The surprising truth about the fat you’re avoiding: A discussion with Dr. Julia Segal, ND Canadian and American government food guidelines have long shaped our ideas of what and how we should eat. The age-old “food pyramid” may come to mind for many of us. As new studies and data emerge, however, much of what…
How to make your studio more body positive Does your studio welcome clients of all body shapes and sizes? Hopefully the answer is a resounding “yes”! But inclusivity has to be more than simply an abstract concept you hope or assume your clients will pick up on. It’s one thing to believe that movement is…
The year 2020 has proven to be a challenging one. In the midst of the Coronavirus pandemic, we’re dealing with concerns of falling ill, being isolated from friends and family (whether we are sick or not) unemployment, and financial uncertainty. As a Registered Massage Therapist and a Pilates Mat and Reformer Teacher, within moments, I…
My Pilates instructor doesn’t have an “ideal” body. Don’t you have to be thin to be fit? It doesn’t happen often, but when it does I’m left thinking about it for days: a new client comes to one of my classes, and pointedly looks me up and down with the question “is this the kind…
Why a “killer” workout in the time of COVID-19 might be misguided With memes on social media about the “quarantine fifteen” appearing alongside advertisements for fat-burning workouts you can do at home, you may be wondering if now is the time to adopt a strenuous exercise routine. Many of us are snacking more and moving…
Top 10 ways to remain active and engaged It’s incredible to think about how quickly things can change from one moment to the next in ways you never could have imagined. Within the span of three short months, the course of the entire world has altered and grinded to a halt (unless of course you…
Want to sleep better? Are you looking forward to spring and more sunshine? I sure am! In places like Canada that observe daylight saving time, “springing forward” means that warm, sunny days and long summer evenings are just around the corner. As a non-winter person, I’ll gladly pay the price demanded by the switch to…
Food and nutrition When it comes to fuelling your body, how often have you said or heard someone say “I really ‘shouldn’t’ have eaten that” or “I have been so ‘bad’ this week”? As a health and fitness professional for more than 20 years, I’ve heard countless number of clients say this kind of thing,…
Relieve joint pain & stiffness If you’re like me, you might often suffer from joint pain and stiffness. While sometimes it’s easy to bear the pain, other times it can be too excruciating to deal with. Thankfully though, there are a few ways you can improve your joint pain and stiffness. Exercise (just keep moving)…
Take your Pilates career to the next level I can’t remember when I started noticing pain in my body. It must have been in my thirties. When I started university, I started taking better care of my physical health than I ever had—swimming, dancing, aerobics and Taekwando. I felt great. In my thirties, while I…
Standing Pilates & movement sequence We’re just a week into the New Year and I’ve heard so many people complaining about eating too much over the holidays and feeling more sluggish as they sit at their desks. While Pilates is typically done on the mat, at Body Harmonics, we love incorporating standing exercises into our…
Holiday restoration routine With the holidays just around the corner, the malls are buzzing, emotions are running high and life may feel like it’s getting turned upside down. This time of year is about reconnecting with friends, family and preparing for the year ahead. It’s easy to get caught up in the holiday stress. According…
Body Harmonics is for everybody! I’ve been with Body Harmonics for more than 10 years. I began as a student and then became a studio teacher. At first, the classes and the methodology intrigued me. But over time, I began to see remarkable transformations in myself and my clients. Body Harmonics really is for everybody.…
20 Years Strong Body Harmonics has been a leader in Pilates, movement and health since it was founded by Margot McKinnon 20 years ago. On Friday, November 16, 2018, staff, clients and new friends came together to celebrate this amazing milestone at our Flagship location in Toronto. Whether you want to relive the event or…
20 years of Body Harmonics Pilates You know her from Mondays with Margot and as one of the most sought-after teachers and trainers in the Canadian and Brazilian worlds of Pilates and movement education. In this interview, I step into the mind of Body Harmonics founder, Margot McKinnon and delve into her secret to success:…
What is Naturopathy? When I first heard of Naturopathic Medicine, I had no idea what it was. Part of me thought it was some energetic voo-doo method that helped people by getting them to simply think themselves back to health and by taking lots of expensive supplements and vitamins. They also avoided medical intervention and…
Pilates sequence with balance cushion I love playing with Pilates props! It is amazing how adding a small little device can completely enhance, and even change, a particular movement or exercise. My prop “du jour” is the balance cushion. At Body Harmonics, we refer to it as the SitFit. I use it at home for…
Should you take part in a Pilates Instagram challenge or not? A few years ago I begrudgingly delved into the world of Instagram in order to explore what all the hype was about. For the next two years, I took part in Pilates Instagram challenges out of obligation. Doing my exercises and then having to…
Pilates myths Do you remember your first Pilates experience? I definitely remember mine! A colleague and I decided to try a beginner mat class taught by an impeccably graceful and articulate former dancer. At the time, the words and movements–“let your body fall into the mat”, “feel your bones moving”, “move from your centre”–were foreign, frustrating, and…
Have you ever gone out for a run and felt your body get tighter and stiffer? Your knees, back, feet and everything hurts more as you pound the pavement. Your chest is ready to explode because you forgot to breathe. You try to maintain your good running form, but you just can’t stop focusing on…
