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Firehaus Pilates Studio

Firehaus Pilates Studio

Pilates Fitness Studio in the Denver Highlands Neighboorhood

Pilates Education

MindBody

March MATness

March 4, 2019 by JoAnna

I either hear “MAT Pilates is easy, I want to take a Reformer class”  or “MAT Pilates is too hard for me!” We obviously need to clarify what MAT Pilates is all about!

Pilates as a whole is never too easy or too hard if you are connecting your mind, body and breathe together to do the movement. Yes, there may be some movements that are easier for you and harder for others depending on what’s going on with your body. Remember that the reformer, tower, chair and other apparatus are amazing and fancy pieces of equipment that provide you with resistance but they also assist you in a lot of areas. Give your body a different challenge without the assistance of the straps or springs!

MAT Pilates requires only one thing, yourself! It is great because you can take home what you learn in class without needing any of the fancy equipment. A lot of the MAT work exercises are original Joseph Pilates moves, the founder of Contrology or better known as Pilates! Joseph Pilates was a pioneer in his time. He believed that mental and physical health are interconnected and that eating healthy and getting sufficient sleep were essential for overall health. It feels kinda’ nice kickin’ it old school with JP! Some of those more classical Pilates exercises require you to work hard to stabilize your core, lengthen those muscles and control your pelvis. Oh yes, and don’t forget to breathe!

You will be in for an exercise routine that tones, strengthens, boosts mental health, improves posture, increases flexibility and focuses on your powerhouse – you know those really important muscles like your abs, pelvic floor musculature, hips and glutes. Remember, a strong core helps ward off back pain and makes daily chores more doable. A strong core is a must and not just for athletes!  For parents picking up their kids, runners, golfers and those who sit at a desk or in their car for long periods of time. When your core is strong, it serves as the center of power so your limbs don’t have to bear as much of the brunt of movement. Studies show that Pilates is effective in reducing pain and improving function in people with back pain. How amazing is Pilates?! We can tell you stories of how Pilates saved numerous people from having to have back surgery.

Don’t be intimidated by the classical MAT Pilates repertoire, At Firehaus Pilates we may switch it up and start with a different warm up then “the hundred” and end with some nice fluid, feel good movement that relax the nervous system. We will always keep the movements appropriate for your body and skill level while still providing you with a challenging workout. Thanks to the balance, focus and strength work in Pilates, you will always leave the MAT feeling strong, energized and de-stressed. Amen to that!

So, if you have you been layin’ all comfy on the Reformer, get yourself into a MAT class and see where that body weight work is at! It takes a lot of control and strength but remember that Pilates of any type is for Every-BODY. Just as we modify movements on the reformer or tower, we also modify on the MAT! I challenge you to take 1 MAT class per week for 1 month and feel the difference in your body, mind and bootay!

 

We offer a MAT Class every Wednesday night at 7pm – For March MATness we are offering a 4 Pack of MAT Classes for $50.00. We encourage you to use them consecutively!

 

Home Work!  Please feel free to take this exercise home with you along with anything else you learn in our classes!

The most commonly known Pilates MAT exercises is The Hundred:

 

Start lying on your back.

  • Bend your knees so the feet are flat on the floor. Place your arms straight beside your torso with  palms facing down.
  • Take a breath in and on the exhale draw your navel into your spine (narrowing your waist as if you were wearing a corset). Then slowly bring your legs up to a tabletop position (lift one leg at a time keeping your abdominals engaged, the knees will be bent at a 90-degree angle and form a 90 degrees angle with your hip joint).
  • Reaching with your arms, nod your chin and curl your torso to bring your head and neck off the floor. Beginning pumping your arms at your sides. Inhale for 5 beats, Exhale for 5 beats. Repeat this 10 times.
  • To advance the exercise – extend your legs to a straight leg position.

Special considerations:

  • Neck pain – Don’t work through it! You can perform all or part of the repetitions with the head on the MAT.
  • Back pain – This is an indication that there is too much load on your abdominals (i.e. they aren’t strong enough yet). Make the position smaller: If your legs are straight, put them in tabletop; If your legs are in tabletop, place the feet on the floor.

 

Filed Under: Denver Community, Exercise of the Week, Healthy Lifestyle, News and Events, Pilates Education, Pilates for Fitness, Pilates for Seniors, Pilates for Sports, Postpartum Pilates, Prenatal Pilates, Rehab Pilates, Uncategorized, Video, Your Workout

MindBody

Dream Big in 2018: Become a Certified Pilates Instructor with Polestar & Firehaus Pilates

December 27, 2017 by JoAnna

Maybe you’ve been a Pilates fan for years, or a yoga teacher looking for a new challenge, or perhaps you’re looking for a new career. No matter what got you to this point in your life, it’s time to dream big and seriously consider becoming a Certified Polestar Pilates Instructor with Firehaus Pilates!

How is Polestar Pilates Different?

Pilates is an approach to exercise that engages the mind and body in promoting whole body health. Devised by Joseph Pilates and brought to America in the early 1920s, Pilates exercise focuses on breath, centering the mind, concentration, precision, and control.

