health

Pilates & Co Pilates Reformer Studio Gold Coast Osteoporosis

Can Pilates help with Osteoporosis?

When there is not enough Calcium in the blood for muscle contraction, our bones release Calcium for this very important function. Everything we do relies on muscle contraction from blinking, breathing to the beating of our heart, therefore muscle contraction trumps bone health in the organisation in our bodies function. Osteoporosis occurs when bone mineral density declines. Not only is there a loss of bone mass but the quality of bone is poorer.

osteoporosis-bone

Osteo = bone
Porosis = cavity formation

Osteoporosis Symptoms

There are no symptoms for osteoporosis, the two ways it is diagnosed is either through bone mineral density scan or through fracture. An individual over 60 years old that has a femoral fracture, has a 1 year mortality rate of 20%! This statistic is very concerning and is due to a spiral effect from hospitalisation, becoming sedentary, possible infections or other complications, moods impacted negatively etc.

With regards to dealing with osteoporosis, we not only want to build up the bones but it is critical to decrease risk of fracture. The best way to decrease the risk of fracture is through exercise and reformer Pilates is an ideal way to build this strength! Reformer Pilates incorporates building strength, balance and stability, all of which are important to avoid falls and in turn a possible fracture. There are no contraindications with regards to physical exercise and osteoporosis. Being as active as possible, including jogging or other ‘jumping’ sports are important for good bone health also.

 

Pilates and Osteoporosis

To keep osteoporosis at bay – exercises that load bones and high impact exercise help to increase bone density along with a healthy diet. Lifting heavy weights, high impact sports and exercises like Reformer HIIT, Met.Con and Intermediate Reformers sessions are all very beneficial for good bone health. Make it your mission to keep your bones as healthy as possible by maintaining a healthful, nutritious and alkaline diet along with high impact and weight training exercises 3 times per week.

 

Belinda Survilla is the Pilates & Co. studio manager and takes regular classes at the Miami studio, including orientation for new members.

Want to kick-start your fitness goals too? Come and see us at Pilates & Co. We offer a number of membership and class payment options, and if you’re new to our studio you can take advantage of our free orientation class and our 4 for $80 Introduction offer. You could get really serious and join our 6-week Transformation Challenge.

Not a Gold Coast resident but planning a trip to the Burleigh Heads or nearby? Purchase our 4 for $80 class visitor pass (valid for two weeks)Contact us if you need to find out more.

healthy food asian inspired food recipe

Healthy Food: Asian Inspired Zoodle Salad Recipe

Healthy food shouldn’t be difficult or expensive. There’s nothing better than a salad that’s quick to make and packed full of flavour. We love sharing healthy food ideas with our members at Pilates & Co. Try this Asian-inspired salad that also makes use of your zoodle grater or spiraliser. You will not be disappointed!

 

Asian Inspired Zoodle Salad

Many thanks to Mrids from Amealia for sharing this delicious and nutritious recipe with us. We love healthy food, so check out our other recipes too.

Total Time: 10 mins (how good is that!)
Serves 3-4

INGREDIENTS

  • 1 Zucchini
  • 1 Carrot
  • 1 Cucumber
  • 1 Tbsp Peanut Butter
  • 1 Tsp Toasted Sesame Oil
  • 1 Tbsp Apple Cider Vinegar
  • 1 Clove Of Garlic Grated
  • 1 Tsp Grated Ginger
  • 1 Red Chilli Chopped up and 1 Squirt Of Mayo (Optional)
  • 1/2 Lemon or Lime
  • Basil to Dress
  • Salt and Pepper To Taste

 

METHOD

1. Spiralise the carrot, zucchini and cucumber to look like noodles. 
zoodle1
2. Throw all the remaining ingredients in a mason jar or a container you have in hand and give it a good ol shake.
zoodle2
3. Pour over the veggie noodles and toss to coat, top with Basil 
zoodle4
4. Enjoy!!!

Try some of our other healthy food recipes.

Want to kick-start your fitness goals too? Come and see us at Pilates & Co. We offer a number of membership and class payment options, and if you’re new to our studio you can take advantage of our free orientation class and our 4 for $80 Introduction offer. You could get really serious and join our 6-week Transformation Challenge.

