Mayo Clinic features Pilates, Yoga and Massage Therapy in their 2011 Guide to Alternative Medicine

People who take an active role in their health care experience better health and improved healing. It's a common-sense concept gaining scientific roots.

As studies continue to reveal the important role the mind plays in healing and in fighting disease, a transformation is slowly taking place in hospitals and clinics across the country. Doctors, in partnership with their patients, are turning to practices once considered alternative as they attempt to treat the whole person -- mind and spirit, as well as body. - Mayo Clinic Guide to Alternative Medicine 2011

The Mayo Clinic Guide to Alternative Medicine 2011 just hit magazine stands and we are delighted to see that we offer three of the treatments they highlight -- in fact two are on their Top 10 list of the best integrative therapies available. Pilates, Yoga and Massage Therapy are promoted as effective help for back pain, flexibility, posture, heart disease, stress and fibromyalgia to name just some.  Here are the highlights:

• Pilates helps improve flexibility, joint mobility and strength while contributing to a strong back and improved posture. According to the guide Pilates may also help with weight loss when combined with a well-planned weight-loss program. Though it didn't make it into the guide, we also offer sessions in the Gyrotonic Expansion System which offers many of the same benefits.
• Yoga decreases anxiety, stress, depression, heart disease and high blood pressure. The guide also notes that yoga can help with Osteoarthritis, binge eating, chronic headaches, rheumatoid arthritis and diabetes. Research indicates that the "methodic breathing" used in yoga plays a major role in its effectiveness. Also mentioned in the guide is meditation, which is always a component of our Yoga classes.
• Massage Therapy offers relief from anxiety, back pain, fibromyalgia and sports related pain. It also contributes to the overall well-being of those receiving treatment for cancer, diabetes, and diseases of the immune system. The guide mentions two studies that found massage therapy following surgery can "lessen post-operative pain, anxiety and tension."

While this may not be new news for those of you who've received their benefits for awhile we believe it's great news for everyone who's been on the fence about booking a Pilates session, taking a yoga class, or receiving a massage. And as more people discovery the benefits of the Gyrotonic Expansion System, we imagine the research will follow and support the enthusiasm!

You can book Pilates, Gyrotonic and Yoga classes or private sessions and Massage Therapy appointments with us all week long. Take a look at our website for descriptions of our services, or email us with your specific questions.

Pilates on Tour ~ Bringing You the Finest Pilates Instructors in the World!

Balanced Body presents Pilates on Tour® in Tampa! Dive in to an unforgettable continuing education experience for any Pilates instructor or enthusiast!

Clients of Body Balance Institute receive $25 off the registration fee!

Small classes, excellent, world-class instructors and plenty of equipment give you the opportunity to really absorb what you learn. Whether you are looking for new exercises, great group programming, improving your teaching skills or tips on growing your business, Pilates on Tour will inspire you to mastery.

Treat yourself to the warmest, friendliest Pilates conferences in the world and enjoy a weekend of learning, networking and fun.

Whether you are interested in taking a deep dive into the biomechanics of the body or learning some wonderful new moves to take back to your studio, this is a great opportunity to network with your peers, learn new material and take your teaching to the next level. Come join us! Tell your Friends!

Pilates on Tour 2010 | Tampa, Florida | October 13-17

at the Tampa Marriott Waterside Hotel & Marina

Click here for registration information.
 
Highlights include:

• Pilates and Golf: Making the Connection between the Body and the Golf Swing
• Pilates Plus Psyche: Learn to understand yourself and your clients better
• Unwinding Scoliosis with Pilates
• The Psoas as a Core Muscle
• Hip and Knee Biomechanics on the Pilates Reformer
• The Core has Arms: Reformer Sequences that Connect the Hands to the Heart, Spine and Eyes

Here are a few testimonials from past Pilates on Tour events.

"This was my first experience at Pilates on Tour and it was WONDERFUL"

"Thank you for an awesome event!"