Polestar is a worldwide authority in Pilates education with a particular focus on overall wellness and healing through mind-body-spirit connectivity. Founded 25 years ago, Polestar Pilates embraces the Pilates techniques and aims to influence world health by enabling whole body fitness, uniform muscle development, and body-mind mastery.

Polestar Pilates Rehabilitation

One unique aspect about Polestar Pilates is its science and evidence-based curriculum, which enables instructors to help people restore, achieve or excel in physical movement. The approach is ideal for rehabilitation and can help individuals realize relief from muscle pain, neck and shoulder pain, back pain, and a range of chronic illnesses.

The Polestar Pilates rehab approach can help prepare people for surgery, treat post-operative conditions, and restore healthy movement patterns. Education is a big part of the Polestar Pilates way, and this knowledge is shared with clients to empower them to both understand and overcome physical challenges.

Pilates Method Alliance

Polestar is an international community of highly-trained professionals. With representation in more than 50 countries, Polestar Pilates makes education and excellence the flagship of its identity.

Polestar Pilates supports the Pilates Method Alliance (PMA), a professional association for Pilates teachers. Part of the PMA initiative since its inception, Polestar Pilates is backed by the PMA certification, which reflects the rigor and professionalism of instructor training.

Polestar Pilates Certification

Certification as a Polestar Pilates instructor is driven by a college-level curriculum that is based on scientific foundations of physiology, anatomy, motor control and biomechanics. Education integrates the scientific research findings for use in the exercise, orthopedics, rehabilitation, sports medicine, and movement science.

Following participation in 25 hours of group or private Pilates classes, students can pursue the Polestar Pilates certification. Certification classes begin with Polestar Principles, which help students deepen their knowledge in current evidence-based research, understand Polestar Pilates movement, and actively demonstrate ability through execution and teaching. From this base work, students move onto comprehensive Pilates training for studio work and rehabilitation.

Polestar Pilates and Firehaus Pilates

Firehaus Pilates is proud to be a host site for Polestar Pilates education! Firehaus Pilates offers basic instruction, continuing education, on-site training, practical coursework, and is authorized to provide all the necessary required course hours and pre-exam checkoffs to prepare students for their final Polestar Pilates Practitioner exam.

The Firehaus Pilates instructor team are experts in all areas of Polestar Pilates. Led by Polestar Educator Misty Wooden and mentored by Firehaus Pilates owner, Rachel Algra, courses will teach students the practical skills of Pilates, specifics of Polestar Principles of Movement, assessment techniques, movement sequencing, and applications of Polestar Pilates for healthcare professionals.

Is 2018 your year to become a Certified Polestar Pilates instructor? Firehaus Pilates is now taking applications for the Polestar Pilates Comprehensive training, and we bet you are an ideal candidate to make this year the year you dream big!

Filed Under: Pilates Education

MindBody

Why Certification is Critical for a Rehab Pilates Instructor

June 1, 2017 by JoAnna

Competent, certified instruction is critical to ensure you get the best, safest, and most effective rehab program. With foundational to advanced education levels, certification for rehab Pilates is a comprehensive and professional qualification program that gives instructors the in-depth knowledge and skills needed to guide rehabilitation care.

Structural Understanding

Pilates for therapeutic rehabilitation is built upon an understanding of the actual anatomy and physiology of the human body.

Rehab Pilates certification requires an anatomy prerequisite that helps instructors understand not only the condition or injury but also the supporting structural system.

Understanding the anatomical systems helps instructors effectively apply the necessary Pilates modalities for maximum benefit.

Whole Body Knowledge

Pilates certification emphasizes a holistic view of both the direct area of injury and all compensating areas of the body. Building upon an understanding of human anatomy, this integrated view aids certified instructors to develop effective rehab programs.

Knowing how the injury or recovering areas may be influencing the body allows certified instructors to develop integrative programs that stabilize and facilitate movement while minimizing discomfort.

Continuing Education

Ab Separation - Diastasis Recti RehabProfessional certified Pilates instructors embrace continuing education to formalize their practice and enhance their proficiency. Polestar Pilates requires ongoing continuing education requirements to maintain certification and gain mastery of the needed rehabilitation skills. Skilled certified rehab Pilates instructors use ongoing education to:

  1. Expand tools for rehab,
  2. Stay informed of advances in research,
  3. and learn ways to further improve treatment plan outcomes.

If you are looking to incorporate Pilates into your rehabilitation program, be sure to determine whether or not your instructor is certified. Firehaus Pilates offers a strong, experienced team of certified rehab Pilates instructors who are available to help! Contact us for more information.

Filed Under: Pilates Education, Rehab Pilates

MindBody

Why You Should Use Kinesiology Tape for Pilates

November 28, 2016 by JoAnna

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!

Filed Under: Healthy Lifestyle, Pilates Education, Pilates for Fitness, Pilates for Seniors, Pilates for Sports, Rehab Pilates

MindBody

#IamPolestar: How Being a Polestar Pilates Education Site in Denver Benefits Our Clients

November 15, 2016 by JoAnna

While Pilates focuses on movement to increase strength, core stability, and flexibility, Polestar Pilates uses this exercise approach to target physical therapy and rehabilitation. Driven by an evidence-based approach, Polestar helps achieve, restore, and excel in physical movement.