Not a Gold Coast resident but planning a trip to the Burleigh Heads or nearby? Purchase our 4 for $80 class visitor pass (valid for two weeks)Contact us if you need to find out more.

Pilates & Co Pilates Reformer Fitness Studio Gold Coast

Pilates and Posture 101

Pilates is great for posture, but it’s goo to know your postural type in order to benefit your practice.

Do You Know Your Postural Type?

 

The spine…it’s a beautiful structure, designed to support our bodies throughout life is segmented into 3 sections –

  1. Cervical with 7 smaller, finer vertebra with a slight concave shape
  2. Thoracic with 12 vertebrae with a slight convex shape
  3. Lumbar with 5 larger, more robust vertebra with a slight concave shape

spine-4-views

Attached to the lumbar spine is the pelvic girdle, consisting of the sacrum, coccyx (tailbone) and the pelvic bones. Your posture type is based on a group of muscle imbalances which change the shape of the spine and pelvis.

A normal or ‘ideal’ posture is desirable however our curves are all a little different based on our movement patterns, lifestyle, hereditary factors, stress levels and personality. Pilates is amazing at addressing postural imbalance in the body which in turn can release pain and improve quality of life. Knowing what postural type you are can help you to work more effectively in your Pilates sessions to help improve your posture.

screen-shot-2016-10-11-at-11-56-17-am

SWAYBACK POSTURE

Sway Backs generally need to strengthen

  • lower external obliques
  • hip flexors
  • mid and low trapezius

Sway Backs generally need to lengthen

  • pectorals (especially pec minor)
  • glutes
  • upper abdominals
  • hamstrings
  • SCM (sternocleidomastoid)

Pilates exercises perfect for you are – 

Roll Over, Breast Stroke Prep, Swan dive, salute, open elbows, toe taps, front splits

 

FLAT BACK POSTURE

Flat Backs generally need to strengthen

  • upper abdominals
  • hip flexors
  • lower back extensors

Flat Backs generally need to lengthen

  • lower abdominals
  • glutes
  • hamstrings
  • upper back

Pilates exercises perfect for you are –

front splits, ab prep, short spine, cat stretch, supine psoas pull

 

MILITARY POSTURE

Militaries generally need to strengthen

  • glutes
  • hamstrings
  • upper and lower abs

Militaries generally need to lengthen

  • upper back
  • lower back
  • hip flexors

Pilates exercises perfect for you are –

front splits, side leg work, supine psoas pull, ab prep

 

KYPHOSIS LORDOSIS POSTURE

K/L’s generally need to strengthen

  • lower abs
  • upper back
  • glutes
  • hamstrings
  • mid and low trapezius

K/L’s generally need to lengthen

  • lower back
  • upper back
  • hip flexors

Pilates exercises perfect for you are –

side leg work, toe taps, back rowing, front splits

It can be tricky to assess yourself! If you’d like to get a little more in-depth on your posture type and how to improve it, book a one on one appointment for an individual assessment.

 

Sources:
Bender, R. (2013) Breathe Pilates Mat and Reformer Applications Vol 1 & 2. Melbourne, VIC.
Kendall, H. (2005) Muscles: Testing and Function with Posture and Pain. Philadelphia, PA.

 

Belinda Survilla is the Pilates & Co. studio manager and takes regular classes at the Miami studio, including orientation for new members.

Pilates & Co. Gold Coast Pilates Reformer & Fitness Studio

5 Tips to Keep you Active and Healthy this Winter

It’s easy to feel in a rut during the colder months, here are some winter health tips that are easy to fit into your daily and weekly routine to keep you active and feeling great.

1. EAT REAL FOOD

When you eat food, ensure that it’s not just empty calories but nutritious, whole foods that will support your immune system. Include garlic, ginger, and onion to warm foods and make sure you include lots of fresh, organic produce. Stews, casseroles, curries, and soups are the obvious winners for winter.

I found this awesome new product from Brio Emporium which is a sure-fire winner for my busy family. It’s Mead & Marrow Bone Broth Concentrate which you mix up in a cup of hot water – instant broth! How amazing is that? It’s made from grass-fed beef, made here on the Gold Coast and comes in a couple of flavours.

