The best gift is the actual gift of Pilates…a Gift Certificate or package of sessions. Find your local Pilates Studio and give what everyone would enjoy and definitely benefit from!

At Home DVDs a great way to get someone started with Pilates!

Pilates iPhone Case $25.00. This is a trendy, fun cover for your iPhone!

Pilates Warrior Coffee Mug $15.00. A unique Pilates mug for those coffee junkies!

Personalized Water Bottle for Ladies $16.95. A fun and personal way to carry your water wherever you go!

Strong & Healthy Back DVD 2 Pack $14.96. Most all of us could use this!

Joe’s Toe Gizmo® $80. Now here is a unique and different gift for those that need help with bunions, it corrects toe misalignments, strengthens feet, and improves balance and gait. Check it out!

Pilates Pro at Home DVD Series $19.95 each. Master trainer Elizabeth Larkam’s expertise guides viewers with calm, detailed and carefully paced instruction for the intermediate to advanced, and all are suitable for healthy individuals with previous Pilates experience not required.

We wish you and yours a safe and healthy holiday! Please send us any ideas you have for fun, healthy fitness gifts this year!

SUPilates Instructor workshops teach the basics of Pilates and SUP-appropriate matwork, along with the basics of paddleboard technique, guiding principles, and safety measures. Students will walk away with the knowledge of paddleboarding and the Pilates tools that will help them teach classes on their local waters. Beginner paddleboarders are welcome!

Each SUPilates workshops are two days long. The first half of the first day is spent on the water, followed by Pilates work on land. The second day is spent completely on the water. Registration can be done online at www.SUPilates.com, and registration includes a manual, laminated SUPilates cards, and your paddleboard rental. Bring your own board and save $25 on registration fees. For more information, please contact Karen Mirlenbrink at Karen@supilates.com.

Upcoming Workshops include:

• April 30-May1 – Postcard Inn, St. Pete Beach, FL
• June 25-26 – Postcard Inn, St. Pete Beach, FL
• October 3-4 – River Rocks Outdoor Festival, Chattanooga, TN

We are looking forward to some great weekends on the water!

The best gift is the actual gift of Pilates…a Gift Certificate or package of sessions. Find your local Pilates Studio and give what everyone would enjoy and definitely benefit from!

Water Bottles from Gaiam $3.99 and up Gaiam carries a wide selection of stainless steel and aluminum water bottles to help you hydrate responsibly. Each aluminum or steel water bottle can keep thousands of plastic water bottles out of landfills over the course of its lifetime.

STOTT PILATES® Pilates for Athletic Conditioning Kit $36.99 Excellent for cross-training and injury prevention, this kit has everything needed to challenge strength and boost stamina. Includes: one pair of 2lb Toning Balls, one Extra-Strength Flex-Band® Exerciser and three DVDs.

STOTT PILATES® Power Pilates Three-DVD Set $29.99 These fast-paced, full body workouts are sure to elevate the heart rate, and challenge strength and endurance. Includes three DVDs: The Secret to Flat Abs, Core Challenge and Power Paced Pilates.

Sports Top Black Tankini from Breeze Comfort $39.99 A versatile style that you can wear inside and outside of the gym! It is designed for low to medium impact sporting activities. This stylish sports top has ultimate breathability that will keep you cool and well-ventilated during your workout.

Wine Glass Charms with Pilates Poses $35-45.00 Choose your Pilates pose for your set of 4 or 6 wine glass charms.

Organic Supima Wrap from We Pilates on sale for $20.00 Description: 100% Organic Supima® Wrap – Made in the USA finally the wrap we have all been waiting for is here! If you love our shirts you will love our wraps. You can wear them more than 5 different ways- side slit to wear ballet style… Black, white majolica blue and Stucco

BowWow! Notecards $17.95 These “Awesome Aussies” demonstrate perfect Pilates form on these whimsical note cards. (These dogs actually posed on miniature Pilates equipment built by Balanced Body’s production team!) Oversized folding note cards (5-3/8″ x 7-7/8″) are blank on the inside. Set of 15 cards with envelopes.

