what the heck is contrology?
We love yoga. Our main thang will always be yoga (hence the name "Nin Yoga").
But also, it's not the be-all and end-all.
Unlike the infamous "yoga" documentaries on Netflix (the Bikram one was exceptionally hard for me to watch because I started in Bikram yoga, but I thoroughly enjoyed Wild Wild Country because the 1970s have always been so fascinating to me), there are more layers to life than just having a hardcore and inflexible yoga only practice.
Yoga is an exceptional foundation, a home to return to within ourselves. It's been that way for me personally for nearly a decade. But what if we have a sore lower back from a weak core or our pelvic floor needs some attention from pushing out those huge things known as babies (fun fact: 50% of women have a weak pelvic floor).
Some exercises complement our foundational yoga practice, and one of them is Pilates.
So, how Pilates can help you?
Let's give you a lowdown on the history first.
It was developed in the early 20th century by Joseph Pilates, a physical trainer who believed in the interconnection of the mind, body, and spirit. Originally named "Contrology," Pilates focuses on controlled movements, precision, and breath, aiming to strengthen the body's core muscles, improve flexibility, and enhance overall physical fitness.
Compared to our beloved and magical Yoga that originated in India over 50000 years ago, which encompasses a wide range of physical, mental, and spiritual practices aimed at achieving harmony between the body and "calming the fluctuations of the mind." Yoga combines postures (asanas), breath control (pranayama), and meditation to promote reduced stress, mental clarity, and emotional well-being.
Combining yoga and Pilates offers a holistic approach to our oh-so-important health and wellness routine, allowing you to reap the benefits of both practices (oh, and hey, if you haven't got that routine to begin with, let this be your invitation to get it started).
Here’s how yoga and pilates complement each other:
- Balanced Fitness: Pilates targets core strength and controlled movement while yoga focuses on flexibility and mental well-being. Together, they provide a well-rounded fitness routine.
- Enhanced Body Awareness: Both practices emphasize the mind-body connection, helping you develop greater awareness and control over your movements.
- Injury Prevention: Strengthening your core with Pilates supports your yoga practice by providing a stable foundation, reducing the risk of injury.
- Improved Posture and Alignment: The alignment principles in Pilates enhance your yoga postures, leading to better overall form and technique.
- Stress Relief and Relaxation: Combining yoga's mindfulness and breathwork with Pilates' controlled, precise movements helps reduce stress and promote relaxation.
So why am I talking about Pilates so much this week?
Cause we have two new Pilates classes on the schedule!
Monday 9:30 am at St Marys with Linda Booth
Wednesday 7:15 pm at Penrith with Katie Hathaway (starts July 17th)
These classes complement our already existing pilates classes:
Tuesday 6:30 am at Penrith with Karen Gruber
Saturday 8 am Pilates with Mihaela Zotta
As YOU requested in our recent student feedback form, we added these classes to complement our other twenty-one yoga classes (see, I told you yoga is still our favorite!).
Got any questions or any other special requests?
LET. US. KNOW *chestbump*
I am looking forward to that (feel good) pilates burn with you all,
Annika xx
P.S A friendly reminder that our Sounds by Candlelight charity event is THIS FRIDAY 6pm at Nin Yoga Penrith.
A $37 donation saves you a spot for gentle vinyasa, yoga nidra and sound healing. To book in, click here.
