Pilates Reformer For The Equestrian.

Pilates Reformer For The Equestrian.

Create a deeper seat and an ideal riding partnership with your horse.

•Frustrated that your horse won't respond properly to your commands?
•Having trouble keeping a stable seat?
•Feeling unusually sore and tired after a ride?


Imbalances develop over time, based on physiology, posture and lifestyle. How you move when not riding - other types of exercise, the amount (and quality) of sitting you do at work, etc. - directly affects how you function on a horse. Resulting asymmetries greatly affect movement and alignment, resulting in impediments like:

•Rounded shoulders
•Tightness and curving in the lower back
•Tight hamstrings



Why Pilates?

Pilates exercises increase your body awareness, and improve flexibility, balance, and strength in order to facilitate an optimal riding experience. Pilates helps equestrians:

•Lengthen the spine and strengthen the core, which stabilizes the body in movement
•Sculpt a stronger body with increased flexibility, strength, and balance
•Create a deeper seat and enhance the suppleness of the lower back
•Strengthen the abdominals
•Increase hip independence
•Increase leg and body length



Performance Benefits

With a strong core and increased flexibility, riders can:

•Freely and gently move arms and legs around a stable base
•Help clarify aids and hold jumping form
•Avoid collapsing and bouncing in the saddle
•Better absorb a horse's movement
•Improve posture to help you deepen your seat
•Increase comfort during and after your ride
•Maintain neutral pelvis so you can easily follow your horse's movements
•Develop a trusting riding relationship, where your horse responds to your commands and is confident in your ability



Client Profile
Name: Andrea McCabe
Age: 34
Horse: Country Mayflower
Horse's age: 8 year old
Breed: Thoroughbred X Mare

"I have suffered for many years with the back, hip and leg problems so I joined Pilates really as my final cry for help. I've had chronic back pain for such a long time due to Irish Dancing, running, falling off horses and general life experiences. I absolutely tried everything, I attended regular physio, alternative therapies, everything you could imagine. The physio sessions did give me the instant alignment but as soon as I rode my horse with any level of impact I was back to the world of multiple slipped disks and a battle with my riding. I moved from my passion sport of Eventing (this is all three disciplines- show jumping, X country and dressage) to pure dressage, this was in the hope to lessen the impact and I got hooked! I was so caught up in the art of riding and training of my horse to instantly respond to the lightest of commands and such fluent movements, the more I got into this sport the more I realised the importance of rider fitness, suppleness and core stability. My horse was so sensitive and any rider balance issues from me would reflect in her performance and affect our competitive performance. I searched the internet for any advice and found the North West Pilates & Yoga Centre, this has been my saving grace! I can't tell you enough how this has helped both me and my horse! We are training so much better, my straightness and upper body strength in the saddle is a million times better and it's reflective in my horse's soundness and our competitive performance. I truly believe any person serious about their sport or health should be practicing Pilates, it not only gives you a comfortable life but such a competitive edge in your chosen sport". - Pilates Reformer Client Andrea McCabe

Adventure in India Part 3 - Varanasi

Adventures In India Part 3 - Varanasi

Varanasi is a magical city of a myriad side streets leading down to the ghats by the river. Behind all of this roars a monstrous Indian city like anywhere else but down by the river is a world in itself. There are water buffalo cooling down in the water, sadhus and Brahmins praying, bodies being burnt and the whole cycle of life and death as it always was. The River Ganges herself is the most holy of all rivers in India and it's a dream for Hindus to bathe in her waters. She starts up in the mountains and rushes down past Haradwar and virtually everywhere along her banks is sacred. By the time she gets to Benares she's hopelessly polluted and full of sewage but that doesn't stop millions of people immersing themselves. It's an exercise in faith over bacteria. In fact the water used to have a unique property that neutralized the human and toxic pollution but now it's simply too much.



Catch a boat out on the river to watch the sunrise and the ghats come to life. Dodge the carcasses of cows, holy men and children, the only groups that Hindus don't cremate here.This is the place to study Indian music and dance and you'll find a community of musicians here studying ragas and who wouldn't dream of doing anything else. If you can stand the intensity of Benares then this can be a place to stay for a few months and learn something. Watch my video diary below.

