Luiza Lopes gives it up (pain, that is) for Pilates & Movement I’m 28 and it’s been three months since I started doing Pilates more regularly. In that time I’ve gone from serious doubter to complete convert. Here’s why…. I feel stronger, more aligned, more balanced, more confident and more aware of my body than…
At-home workouts are here to stay and here’s why! Why teacher Sarah Micak loves Body Harmonics On Demand and you might too I have loved virtual workouts since I can remember. They’re convenient, cost effective and are a great way to keep the body moving and feeling great. After having my daughters, I liked them…
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…
Self-care 101 Why self-care is essential for your wellbeing Taking time for YOU can save your emotional, physical and mental wellbeing Self-care; it’s a word that has been around for decades, but in our current world, with life and work as busy as ever, and not to mention living through a global pandemic, the need…
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…
Five ways to help jaw pain Your temporomandibular joint (TMJ) connects your jaw bone to your skull and is a common area of dysfunction. Your right and left TMJ must work together, rolling and sliding as you move your jaw bone to perform basic functions like talking and chewing. Jaw tension and pain are common…
The importance of self-care for service providers Self-care is kind of a strange word isn’t it? It’s as though the word “care” on its own doesn’t include caring for ourselves. And yet that’s often what happens for those of us who work in the service sector. We care for others because it’s what we’re trained…
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…
Exercise and immune system Did you know that regular, moderate exercise improves the function of your immune system? This is true for people of all ages, but has been studied at particular length in older (60+) adults. One recent study out of the University of Houston concluded that while “[a]ging is associated with many discernible…
About hypopressive breathing You’ve no doubt heard of Kegel exercises, deliberate contractions of the pelvic floor intended to tone the layer of muscles that support the pelvic organs. But if you’re dealing with pelvic floor issues (or hoping to prevent them) and haven’t yet been introduced to the Abdominal Hypopressive Technique (AHT), you’ll want to…
Understanding the pelvic floor If you’re female, you’ve almost certainly heard of “Kegel” exercises—deliberate contractions and releases of the pelvic floor muscles designed to strengthen them, especially before or after childbirth. Ever since an American gynecologist named Arnold Kegel published findings on exercising the pelvic floor in 1948, Kegels have been widely touted as the…
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,…
Upper body strength The most common misconception about upper-body strength is that it’s all about the power in our arms and shoulders. While these muscles do play a significant role, real upper-body power means a strong chest and upper back, not just arms. How to tell if you’re strong or weak So, how can we…
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)…
What you need to know about back pain Whether mild, severe or chronic, back pain affects almost everyone. According to Statistics Canada, four out of five adults will experience an episode of back pain at some point in their life. But this doesn’t mean you’re destined to live out your life in pain. How you…
Pelvic floor health Pelvic floor health is a hot topic. More and more physiotherapists and instructors are specializing in pelvic floor issues as research shows strong correlations between poor pelvic floor function and many health conditions and postural misalignments. Yes, pelvic floor function affects both men and women, and faulty mechanics can contribute to back…
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…
Take a breath How often do you think about breathing throughout your day? Probably not a lot. You know it’s important to enhance your physical activity, digestion and even mental health, but it’s not something you go out of your way to think about. It’s been said that one can spend 30 days without eating,…
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…
Building upper body strength after breast cancer After breast surgery it’s common to feel a sense of mistrust in your body, second-guessing even the simplest exercise or movement. Even kinaesthetically aware yoga and Pilates teachers report feeling this way post-surgery. With this in mind, an important part of your journey towards greater wellbeing should involve…