Pilates (Lite) iPhone and iPad App Free! This is Vook’s Lite version of Alycea Ungaro’s 15-Minute Everyday Pilates series gives you all the tools you need to squeeze regular exercise into your life. In the Everyday Pilates: Day by Day Vook, Ungaro shows you how to get a toned, strong body, and graceful posture in just 15-minutes a day. This fantastic new format offers easy, step-by-step instruction, full color images and 11 videos to take you through this classic Pilates routine. Strengthen, stretch, and build your way to a more toned, more healthy you

Now it is your turn to let us know what great gifts you have found this year! Enjoy giving the gift of Pilates and good health! We wish you all a peaceful, joyful and healthy holiday!

Please join us for an unforgettable President’s Day weekend Pilates and Yoga retreat with Aloha Wellness. Located on the Big Island of Hawai’i amidst a tropical garden and oceanfront paradise.

Aloha Wellness Retreats offers a unique Pilates and Yoga experience in an oasis of beauty and tranquility. We offer you a chance to relax, rejuvenate and enjoy the beauty of luxurious natural surroundings. It is here that one can attain the complete balance of mind, body, and soul.

For more information visit their website at www.alohawellnessretreats.com or via email info@alohawellnessretreats.com.

Mahalo,
Andy Sherwood and Bettina McCullough

At The Fitness Studio of Orlando we are offering the Pelvic Power for Core Integration Franklin Method® Workshop on Saturday, June 26, 11:30am – 2:30pm. The workshop will be taught by Gini Martinez and will cost $100.

This workshop focuses on the application of imagery exercises to increase the balance, alignment and flexibility of the joints, ligaments, muscles and organs of the pelvis. All these systems need to interact dynamically to create power and balance in the core.

This, in turn, will increase the safety of the lower back, knees and feet. Sacral balance is key to the alignment of the spine and legs. We will experience how the sacrum actually moves as a key to understanding proper cueing for Pilates, dance, Yoga and any other movement discipline.

Throughout the workshop imagery and language is used that explains the complex subject matter at all levels of experience. Through the evolutionary logic this workshop will provide a fresh understanding of anatomy and biomechanics of the pelvis. The participants will leave the workshop with a sense of aligned strength through the pelvic floor, the feet firmly balanced and the spine long and buoyant.

• Experience effortless alignment and balance for the whole body through experiential understanding of the pelvic bones, joints and muscles.
• Discover and apply the dynamic alignment of the sacrum.
• Experience how the pelvic floor musculature relates to the abdominal, lower back and hip flexor musculature.
• Experience the importance of the organs in pelvic floor training.
• Learn ball and imagery exercises to train and balance the pelvic joints and muscles.

Reserve your spot today by contacting Gini Martinez at (859) 405-1236 or via email at gini@pilateyourbody.com.

Toe Sox has fun Holiday Yoga/Pilates Sox with Grips that come in Red and White stripes. These would bring holiday cheer to your Studio! $15

STOTT PILATES® DVD Two-Packs Exclusive to STOTT PILATES, these DVD Two-Packs make the perfect gift for any Pilates enthusiast – whether beginner, advanced or somewhere in between. Titles include Pilates for Golf, Walking for Your Heart, Strong & Healthy Back, Pilates-Infused™ Yoga, Prenatal Pilates and Pilates on the Stability Ball™. $19.99

STOTT PILATES® Pilates & Yoga Graphic Mats Perfect for Pilates, Yoga and other Matwork exercises, these durable Pilates mats are 4mm thick and come with a carry strap. These have a unique and inspiring design featuring a helpful alignment line to ensure the spine is perfectly positioned on the Mat. The designs include – Inspiration, Breathe, Refresh, Balance, Regenerate and Recharge. $14.95

STOTT PILATES® Aluminum Water Bottles These 750mL aluminum water bottles match the graphic mats and are lined to prevent taste transfer and feature a flip-top for easy access. Great gift for your clients! $12.95