My most memorable experience in Varanasi was visiting the burning ghats. The bigger of the two is Manikarnika, the other is Harishchandra. The former hosts up to 200 cremations each day. The process is efficient and businesslike. Above the ghats are huge stacks of wood; the family of the deceased, according to their means, buys one of many funeral packages on offer, including a certain quantity of wood, sandalwood sawdust, ghee, other ritualistic paraphernalia, and a priest's services. Orderlies set up the pyre, the body is placed on it, the priest chants and performs the rituals, ghee is poured on, and the pyre is set alight, as the men of the family watch (women stay at home). If the fire doesn't catch on well, more ghee and sawdust are added. If a family can't afford enough wood, as is not uncommon, the body is burned in stages: middle part first, while the head and legs stick out, to be pushed in deftly by a pole after the middle part collapses.



A few hours later, the ashes and bits of bones are gathered by the eldest son or a senior male of the family and consigned to the waters, where "untouchables" stand with wire nettings to dredge up the ash and mud, hoping for a gold tooth or nose ring that may have survived the fire (pieces of jewelry may be left on the deceased by the family). Not all who die are cremated -- children under five, lepers, sadhus, pregnant women, and snake-bite victims are offered directly to the river.

Watching the spectacle, I felt a liberating calm visit me. Few better ways to peer into the abyss and see our common fate, laid out evocatively in the Book of Common Prayer: from earth to earth, ashes to ashes, dust to dust. Why, there is nothing morbid about death. It is a simple fact of life that should inform our everyday choices and opinions. Yet, the greatest wonder of all, as Yudhisthira says in the Mahabharata, is that each day death strikes, and we live as though we were immortal.

10 Hours Of Tuition, Scrumptious Organic Food, Boutique Accomodation All For £195

I will be including my own personal experience and passion for Indian Philosphy, Buddhism and a touch of Bollywood. View my Bollywood experience


Friday 6th to Sunday 8th May 2011

Arrival Friday afternoon - Depart Sunday afternoon

Watch last years retreat in France Click Here

www.passeroses.com

Join Northwest Pilates & Yoga for a wonderful weekend of Yoga and Pilates in Southwest France. Improve your core strength and flexibility along with re-education of the body's musculature, fascia, and movement patterns; allowing your body to achieve its natural alignment and support. Set amongst the rolling countryside of the Charente participate with daily Yoga/Pilates practice, pranayama, meditation, swimming, gentle strolls or bike rides, truly delicious food and the occasional siesta... Plug in, renew and relax.

"I really enjoyed the experience I had on my weekend away. I am now a convert to Yoga/Pilates and only hope I can find the same high quality teaching in the North East where I live, that I received during the weekend. I loved the centre, the food and the other group members, many of whom were strangers to me." -

Pilates Holidays & Yoga Retreat Client Dee Platter

During this weekend we will look at ways in which we can use our Yoga/Pilates to improve our everyday living. You will leave with restored energy levels, a renewed vibrancy and a relaxed mind and body. Reconnect with your inner light and experience body brightness.


"I spent an idyllic weekend with a group of 9 from North West Pilates Centre. Fantastic location in the south of France. We stayed in a stunning house and were fed beautiful home cooked food. Therapist was available to perform massages. My aromatherapy massage was out of this world. Nisha put together an absolutely brilliant set of classes which pushed us mentally and physically at the right time throughout the weekend. I have come home completely restored and feeling like a new woman. Can't wait for the next one." -

Pilates Holiday & Yoga retreat Client Claire Sumner
There is a separate therapy room with massage and holistic treatments, which will be available throughout the weekend (not included in the price). There are many local walks in the beautiful countryside, and there are also bikes which are free to use. Relax in the lovely gardens, around the pool or treat yourself to a relaxing or revitalising treatment with a local English therapist. There is a Moroccan style sitting room to chill out in.

The price includes: All meals which are wholesome vegetarian and organic produce cooked by host Alex. Alex has worked with food for nearly 20 years, firstly training to be a Chef in some of the best restaurants in Manchester and Cheshire including The Lime Tree and The Alderley Edge Hotel. He has also set up several kitchens and his own vegetarian food business.