5203

2. KEEP YOUR WORKOUT ROUTINE GOING

Yes, it’s cold – especially this week! Getting up at 5:30 am to get your workout in before work feels insane when it looks like nighttime outside, right? If you stick to your consistent workout routine, your body will love you for it. Getting your body moving early in the morning will kick-start a cold, drab day and keep your motivation up. If you can move your schedule back an hour, awesome, otherwise consider working out in the evening if you think it will be more achievable to stick to your workout routine.

FOT_6780

 

3. MAKE THE MOST OF THE SUNSHINE

Catch some winter sun rays whenever you get the chance to boost your vitamin D levels. Winter sun on the Gold Coast is pretty glorious so soak it up! You’ll not only build up your immune system but also increase the oxygenation of your blood cells and tissues, lower blood pressure and lift your mood.

2596-sunshine-1920x1080-nature-wallpaper

 

4. TRY DRY BRUSHING

Tried dry brushing? Before you shower, right before you step in, take a medium bristle shower brush and vigorously brush your skin starting from your feet, up to your heart. Our skin is the largest organ of the body and it’s continuously shedding (bleh!). A regular 5-minute dry brush removes these dead layers of skin effectively leaving your skin fresh and vibrant, plus it helps to improve your circulation, warming your body all over. It’ll also stimulate your lymphatic system which helps eliminate toxins from your body!

Spa bath setting –brush ,towel and nature soap

 

5. STAY SOCIAL

Avoid hibernation this winter by making regular meet-ups with friends and family. Happy humans socialise, so take turns of catching up at a warm home – around a fire preferably. Socialisation helps to keep your mood elevated and has been proven to improve mental vigour and longevity.

Firepit-source-lowes.com_

Belinda Survilla is the Pilates & Co. studio manager and takes regular classes at the Miami studio, including orientation for new members.

Osteopathy Pilates & Co. Gold Coast Pilates Reformer & Fitness Studio

Benefits of Osteopathy: Good to the Bone

Along with Pilates, another amazing modality to assist in pain relief and getting you on the road to recovery is Osteopathy. In fact, the benefits of osteopathy are plentiful, so we thought we’d talk to a pro about how the practice works. One of the best Osteopaths on the Gold Coast is Tracey Spruyt from Osteozone. Pilates & Co‘s Belinda Survilla asked Tracey about what it is that she does and how she does it.

The thing I’ve come to learn is that the majority of us all have injuries. From issues that might cause infrequent discomfort to injuries that are a constant pain in the neck. Many of you love Pilates because of the support it offers, strengthening the small stabilising muscles and the bigger supporting muscles allowing greater movement, strength, and flexibility.

 

P&C: What does an Osteopath do? 

Tracey: An Osteopath specialises in musculoskeletal medicine and treats a range of conditions and injuries through manual treatment and exercise.  The key complaints I see in practice are chronic lower back pain with sciatic symptoms, neck pain, headaches and migraines, sporting injuries including rotator cuff and shoulder impingements, tennis elbow, ankle sprains and knee pain due to muscle instability and weakness.

 

P&C: What would a general Osteopath appointment involve?

Tracey: The Osteopathic appointment (45min consult) includes a brief discussion of the patients presenting injury or condition, including the patient’s history and other pre-existing conditions.  The majority of the consultation is comprised of manual therapy to alleviate the patient’s pain symptoms, and prescription of simple exercises and advice such as ergonomics to prevent further injury.

 

P&C: Who can benefit from seeing an osteopath?

Tracey: Those who suffer from acute or chronic musculoskeletal pain as a result of sporting injuries, poor posture or ergonomics, pregnancy or post-pregnancy, overuse injuries, or stress and anxiety.  People of all ages can benefit from Osteopathic treatment, particularly those with a sports background or those wishing to increase or return to an active lifestyle.

 

P&C: How hands-on are you with clients? 

Tracey: As an Osteopath, manual therapy is the key component of the treatment which is individualised to the patient’s specific injury or condition. The types of hands-on techniques include soft tissue manipulation, articular mobilisation, stretching, balancing, dry needling and sports Kinesio taping.

P&C: How do you feel Pilates and Osteopathy work together?

