WELCOME TO THE ENCORE PILATES BLOG
Can tight neck muscles affect vagus nerve?
What the neck! The sternocleidomastoid (SCM) muscle, located in the cervical region, plays a crucial role in neck mobility and posture. Tightness in this muscle is a common issue among women in peri-menopause and menopause, primarily due to hormonal fluctuations and age-related stiffness. This can potentially impact the function of the nearby vagus nerve, which is integral to numerous bodily functions, including the regulation of gastrointestinal [...]
Protein Power Play: 5 Creative Ways to Sneak Protein Powder into Your Child’s Diet
As a passionate parent, I understand the struggles of getting our children to maintain a balanced diet, especially when it comes to protein intake. But fear not, I've discovered some clever and tasty ways to incorporate protein powder into your child's meals without them ever suspecting a thing! Disguise it in Pancakes: Who doesn't love a fluffy stack of pancakes for breakfast? Substitute some of the [...]
The Power of Repetition: How Consistency in Movement can Strengthen and Heal Your Body
Are you tired of feeling like you're not making progress? Do you struggle with motivation when learning a new exercise routine? The key to success might be simpler than you think. Research has shown that repetition not only feels good but it can also be incredibly beneficial for our bodies. Whether you are dealing with chronic pain, recovering from an injury, or just trying to improve [...]
Which protein powder should you choose?
In my quest for optimal health I've been playing around with my banana bread recipe and I've come up with something new and nourishing. If you are over 35 years old, chances are you aren't getting enough protein in your diet. And the older you get the harder that ideal becomes. But before I get to the recipe lets talk about protein options. When it comes [...]
Diastasis Recti-fied and how to save your 6 pack
Do you ever go to get out of bed and notice a little pooch on your tum? Or push yourself up out of the couch after lounging around and feel a strain in your middle? Or maybe when you're practicing a sit up to strengthen those abs you realise that there is a cone or a pyramid poking out that looks a bit out of place? [...]
Why flat feet are deflating your pelvic floor
As a pilates teacher, you are aware that having a strong and healthy pelvic floor is crucial for both men and women. However, you may not realise that flat feet, or fallen arches, can have a direct impact on pelvic floor tone. The arches of the feet provide a neuro feedback mechanism to the pelvic floor muscles, which helps to ensure proper tone and function. When [...]
Peppermint essential oil for vagus nerve toning: The benefits for women with endometriosis
Do you suffer from endometriosis? Are you interested in natural solutions that have been proven to help women with this condition reduce their pain and discomfort? If so, you’ll be excited to learn about the benefits peppermint essential oil has for toning your vagus nerve. Studies have revealed that it can be extremely helpful for improving symptoms related to endometriosis. In this blog post we will [...]
The Key to Great Results: Understanding the Value of Consistent Pilates Practices
How consistent Pilates pays off Pilates is a popular workout regimen that offers numerous health benefits, including improved flexibility, enhanced core strength, and better posture. However, as with any exercise program, consistency is key to achieving optimal results. In this article, we will examine the importance of consistency when doing Pilates and explore the various ways in which it can improve your physical and mental well-being. [...]
How to teach Pilates for high arch feet
FROM THE FEET TO THE PELVIC FLOOR Understanding the relationship between the feet and the core can improve any teachers ability to teach for the individual and while feet come in many shapes and sizes, there are some common structural presentations that can inform the teacher without intruding on the students intimate experiences. My hope is that movement educators will use this article as a guide [...]
The 3am wake up call
It may be common but it's not normal At my women's retreat, one topic that is often spoken about is women who wake up around three o'clock in the morning every single night and they just can't figure out what's going wrong. Now, there's a few things that could be happening, but there are two things that really stand out for these women in particular. At [...]