Holiday Cards from we pilates that say “Hundreds of Thanks”. These are super cute! $17

The Tory Scarf from we pilates This scarf is great for going to Pilates or out on the town. It is one size and super long. A great gift for the season! Majolica Blue, American Beauty (red) Stucco (perfect neutral) and Black. $24

BASI Pilates ™ now offers a Unique Online Tool for Instructors and Studios that has over 300 interactive Pilates exercises called Pilates Interactive Pro or Pilates Interactive Studio. $9.99-$19.99/month or $99-$199/year

Joseph Pilates Posters from Balanced Body that have photos of Joseph Pilates on the Cadillac, Barrel and in his Studio. $39.95 – $44.95

Peak Pilates® now has an exclusive partnership with Pilatesstick® for worldwide distribution. For a larger gift, the Pilatesstick Basic Kit Package is a professional grade portable body sculpting system that allows you to do much of the work usually reserved for the tower, and is ideal for studio or home use. Be sure to check out Peak Pilates website for Holiday Deals from December 7-11. $149.99

One of the best gifts you can give someone special in your life is a Gift Certificate to a local Studio to experience Pilates. Everyone needs a little bit of Pilates in their life!

These are just a few of the ideas we found. Please send us your comments for more Pilates gifts for this holiday season!

The Pre-Convention Workshops kicked off the conference on Thursday night.  Rachel Lowe and I from Pilates Business Resource (PBR) hosted “Confidential Trade Secrets of a Studio Owner Exposed.” This purpose of this workshop was to provide a platform to discuss ways in which studios can bring in more money. Everything from package prices, customer service, service offerings and unique selling strategies were discussed.  For more information about this subject, check out the website for Pilates Business Resource (PBR).

The conference structure was unique in that each presenter presented one to two early morning workouts and one specific two hour lecture that would repeat throughout the conference. This would allow for “no guilt” decision making for the attendees.  You always knew you could catch your instructor’s workshop later on that day or the next. The reviews from each session were extremely favorable. I can best speak to the sessions that I attended.  For example, some attending Rebecca Leone’s “Flexion of the Hip” workshop attended up to four times to be able to take away something different each session because the information was so eye-opening.  All attendees of Lolita San Miguel’s course had the opportunity to get up-close and personal with her as well as demonstrate for her on the Cadillac.

Participants of Michael Collins’s workshop were able to experience pure Pilates Zen as he reviewed the principles of breathing and concentration and how those intertwine to create his personal one rep drill daily to reconnect the muscles and get your body ready for the day.  His daily repertoire consisted of 20 different exercises with focus on the breath.  Each movement linked to an inhalation or exhalation.  He asked that we try to experiment with the flow depending on the day and how your body feels but noted the importance of maintaining our practice as teachers.  We have to take care of ourselves first to feel satisfied and complete.

Attendees almost drew emotional tears of enlightenment from Brent Anderson’s intimate Chronic Pain revelations. I received a royal booty kicking workout from Julian Littleford on “Shoulder Stabilization” when he brought the arm chair out from the living dead!

What I enjoyed the most about the lectures was the ever-present reminder of our rich Pilates heritage and our responsibility to keep the integrity of the work within our means.  This reinforced that we are all working together on this mission to REFORM bodies, minds and spirits.

The most brilliant part of the conference that has remained behind the scenes is the perseverance and willingness of our conference host: Bernie Nelson. Bernie put all of this together from start to finish over a year’s time. In May 2009 he went on a personal campaign through parts of the Midwest (Kansas, Missouri, Iowa, Nebraska) to spread the word about this conference opportunity. This is a part of the country that normally becomes forgotten when drawing conference awareness.  His passion for continuing the work that Joe began with a personalized touch is very admirable.  He and I traveled around Iowa to personally invite studios and ask them “What do you need?”  This type of personal outreach is definitely needed to keep our community close and assure the standards of our teachings are at the highest level we can offer.

