We all want to cultivate that sense of true happiness within, but if this mood seems impossible to maintain, I see you. A recent global survey found that 45 percent of respondents have not felt happiness in more than two years. Another 25 percent are not even sure what it means to be happy.  Most respondents confess to looking for happiness in sources outside themselves such as experiences, connections, wellness, money, or online shopping. Unfortunately, these sources of happiness can change in an instant. Money, experiences, and people come and go. What if you could move toward happines ..read more

Plank alternatives are a great way to honor your body. While we have no issue with planks here at Lindywell—we love them!—we also recognize that this type of exercise is not for everyone.  Planks can be difficult or downright painful if you’re struggling with chronic pain in your shoulders, wrists, or spine. They can also be too challenging for your body if you’re still building strength, recovering from an injury, or moving through a postpartum journey.  While planks are a great exercise, there are many other Pilates exercises to help you build core strength! Since we’re big fans o ..read more

Thoracic spine exercises are key to feeling youthful throughout every season of life. In fact, all spine strengthening and lengthening exercises help to keep you feeling young.  If your spine is strong, mobile, and resilient, your body will feel youthful no matter your age! As Joseph Pilates, creator of the Pilates method, once said: “If your spine is inflexibly stiff at 30, you are old. If it is completely flexible at 60, you are young.”  Focusing on spine health with Pilates has been key to avoiding back pain (even throughout multiple pregnancies!) and minimizing my scoliosis pain ..read more

By Jessica Thiefels, Lindywell member & Marketing Consultant My Pilates transformation was unexpected. I’m a former personal trainer, ex-gym rat, and long-time “clean eating” advocate. I’m also in the depths of disordered eating recovery and body image healing. I always exercised to change the way I look. Get more toned, keep my belly flat, and feel like I was good enough, or in many cases, better than everyone else. Running parallel to my fitness journey, was my food journey, which included intense elimination diets to heal a variety of mysterious body issues, like extreme bloating and a ..read more

Cycle syncing is a powerful way for you, as a woman, to choose food, movement, and tasks that support where you are in your cycle. In this case, we’re talking about syncing your Pilates routine to your cycle, in other words: choosing the workouts that best suit your mood, energy, and body as they naturally fluctuate throughout the month.  Tuning into your body’s unique needs at each phase can make it easier to choose a workout that helps you meet your body where it’s at, which is a key factor in the way we move here at Lindywell. Choosing your workouts based on your cycle can also elimin ..read more

Today, Kiesha, Head of Breathwork and Somatic Programs, and I are taking a deep dive into incorporating breathwork into our wellness routines to reset our nervous systems into the parasympathetic state so that we can truly relax and rest our bodies.  By the end of this episode, you may be so connected with your breath that you’ll already feel the calm enveloping you. If you are ready to harness the power of your nervous system and access your inner calm you can’t miss this episode.  You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in… The power of the nervous system [8:22 ..read more

Lindy Royer is my mentor and friend. She helped me begin my Pilates journey years ago. Lindy was the one who inspired me to become an instructor and then took a chance on me by hiring me for my first instructor role in her studio.  As a seasoned Pilates instructor and physical therapist, Lindy brings a wealth of experience to this conversation. This is why she’s helping answer several questions from our members.  In this episode, we discuss the role of flexibility in our lives, the best exercises for the lower back, and how to age well. You won’t want to miss out on hearing directly ..read more

Women’s hormone health is a hot topic in the wellness world—and for good reason. Our hormones impact every area of our life, as I’ve learned in the last few years after being diagnosed with a hormonal imbalance.  My doctor was surprised I was even functioning when I was first diagnosed with hormone imbalance! I attribute this resilience of my body to the Pilates routine and our Lindywell approach to wellness, both of which had been a part of my life for many years before my diagnosis. Over the course of this journey (that I’m still on), I’ve learned so much about women’s hormone health a ..read more

Women’s wellness is multi-faceted. We have a lot to think about when it comes to taking care of our minds and bodies as we juggle friendships, family, work (and so much more), all while taking care of ourselves.  Pilates has been a powerful tool for me to stay strong, both mind and body while raising a family, building a business, and weathering the many storms that have come up along the way. In my 10 years of practicing, I’m continually reminded (by the thousands of women that practice with us at Lindywell!) that Pilates is one of the only forms of exercise that can help us women achie ..read more

Women’s wellness is multi-faceted. We have a lot to think about when it comes to taking care of our minds and bodies as we juggle friendships, family, work (and so much more), all while taking care of ourselves.  Pilates has been a powerful tool for me to stay strong, both mind and body while raising a family, building a business, and weathering the many storms that have come up along the way. In my 10 years of practicing, I’m continually reminded (by the thousands of women that practice with us at Lindywell!) that Pilates is one of the only forms of exercise that can help us women achie ..read more