Tracey: I believe that Pilates is an amazing adjunct to Osteopathic treatment as it addresses many of the muscle imbalances and weakness (especially core stability) which I see in practice every day.  Osteopathy can also benefit those who practice Pilates by addressing muscle tension and articular restrictions which may cause pain or repetitive strains.

 

Belinda Survilla is the Pilates & Co. studio manager and takes regular classes at the Miami studio, including orientation for new members.

Good Sleep

Sweet Dreams: How to Get Good Sleep

So, how’s your sleep, are you getting enough? Studies show that a good night’s sleep improves learning, preparing your brain for the next day and forming new neural pathways to allow you to learn new stuff and remember it!

GETTING GOOD SLEEP

I for one am a huge lover of sleep and have no issues popping right off, but I know a staggering amount of people who suffer from insomnia or who have kids that wake them continuously through the night.

We’ve all had a crappy nights sleep before and we all know that foggy brain next day feeling. The effects of sleep deprivation are pretty startling and affect us both mentally and physically.

 

Mental effects of sleep deficiency

  • you may have trouble making decisions
  • you may have trouble solving problems
  • you may have issues controlling your emotions and behaviour
  • you may have trouble coping with change

Sleep deficiency also has been linked to depression, suicide, and risk-taking behavior.

 

Physical effects of sleep deficiency

  • ongoing sleep deprivation is linked to heart disease. Your blood vessels and heart undergo healing and repair during sleep!
  • increased risk of obesity
  • lack of sleep causes hormonal imbalance. The hormone in charge of making you feel full (leptin) drops with lack of sleep and the hormone in charge of making you feel hungry (ghrelin) goes up!
  • changes how your body reacts to insulin
  • deep sleep supports healthy and normal growth and development in children and teens
  • deep sleep also helps to repair cells and tissues and build muscle mass
  • our immune system is compromised by lack of sleep

How much sleep should you be getting?

Generally, for adults, 7 – 9 hours is recommended. For teens, 8 – 10 hours and children age 6 – 13, 9 – 11 hours is recommended.

Here are some achievable tips on how to get (you and your kids) to sleep and stay there –

  1. Keep to a sleep schedule. Go to bed and rise at the same time, every day of the week
  2. Put down those laptops, phones and iPads a good hour (at least!) before your bedtime and make sure they are at least 2-metres away from your bed while you sleep
  3. Don’t have any caffeine after lunchtime
  4. Take part in regular exercise. Pilates anyone?
  5. Use essential oils to help create a peaceful and relaxed state of mind. Lavender, ylang-ylang, and chamomile activate the alpha wave activity in the brain. Try a roller with some diluted essential oil in carrier oil on your temples, the back of the neck or diffuse it in your bedroom.
  6. Make sure your bed and pillow are top notch. You spend a lot of time in your life in bed (hopefully) so get the best you can afford.

 

Belinda Survilla is the Pilates & Co. studio manager and takes regular classes at the Miami studio, including orientation for new members.

Healthy Food Lentil Soup

Healthy Food: Spiced Lentil Soup

This delicious and nutritious lentil soup will satisfy even the fussiest in the family. It’s quick and easy to prepare and make ticking all my boxes!

RECIPE FOR HEALTHY LENTIL SOUP

INGREDIENTS

Here’s what you’ll need –

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil or ghee
  • 2 onions, chopped
  • 1 tablespoon ginger, finely sliced
  • 3 cloves garlic, finely chopped or crushed
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground coriander
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 3 cups vegetable or chicken stock
  • 1 cup dried red lentils (or puy lentils if not pureeing soup)
  • 1 cup coconut milk
  • 2 tablespoons lemon juice
  • 1/2 teaspoon Himalayan or sea salt
  • 2 tablespoons fresh coriander, chopped
  • 2 tablespoons fresh basil, chopped

METHOD

Here’s what to do –

  1. Heat oil or ghee in a large saucepan over a medium heat. Add onions and cook until translucent, then add ginger, garlic, and spices. Cook for one minute, stirring constantly.
  2. Add stock and lentils and bring to the boil. Cover pan and bring to simmer for approximately 20 minutes or until lentils are tender.
  3. Remove from heat. This is where you have the option to blend to a smooth soup (kids will prefer this option 98% of the time). Blend mixture (1/2 at a time) in your blender or use a stick mixer until smooth. If using a blender, remove the centerpiece in the lid to allow steam to escape and place a piece of paper towel over the hole. Once you have blended your soup, pour the mixture back into a clean pan.
  4. Stir in remaining ingredients over a low heat
  5. Serve and enjoy!

