Posted by chris on August 26, 2011 under Stretching Exercise | 
My first memory of the concept of Pilates is my mother’s friend talking about how to hold in your stomach, or “pull your belly button towards your back” when sitting upright. As a young teenager, I didn’t understand the full benefits of doing this at the time, but I tried to do it anyway.
It wasn’t until 2009 though, when I started taking regular Pilates classes at Body Synergy, that I really started to understand why this kind of awareness was important.
By doing mat classes at Body Synergy, I learnt how to do integrative exercises, and worked on connecting to my “core”, which wasn’t just made up of my stomach muscles like I’d thought before, but actually a series of inter-connected muscles that worked to stabilise and facilitate movement.
Initially, having only had limited exposure to dancing and gym-based workouts, I had no idea how to train effectively either, or how all the parts of my body played different and important roles in keeping me upright, and helping me to achieve basic activities like walking, sitting and standing.
Before I started Pilates, I’d had the perception that I would need to sweat, strain and suffer to be happy with my body, but after a few months I noticed encouraging results, ones that I’d never thought I’d achieve. Within only a few months I was stronger, fitter and more confident, and distinctly aware of how I carried myself.
It wasn’t long before I realized that Pilates is the only type of exercise that I actually enjoy doing. I think this is because every class at Body Synergy is unique, with new challenges and movements that contribute to my increasing physical awareness, and have helped me to appreciate my own strengths.
I’ve been doing Pilates at Body Synergy for over two years now, and I’ve never felt better. Every week I look forward to the physical and mental release that I get from my Pilates classes, which have taught me how to breathe and move correctly, and to be continuously aware of my posture and alignment.
With the guidance, training and support that I have received from the staff at Body Synergy studio, especially over the past six months, I also managed to summit Mt. Kilimanjaro in January. It is the toughest physical challenge I have ever taken on, and I can honestly say that if it wasn’t for my Pilates training, and awareness of posture and breathing, I don’t think I could have made it to the top.
Thanks to J van Schoor who now runs and still uses her Pilates
Posted by admin on August 12, 2011 under Uncategorized |
Golf has become a passing time hobby for a lot of people in the world, especially those belonging to the elite class. People have been playing this game for around several hundred years. However, it is a little bit expensive to play golf.
Therefore, this game is mostly played by the rich and famous. In order to play golf, some equipment is required that is available at the golf shop. One can easily buy the gear and kits from a local golf shop in their area or from an online golf store.
There are various equipment that is used by the professional and amateur golfers. Some of the instruments that are a must for a golf player, whether he is a pro athlete or a hobbyist include golf clubs, golf balls, tees, ball markers, golf bag, towels, and club head covers.
Each player has to purchase his or her own equipment from the golf shop in order to follow up on the hobby. If bought separately, this equipment can be pretty expensive. But a golf shop offers discount packages in which one can get the complete golf kit at a discounted price.
Apart from the basic golf tools, some other things that are required to play golf are a golf cart, golf shoes, gloves, wedges, ball mark repair tool, and many more.
Special golf shoes are available at the
golf shop that have spikes underneath them. They help the golfers to maintain their balance and grip on the ground. Similarly, a golf shop also sells exclusive gloves that assist golf players to sustain their grip on the club without pressing it too hard.
Formerly, when a golfer needs to purchase the golf equipment, he or she used to visit the neighborhood golf shop. But now the internet has made their lives easier. Since one can easily purchase all this stuff from an online golf shop and get them delivered to their doorstep.
Posted by terry on August 8, 2011 under Personal Fitness |
If you dream of being slim and have a lot of energy this summer, here are a couple of tips that will show you how.
Eating breakfast every day is all-important. Simply mix and match your breakfast to alleviate boredom. A small bowl of muesli topped with a handful of fresh berries such as strawberries, blueberries and raspberries topped with natural Greek yoghurt, or try some fruity oats. Stir a teaspoon of honey with a handful of mixed berries and finish this off with a glass of delicious unsweetened fruit juice.
Kick-starting your day with a healthy breakfast will prevent you getting hungry during the morning.
Drink no fewer than six to eight glasses of water every day, but avoid drinking carbonated water as this will increase and make cellulite worse.
Cutting back on salt is a good idea is salt aggravates the retention of body fluids. Water retention makes your skin appear puffy and swollen.
Checking labels is a good idea; you will be able to see how much sugar and salt content food items contain.
When snacking, always choose firbre-rich fruit and vegetables that will release carbohydrates slowly into your system. This will result in a feeling of being full for longer.
We will be able to offer you these and other good tips for a better and healthier you this summer. Contact us to find out more.
Posted by terry on under Personal Fitness |
You will be able to control high blood pressure, control depression, and alleviate arthritis and a whole host of other health issues and ailments by formulating a personal fitness regime to suit your personal lifestyle.
Hiking on an uneven surface has deep and long-lasting health benefits. Cobblestone walking which was first discovered and is originated in Chinese Medicine reduces high blood pressure significantly. This also improves balance. The belief is that the rough and uneven surfaces have something to do with acupressure points resulting in the blood pressure being regulated.
Tai-chi on the other hand stimulates and frees up tight muscles, such as those in arthritis. The benefits of walking are also numerous; this is not only good for arthritis sufferers but also alleviates and reduces depression.
Walking for thirty minutes a day will alleviate depression quite substantially. If you walk on a regular basis you will find that your moods improve.
If you suffer from insomnia, swimming will improve your sleeplessness, as will yoga.
Pilate’s classes at least twice a week will strengthen your core muscles and improve your pelvic muscles, preventing incontinence.
Exercise at least two to three times a week for a healthier and happier you. For more on these and other health tips contact us to find out how you can become fit and healthy this summer.
Posted by terry on under Personal Fitness |
If you are interested in the game of golf and would love to play golf in sunny South Africa you would be spoilt for choice with so many options and fantastic and well-designed golf courses available in every province.When holidaying on the Garden Route you would be able to not only relish in the wonderful scenery and fantastic things on offer to you in this part of South Africa, but there are no fewer than ten golf courses along The Garden Route and are believed to be some of the finest in South Africa.
Golf in the Garden Route’ is a newly-established company that has been formed by the golf courses that abound in this area; this stretches from Plettenberg Bay all the way to Mossel Bay.
All the wonderful tourist features will also be part and parcel of featuring the courses situated in this area. Play golf on The Garden Route at Goose Valley Golf Estate, Plettenberg Bay Country Club, Pezula Championship Course, Knysna Golf Club, Kingswood Golf Estate, Oubaai Golf Club, to mention some of the many golf courses where you will be able to play golf.
To find out where you can play your next game of golf, or enjoy a game on one of the fine courses on The Garden Route, contact us for more on these and other fine courses in the area.