Below is a snapshot and review of this opportunity.  I was pleased to be an attendee, Pre-Con Presenter, Peak Pilates MVe Chair class Instructor, Business/Vendor Sponsor and fan of this “open-minded” quality conference.

Pilates Round Table Report Card

• Atmosphere    B
• Learning Opp A-
• Food B+
• Setting B-
• Personalized Attention A+
• Cost for Attending A

A running registration for next year’s conference is open now.  Sign up today.  There is a limit on the number of participants. E-mail Bernie with your questions, comments and thank you’s: bernie@pilatesroundtable.com

Pilates for Golfers is a program for Pilates professionals. Golf clients have different needs which are specific to their own swing faults and body issues.  As a trainer with golf-specific knowledge, you can help your golf clients improve their game while decreasing their risk of injury.  Additionally they will be able to play longer and without the pain that affects many golfers.

This program will increase your knowledge regarding clients who enjoy playing golf and increase business opportunities as you capitalize on a unique market segment. Golfers are a niche market that can help increase your client base and revenue stream.

When purchasing the program, you will also receive bonuses including Pre-Round Stretches and a Golf Fitness Assessment Scoring Sheet to aid in your programming for golfers.  Get the complete program today!

Presenters include Lolita San Miguel, Julian Littleford, Rebecca Leone, Michele Larsson, Michael Collins, Kevin Bowen, Brent Anderson, Kristi Cooper White, and Matthew Comer.   Topics include:

• Lolita shares her Cadillac
• Working with the Shoulder Girdle
• Basics of proper hip flexion
• Pilates and Scoliosis
• Concentration and Breath: The framework of the Pilates System
• Group Reformer Class for All
• Pilates for Chronic Pain
• The BASI Flow Sequence™: Power Mat Work
• STOTT PILATES® Ultimate Body Sculpting

There are already numerous Sponsors that will be represented at the Conference.  For more information visit the Pilates Round Table website.  It looks to be a great event!

April Conferences

If you are looking for something sooner, the Body-Mind-Spirit Conference in Santa Clara, California is starting in a few days.  If it is too late for you, join their webinars, which are available from April 20- May 20, 2009.  You can still save $50 through April 20th.

The Live Healthy Expo is an event for the entire family also in Santa Clara, California beginning April 17.   This sounds like a fun, healthy and educational event for everyone in the family as you learn alternative approaches to health and wellness.

The IDEA Fitness Fusion Conference begins April 23 in Rosemont, Illinois.

Internationally, FIBO takes place April 23-26 in Germany.  This is a trade show for fitness, wellness and health.

May Conferences

Florida MANIA , presented by SCW Fitness, begins May 15 in Orlando combining personal training, Pilates, yoga, aquatics, spinning, nutrition and more. Read more on our interview with Sara Kooperman and MANIA Conventions.

Pilates of Boulder announces Pilates Masters “Rock the Rockies” May 15-17 in Boulder, Colorado.  Jay Grimes, Siri Galliano and Kathryn Ross-Nash are coming together to take you closer to the original work of Joseph and Clara Pilates.

June Conferences

As we described above, the 1st Annual Pilates Round Table Conference will be held in West Palm Beach, Florida, June 5-7, 2009.

Atlanta Mania, presented by SCW Fitness, begins June 12 in Atlanta, Georgia combining personal training, Pilates, yoga, aquatics, spinning, nutrition and more.

Start planning your continuing education for 2009.  Opportunities are endless.  Once you commit, tell them you found their conference at Pilates Digest.  Let us know of other conferences coming over the next few months.  Happy Learning!

Announcing Pilates Day® – May 2, 2009

Pilates Day was created by the PMA as a way to celebrate and raise the profile of Pilates and to bring the uninitiated into Pilates studios around the world. Pilates Day is an annual, international, community event celebrated on the first Saturday of May every year. The Pilates Day mission is to further the public’s appreciation and awareness of the Pilates Method through a multiplicity of events that are varied, innovative, and above all accessible and affordable for their communities.