Check out more of our healthy recipes on the Pilates & Co. blog.

staying hydrated

Staying Hydrated

Drinking enough water is one of the simplest things you can do for your body and health, and yet it’s the one thing so many of us don’t do. Staying hydrated can be a constant battle, whatever time of year. In the warmer Spring and Summer months, we lose more fluids through perspiration. In Winter, because we’re not feeling the heat, it’s easy to forget to drink at all, or we substitute with coffee or other hot drinks that are not hydrating us. It’s hard to win when it comes hydration!

 

The Benefits of Staying Hydrated

Did you know that if you are only 2% dehydrated, your bodies physical performance can be affected due to the many processes that water is involved in? Even if you are slightly dehydrated, the activity of enzymes in the body can slow down which can lower metabolism and reduce your ability to exercise efficiently. Every cell in our bodies requires water to function. It helps circulate nutrients around the body, regulates our body temperature, helps to improve our skin’s texture and colour, flushes toxins from the body and it keeps our joints healthy by hydrating cartilage. Research even shows that being dehydrated can make you grumpy and confused so drink up the good stuff!

 

“So how much water should I be drinking?”

A general rule to work out your daily intake is 30ml for every kg of body weight (e.g 70kg x 30ml = 2,100ml or 2.1L a day).

 

Tips for keeping hydrated and staying hydrated:

  • Start your day with hot water and lemon juice or a herbal tea
  • Take a drink bottle with you everywhere you go
  • Try to drink a litre of water before 10 am. Remember – by the time you feel dehydrated, you already are!
  • Drink water at room temperature if possible to help absorption
  • Use good quality salt (sea salt or Himalayan salt) as they are rich in trace elements that are the foundation for optimum cell health and hydration
  • Reduce your caffeine consumption
  • If you need some flavour in your water, try a few drops of essential oils, an infuser with fresh fruit or Intra Strength
  • Mix it up with some coconut water which is rich in potassium, sodium, and electrolytes

 

Belinda Survilla is the Pilates & Co. studio manager and takes regular classes at the Miami studio, including orientation for new members.

Want to kick-start your fitness goals too? Come and see us at Pilates & Co. We offer a number of membership and class payment options, and if you’re new to our studio you can take advantage of our free orientation class and our 4 for $80 Introduction offer. You could get really serious and join our 6-week Transformation Challenge.

Not a Gold Coast resident but planning a trip to the Burleigh Heads or nearby? Purchase our 4 for $80 class visitor pass (valid for two weeks)Contact us if you need to find out more.

Healing Bone Broth Recipe

Healthy food store and wholesaler, Brio Emporium at Broadbeach, shared this super easy healing bone broth recipe with us for you to try at home.

While every week there is a new superfood staple you supposedly just have to be adding to your diet, bone broth has stood the test of time and is no new health fad.  Made by roasting and simmering the bones of healthy pastured animals in ideally filtered water for a very, very long time, bone broth is nature’s most nutrient-dense, easily-digestible liquid, filled with micronutrients, minerals, amino acids and (YIPPEE) collagen.

As someone who exercises regularly, the daily addition of bone broth to your diet could be the cure for what ails you, including the tendons in your wrist that niggle or the ligaments in your knee that swell after a class. Cate Shanahan, the head doctor for the LA Lakers, recently said bone broth was “the number one miracle food for your joints and connective tissue (including bone) is bone broth because it contains compounds that act like growth hormones in these tissues.”

Now you don’t need to be a pro basket-baller as any level of athletic activity will benefit from the healing liquid of broth. When it comes to nutrition, eating a well balanced, anti-inflammatory diet isn’t enough; the amino acid chains that are available from making bone broth aren’t going to be found in the meat we eat every day.

Just a cup of broth a day will kill inflammation and swelling. It will make you feel younger at the gym, on the bike or of course, on the reformer.  Bone broth as a daily supplement intake is one of the best sources of fuel for your body to heal and grow.

