Freedom Pilates

Earlier this week I had the intuitive hit that my body needed side splits on the reformer. I will admit that in my over a decade as a Pilates instructor and personal trainer that I often neglect my own Pilates practice. Partly this is because I am a competitive weightlifter and partly this is because my overall knowledge of fitness and mobility has greatly increased over the years. Sometimes more tools in your tool chest can cause you to forget the first tools that you loving...ly bought that first tool chest to store. Why side splits? My pelvis tends toward an anterior pelvic tilt and my left femur can get a little stuck in my left hip socket due to an old dance injury I had in college where I pulled the medial aspect of my hamstring. This causes a ripple effect that causes dysfunction in my left SI joint. Yeah yeah yeah but what does that mean in ENGLISH? My hip gets stuck. And when it does this I can’t use my left leg very well and then my back might hurt a little. When done correctly this Pilates exercise helps me create space in my hip. This combined with the rest of a reformer workout, which helps me find abdominal activation and reduces compression in my spine, helps me walk away pain free and ready to lift in the American Open Series next week. #pilates #pilatesinstructor #reformer #pilatesreformer #athlete #trainer #personaltrainer #pilatesforpain #chronicpain #fibromyalgia #fibrowarrior #fitness #weightlifting #mastersweightlifting See more

I was interviewed last Friday about my Pilates based online workout program for #fibromyalgia and I can’t wait to share the interview with you! It will be up soon. Follow the link in my profile for more info. #fibromyalgia #fibrowarrior #fitwithfibro #fibrofitness #painfree #painmanagement #pilates #pilatesinstructor #pilatesforpainmanagement

my name is Megan and I have been a Pilates instructor for over a decade. I love what I do and I love the Pilates was the first thing that started giving me my life back. I was diagnosed with Fibromyalgia 15 years ago and today I am pain free, active, competing in weightlifting and able to pursue my dreams. Did you know that I created an online program to support people with Fibromyalgia and related chronic pain issues to get started with exercise even if they are at zero? I am very proud of this program and grateful for the people I have helped get their lives back so far. I am here for you as a resource - feel free to DM and ask me questions! #fibromyalgia #fibrowarrior #fibrowarriors #pilates #pilateslove #athlete #zerotohero #painfree #chronicpain #health #wellness

March Matness P A J A M A edition. I head back to NYC tomorrow after one day relaxing and spending time with my family today so this is what you get! Also, yes I own @happyhannas #narwhal pajamas and my adorable nephew has a matching set (thanks @brdwilliams !). ... Step 1 master your plank. Start standing and reach your arms high to the ceiling. Roll down vertebrae by vertebrae like a standing version of the roll up. Then take no more than 3-4 steps of your hands on straight arms to make it out to your plank. Once there you are going to hold for at least 5 seconds the first round. Toes apart, heels together, squeeze your heels hard. Push the floor away hard with your hands, keeping the elbows straight and feel your arms connect into your back. While you do this allow your upper back to round just slightly. You don’t want your shoulder blades to be pinched completely together - they should be slightly protracted. Once you feel your feet and hands pushing the floor away HARD pull your head away from your heels as hard as you can to create length in your spine. Then, pull your abs to your spine and start to rotate your pelvis under slightly while you are lengthening your spine (this is hard!). Do all of that and then hold! Drop your chin, lift your hips to the ceiling, drop your heels and walk your hands back in and roll up again. Step 2 complete all step 1 actions and get back to your plank a second time. Either hold your plank again if you need more practice or attempt 3-5 pushups. Now don’t think about the PUSH UP think about a PULL DOWN. You are actively pushing the floor away in your plank. Keep pushing and then lightly pull your elbows toward your waist as you pull allowing your body to move slightly toward the floor. You will be surprised how well that works! Keep practicing until you can stay tight and strong and connected and go all the way down or even lift one leg! Never lose that PUSH while you PULL!! @marchmatness @360pilatesonline #pushup #pushups #thepushup #pilatespushup #pushupmatness #fin #pilates #pilatesforpain #mastersweightlifting #athlete #actress #coach #painfree #fibromyalgia #fitwithfibro #fibrofitness @ Salt Lake City, Utah See more

Okay, I’m beat. Control balance on a hotel couch after recently stepping off the platform of my first national level weightlifting meet. This exercise is actually really hard for me but it feels good. I am tight in my neck and thoracic spine and I am a little bottom heavy (!) with a very short torso. This is excellent for me to challenge the reach and weight of my legs away from my center while stabilizing my upper back. I’ve certainly done this better when less exha...usted but it’s all good. You will need thoracic mobility and scapular movement for your pushups. You will also need to be able to move from your center confidently and with balance. Let this help you center yourself and find your breath and focus. You will need it! I needed that breath and focus today at #mastersnationals2019 . I switched sports only a little over a year ago after doing very little Olympic lifting prior to that. I put up a solid total, got a PR in my snatch and got a huge PR on a clean. I was calm, focused, determined and pain free. I can’t wait to see what I can do with more time and dedication in this sport and I am grateful for Pilates keeping my spine healthy and strong along the way! @marchmatness @360pilatesonline #controlbalance #pushupmatness #marchmatness #marchmatness2019 #mastersweightlifting #weightlifting #olympicweightlifting #usaw #athlete #pilates #pilatesmat #fitness #actress #fitactress #fibromyalgia #fibrowarrior #thisis35 See more