As a program of the Pilates Method Alliance, Pilates Day events are produced and hosted by PMA members. To host an event, members go to the Pilates Day website, www.PilatesDay.com, and fill out an online application, giving details of their proposed event.  Some members offer free introductory classes, some host lecture demonstrations, show videos, and provide hand-outs and snacks; others mix free classes with lectures on the benefits and history of the method. Pilates Wellness & Energy, a PMA sponsor in Madrid, Spain, is shooting for 1000 participants this year, which would break the record of the largest recorded mat class which they achieved last year with 751 people! It was incredible!

Pilates Day is a fun and exciting way to raise the public’s consciousness regarding its benefits, as well as offering instructors the opportunity to introduce the power of Pilates to new sectors of the community; senior citizens, people with low back pain, athletes, and anyone else wishing to strengthen their bodies, and nourish their minds.  We hope you’ll join in!  Check out www.PilatesDay.com

Join us for the 9th Annual International Educational Conference of the PMA in Dallas, Texas. It promises to be an exciting conference with an outstanding line-up of informative sessions, cutting-edge workshops, mat classes, plenty of exhibits featuring the latest Pilates products and services, pre-conference sessions, delicious food, and great opportunities to network!

While in Dallas, enjoy the sights! Here are some local highlights:

• More than 300 public art works are scattered throughout the city.
• The nation’s largest collection of 1930s Art Deco exposition style architecture is in Fair Park.
• Legendary architect Frank Lloyd Wright designed the Dallas Theater Center, the only freestanding theater built to his design that is still operating today.
• More than 30 museums ranging from art, baseball and sewing machines to railroading and more, can be found in the Dallas-Fort Worth metro area (and many are free)

Join other Pilates Professions for four days of learning, networking, sightseeing and having fun. If you have any questions or need help pre-registering for the conference, please contact Tanya Nieto-Winzey at tanyan@pilatesmethodalliance.org or call 1-866-573-4945 ext. 306. Please note that the fastest and most efficient way to reach Tanya is via email.

The author, Beth Begelman has been working in the fitness industry for over 10 years. She started as an aerobics instructor and went on to obtain training and certifications in personal training, mat Pilates, Pilates apparatus, yoga and golf specific fitness. Beth is certified as a Pilates apparatus instructor with the PhysicalMind Institute; her mat training was completed with STOTT PILATES®. Additionally she holds a certification with Mike Wright’s Golf Pilates as a Pilates for Golf trainer. She has obtained the highest level certification in golf specific fitness with Advantage Golf and is a Master Golf Fitness Instructor and a level 3 Golf Fitness Professional through the Titleist Performance Institute. Beth sits on the Advisory Board for Golf Fitness Magazine and is also a contributing writer.

Pilates Mat Program for Osteoporosis Clients is a program for Pilates professionals. It will help Pilates instructors with clients who suffer from the condition and provide guidelines and modifications for traditional Pilates exercises that are beneficial. As a special bonus, you will also receive a program containing Standing Pilates Exercises which are appropriate for clients with osteoporosis.

Start helping your osteoporosis clients today. For more information, check out Pilates Mat Program for Osteoporosis Clients.

STOTT PILATES®

Toning Ball The Toning Ball can be easily adapted into anyone’s mat routine for added resistance, proprioceptive feedback and awareness of shoulder girdle stability. They range in weight from 1lb-3lb. Great for anyone on your list.  $10.95-$12.95 each

Stability Ball Challenge DVD This is an advanced DVD challenging upper body strength, core stability, balance and control. This is a great gift for employees and advanced clients!  $14.95

Mini Flex-Ball Power Pack This kit includes the 7-inch Mini Flex-ball, Mini Flex-Ball Workout DVD, and bonus Easy Start Poster. Another great gift for clients and friends!  $19.99

Flex-Band® Handles Power Pack This is suitable for everyone for a variety of fitness exercises. The kit includes 1 pair of black Flex-Band handles, 1 regular strength flex-band (green), and Easy Start poster and the new Intense Sculpting Challenge DVD. Great for clients and friends!  $29.99