And on another hot topic which you have probably been hearing a lot about lately – bone broth heals leaky gut syndrome (bloating, gas, cramps or any other digestive issue) by reducing inflammation and increasing absorption rates of nutrients.

Making your own bone broth does take some time and effort (Minimum of 24 – 48hrs for a good one) but your body will thank you for it.  If you are like most of us and are just too busy with life, you can always save yourself the bother and try ours.  We have done all the hard work and totally nailed delicious tasting broths available by the cup or in take-home bags for you to consume more regularly, at your leisure

How to make your own healing bone broth

Ingredients

  • 1kg of bones from a healthy pastured animal (or more if you have a large enough pot)

  • 1 organic onion

  • 2 organic carrots

  • 2 stalks of organic celery

  • 2 tablespoons Organic Apple Cider Vinegar

  • Optional: 1 bunch of parsley, 1 tablespoon or more of sea salt, 1 teaspoon peppercorns, plus your favourite herbs or spice.  Personally, we love to add turmeric.

 

Method

  1. Improve depth and flavour of your bones by roasting them in the oven first. Straight into a roasting pan and into the oven for 30 mins at 180c.

  2. Now place the bones in the largest pot you have.  Add just enough filtered water to cover the bones and add your Apple Cider Vinegar. Let sit for half an hour before turning the stove on as the acid helps make the nutrients in the bones more readily available.

  3. Bring to a vigorous boil, then reduce to a simmer.

  4. During the first few hours of simmering, you’ll need to stick around to remove the impurities that float to the surface. Simply skim, discard and keep simmering. Check it every half hour or so for the first few hours to make sure it is all removed. This is where you will be thankful you purchased healthy, grass-fed bones – the healthier the animal the fewer impurities you will encounter.

  5. Once there is no longer any scum/impurities rising to the surface, keep simmering, adding water only to cover the bones as necessary.

  6. After about 15-18 hours for chicken and 35-40 hours for beef, add your veggies, herbs and spices. However wait until the final hour to add parsley or celery leaves, or anything like silverbeet.

  7. Return to a simmer for the final leg – this time, don’t worry about adding more water. You want the nutrients and gelatin to concentrate as we bring in the flavours from the veggies and herbs.

  8. Add your parsley and/or celery greens etc if desired. Let simmer for another hour or two.

  9. Then finally – that’s it! You’ve done it!  Strain your broth and cool it down or use immediately for making your favourite soup, stew, sauce or meat dish!

 

Thanks to Atlanta from Brio Emporium for this contribution. At Brio Emporium in Broadbeach, and online at their website, you can order their signature Bone Broths, ready-to-eat meals and optimal pantry essentials.

Essential Oils

Why Should I Diffuse Essential Oils?

Essential oils have the power to uplift and revitalise, elevating the mood and relaxing the mind. Essential oils are also known to have air purifying benefits that can destroy mould microorganisms and inhibit bacterial growth which can ward off infection. The distilled essential oil of most plants have been shown to carry antibiotic, antiviral and anti-microbial properties. A testament to this is the fact that over 50 hospitals throughout the USA have begun to use essential oils!

During inhalation, odour molecules travel to receptor sites in the brain one of which is the limbic system, otherwise known as the “emotional brain”. The limbic system plays a part in controlling heart rate, stress levels, hormone balance, breathing and memory (Higley & Higley, 1998).

The benefits of Essential Oils

Not only are essential oils beneficial for the emotional and physical body but they just smell so damn good! Your home can feel fresh and invigorating while diffusing orange and lemon or relaxing while diffusing bergamot or lavender. To help ward off nasty bugs in the home or workplace, try diffusing on guard, tea tree, clove, frankincense, lemongrass and rosemary.

We often hear comments about how Pilates & Co smells fresh and clean all the time, this is thanks to the oils we diffuse regularly. Our latest obsession is the Smart & Sassy blend which has grapefruit, lemon, ginger, orange and cinnamon essential oils – yum!

Belinda Survilla is the Pilates & Co. studio manager and takes regular classes at the Miami studio, including orientation for new members.

You can purchase DoTerra essential oils at the studio. Get this great DIY Bliss Bomb Recipe, using DoTerra essential oils.