Back to Nature

Friday Morning Pilates Classes
At Washington Riverfront Begin September 25

“You’re only as young as your spine is flexible,” Joe Pilates, founder of the exercise method that bears his name, once said.

Erin Gaugh, of Radiate Pilates in Augusta, agrees.

“Pilates is movement-based core strengthening,” she said. “It mobilizes joints while strengthening muscles. It’s a really efficient way to strengthen the core and bring stability to the spinal column, and it’s low impact, so it’s great for people who have had something like a knee injury to do in between running or biking or swimming.”

Joe Pilates (1883-1967) originally held his classes outdoors, and Gaugh will be doing the same next week.

Radiate Pilates (https://www.facebook.com/radiatepilatesmo/) and Washington Green Spa & Wellness (https://www.washingtongreenspa.com/) will present a series of four Pilates classes on Friday mornings at the Washington riverfront beginning Sept. 25. Classes will be held at 8:30 a.m. Sept. 25, Oct. 2, Oct. 9 and Oct. 16. Cost is $20 per class or $70 for the package of four.

Due to COVID-19 restrictions, class participants need to bring their own yoga mat, towel and water bottle to class.

After class, UnderGrounds Espresso Bar, 120 W. Front St., in downtown Washington, will have cold brew available.

Register and Support Franklin County CASA

Participants need to prepay for each class or the package. Payments will not be accepted at the riverfront.

To reserve your spot, go to https://washingtongreenspaappointment.as.me/radiatepilates.A portion of all new class packages will be donated to Franklin County CASA (Court-Appointed Special Advocates), helping local children in the foster care system.

The idea to hold classes outdoors is a result of needing to provide appropriate social distancing, but there are other benefits as well, Gaugh said. Being outside provides access to Vitamin D through sunshine, which is a great way to boost your immune system, she noted.

Boost Your Immune System

The idea to hold classes outdoors is a result of needing to provide appropriate social distancing, but there are other benefits as well, Gaugh said. Being outside provides access to Vitamin D through sunshine, which is a great way to boost your immune system, she noted.

“Joseph Pilates thought a lot of the Vitamin D aspect of health and wellness, and now we know that is a big deal with the prevention and treatment of COVID,” she commented.
Created for all levels of participants, this 45-minute class is specially designed to incorporate gentle Pilates exercises and fascia-releasing methods to both strengthen and restore the body as well as bring peace of mind.
This low impact, mind-body class focuses on improving flexibility, increasing mobility, stability, balance and mental well-being, all while enjoying the riverfront view.

“The great thing about Pilates is it’s really isometric, so you can work at your own level, but I also provide modifications for beginners, people with injury issues or people who are pretty fit and need a challenge,” Gaugh said.

The Nine Health Benefits of Pilates

Gaugh highlighted the following nine health benefits of practicing Pilates:

1.     Improved Posture — All of the exercises you perform in Pilates classes promote proper skeletal alignment, Gaugh said. They also strengthen the muscles which are responsible for good posture. This allows you to move more freely, breathe more easily and avoid health complications associated with bad posture. 

2.     Better Balance — This helps you better coordinate your movements, reduces your risk of falling, makes you more agile and increases your reaction times.

3.     Reduced Injury Risk — Pilates strengthens your joints and improves flexibility, which makes you less likely to get injured.

4.     Increased Strength — Pilates strengthens all of the muscles in your body using a combination of dynamic and static strength training. The structure of Pilates exercises ensures that all of the muscles in your body get targeted and no muscle groups are ignored.

5.     Enhanced Core Stability — One of the six principles of Pilates is centering, which states that strength should be developed from the inside out and that every movement should begin from the core and flow outward to the limbs. Performing movements in this way strengthens the deep muscles in your abdomen, lower back and pelvic floor, and provides the rest of your body with the stability it needs to function effectively.

6.     Improved Flexibility — The dynamic movements of Pilates gently stretch and lengthen your muscles while also increasing the range of motion in your joints, which ultimately boosts your overall flexibility. This leads to reduced muscle soreness and enhanced blood flow.

7.     Healthier Blood — Improved posture and flexibility enhances circulation; the reduced stress will lower blood pressure; and controlled breathing techniques ensure your blood is fully oxygenated.

8.     Increased Mental Fitness — The breathing and concentration that comes with Pilates will help you develop mental focus.

9.     Greater Stamina — Traditional strength training generally involves lifting heavy weights for short periods of time. However, Pilates involves longer flowing sequences of exercises that constantly engage your muscles and build up your endurance. This improved stamina has a positive effect on your overall energy levels and allows you to exercise at a greater intensity for longer without becoming fatigued.