Eco-Friendly Mat 100% recyclable and biodegradable, this mat comes in two/color combinations for Pilates and yoga enthusiasts. The mango/watermelon is a fun and refreshing colored mat!  $43.95

Pilates for Golf Power Pack This kit for golf enthusiasts includes a Pilates Express™ Mat, Pilates on the Green DVD, Level 1 and 2, and a water resistant carry-along exercise guide. Great for the golfer!  $59.99

Peak Pilates Power Circles The spring-steel resistance of the Power Circle quickly reforms rebellious zones — inner/outer thighs, buttocks, arms, the core and more. Peak offers three band or four band, spring-steel, rustproof-coated with contoured latex-free grips. 14” diameter  $29.95-$34.95

Sandbag Set Designed to improve wrist and hand articulation, while strengthening the core. Good for carpal tunnel and other wrist problems. Adjustable weight, individual 1lb. sandbags allow you to add or subtract weight as necessary. Includes: Nylon bag, lacquered wood handle, satin cord and three 1lb. sandbags.  $79.00

Peak Pilates Dynamic Mat Workout DVD This is cross-conditioning at its best. Rhythmic, flowing and focused, it connects one movement to the next, building greater endurance, flexibility, strength and performance. Initially designed for those in the Peak Pilates education programs, this DVD is now available to everyone in order to experience the flow, energy, and rhythm that distinguishes Classical Pilates from other approaches.  $20.95

MVe Energize Reformer DVD Kick up your energy level with this hot new MVe Fitness Reformer workout! Feel the beat and move rhythmically through a workout designed to improve not only your flexibility, core strength and body awareness but will also tone up your entire body.  $19.95

Peak Pilates Apparel From pants to jackets to tanks, this stylish apparel makes great gifts for your fitness friends! Balanced Body also has great gift options! Check these out.  $35.00-$50.00

Balanced Body Pilates T-Shirt The Pilates three-quarter length t-shirt is a stretchy, feminine top made of 100 percent sheer jersey cotton. The fabric is combed for softness and comfort and perfect for layering. The navy shirt has rough-edged boat necking, a non-binding Merrow-T stitching and white “pi-lä-tez” lettering across the front. Available in sizes small through extra large.  $24.50

The Ultra-Fit Circle The Ultra-Fit Circle is a circular body-toning device designed for total-body conditioning that enables users to gain the benefits of Pilates without using traditional equipment.  The 14″ Ultra-Fit Circle weighs just 10 oz. and is small enough to slip under the couch for storage or into a carry-on bag when traveling.  The Ultra-Fit Circle is a thoughtful gift for Pilates experts and novices alike. Those who have never tried Pilates will learn to use the Ultra-Fit with the included 15-minute training video from Pilates expert Shelly Power.  $34.00

PhysicalMind Institute Tye4 and Standing Pilates DVD The Tye4 harness will help anyone find connection when doing mat or Standing exercises. Great for golfers, dancers, or anyone!  $49.95

Anatomy of Pilates Manual Finally, an anatomy textbook that is just for Pilates practitioners! Now you can easily learn what you need to be able to teach this great Method. Clear anatomical drawings that relate to our specific exercises, with definitions of muscles and how they work and where they attach. Muscle recruitment is explained for each exercise.  $40.00

Pilates Protocols Manual This is the manual for our Concentration 301 course. The book is organzed into three major sections: 1.Musculoskeletal Issues, which describe the major conditions, their problems and treatment. 2.Pilates Protocols,which is written from a Pilates teacher’s experiential point of view. 3. And finally, Movements and Exercises that illustrate what movements can help with the conditions.  $35.00

Historical Photos of Joe and Clara Choose from two original photographs in Joseph H. Pilates studio.  $14.00

Body Arts and Science International Pilates Wunda Chair DVD A double feature DVD with the Intermediate BASI Flow Series and the Advanced BASI Flow Series featuring Rael Isacowitz, live and uncut performing the advanced series.  $29.95

