The Benefits of Pilates for Women Over 50: A Complete Guide It’s well-known that exercise offers many physical and mental health benefits to people of all ages. But Pilates is especially beneficial (and accessible) for older adults. Let’s take a look at some of the top benefits of Pilates for women over 50. Benefit #1: Improved Bone Density Osteoporosis (when the bones become brittle and weak) is one of the most common health challenges that women over 50 face. However, weight-bearing exercise, including certain Pilates exercises, can help improve bone density, reducing the risk of fractures a ..read more

You’ve decided to start Pilates classes, but how do you know which studio to choose? Or maybe you’re a long-time Pilates veteran, but you’re moving to a different area and need to find a new studio. What should you look for? It’s so important to find a studio that feels like home — that’s what will help you stay consistent about going to classes (and enjoying them). Here are some of the most important things to consider when choosing a Pilates studio. Consideration #1: Expert Instructors One of the most crucial things to look for when choosing a Pilates studio is highly trained, certified inst ..read more

Staying healthy over the holidays can be a challenge for even the best of us. Balancing family, traditions, and our own mental and physical health can take its toll. At Pilates in the Grove, we don’t just stop at the physical. So we wanted to give you the ultimate holiday health guide for your complete wellness this holiday.      Holiday Health Focus: Mental Health The holidays can be positive and negative on our mental health so it’s important to listen to our own needs. Here are a few ways you can avoid being overwhelmed!   Take a Breath Feeling tense or stressed? Breath ..read more

What a year it has been! It is hard to remember what life was like pre-pandemic, but here at Pilates in the Grove, we all can agree we are ready to get back to “normal,” whatever that looks like now.   As we begin returning to our more regular routines, we think there is no better time to return to Pilates, too! Of course, safety is top of mind for everyone, from our instructors to our studio guests. We want to ensure everyone stays safe and healthy as we begin to return to our normal routines, which is why we want to update on changes we have made at Pilates in the Grove over the last ye ..read more

Why Should You Try Pilates for Tight Hamstrings?   Although basic hamstring stretches may seem like the obvious solution for your tight hamstrings, they seldom create lasting change. That is because for many of us, our range of motion is often hampered by imbalance in the connected muscles and joints, rather than actual tightness of the hamstring muscle group.   Unlike static stretches, Pilates training incorporates a variety of movements that can improve strength, flexibility and body awareness in all of the muscles around the hamstrings. This integrated support to the surrounding m ..read more

If you suffer from lower back pain, you’re definitely not alone. In fact, experts estimate that up to 80% of the population will experience lower back pain at some point in their lives. Back pain can affect people of all ages, and it’s the third most common reason for visits to the doctor.     The good news is, most cases of lower back pain are acute: short-term back pain that may only last a few days to a few weeks. With proper self-care, this type of back pain can resolve on its own. Certain exercises can even ease that pain and help you start feeling better.    Caus ..read more

You took an iffy step off a curb or overextended yourself on your recent run, and now you have a sprained ankle. With a couple of weeks of rest, you’ll be as good as new… right?   Unfortunately, sprained ankles rarely work out that way in real life. With many sprained ankles, people tend to cut the rest time short and then continue to injure themselves when they get back to regular activity. Worse, many people underestimate the damage done to their ankle: maybe it’s a tendon injury, or maybe you’ve got a broken bone!. Not understanding the extent of your actual injury can make recovery th ..read more

Did you know, Florida is ranked number one in the nation for female entrepreneurs? In fact, Miami ranks third in the country for the number of women-owned businesses, and we feel like this is something to be celebrated.   So in honor of International Women’s Day, our owner and founder of Pilates in the Grove, Christa Gurka, wanted to share her insights in owning a business and interview several female entrepreneurs in our local Miami community.     Over to Christa… Being an entrepreneur is not for the faint of heart. Truth be told I never set out to start my own busin ..read more

Are you a sloucher? Do you have a tendency to sleep on your stomach? You may find that these things heavily impact your natural posture. Throw in a desk job, a lot of sitting, and even a little bit of aging, and it’s a recipe for disaster on your body! You could already be feeling the effects without even realizing it!   Posture is not fixed overnight, nor is it made worse overnight. But if you’re feeling these signs, it could be time to fix it. Pilates and good posture go hand-in-hand, so here’s what to watch out for and how to feel better inside and out.   Anterior Pelvic Tilt ..read more

February is Healthy Heart Month, so we want to share how our Barre classes are an exciting way to improve your cardiovascular health. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States! It’s our job to take care of our hearts. As Joseph Pilates said:    “Not only is health a normal condition, but it is our duty not only to attain it but to maintain it.”   And of course, he was right! Barre classes are not just for ballerinas anymore; here’s how taking a Barre class can contribute to your ..read more