Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About Eugene weekly. (Eugene, Oregon) 1993-current | View Entire Issue (Aug. 26, 2004)
Victoria Schneider instructs Mona Jones-Romansic on the “Cadillac,” a Pilates machine. PIRITUALLY MINDED GIF S & H T L TS HEA YOGA MU X S AT IC ION & VIDEO S & SUPPL IES RELA HEALING BOOKS, CDS,VIDEOS DVD VIDEO & LS RENTA PIRITUAL BOOKS EATING for HEALTH 14 . HEALTH•S T SELF-IMPROVMEN JOURNALS •CARD S SPECIAL $ 95 best-selling DVD 342-8348 • 16 YRS. LOCALLY OWNED 1374 WILLAMETTE • MON-SAT 11:11-7:11 BIKRAM’S YOGA C O L L E G E Pilates So, most people know at least one great Pilates exercise that will totally tone your abs. But the full story behind what exactly these exercises are and what they are sup- posed to do to my body has always been a mystery. So I met up with Victoria Schneider, one of Eugene’s top Pilates instructors and owner of Bodies By Pilates. Turns out Joseph Pilates brought his com- bination of Eastern and Western physical therapies to the U.S. from Europe in the 1920’s where it was discovered by the lean and flexible world of dancers. Pilates exer- cises focus on strengthening the abdominal muscles while lengthening all muscles and joints for ease of movement. While the prac- tice does not have the spiritual base of yoga, an active mind is important. “You have to be in your body,” explains Schneider. After showing me neutral position where my spine, shoulders, neck, and hips were all in alignement, Schneider had me lie on my back on “The Reformer” — a spring-loaded padded bed that was designed to create resistance and support for several exercises. The resistance is adjustable, making Pilates a great option for physical therapy and rehabil- itation. Paying special attention to the posi- tion of my spine, I slowly pushed back and forth from my knees in what I might call a recumbent leg press while breathing in through my nose and out through pursed lips. I began to feel a constant burn in several weaker parts of my body and in my lower abs, which I kept active. Schneider explained that I was working the smaller deep muscles that keep me upright and the parts of my body that needed to be strengthened the most, which explained the slight ache in my right ankle. While Pilates machines are fun and effec- tive, they can be expensive and hard to come by. According to Mona Jones-Romansic, mat classes focus even more on strengthening the lower abs and uses imagery about length to create multi-directional stretches. Jones- Romansic teaches mat classes Tuesday evenings with Bodies By Pilate. When deciding whether Pilates or yoga is the right workout for you, it is most impor- tant to determine what you want out of your practice. Although they both work the same muscle groups, yoga is a very mental and emotional experience. Most classes refer- ence spiritual teachings and practices. Pilates focuses purely on conditioning the body to be more fluid and aligned. ew Yoga Centers • Bikram Yoga College of India 820 Charnelton, 349-9642 • Four Winds Yoga 3575 Donald, 484-6100 • The Yoga Studio 126 Elkay Dr., 461-8044 • Yoga West 3635 Hilyard., 686-0432 • Dharmalaya 356 Horn Lane, 344-0553 dharmalaya.org Pilates Centers • Carpe Diem Pilates and Personal Training Center 436 Charnelton, 684-0577 • Bodies By Pilates 260 E 15th, 434-8406 Specializing in longer term health problems • Thyroid Problems • Fibromyalgia • Menopause • ADHD • Fatigue • Depression • Etc. Using therapies such as: • Diet and Lifestyle • Nutrition • WTS (www.wilsonsyndrome.com) • Herbs • Homeopathy • Detoxification Dr. Stephanie P. Wilson, N.D. 1755 Coburg Rd., #6 • Eugene, OR 97401 541-683-9357 O F I N D I A A Growing Experience Fully certified by the State of Oregon Organic meals Offers care for 2 1/2-6 year olds Morning, afternoon, and full-day schedules available W elcome to Bikram’s beginning yoga class. This is the most exciting, challenging, hard working & effective yoga class in the world. Created by Bikram Choudhury, this posture flow features two breathing exercises & 26 hatha yoga poses designed to work every muscle, joint, ligament, tendon, gland, & organ in the body. This is a 90 minute total body work- out in a room heated to 104 o . BIKRAM YOGA INTR0DUCTORY PACKAGE 2 Weeks for $20 Enrolling Now for Fall Pre-school & Pre-K classrooms 302-1606 • 1901 Pierce Street (18th & Chambers) 9-10:30am MTWThF 6-7:30pm MTWTh 4-5:30pm F&S 6:45- 8:15pm T&Th NEW 4-5:30pm M& W FOR MORE INFORMATION 349-YOGA Get a Naked P i n o t Wines made from certified organic grapes. Available at fine wine shops, restaurants and grocers throughout Lane County. Beaverton, OR. 503-649-0027 • www.coopermountainwine.com AUGUST 26, 2004 13
