure back into balance to avoid overstraining knees and hips or aid in helping you as you compensate your body and balance to prevent a fall. Pilates can help you create resilience against hurt or harm!

Improve your Form

snowboardingAs with any sport, you are looking to invest time and effort to not only stay safe but also improve your skills! Not many people take up an activity and hope to remain at the same ability level for long. Pilates can truly be a key to improving your skills because it offers comprehensive strength training coupled with improved balance, flexibility, and agility. Pilates will develop your body’s conditioning but the strength and focus gained will also build your confidence and help you to advance your skiing and snowboarding technique and coordination!

If you’re looking for a robust and safe winter snow season, contact Firehaus Pilates. We offer targeted winter sports training sessions that will build your core, hone your balance, and strengthen your body so you can enjoy and improve on the snow this year!