Pelvic floor: where to start? A guide for the confused and overwhelmed

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…

What does “arm bone in shoulder socket” mean, and why is it important?

What does “arm bone in socket” mean? Let’s admit it: Pilates and movement instructors are known for saying things that seem pretty cryptic to the uninitiated. This is particularly true in a group class setting, where instructors may not have the opportunity to fully elaborate on certain cues or expressions. The exhortation to “get arm…

PreNatal Pilates Toronto Body Harmonics

Prenatal fitness: How to exercise safely during pregnancy for an optimal birth

How to exercise safely during pregnancy When it comes to prenatal fitness, can you overdo it? In this issue of Body Harmonics Shoptalk, Margot McKinnon, M.Ed., gives moms-to-be some tips for working out during pregnancy and ensuring a healthy labour. Moms-to-be are getting stronger and stronger as prenatal exercise trends like running and yoga continue…

Building upper body strength after breast cancer: part 3

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…

Re-Building Strength & Confidence After Breast Cancer Surgery: Part 1

If you’re reading this, chances are you know first-hand that recovering from surgery is not only a journey of physical rehabilitation but also of mental and emotional healing. Properly guided and planned post-surgery movement therapy—be it yoga, Pilates or dance—should not only help you regain physical strength and mobility but also help you to develop…