Category: Allgemein

Farewell 2020

Now finally – one might say – 2020 is coming to an end. After all, it was a year that demanded a lot from all of us:

Avoiding social contacts – wearing masks – stop traveling – R numbers … incidence numbers … daily corona statistics – very moving pictures and reports from Italy, but also England, USA, Brazil and many other places in the world

It seemed like everything was turned upside down and our whole known life was called into question. The whole world had stopped, remained in silence and took a breath. And maybe this is the good side of this Annus Horribilis:

the perception of the silence, the reduction, the recognition of how much we can stop doing without experiencing losses or causing problems and also starting to enjoy the things that we have always taken for granted, yes we have (re) learned humility.

But Corona was also a catalyst:

Digitisation has accelerated – not only in school, but also professionally. Home office became (finally, many might say) a real opportunity to change the working world and at the same time slowed down traffic – who doesn’t remember the empty streets, especially in the first lockdown

And this little virus has also left its mark on the Pilates world. The studios had to close for months. But as in all other areas of life, alternatives were found. And many of you have used it too.

And what was initially only a makeshift tool has turned out to be a wonderful addition to face-to-face training this year. The Pilates world came together through digitisation. As a teacher, I can now take part in workshops all over the world, take private lessons with my favorite teacher in Dubai and teach you.

And there is more even to online, as I already described in my last blog post.

2020 changed a lot in our lives, also for me. At the end of this year I made a decision that for some of you came out of the blue, but that I have considered for a long time and now implemented:

In 2021 I will start teaching exclusively online Pilates for Joy of Movement – for now! Because as John Lennon wrote:

Life is what happens to you while you’re busy making other plans

New Year’s Eve 2020/21 is my leap into the deep end and I don’t really know what to expect. I already have plans and they are already taking shape in my head. But it will probably only become clear in the course of the year which ones can be implemented and which ones cannot. I am excited and curious what 2021 will bring and I am looking forward to all the new challenges.

And I’m especially happy and grateful for all the support from you – THANK YOU!

I wish you all a healthy, happy and prosperous new year

2021

Lockdown light

2020 remains as it was:

• Covid-19
• Contact restrictions
• A-H-A +L +C rules:
  • keep your dist-A-nce – wash your H-ands – wear your face m-A-sk
  • + venti-L-ation
  • + C-orona Warn App

and unfortunately a lockdown again …

This time it’s the “light” version.

But this doesn’t make any difference to the Pilates studios and teachers and the face-to-face or offfline lessons.

As in March, in November we will only be able to do Pilates ONLINE.

In the event calendar you can see when and which Pilates Online classes I will be teaching.

For more info and for booking a class, please write me an Email or WhatsApp.

Stay healthy and safe and keep moving

Back to the Studio

From 12th October I will be back teaching in the studio.

Of course the prerequisites and conditions will be very different compared to the beginning of the year:

• The well-known hygiene rules Distance – Hand washing – Breathing mask apply
• The studio can only be entered without shoes (must be removed outside) and in training clothes (the changing room remains closed)
• You must please wash/desinfect your hands must after entering
• Please bring your own towel to place on the mat and the equipment you use
• Between the classes the whole studio is ventilated and the mats and devices are disinfected
• As a teacher I will be wearing my mask while teaching – you can take off the mask during training
• the maximum number of participants is limited to three

But of course I will continue teaching online.

You can find the whole timetable in my calendar.

I look forward to your registrations, questions and suggestions.

I am looking forward to seeing you soon in the studio.

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.