Curious about Pilates ? I was too — which is why I decided to try it! To document my progress, I am sharing with you some photos here on the blog and the video I shot during one of my earliest sessions!

Thank God, there is a Pilates studio near my home! This is MOVE WITH OPTIONS located inside the Powerplant Mall’s new wing. They are the first and only international chain of Pilates and Movement studios worldwide. So when I chanced upon it, I felt like I was really meant to be there — and that it was the perfect time for me to start anew in my fitness journey!

I love how MOVE WITH OPTIONS’ space is bright and clean, with tall glass windows around that give us all a nice green view of the Rockwell community! And when you’re exercising, you know that the place you’re in makes a whole lot of difference in making your exercise as comfortable and enjoyable as possible.

Admit it or not, when you’re there pushing yourself to the limits and sweating it all out… your AMBIENCE becomes your EVERYTHING!

But aside from having great space, what I love about MOVE WITH OPTIONS is the quality of its trained teachers. Your trainer plays a major role in your fitness journey, especially because the Pilates training here is on a one-on-one basis (not a group class). I do my Pilates 3 times a week and I am blessed to be trained by 3 different teachers! Maybe one day, it will be down to just one trainer — but for now, I am quite happy with the three, as I learn three different styles every single time and every session is always exciting as it is different from the last! So thank you, Dek, Mafe and Jesh! 

So yes, MOVE WITH OPTIONS gives me the flexibility to choose programs that reform, rehab and maintain my healthy muscles while giving me a positive frame of mind through it all!

Here are some of my photos from my first two months here :

I want you to know that I started from the bottom… not knowing anything about the exercise. I started from scratch and because of that, the struggle to learn even becomes harder!

But I’ve also noticed that through time and with constant practice, my body has learned to adapt…and has become more flexible!

But truth be told : exercising regularly does not come easy for anyone and finding what works for your body will take time. In my case too, losing weight and achieving my body goals are needing a whole lot of my patience, determination and hard work. No shortcuts here, that’s for sure!

Watch the video we shot here during my 6th session; ie. my body is still not as strong and flexible as it is now! (And while you’re at it, please dont forget to subscribe to my You Tube channel!)

So what are the 3 main benefits of Pilates?

Pilates gives you : flat abs and a strong back

These two are linked by one essential aspect your body needs: a strong core. The core is the center of your body, and it’s vital to keep your deep muscles close to the spine in the best shape, and Pilates lets you do this.

Pilates gives you : a refreshed mind and body

Proper breathing, body alignment, and relaxed, flowing movement helps get your body right. Pilates focuses on stretching your range of motion following these techniques.

Pilates gives you : long, lean and flexible muscles

Pilates improves muscle and joint flexibility and balances your strength to help avoid discomfort and pain.

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Bottom line? We should learn to look at exercise not as a chore but as part of our daily lifestyle — yes daily (like brushing our teeth is a daily thing and not something we do only once a week, right?) And once we learn to see that, everything becomes so much easier and smoother (not necessarily struggle or pain-free but yes, definitely easier)! 

We’ve heard it a million times before that exercise is good for you. And at my age now, (#hello40!!) I’ve come to realize that exercise is not only crucial for my physical health but more importantly, for my mental clarity and emotional well-being as well ♥️ And if those things are important to you too — then there are no valid excuses not to do it. Everyone has the same number of hours in a day (including #Beyonce, they say!) so if she can do it — so can we!

In the past two months I’ve been practicing Pilates, I’ve learned that this is a complete coordination of our mind, body and spirit — the tried and tested technique to help achieve our complete mind and body wellness. Remember that change happens through movement and MOVEMENT HEALS… And that ladies and gentlemen, is really the reason why I always look forward to my next Pilates training!

It’s time to FOCUS, BREATHE and FLOW.

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“In 10 sessions you will feel the difference, in 20 sessions you will see the difference, in 30 sessions you will have a new body.” – Joseph Pilates (founder)

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MOVE WITH OPTIONS

R3 Level, Rockwell Drive cor. Estrella St., Makati City

Tel. No.: 216.6607 / 0917.624.4877

info@movewithoptions.com

*inquire about their other branches near you*