How Being a Polestar Pilates Education Site in Denver Benefits Our Clients

Not only does Firehaus Pilates employ multiple Polestar trained practitioners, but we are also now a host-site for Polestar Pilates Education! This unique feature offers particular advantages for the local Pilates community and our clients.

Polestar Pilates has been focused on fitness and rehabilitation for over 25 years and is represented in more than 50 countries around the world. The Polestar approach offers proven techniques that assess and assist the whole person to overcome injury, improve strength, enhance recovery, and accomplish goals. Continuing education is a critical part of the program, not only as a requirement for Polestar-certified instructors but because of the importance of understanding and applying the latest evidence-based findings to aid recovery.

logo-polestar-mediumAt Firehaus Pilates, Polestar education helps instructors throughout the area access this unique fitness philosophy to improve their own clients’ physical and mental wellbeing. Through the comprehensive Pilates Rehabilitation Certification, hosted at Firehaus, we can help Pilates professionals achieve certification or recertify their credentials, conveniently in local classes not otherwise available. This popular program includes lectures, online tutorials, observation, apprentice teaching, and more to help expand access to Polestar-certified instructors throughout the Denver area.

Other Polestar courses available at Firehaus Pilates include an intensive Polestar Transition Course for current instructors looking to expand their knowledge and experience of this discipline. For Pilates instructors in Denver seeking to grow their practice and expand their value to clients, this course is another great solution.

Ab Separation - Diastasis Recti RehabFor current Firehaus Pilates clients, the location of a Polestar Pilates Education Site in the studio offers first-hand benefits! Our studio is born out of a focus on holistic rehabilitation approaches that affect every member of staff. We all seek to expand our capabilities and empower our clients, and in-house Polestar Education helps us achieve these goals!

Our founder, Rachel Algra, is not only a Polestar-certified practitioner but she is an instructor of the technique and aims to be a mentor to other trainers. We are proud of our Polestar knowledge and dedication and feel clients benefit from this commitment to create even more valuable programs!

If you are interested in Polestar Pilates Education for instructor training or your individual rehabilitation needs, please contact us! We’re here to help you on your journey – wherever you are hoping to go!

Filed Under: Pilates Education

MindBody

How to Become a Trusted Rehab Pilates Instructor

June 28, 2016 by JoAnna

Pilates is a fast-growing exercise and fitness activity across the country. Like all Pilates instructors, those focused on Pilates for rehabilitation are most successful when they are well qualified, instilled with confidence, and respected among students. If you’re interested in becoming a rehab Pilates instructor, or you’re looking to expand your knowledge into this area, consider these tips on how to make it happen so that you – and your clients – have the best experience.

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Class Size: Groups or Individuals

As you map out your plan to excel as an instructor specializing in rehab Pilates, think about the type of person you are. Do you prefer working with large groups, leading classes, following plans? Or do you like programs with individuals where you customize training plans and partner with a client to meet specific goals? Knowing your style and teaching preference will help you define if focusing on a group or individual Pilates instruction is the right path for you and your students.

Top Training

Clients look for instructors who are well certified and coaches that they can rely on to provide them with expert guidance, care, and results. For Pilates rehabilitation support, instructors must be even more skilled and practiced. The training and certification you get matters, so look for the best programs you can find (such as the Polestar Pilates Education we offer). Seek out training from licensed and certified instructors who are working in a reputable studio. To ensure you provide superior instruction to students, consider programs that are backed by the Pilates Method Alliance.  

Keep Training

Becoming a rehab Pilates instructor only begins at certification. Be sure you are ready to commit the time, practice, and ongoing continuing education necessary to maintain certification and progress your skills. You will be busy in your work and secure a loyal following of clients when you can show you’re continually seeking to learn more about the industry, the latest research findings, and new Pilates programs to help your students succeed.

Specialty Service

If Pilates rehabilitation is the specialty track you’d like to pursue, make sure your basic Pilates foundational knowledge is strong, first. Having a full, well-rounded Pilates skill set is critical to inspiring confidence in both you and your students. Pilates for rehabilitation is the natural extension of basic Pilates training. With foundational and advanced training, you’ll be able to help clients recover and deal with a range of conditions and situations, such as osteoporosis, muscle tension, back pain, or injury.

If you’re considering rehabilitation Pilates education, we’d strongly recommend you look at the Firehaus Pilates training program. Firehaus is a Polestar Pilates education center offering a comprehensive Pilates Rehabilitation Certificate. Polestar Pilates focuses on whole body wellness and healing with mind-body-spirit connectivity. The Polestar Pilates rehabilitation curriculum is associated with the Pilates Method Alliance (PMA) and uses evidence-based techniques to help instructors guide people to restore and excel in physical movement through pain stabilization, improved range of motion, and increased muscle focus.

Contact us today about our trusted and comprehensive Pilates instructor training programs!

Filed Under: Pilates Education

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 3451 West 38th Avenue
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