Sample timetable -




Friday

3.00-5.00pm - Arrival &Lunch

7.00pm - Dinner


9.00-10.30pm-Relaxing Fusion Pilates/ Yoga followed by Relaxation



Saturday

8.00-10.00am -Fusion Flow class
10.15am-Breakfast
Free Time - For Massage,walks,bike ride etc
2.00pm-Lunch
Free Time-For Massage etc
4.00pm-Chai & Tiffin
5.00-7.00pm Relaxing Yin Yoga,Pranayama,Meditation
7.30pm-Dinner
9.30pm -Yoga Nidra



Sunday

8.00-10.00am -Fusion Flow class

10.15am-Breakfast

Free Time - For Massage,walks,bike ride etc

12.00am-Lunch

1.00pm-Departure




Not included in the price is your flight Book now

(Roughly £40 Return including Tax)



Depart Liverpool 12.25 am arrive Limoges 15.10pm Friday 6th May 2011

Depart Limoges 15.35 pm- arrive Liverpool 16.25 pm Sunday 8th May 2011


Or alternatively you can make your own way there. Click Here for alternate route.

My Indian Discovery of Rishikesh

My Indian Discovery of Rishikesh - Watch Now

Rishikesh calls itself the Yoga capital of the world with some justification as there are masses of ashrams and all kinds of yoga classes. The town's setting on the banks of the Ganges, surrounded by forested hills, is conducive to meditation and mind expansion. In the evening, the breeze blows down the valley, setting temples bells ringing, as sadhus, pilgrims and tourists prepare for the nightly Ganga Aarti ceremony.




The town is very new age, you can learn to play the sitar or tabla on the roof of your hotel: try laughing yoga: practise humming or gong meditation: experience crystal healing and every style of massage: have ago at chanting mantras: and listen to spiritually uplifting CDS as you sip Ayurvedic tea with your vegetarian meal.

The Maharishi & the Beatles

In February 1968, Rishikesh hit world headlines when the four beatles and their partners stayed at Maharishi Mahesh Yogi's Ashram in Swam Ashram.Ringo & his wife did not like vegetarian food, missed their children and left after a couple of weeks, but others stayed for a month or two. They relaxed and wrote tonnes of songs, many of which landed up on their double disc 'White Album', but the Maharishi's demands for money and his behaviour towards some female disciples eventually disillusioned all of them, "You made a fool of everyone" John Lennon sang about the Maharishi.



But nearly 40 years on idealistic westerners still swarm to Rishikesh seeking spiritual enlightenment from the teachers and the healers in their tranquil ashrams scattered along the Ganges River.

Watch my adventure in Rishikesh - Watch Now

FOOTBALLER RYAN GIGGS DOES PILATES

FOOTBALLER RYAN GIGGS DOES PILATES -

'Ryan Giggs and his debt to Yoga' by Barney Ronay, The Guardian
Hatha yoga has balmed those hamstring injuries and prolonged his glittering career.

When the 36-year-old Manchester United player Ryan Giggs was voted BBC sports personality of the year on Sunday night he accepted the trophy with the usual mumbled thank-yous, but stopped short of a special mention for his personal Hatha yoga instructor - a gentle discipline that has often been credited as the catalyst behind Giggs' longevity as a top-class footballer.




Giggs started practising yoga in 2003. Then he was a 31-year-old reformed good-time boy with dodgy hamstrings. "The first time I did it I was completely knackered," he said last year. "I went home from the training ground and slept for three hours."

This is the thing about yoga, which, to the uninitiated, could look like no more than a series of variations on the notion of lying down in a tracksuit. "There is this perception that yoga is a gentle thing but it has many levels," says Nita Shah, a Hatha Yoga instructor in north London. "In yoga we mobilise all the joints, making the muscle supple as well as leaner."

Watch what Gigsy has to say about Yoga - click here

For Giggs yoga has proved a balm for those persistent hamstring injuries, prolonging a career that has now taken on an unusual reverse trajectory: a player who with age has suffered less rather than more with injuries, and who in 2008 surpassed Bobby Charlton's long-standing United record of 758 appearances.
Perhaps yoga has had other benefits too. One pre-yoga attempt to soothe the Giggs hamstring involved trading in his Ferrari for a car with a slightly smoother clutch pedal. This gives us a glimpse of a previous model Giggs, the tyro teenager who dated Dani Behr and was very briefly caught up in a welter of - in truth - rather mild celebrity behaviour.



Could yoga also be a driving force behind his current air of furrowed and spiritual wellbeing, a burgeoning status as an extremely bendy millionaire Premier League Yoda? Maybe, but also maybe not. Shah points out that yoga demands "great willpower and great inner focus". Giggs himself has described it as "just stretching really". Ryan Giggs and his debt to yoga' by Barney Ronay, the Guardian, Tuesday 15th December.