"There is an overall feeling tone of BB that is warm, accessible, generous in spirit, and that was evident in the presenters and the organizers"

"This is a stellar venue to hone your Pilates skills and learn from amazing instructors to take your practice to the next level."

Click here for registration information. We'd really love to see you in Tampa!

Thai Yoga massage is a wonderful compliment to your Pilates or Gyrotonic workout

Our massage therapist, Naorah Lockhart, wrote an article on the benefits of Thai Yoga massage for elephant, an online journal about the 'mindful life.' Read her article by following this link:
Want a massage with come tradition? Thai Yoga Massage: Loving kindness feels so good.

Thai Yoga Massage was also featured in Pilates COREterly in instructor Rachael Maddalena's article about the benefits of combining Pilates and Thai Yoga massage.You can read her article here: Pilates and Massage: One Informs the Other.

What's going on here? What's all this about Thai Yoga Massage?

Thai Yoga massage takes place on a comfortable mat on the floor. You wear comfortable, stretchy clothing and no oils or lotions are used. The therapist uses her hands and feet to massage and stretch your body. This stimulates energy flow and releases pain and tension. Sound good?

The benefits:

• detoxifies your body and boosts your immune system
• increases circulation and helps lower blood pressure
• great for relaxation
• increases flexibility and mobility
• helps you breathe fully and deeply
• boosts and unblocks your energy
• decreases stress and anxiety
• promotes overall health, balance and vitality

Thai Yoga Massage is offered at Body Balance Institute on weekdays. Sessions are 75 minutes and are $100 per session. Package pricing is available. Email us to set up your appointment.

New Saturday Classes!

Join instructor Jennifer Landells for two back-to-back classes on Saturday mornings. She kicks it off with a 9am Pilates Mat + Props class and follows it up with a Pilates Equipment Class at 10am. Call the studio at (904) 223-4079 or email us at bodybi@gmail.com if you have questions or want to reserve your space in class.

Upcoming Pilates Instructor Training: Mat 1

Ready to start training as a Pilates Instructor? Master Instructor and Body Balance Institute owner Vicki Sullivan will teach Mat 1 on July 16-18, 2010. Here are the details:

Mat 1: Introduction to Pilates & Beginning/Intermediate Exercises
(16 hours of training)


Prerequisites:

• Students must have taken at least 20 Pilates Mat sessions.
• It is strongly recommended that students have taken an Anatomy for Pilates course. Other Anatomy training is acceptable based upon approval.

Mat I includes an introduction to the history and principles of Pilates, beginning and most intermediate level exercises with modifications, lectures on class order and programming in a group setting, and guidelines for teaching seniors, pre-, and post-natal classes.

Mat 1 is $399 plus an additional $50 for the manual.


To become a fully qualified Balanced Body University Mat Instructor, students must complete the following:

• Anatomy
• BBU Mat 1 - Course work, written and practical test (16 hours)
• BBU Mat 2 - Course work, written and practical test (16 hours)
• 25 Mat Personal Sessions and 45 Mat Student Teaching Hours or
• 20 Mat Personal Sessions, 15 observation hours and 35 student teaching hours
• Final written and practical test

The total hours for completion of Mat program: 102 hours (not including Anatomy

If you are interested in signing up for this training, contact Balanced Body University. You can also call 1-877-PILATES for further information.

Our friend at Kinespirit demonstrates Gyrokinesis on Regis and Kelly

Naomi Campbell does Gyrotonic on Oprah!

Here's another celebrity endorsement of the benefits of Gyrotonic - this time from Naomi Campbell on Oprah. But you don't have to be famous to try out this innovative form of exercise. In a Gyrotonic Tower session you'll stretch and strengthen muscles and tendons - while you also find full range of movement in your joints. And while you are at it, give Gyrokinesis a try - it's the floor exercises that Gyrotonic is based on and emphasizes spinal mobility, dynamic breath, and fluid movement.