90 Day Fitness Challenge Update #9: Meet Robin Jones, Modern Pilates Guru

I’ve been doing Pilates as a part of my Go Betsy Go 90 Day Fitness Challenge.

On Wednesday I train with Robin Jones from Modern Pilates.

It’s always interesting to find out how people get into their chosen calling?  So I asked Robin if she could shoot me an email on herself and give me some more info on how Pilates came about. Every workout I have with her I learn a bit more (and a bit more wacky) info on how Pilates was developed. I am pretty sure that the founder, Joseph Pilates was both crazy and genius, and most definitely ahead of his time.

“Physical fitness is the first requisite of happiness.” – Joseph Pilates

Classically trained, with over 400 hours of training, Robin is a Peak Pilates certified instructor who really cares about people and enjoys working with all body types. She personally takes an interest in the individual helping each person work toward their ultimate goal.

Previously an auctioneer, Robin found her way into the Pilates world by taking a Pilates Mat Class after knee surgery. She experienced first hand how the Classical Pilates Movement System was able to not only rehabilitate her knee, but helped to correct her faulty movements from years and years of imbalances due stemming from her knee problems.

Knowing that it took the brilliance of Joe Pilates a lifetime to create his system, Robin is dedicated to pursuing a lifetime of Pilates studies by always seeking to further her education with trainings and coursework. She brings her ever-growing knowledge to each session to apply the Pilates Principles and Movement System to her clients, as she believes Joseph Pilates intended.

Pilates is a movement system that has been proven to be beneficial for everyone from the high performance athlete to the everyday person and improves flexibility, endurance, balance, and core strength. Pilates training helps you to perform at your peak ability.

“Breathing is the first act of life and the last.” – Joseph Pilates

A lot still remains a mystery regarding Joseph Pilates’ history. He was a fascinating character to say the least. A German, he surfaces around 1918 in an interment camp during World War I in Britain. He rehabilitated soldiers by rigging four poster hospital beds, pulling the springs out from the box springs and using stirrups for handles (the birth of the Reformer, one of the central pieces of equipment in Pilates). When the influenza runs through the interment camp it is said that the soldiers who were exercising with Joseph Pilates did not get the influenza.

Joseph Pilates

In 1926 Joseph and his wife Clara immigrated to America where he set up his studio in the tight confines of New York City to continue his practice. His invention and designs of the Pilates apparatus such as The Reformer and Chair had two functions. Most pieces could be converted into furniture because of the restriction in space – pretty brilliant. The Reformer could be turned into a sofa or bed and the Chair turns into an actual chair.

“In ten sessions you will feel the difference, in twenty sessions you will see the difference and in thirty sessions you will have a whole new body.” - Joseph Pilates

In 1945 Joseph Pilates wrote a book called “Return to Life Through Contrology” (he originally called his system “Contrology”) which gives you photos and descriptions on his exercises and way of life. Every exercise was to be done with the six Pilates Principles: Concentration, Centering, Control, Breathing, Precision, and Flowing Movement. He devoted his entire life to develop the Pilates Movement System.

“I am fifty years ahead of my time.” – Joseph Pilates

Many of the “Elders” or people who trained directly under Joseph Pilates are still alive, teaching and practicing Pilates in their 80’s.

Now, I know personally the affect that Joseph Pilates and Robin have had on my body. 14+ inches lost and I feel strong and lean and taller!

Now let’s get to what’s happening with me. I’ve had to take it easy this week, I’ve been having issues with my back, stemming from my body being extremely, extremely tight. I am usually super-freaky flexible, but I’m can only go about 1/3 the amount I ususally do when I stretch. Something is definitly going on!

Thus, I’ve limited my cardio and my pilates and strength training have been lighter, the latter being more cardio, less weight.

And here are the stats from Betsy for Week 9.

So as of 7/23/10 :

• Bust: 35.5 inches (No change from last week, -2.5″ total)
• Waist: 29.5 inches (No change from last week,  -3.5″ total
• Hips: 39.0 inches (No change from last week, -3.40″ total, Horray!)
• Upper arm: 11.0 inches (No change from last week, -1.00″ total)
• Upper thigh: 22.0 inches (No change from last week, -3.75″ total)

Total inches lost this week: NONE! , total 14.15″ since starting.

I wasn’t expecting much, but this is slightly disappointing. I guess I will have to be happy that at least I didn’t gain! So let’s see what next week brings.

Read all about the 90 day health challenge I’m doing, you can read all about it HERE.

Check out my partners in the Go Betsy Go! 90 Day Challenge: