Archive for October, 2009
SunFX Spray on Tan – get one while your here!
Wednesday, October 14th, 2009
Yes folks, have your Pilates class or massage and then get a quick Spray On Tan. A lovely sun kissed glow that will last 5 – 10 days and guaranteed not to look orange!! Here’s some information about the product…
SunFX Spray Tan is truly incomparable to anything else on offer in the world today! Take 5 minutes for your spray and then shower in only 2 hours (using SunFx Rapid Solution). You will be left with an unbelievable tan that will continue to darken over the next few hours and last between 5 – 10 days (depending on skin type).
Our exclusive SunFX Spray On Tan is regarded the world over as one of the finest. The unique combination of natural bronzers, highly purified water (aqua) and the approved cosmetic tanning agent DHA produce a truly remarkable tanning result. Our product is unique and clients can be assured that it contains no alcohol, oils, perfumes, parabans or artificial preservatives so it’s great for even the most sensitive skins.
We recommend you cleanse and exfoliate your body with SunFX Body Polish and use our luxurious SunFX Body Wash. Pay attention to rough skin areas like knees, elbows, ankles, heels and the tops of your feet. This will ensure the best possible result from your spray tan by eliminating the top layers of dry and dead skin. It is also best to wax or shave at least 24 hours prior and avoid the use of deodorants, moisturisers, perfume and make-up that may inhibit the effectiveness of the SunFX tanning solution.
It is recommended that you wear loose and comfortable dark clothing when you go to get your spray tan. The SunFX tanning solution will not stain clothing in most cases and any slight rub-off should come out in the wash. However, some staining may occur on some light coloured leather, acrylic or other sensitive fabrics.
The application of the tanning solution takes around 5 minutes and feels touch dry almost immediately. The SunFX Spray tan will develop within the first 2-3 hours. For the best possible results, you should avoid the following within the first 5 hours after application:
• Water
• Saunas / Spas
• Physical Exercise / Sweating
• Swimming
• Tight Fitting Clothing
When getting your Spray on sun tan you may wear as little as you like or a full bathing suit. Most people wear just a G-String but this is a personal choice. All the Spray Tan Technicians are fully trained to operate in a discreet manner and fully respect client confidentially.
Most people can expect their SunFX Spray tan to last for up to 5 to 7 days depending upon your skin type and preparation. Some may even keep their tan for up to 10 days.
Your spray tan can be extended through regular moisturising of one of the following products: SunFX Tan Extender, SunFX Summer’s Secret, SunFX Body Butter or even extend and highlight the tan with our beautiful SunFX Body Shimmer. Order our Tanning Products online or Purchase them from your nearest professional SunFX salon. For your nearest stockist, please use the SunFX salon finder above.
SunFX will, on nearly all skin types, provide an impressive and natural looking tan. In fact in many instances, the result of our Spray Tan can be superior to sun and solarium exposure. So to get your skin looking healthy and tanned make an now.
Diastasis Recti – Separation of the rectus abdominus post partum
Sunday, October 11th, 2009
Sorry for that technical heading – I hope you haven’t run off already! What we are going to talk about here is an issue that often occurs during pregnancy where the stomach muscle that runs the length of the torso (rectus abdominus) can separate and open somewhat like a zipper. This is not necessarily due to weak stomach muscles, in fact some of the fittest women can develop this problem as their stomach muscles are so tight that the separation occurs to make room for the growing uterus. Many factors come into play in developing a diastasis recti. First the hormones circulating during the pregnancy will soften the connective tissue around the abdominals, thus making them more susceptible to stress. Secondly, these muscles are lengthening and loosening to accommodate the growing uterus. A diastasis will usually develop over time, mainly during the third trimester however, it came happen sooner in subsequent (2nd, 3rd etc) pregnancies.
How to tell if you have developed a diastasis? Usually it is very apparent. Whilst still pregnant you might notice a bulge in the abdominal area whenever you raise yourself from a lying position. Occasionally it can be the cause of back pain. You may also notice a near triangular shape to your stomach in the later stages of your pregnancy. Post partum the separation will probably be not so obvious so please check with your doctor before resuming any kind of abdominal work, your instructor here at Tailored Pilates will also be able to help and advise you with this.
The bad news is that many women are not routinely checked for this condition and even when they are they are told there is nothing that can be done about it.
The good news is that this is wrong! The body is an amazing instrument with a fantastic ability to heal itself. There is always something that can be done to fix or improve 99% of problems including this one. At Tailored Pilates we have the knowledge and ability to fix this problem if you are prepared to work at it! Please talk to Ingrida ASAP to get yourself on the road to recovery now!
Other issues that can and should be looked at and set on the road to recovery as soon as possible after the birth are: Separation of the pubis symphasis and Cesarean Section recovery.
Pilates is for Men too!
Saturday, October 10th, 2009
Is Pilates useful for men? I’ve always felt a certain reserve about that question. After all, why wouldn’t it be? Pilates was started by a man, Joseph Pilates; it’s been a training vehicle for elite athletes, both men and women, for over 50 years; and men have figured prominently as instructors and promoters of the Pilates method throughout its history.
Though men have always been part of the Pilates scene, the surge of popularity that Pilates has enjoyed in recent years has been powered to a large extent by a wave of women participants and instructors, leaving some with the impression that the Pilates method is more for women. This is an unfortunate side-effect of an otherwise positive development. Fortunately, it is quickly dissolving. Pilates is one of the fastest growing fitness trends in the world, and men are definitely taking advantage of Pilates many benefits.
Why Pilates Works Well for Men
Core strength, flexibility, balance, uniform development, and efficient movement patterns – all are hallmarks of Pilates training and highly relevant to mens fitness. The integrative component of Pilates can be especially beneficial for men, whose workouts often emphasize a part-by-part approach to muscular development, such as what what finds in weightlifting.
Pilates, by contrast, emphasizes moving from the center of the body, the powerhouse, and developing core strength in the deep muscles of the center to stabilize the trunk and protect the back. This kind of core training makes Pilates an excellent technique for whole-body fitness, as well as a foundation for cross training with other kinds of sports and exercise.
Increasing flexibility is a goal that Pilates addresses in a way that men often feel comfortable with. Pilates works toward functional fitness. That is, the ability to have the strength, balance, and flexibility that allows one to move through daily-life tasks with grace and ease. To this end, Pilates exercises do seek to increase flexibility and range of motion, but one won’t find the kind of pretzel stretches in Pilates that one might find in gymnastics or yoga.
Pilates on Wii???
Saturday, October 10th, 2009
This is a review we came across whilst browsing, we thought this was interesting – we’re not necessarily saying rush out and buy it mind you! (In fact I suspect after reading you probably specifically won’t!)
Review – Wii Pilates with Daisy Fuentes
The Nintendo Wii technology, with balance board and remote sensor, seems to offer an exciting new way to learn Pilates and refine ones training. But the new Wii Pilates workout program with Daisy Fuentes fails to realize that potential.
From 5 minutes of running in place, barefoot on a hard surface; to poor exercise demonstrations; and an irrelevant emphasis on things like exercise timing, changing scenery, and inexplicably long rest periods; this semi-Pilates experience leaves a lot to be desired.
Pros
- Wii Pilates gives you lots of options on how to experience the Pilates workout
- Exercise instructions are very basic, but sufficient
- The overall presentation is organized and attractive
Cons
- The exercises are not demonstrated with good form
- The game tracks your exact timing on exercises – something practically irrelevant
- The exercises are odd choices, in an odd order, and modified haphazardly
- The wii board and remote offer nothing in terms of improving peformance of Pilates exercises
Description
- A slightly interactive Pilates workout with option to use the Wii balance board and remote
- Teaches 10 exercises in a separate session from the workout
- Offers several workout options at beg. int. and adv. levels
- Exercise instructions are in a section separate from the workout
- Lets you choose your workout scenery, from tropical gardens to indoors at a spa
- Exercises are demonstrated by an animation of Daisy Fuentes
- Typical retail price: $29.99USD (No word of UK availability)
Guide Review – Wii Pilates with Daisy Fuentes
Trying Daisy Fuentes Wii Pilates was my first exposure to the Wii board and remote sensor interactive technology. From what I had heard, I thought Wii might be a great workout and teaching tool for Pilates. Someday, it might be.
As it turns out, you never even get on the balance board and the program doesn’t track how you are using your body at all — something so important in Pilates. Actually the program is fixated making sure that you move in time with the animation on the screen (is that important?). I expected a lot more from the balance board and remote. For example, using the sensor technology to reflect important aspects of Pilates movement, like pelvic or upper body stability, would be amazingly helpful.
You can choose a short workout or a longer “classic” workout, but neither will give you a real taste of the depth of Pilates mat work. Of the 10 exercises offered, most are strangely modified, like Pilates neck pull (usually an advanced exercise) made unrecognizable; or done improperly, like an extreme straddle stretch done repeatedly with poor leg and hip alignment. There is no real progressing the exercises in levels either. Advancing merely means more repetitions.
Daisy Fuentes trained with Mari Winsor, and was a spokesperson for Winsor Pilates. Here she appears as a kind of hostess. The exercises and workouts are demonstrated by an animation of Daisy. An animation so slim, long-limbed, and buxom I wondered what the point was. But more importantly, an animation so bow legged it is impossible to see good leg alignment (not that there is attention that anyway); so inflexible in the mid and low spine it misses important spinal articulations, and so hyper-flexible in other ways it encourages unsafe movement.
The preceding review is by Marguerite Ogle of About.com and does not necessarily express the views or opinions of Tailored Pilates or any of its employees.
Update 14/10/09 : Here is a second opinion 