Author: RuthJoM

It’s the mind itself which shapes the body

I have been teaching online Pilates since March 2020. And I am pleased that I was able to move many people despite the social distancing.

For some time now studios are open again and the Corona crisis is over.

But many Pilates students want to continue to train online – for very different reasons.

For me as a participant (yes, Pilates teachers also go to Pilates teachers) it is a great advantage that I can now train with teachers in London, Los Angeles, Dubai, etc. without having traveling to all these far places.

Training and teaching Pilates online is of course very much different to Pilates offline. And in the last few months I have had a lot of experience both with teaching online and with training online.

What is missing online is the possibility of tactile corrections – the so-called “hands on”. Thus, audio-visual communication is given more weight in the virtual classroom. For me as a teacher, this means being very precise with the language and also finding images that can convey the exercises.

For me as a trainee, it means listening with concentration and abstracting what I have heard in such a way that I can bring it from my mind into my body. This means that I perceive my body carefully and my proprioception is trained more intensely.

But this is Pilates too. Especially in classical training, when each trainee trains his “own” program, these properties are important prerequisites and training goals.

Joseph Pilates wrote, “It’s the mind itself which shapes the body.”

JoM goes online

Virus … contact lock … social distancing … Covid19 … quarantine … corona

The world seems to stand still. It is a hard put on the brakes, an emergency stop. Life has totally changed – it really feels upside down.

But this planet keeps turning. We are not stopped, but slowed down. Yes, life has changed completely and everything has been turned upside down – but this change of perspective is also an opportunity.

The chance to rethink, see and decide, what was good and what maybe wasn’t …

The voices, that everything has to go back to normal as quick as possible, are getting louder again … but is that correct? Do we really want to go back there? Do we really think that everything should be the same again as before?

Maybe there is an opportunity in this crisis? Maybe we have the opportunity to rethink and change some things? At the same time, we experience and discover what was and is really important and what we want to maintain, cultivate, and cherish in a future of whatever shape.

Maybe this crisis also gives us the opportunity to restart …

In any case, there is now a chance to go ONLINE and explore the possibilities of the virtual world. It is up to us how much of it we want to take with us and retain after the crisis.

So stay curious and give it a try!

For example here.

And another example: Pilates is also available online !!! Not as a video, but as an interactive life class! Check here on my calendar which times and days suit you and direct message me.

At the End of the Year 2019

From January 2020 onwards there will be new Pilates courses – naturally in addition to the “old” ones.

All relevant information about day, time, place and content you may find in the calendar.

Registrations for the courses in the Pilates Studio Elisabeth Urban in Volksdorf and in the Hamburg Volkshochschule are already underway.

I wish you all a contemplative and happy Christmas season and all the best, love and beauty for the New Year.

I’m looking forward to seeing you in 2020 !

New classes in Altona

Since this month I am teaching every Thursday at ElbPilates in Hamburg Altona.

Since the end of October, I am already offering a Prenatal-Pilates class. In addition I am also teaching a Pilates course for Level I-II since the beginning of November.

Prenatal Pilates in Altona

Thursday · since 24th October · 17:30 to 18:30

Pilates as a holistic training method allows a safe and soothing workout during pregnancy.

•     Deep breathing
•     mobilisation of the spine
•     better balance
•     more stability, mobility and flexibility
•     an improved posture
•     and stronger arm and leg muscles

are part and goal of my prenatal Pilates course. Stretching the whole body relieves tension, and the additional mobilisation of the shoulder girdle and spine helps to prevent and treat neck and back pain. Keeping the body agile during pregnancy while strengthening the arm and leg muscles will help you to carry the increased weight during pregnancy and the baby afterwards. Pilates training during pregnancy will prepare your body for the time after birth and will help it to regain its shape.

Pilates – Level I-II

Thursday · since 07.November · 18:45 – 19:45

One hour of holistic Pilates training on the mat and with equipment. It strengthens the body perception and balance, mobilises the spine, strengthens the inner and outer muscles. A additional focus is on the precision and control in the execution of each exercise.

The transitions between the exercises are also trained, so that the training can lead to a continuous, flowing movement, in the spirit of Joseph Pilates – the ideal training for mind, body and spirit.

The class is suitable for Level I-II, i.e. beginners and intermediate students are welcome. An entry is possible at any time and the trial lesson is free.

Bookings at ElbPilates

New classes after the autumn break

From the 22nd of October onwards, I will be teaching three new Pilates classes.

Pilates matwork for beginners (without previous knowledge) in Volksdorf

Monday, 28.October – 16.December · 7:45pm · 8 weeks

Introduction to the Pilates matwork training with a special focus on breathing, balance and precision

Bookings about Pilates Studio Elisabeth Urban

Fascia Pilates in Farmsen

Wednesday, October 23 – December 18 · 5:00 – 6:30 pm ・9 weeks

In Fascia-Pilates I am not only working with breathing, precision, centering and control like in any Pilates class. By adding turning, jumping, bouncing and stretching exercises, I also focus on the stretching and mobilisation of the fascia and its elasticity.

Bookings at Volkshochschule Hamburg

Prenatal Pilates in Altona

Thursday, starts from 24th of October at 5:30pm

Pilates as a holistic training method allows a safe and soothing workout during pregnancy.

•     Deep breathing
•     mobilisation of the spine
•     better balance
•     more stability, mobility and flexibility
•     an improved posture
•     and stronger arm and leg muscles

are part and goal of my prenatal Pilates course. Stretching the whole body relieves tension, and the additional mobilisation of the shoulder girdle and spine helps to prevent and treat neck and back pain. Keeping the body agile during pregnancy while strengthening the arm and leg muscles will help you to carry the increased weight during pregnancy and the baby afterwards. Pilates training during pregnancy will prepare your body for the time after birth and will help it to regain its shape.

Bookings at ElbPilates

New Classes from August onwards

From August onwards I will be teaching new Pilates classes in Volksdorf and in Farmsen.

At Pilates Studio Elisabeth Urban in Volksdorf I will be teaching two new classes.

Pilates matwork for Intermediate level

Monday, 12th of August – 16th of December · 6:40 pm · 16 weeks

One-hour Pilates matwork with a special focus on the transitions.

In the spirit of Joseph Pilates, we will understand the Pilates matwork as a flowing, continuous movement and will integrate more advanced exercises.

Pilates matwork Over60 and Beginners

Thursday, 15th of August – 19th of December · 10:15am · 16 weeks

One hour holistic Pilates matwork training for seniors and beginners with a special focus on precision, control and balance – the ideal training for mind, body and spirit.

And of course I will continue teaching the following course:

Pilates matwork Over60 and Beginners

Monday, 12th August – 16th December · 10:15 am · 16 weeks

One hour holistic Pilates matwork training for seniors and beginners with a special focus on precision, control and balance – the ideal training for mind, body and spirit.

The courses will not take place during the Hamburg October school holidays and the week before.

All bookings please at Pilates Studio Elisabeth Urban. For more info please contact also the studio or me.

In addition, I will be teaching in the Volkshochschule (community college) Farmsen from 21 August

Fascia Pilates

Wednesday, 21st Agust – 25th September ・6 weeks

In Fascia Pilates I will not only be working with breath, precision, centering and control like in any Pilates class. By turning, jumping, bouncing and stretching exercises, I also focus on stretching and mobilising the fascia and improving its elasticity.

Bookings directly at Volkshochschule Hamburg

The Wednesday-evening Pilates Mat class in Bergstedt continues at the usual time and place.

Pilates matwork for beginners

Wednesday, 14th of August ・ 7:30 pm ・continuous

One hour holistic Pilates matwork training beginners with and without previous knowledge. I put special focus on body awareness and balance, mobilisation of the spine and all joints and precision and control in the execution of each exercise – the ideal training for mind, body and spirit.

The course is ongoing and beginners are always welcome. Bookings with me

New Classes from May onwards

From May onwards I will be teaching new Pilates classes at Pilates Studio Elisabeth Urban in Volksdorf.

Pilates matwork Over60 and Beginners

Monday, 29th April – 15th July · 10:15 am · 10 weeks

One hour holistic Pilates matwork training for seniors and beginners with a special focus on precision, control and balance – the ideal training for mind, body and spirit.

Pilates matwork for Beginners (with basic knowledge)

Monday, 29th of April – 15th of July · 5:30pm · 10 weeks

One-hour Pilates matwork with a special focus on the six Pilates principles: breathing, centering, precision, concentration, control and flowing movement.

This course is a sequel of the Basic course running since January. We will deepen what we have learned and add new exercises.

Pilates matwork for Intermediate level

Monday, 29th of April – 15th of July · 6:40 pm · 10 weeks

One-hour Pilates matwork with a special focus on the transitions.

In the spirit of Joseph Pilates, we will understand the Pilates matwork as a flowing, continuous movement and will integrate more advanced exercises.

Pilates matwork for Intermediate level

Friday, 26th of April – 21st of June or 12th of July · 6:40 pm · 8 or 11 weeks

One-hour Pilates matwork with a special focus on the transitions.

In the spirit of Joseph Pilates, we will understand the Pilates matwork as a flowing, continuous movement and will integrate more advanced exercises.

The courses will not take place during the Hamburg May school holidays and Whit Monday.

The Intermediate course on Friday can be booked in two variants: 8 weeks or 11 weeks

All bookings please at Pilates Studio Elisabeth Urban. For more info please contact also the studio or me.

