I’ve been really busy getting things ready for the Pilates Challenge that starts on Monday the 9th.

In fact, I just finished putting together the video you see above and it answers many of the questions I’ve received about the Challenge and gives you a much better idea (I think!) of what to expect.

I really had a blast doing this video and I’m looking forward to doing more. If you have questions, or comments, I’d love to hear ‘em! Just enter comments below.

If you want to find out more about the Pilates Challenge or sign up, everything you need is on the Pilates Challenge information page…

See you in the studio!
Sydney

UPDATE: The Challenge is here! You can find out everything you need to know and register here:

http://www.pilatestonic.com/pilates-challenge-winter-2012/

Let us know if you have any questions at all…

One of our main goals with the Pilates Challenge is to help you feel what it’s like to consistently incorporate Pilates and effective stretching into your life. To really have the Pilates principles and benefits of effective stretching integrated into your life, 3 – 4 hours of Pilates and stretching every week is optimal.

The Pilates Challenge helps you achieve a minimum goal of 3 – 4 classes per week. Depending on the package you choose, you’ll receive enough private sessions and classes to use over the 6-week time frame to come in 3 – 4 times a week.

And let’s not forget about cardio. It’s an important component all of us need to include consistently in our lives. The Pilates Challenge inspires and motivates you to get 2 hours of cardio in a week. That’s just 20 minutes a day!

We offer outdoor cardio sessions at Pilates Tonic that are included in the Pilates Challenge packages. You may be thinking outdoor cardio sounds crazy in January/February, but last year it was one of the most loved things about the Challenge. Not to mention how good it is for the mind and body to get outside during the Winter months.

(On a side note, one of the winners of last year’s Challenge just completed her first 1/2 marathon. That’s 13.1 miles. I can’t wait to tell you her story!)

We offer cardio sessions that are all walking. We offer sessions that are walking and running and we also offer a cardio session that’s all running.

This year the Pilates Challenge is coming with some bonuses that we’ve never offered. I am beyond excited about them! But I can’t give you bonus details just yet.

However, I can share some of the package details with you…

This year there are 4 packages to choose from. We are offering our standard 3 and 4-hour Pilates Challenge Combo packages.

For the first time ever we are offering a package for those of you who are new to Pilates Tonic, or new to Pilates altogether.

We are also offering a package for people who aren’t new to Pilates Tonic, but new to reformer classes.

The Basic Packages

New Tonic Challenge ( For people new to Pilates or new to the studio)*
This package contains a Pilates 101 package (3 private sessions), the Reformer Prep Package (3 more private sessions to get you ready for reformer classes), reformer classes, mat classes and cardio.

New Reformer Challenge (For people new to reformer classes)*
This package contains the Reformer Prep Package (3 private sessions to get you ready for reformer classes), reformer classes, mat classes and cardio.

Three Hour Challenge
This package comes with a goal setting private session, mat classes, reformer classes and cardio.

Four Hour Challenge
This package comes with a goal setting private session, mat classes, reformer classes and cardio.

We are also in the process of making the class and cardio session schedule for the Pilates Challenge. If there is a class time, or day we don’t currently offer that you want, let me know. We add classes for the Pilates Challenge to specifically suit your needs.

I promise I’ll have bonus details for you very soon. In the meantime, email me your dream class schedule and I’ll see what I can do to make that dream schedule a reality!

And if youy still have questions about any aspect of the challenge at all, please post your question below in the comments section and I’ll make sure you have an answer for you right away.

Yours in consistency,

Sydney

P.S. – Don’t forget that when you subscribe to the Pilates Challenge updates list (form below) you’re automatically entered into the Pilates Challenge contest. One person will be drawn at random to win a complete Pilates Challenge package. Good luck!

Every year at Pilates Tonic we fire up the Pilates Challenge and this is the time when you can make some incredible changes in your body and mind.

We know how difficult it can be to build time into your schedule to take care of yourself, but when you have an entire group supporting you, it suddenly makes it a lot easier. This is why we created the Pilates Challenge!

We will help you make the commitment, make the time and follow through.

In fact, we’ve been creating this new challenge to specifically address the problem that we all face with making and sticking with a commitment to a fitness goal.

2011 has been a whirlwind and 2012 will be here soon. Everyone who did the challenge last year knows how wonderful it was to start the new year off with what was essentially a brand new body and new powers of commitment and follow-through.

I encourage you to find out for yourself if you haven’t tried it yet. Obviously there are even more benefits than just the physical. You change your body and, quite literally, you change your brain when you embark on a program like this and that change shows up in every aspect of your life.

We are in the final stages of arranging all the details for this winter challenge and very soon you’ll be able to register for your place. There are a limited number of spots though so once registration is live, I encourage you to not dilly dally on this one!

Oh, and I can’t wait to tell you about the new technology we have to help keep you on track this year too. I wish I could take it myself!

So, here are the basics of the upcoming challenge. There’s more coming though and I’ll be sending updates about it all to the Pilates Challenge list.

The Pilates Challenge is a 6 week program designed to deliver outstanding results. We are going to start on January 9th 2012. There will be a number of different packages to choose from (details coming soon) and even if you’ve never done Pilates, we have a package for you that will get you off on the perfect foot!

If you want to know the moment registration opens and get updates and more information, please do sign up for the 2012 Winter Pilates Challenge list (form below). I’ll send you specific updates about the challenge, and everyone who subscribes will have their name included in the Pilates Challenge drawing. One lucky person will actually get a complete Pilates Challenge package!

I know, it’s a lot to take in, so take a deep breath and fill out the form below. I’ll let you know as soon as there’s anything new and juicy to know.

Can’t wait to see you at the Challenge!

This is the third and final video in the 3-part interview with Kit Laughlin, the creator of Stretch Therapy and the Monkey Gym.

For those of us who love Pilates and its focus on form and alignment, we can expect to get even greater benefits from combining Monkey Gym training with our ongoing Pilates workouts. But I’ll talk more about that specific idea later.

For now, watch this short video and learn how you can create a dancer/gymnast’s body without being a dancer, or gymnast …

Also, if you have questions, please DO leave a comment and I’ll be glad to answer!

[Kit Laughlin, the creator of the Monkey Gym, is currently visiting from Australia and is teaching the very first Monkey Gym workshop in the U.S. which starts this Monday, at Pilates Tonic (Oct. 3–5). Class is from 11:30 AM — 4:00 PM Mon., Tues, and Wed.  You can find out more about this Monkey Gym workshop and register here…]

Balancing strength throughout the body is a critical part of working and playing without injury and the Monkey Gym evens out the unique deficits we each have as a result of living this modern life.

From those doing rehabilitation for a problem in the body through to elite athletes, the Monkey Gym work is customized for each person’s needs.

Watch this video and find out from Kit Laughlin himself whether or not you’re “strong enough”… and if you have any questions about it, please do leave a comment below.

[Kit Laughlin, the creator of the Monkey Gym, is currently visiting from Australia and will be teaching the very first Monkey Gym workshop in the U.S. which starts next week at Pilates Tonic (Oct. 3–5). We still have a couple spots left so if you want to join us, you still can. You can find out more about this Monkey Gym workshop and register here…]

What is the Monkey Gym? Listen to the first in a 3-part interview I did with Kit Laughlin, the creator of the Monkey Gym and learn all about it!

Note that Kit is visiting from Australia and will be teaching the very first Monkey Gym workshop in the U.S. which starts next week (Oct. 3–5). We still have a couple spots left so if you want to join us, you still can. You can find out more about the Monkey Gym and register here…