Dressing The Part

Being fit and healthy is a necessity for purveyors of beauty. Not only is our industry about image but the demands of our profession are best met when we have physical strength and endurance. The salon environment naturally allows for expression of stylists' interest in style and fashion. The wardrobe for our chosen fitness regimen ought to do the same.

Here are some brands that I have found that meet stylist criteria of great looks and great fit.

Lululemon Athletica












Tokyo shop and Pilates For Stylists' and Lululemon Ambassador, Carolyn Bell




Prana











Quest Crew for Men


Under Armour













Athleta












Purity Cami outfit



Title Nine










Back-To-Basics Zen Top

Lucy














Hot Yoga bra and short

Keep Rolling On

The holiday season gives way to the charity season and the appointment book remains filled to the brim. The Pilates exercise, Rolling Like A Ball, fits nicely with a stylist's need to keep rolling on.










Rolling Like A Ball is play like, massages the spine, cleanses the lungs and develops the Core. For comfort, roll on a mat or carpeted surface. Focus on the abdominals contracting and maintaining a spinal C-curve. Just like the name implies, roll on to the shoulders and roll on to the hips.










For video on Rolling Like A Ball , follow this link.

Images from Kolestar Studios.

Finding A Quality Pilates Teacher

www.pmapilatescertified.com

Pilates is a full-body system of specific sequenced exercises performed on the mat and specially designed equipment. The method is centered around the concepts of awareness, balance, breath, centering, concentration, control, flowing movement, and precision. The principle of Pilates is to uniformly develop the body and mind. For best results, Pilates should be practiced 2-3 times weekly in approximately one-hour-long sessions. Pilates may be practiced in a group or private setting, based on the individual's needs financially and physically. Price ranges vary approximately $10-$15 for a group mat session, to upwards of $64-$75 for one hour of private instruction. Pilates could be performed at home, but proper instruction and quality equipment are essential to its success.

The Pilates method is an exercise/movement technique which trains practitioners to integrate the use of mind and body during the performance of its exercises. Through this integration, Pilates creates positive overall physical benefits. Thorough training of Pilates teachers/instructors is necessary to maintain the quality and safety of Pilates method practitioners.

The PMA® recommends that anyone wishing to teach the Pilates method:

• Participate in a Pilates exercise program prior to attending a teacher training program.
• Attend a comprehensive training program, and maintain a commitment to education.

The following are general guidelines, questions, and information you can use to help search for a qualified Pilates teacher:

1. Are the instructors trained through a comprehensive training program?
2. Did that training program require a written and practical test, lecture, observation, practice and apprentice hours?
3. How many total hours were spent in the training program? (The Pilates Method is a knowledge based method of exercise and training. Time spent in certification training produces qualified teachers.)
4. Does the instructor have any other movement related teaching experience.
5. How long have the instructors been teaching Pilates?
6. What is the instructor's/ studio's philosophy and specialty? Are they able to handle special needs, injuries and rehabilitation?
7. Does the instructor or studio teach the full repertoire of Pilates on all pieces of apparatus?

Excerpt from the www.pilatesmethodalliance.org

Breath Fundamentals For Stylists

The breath mechanisms in stylists can become asymmetrical due to the rotated forward bending required when performing our craft. One outcome of breathing dominantly to one side is fatigue. To remain alert and energized through out the day, remember these points:









From a Pilates perspective, the ribs open to the sides (laterally). The ribs expand, rather than the belly protruding.












On inhales, the breast bone (sternum) lifts and the spine between the blades moves back.















Important: Inflate both sides of the ribs equally (bilateral balance), equalize length of inhales and exhales and build breath mechanics by controlling inhale/exhale counts up to 12.













Did you know...normal breathing fills the top 2/3s of the lungs. The last third in the most oxygen rich. Deep, nasal inhales, such as those used in Pilates, produces nitric oxide, which is the body's natural Viagra.

Breath.
Breath.
BREATH.