Pilates by Rael Isacowitz Starting with the foundation for all the exercises, Pilates presents an in-depth treatment of mat work, including photo illustrations and detailed breathing instruction to help you perform the movements correctly. A unique set of challenging exercise sequences allows the movements to flow in one continuous motion. Following mat work, where most books stop entirely, Pilates just gets going. The same depth of instruction and photo illustrations are applied to the full range of Pilates apparatus  $19.95

Other Ideas PilatesStyle Magazine Subscription is great for anyone that loves Pilates! Every issue brings you balanced, accurate coverage of all things Pilates, from exclusive workouts from the world’s best instructors to tips for performing and teaching them to the latest innovations in apparatus and products.  $19.95-29.95

We Pilates New Luxe Organic  Supima® Cotton  & Supima® cotton from we pilates clothing.  Brighten up the holidays with colors like Coco, Blue Iris and Raspberry Wine, perfect for gifts for the Pilates lover in your life or maybe just for you!  Best of all the Luxe collection is made with USA grown cotton and manufactured in the USA! There are some new designs like the inspire spiral, Pilates principles (the six principles of Pilates) and find your inner passion. This cozy collection will make you feel at home for the holidays.  $38.00-$44.00

Don’t forget to search for a local Pilates Studio to purchase private sessions or classes or a gift certificate to get someone you know moving with Pilates! There are so many options to help you give the healthy gift of Pilates. If you have more ideas that weren’t mentioned here, please let us know. Give the gift of health this holiday season!

Peak Pilates sets a good example by donating $1 to the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Research Foundation for every person that signs up to their community website.

We at Pilates Digest have decided to follow their lead and donate $1 to The Breast Cancer Research Foundation for every new subscriber we get for our newsletter in October, so spread the word!

STOTT PILATES® is offering 20% off all Breast Cancer Rehab DVD titles and Pink Toning Balls (while supplies last). They are also donating $2 from each sale of breast cancer products to the Pink Tulip Foundation during October.

Mari Winsor has a Pilates for Pink (add link) workout DVD which donates $1 from each sale to The Breast Cancer Research Foundation®.

Pilates Classic has an entire line of Movement Heals products where 15% of the sales are donated to The Breast Cancer Research Foundation.

The Just b Method Pilates & Movement Arts will take $2 off any DVD ordered this month and donate an additional $2 to breast cancer research this month.

Pilates Academy International is hosting a Pink Ribbon Pilates Workshop on Friday, October 24, which helps in working with women who have survived breast cancer.

Locally, our studio, The Fitness Studio of Orlando is donating to and supporting “Making Strides against Breast Cancer” by encouraging our clients to walk and donate money as well. Most communities have a walk or run that supports Breast Cancer Research happening in October.

Many local studios have participated Shape Magazine’s Pilates for Pink campaign.

Cancer Research Foundations

There are many ways to support the cause. You can directly donate to any of these organizations through their websites:

The Breast Cancer Research Foundation
Making Strides against Breast Cancer
Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Research Foundation
Pink Tulip Foundation

Find a way to help support a cause that has touched all of our lives. We need to find a cure!

On the flip side, I have been surrounded by many postnatal clients and friends as well this year, which prompted me to write Postnatal Pilates which will post next week. As we all know, Pilates is perfect for prenatal and postnatal clients. Do your homework and your client will benefit even more. I learn something different with each new client and their pregnancy. I am sure you have as well. Share your prenatal and postnatal experiences with us and your colleagues and post your comments in our Forum! We all want to keep our clients exercising for a healthy pregnancy that includes Pilates!

Visit the Peak Pilates Teaser Photo Contest page, there are some great teasers with some beautiful backgrounds. The contest runs through September 1. Good luck!

All of us have different strengths and the Pilates Digest Community Forum is a wonderful place to showcase what you know and to help other Pilates professionals who may have questions. As always, your feedback is encouraged and welcome!