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The August Five

Fluid Movement & Massage offers five moves each month that incorporate yoga, Pilates, and strength exercises to help you build strength and increase your flexibility.

1) Lion Drinking

 

From hands and knees, inhale as you slowly bend your elbows to lower your nose towards the ground. Exhale to press back up (this is a smaller move than a push up, keep your back flat and shoulders wide.

2) Thread the Needle

From hands and knees, inhale as you extend right arm out to the side. Exhale and reach under your left arm, look to the left. Spine twist, hip stabilization.

3) Bridge

Lying on your back. Exhale as you press into your heels and curl your pelvis up towards the ceiling. Inhale here then exhale to slowly lower back down. Spine articulation.

4) Scissors

On your back. Round head and shoulders off the mat and hold on behind your right leg, extend left leg out away from you. Inhale and drag your left leg towards you, exhale and switch legs. Active hamstring stretch, hip and shoulder stabilization.

5) Yoga Dancer

Stand on your left foot and extend your left arm to the ceiling (or hold on to a wall for balance).  Hold your right foot with your right hand or a strap and gently pull your foot straight back behind you allowing your hip and quad to stretch.

Client Testimonial – Pilates

I recently received this testimonial from a client. I sure do love hearing success stories like these!

 

I started doing Pilates on my own after rupturing my achilles tendon, having surgery, etc. I bought a book (did a lot of research and found one that was excellent) and was able to stay in amazingly good shape while I recovered. I then went to the reformer class in Seattle, which I loved. Then I moved down here and found you through Yelp.

I was a little nervous about taking a “mat” class vs. the reformer and was concerned that I wouldn’t get the same level of workout. Boy, was I wrong. You really are a gifted teacher, Anne. Your commitment to your profession is an inspiration – I’m always impressed by the fact that you’re constantly learning new things and incorporating them into our class. The class is never the same (so we don’t get bored), you always give very good “visuals” to help us do things correctly and it’s a GREAT workout.

I REALLY, REALLY appreciate you and am so, so happy to have found you. I have noticed that my arms are much stronger. All those pilates push-ups that I hate have helped me a great deal – Ha! 🙂 My spine is also healthier than it’s ever been!

You Are Invited To Fluid’s Client Appreciation Party Saturday July 21st 2012

Fluid’s annual Client Appreciation Party is happening this Saturday July 21st from 5-8 pm. If you are reading this post you (yes you) are invited!

Join us for live music, food (Laura’s famous Hawaiian style meatballs are on the menu, as well as Haupia), Mai Tai’s, and fun! Take a dip in the kiddie pool, or just relax in the shade. Prize for best (or worst) Aloha shirt.

Come meet your Fluid family and be the fist to get the scoop on our Hawaii 2013 trip.

 

The July Five

 

Each month I assign my clients five exercises to work on everyday. Last month we did a leg focus. This month we work upper body, core, standing balance, and a hip stretch. Here are a few of my yoga ladies demonstrating these exercises. Try going through these once on your own this week and let me know if you have any questions. For more details descriptions of these exercises click here.

1) Criss Cross

Right elbow to your left knee. Switch sides.

2) Medicine Ball Push Up:

One hand on a medicine ball. 5 – 10 push ups, then switch hands.

3) Big Twist:

Press up into a side bend.

Twist your feet and reach under (like a one armed down dog). *Note this third photo is taken from the other side.

Slowly lower back to the ground.

This is the most complicated of the five – I am happy to show you this personally the next time I see you.

 

4) Warrior III:

Stand on one leg, lift back leg, shoulders down.

5) Pigeon:

From hands and knees, slide your right knee forward and slowly lower your hips.

 

If you have tight hips place a block or pillow under your hip for support. If you feel pain in your knee stop immediately. You should feel this stretching your hip.