Ease & Harmony

‘When all your muscles are properly developed you will, as a matter of course, perform your work with minimum effort and maximum pleasure’ wrote Pilates in his book ‘Return to Life Through Contrology’.

I consider this as an essential statement on the essence of the Pilates method.

Pilates is known as a muscle building and muscles strengthening training method. And not a few people start the Pilates exercises, because they have problems with too weak (usually back) muscles.

And most of the Pilates apparatus, which often seem to a lot of new students, who have not seen and used them before, like torture devices, are reminiscent of gyms and their muscle-strengthening workouts.

But building a strong muscular system alone does not create a strong body. It needs much more the holistic strengthening of all muscles, especially the so-called intrinsic muscles.

The training on the Pilates equipment, in particular, causes the muscles to be strengthened, but not shortened, as can often happen when training with weights. And through the many different exercises that strengthen the balance, the inner muscles are stimulated too.

The term ‘powerhouse’, synonymous with the body center, can be understood as pure muscle center, showing its strength in form of a six-pack. Much better fits in my understanding, however, the ‘powerhouse’ as a center in which the power lives, and extends outwards. This is what the Pilates principle ‘centering’ describes: from the center to the limbs and vice versa, i.e. the connection of the extremities to the middle of the body.

The goal is a strong body that allows movement. From the strength of the body center to the mobility of the extremities, from stability to agility, from the power inside to lightness outside, from strength to ease. This is in my opinion what Joseph Pilates described as minimum effort and maximum pleasure.

Or as my very first Pilates teacher Vesna Matthies always said, ‘If it’s not looking beautiful, it’s wrong.’

New classes from April 2019

The 10-week Pilates classes at Pilates Studio Elisabeth Urban in Volksdorf will end in mid-April.

There will be new and more courses from 29th of April onwards:

Pilates matwork Over60 and Beginners

Monday, 29th April – 15th July · 10:15 am · 10 weeks

One hour holistic Pilates matwork training for seniors and beginners with a special focus on precision, control and balance – the ideal training for mind, body and spirit.

Pilates matwork for Beginners (with basic knowledge)

Monday, 29th of April – 15th of July · 5:30pm · 10 weeks

One-hour Pilates matwork with a special focus on the six Pilates principles: breathing, centering, precision, concentration, control and flowing movement.

This course is a sequel of the Basic course running since January. We will deepen what we have learned and add new exercises.

Pilates matwork for Intermediate level

Monday, 29th of April – 15th of July · 6:40 pm · 10 weeks

One-hour Pilates matwork with a special focus on the transitions.

In the spirit of Joseph Pilates, we will understand the Pilates matwork as a flowing, continuous movement and will integrate more advanced exercises.

Pilates matwork Basic course

Friday, 26th of April – 12th of July · 5:30 pm · 11 weeks

This basic course is an introduction to the Pilates method and is particularly suitable for beginners with no previous Pilates knowledge, who would like to get to know the Pilates training.

The special focus is on the first four of the six Pilates principles: breathing, centering, concentration and precision.

At the end of the course, the basics for a continuing Beginner course are laid.

Pilates matwork for Intermediate level

Friday, 26th of April – 21st of June or 12th of July · 6:40 pm · 8 or 11 weeks

One-hour Pilates matwork with a special focus on the transitions.

In the spirit of Joseph Pilates, we will understand the Pilates matwork as a flowing, continuous movement and will integrate more advanced exercises.

The courses will not take place during the Hamburg May school holidays and Whit Monday.

The Intermediate course on Friday can be booked in two variants: 8 weeks or 11 weeks

All bookings please at Pilates Studio Elisabeth Urban. For more info please contact also the studio or me.

Holiday program

The March school holidays are around the corner. For this reason, in the next two weeks Pilates Studio Elisabeth Urban will be hosting a special holiday program.

Because of your numerous requests, I will now offer three instead of the originally planned two courses.

Here is the current holiday program. Please register with Pilates Studio Elisabeth Urban or directly with me.

Pilates mat Ü60

Monday, 4th and 11th of March ・ 10:15 Uhr

One hour holistic Pilates matwork training for seniors and beginners with a special focus on precision, control and balance – the ideal training for body, mind and soul

Pilates mat for beginners

Monday, 4th and 11th of March ・ 17:15 Uhr

One-hour Pilates matwork training with a special focus on the six Pilates principles: breathing, centering, precision, concentration, control and movement flow

Pilates mat for intermediate level

Monday, 4th and 11th of March ・ 18:30 Uhr

One-hour Pilates matwork training with a special focus on the transitions. In the spirit of Joseph Pilates, we will see the matwork exercises as one big movement, staying constantly in the flow of moving.