Pilates at the Plaza

Growing up in the Midwest, it was all about being outside and active — climbing trees, riding bikes, swinging on a trapeze in the back yard!

Kay’s love for movement as a way of life has never stopped; but adulthood and The Career definitely slowed it way down.

After practicing law for 20 years, she decided to return to her earlier passion and pursue a new career in health and physical fitness. Around that same time, an injury sent her to a personal trainer, Andy Clower, who introduced her to the amazing, brain-based movement system of Z-Health.

Kay is now a National Association of Sports Medicine Certified Personal Trainer and a Z-Health Certified Trainer (R-Phase). She is looking forward to interning at Beth’s studio and finally putting her passion to work.

“Whatever you can do or dream you can, begin it. Boldness has genius, power, and magic in it.”
– Goethe

I’ve chosen poems for you to test your brain power and also to provide some positive thoughts to carry around each day. Here’s to a healthy brain. Enjoy.

Mornings at Blackwater

For years, every morning I drank
from Blackwater Pond.
It was flavored with oak leaves and also, no doubt,
the feet of ducks.

And always it assuaged me
from the dry bowl of the very far past.

What I want to say is
that the past is the past,
and the present is what your life is,
and you are capable
of choosing what that will be,
darling citizen.

So come to the pond
or the river of your imagination,
or the harbour of your longing,

and put your lips to the world.
And live
your life.

–Mary Oliver

Hi Everyone!

I am very excited to announce that I have completed my instructor training courses through Balanced Body University at Turning Point Studios in Walnut Creek. I am also proud to share with you that the instructor training program that I completed is of one of the same lineage as Beth’s. As you all already know, Beth with be traveling to Switzerland for several weeks. In an effort to keep Beth’s beautiful energy alive in the studio while she is away, and in celebration of my completion of these courses, I will be offering $25.00 private sessions and $40.00 Duets.

I will also do my best to accommodate you as far as allowing you to keep your regular workout times that you had with Beth. I have added my name to the sign- up sheet and if you see an opening, please don’t hesitate to sign up for a session with me. You may also email me or leave me a message regarding sign-ups if that is more convenient for you. I look forward to taking this next, hands-on step in my studying and I am truly grateful to have the opportunity to work with all of you.

Lots of love,
Lisa Yang

11/10/2011

Hello Fellow Movers,

I completed the next level of training for ZHealth this past weekend. This work becomes more and more fulfilling,exciting, and compelling with each new training and certification. I am now a certified ZHealth Movement Integration Specialist as well as Re-education Specialist. Which you are saying,” Isn’t that what she already was doing?” Yes, that is what I have been doing but I am learning ever more specific skills to be able to communicate directly with the nervous system so that the changes and improvements we make at the studio will be more complete and reliable through time.

This training, called I-Phase, was focused on the visual and vestibular systems of the body and their relationship to motor control. We will be adding some new drills and tests in the coming weeks to your specific programs to help you integrate the three systems which help you to balance and move well. Along with the two previously mentioned there is of course the proprioceptive. It is so helpful and also fun and intriguing – a bit like being a detective and following clues to help our bodies function at their best and most enjoyable.

The next ZHealth training at the studio will be Mondays, January 16, 23, and 30 at 5 pm and Saturdays, March 3, 10, and 24 at 11:30 am. You can sign up with Lisa. While I am gone Lisa will keep the 1pm time on Wednesdays for practicing the Neural Warm-up I that we have been working on at that same time these past three weeks. It has been a wonderful class – excellent focus and subsequent change. If you would like to be able to learn these moves at home there is now a link on our website for ZHealth. The Quickstart helps mostly with the feet and hands while the Neural warm-up I teaches the entire workout that we learned in the class at the studio. Please join Lisa on those Wednesdays if you would like to practice with others who are also interested

Be well.
Be~~~~~moving Beth

10/31/2011

Hello Fellow Movers,

I will be teaching at the ScuolaTeatro Dmitri from November 28 – December 18th.  I am very excited to teach at this wonderful program for movement artists and actors in Verschio and Anscona, Switzerland.  I will be teaching dance technique, composition/improvisation and coaching performance.

I will be absent from the studio during December.  I will return to El Cerrito December 22nd and will resume teaching on Tuesday, January 3rd, 2012.  If you have something pressing and need help please don’t be shy to call me and I will make special as needed appointments for the holiday week.  I will be around and working out with all of you during that week.

Mary and Amanda will be holding their regular shifts during the week and on Saturdays.  They will also offer some special classes for you.  If you would like to schedule with them you can call them directly. Mary:  837-9188   Amanda:  864-6313

Lisa, per usual, will manage the studio in my absence.  She has now finished her full Pilates training and is officially an intern at our studio.  I couldn’t be happier – she has flourished during the training.  Amanda has been a truly inspired mentor for Lisa during this time with Mary and me in the background chirping in so  she has had the support of our combined 90 years of experience and of course all of you with your blessings of interest and encouragement.  Thank you to everyone in the community for participating with such commitment, generosity, and cooperative use skills.  I am sad to be absent but also looking forward to my teaching in Switzerland and returning with that freshness to share with all of you.

As an intern Lisa will be offering private Pilates sessions for $25/solo and $40/duet.  Some of you have already signed up to work with her during your regular appointment time in my absence.  All of you are welcome to do so and then will not have a gap in your training routine.  If you are someone who comes every so often for a refresher it is a great opportunity to learn some new moves from the Pilates repertoire for your individual workouts at a lower cost. Please call Lisa to sign up at the studio number 734-1359

All my best to you in our ongoing commitment to moving with grace and balance and coordination and strength and just plain having fun!,

Beth