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Teachers
Aimee Greenfield
I have always loved the art of movement. I grew up dancing. During college I took as many dance classes as I could squeeze into my schedule and also taught step aerobics in the 90s. Pilates appeals to my love of flowing through movement.
I’m excited to offer private Pilates classes. I love connecting with you one on one to support your growth. I believe individualized attention will allow you to develop a deeper awareness of your body and greater precision in your movements, accelerate your progress and help you stay motivated.
“Every moment of our life can be the beginning of great things.” -Joseph Pilates
Pilates can transform your relationship both with your body and with exercise. I am so excited to share my passion for Pilates with you at Bee Pilates Fit!
My sister Allison introduced me to Pilates in 2005, and I was instantly hooked! Eighteen years later, after leaving my career as a commercial real estate attorney to raise my sons, Joe and Ben, Allison is inspiring me to pursue my certification to teach Pilates and start Bee Pilates Fit.
Allison was diagnosed with ALS in 2008. Although ALS was robbing her of the ability to breathe and move, she loved to say that she was just like the bumble bee.
“Aerodynamically, the bumblebee shouldn't be able to fly, but the bumble bee doesn't know it so it goes on flying anyway.”
Just like the bee, Allison lived her entire life with gusto! This is why I chose the name Bee Pilates Fit. Every day I think of Allison, and I’m reminded to practice gratitude and to live life with gusto!
Bee-ing “Pilates Fit” is “complete coordination of body, mind and spirit . . . Through the Pilates method of body conditioning this unique trinity of a balanced body, mind and spirit can ever be attained. Self-confidence follows.” - Joseph Pilates
Pilates is the single activity I have found that has the ability to help me find this powerful connection. It builds physical strength, balance and flexibility, while also giving me energy and reducing stress. I am happier and more at peace when I practice Pilates.
I am so grateful to Allison and the exceptional teachers I have done Pilates with over the years, including my first instructor, Karen Conant, Leslie Mitchell from White Cloud Pilates West, and my master trainer, Jessica Kroft. I’m also grateful to my husband, Brian, for his love and support of this exciting new endeavor. This has been one of the best experiences of my life!
Pilates is based on six principles - Centering, Concentration, Control, Precision, Breath and Flow. Each class will integrate these principles into movements to find the balance, grace and ease associated with practicing Pilates.
CENTERING - Centering is physically bringing the focus to the center of the body, the Powerhouse area of the body. All movements in Pilates originate from this center of the body. The powerhouse is found from the bottom of the rib cage through the hip line, the abdominal muscles, low back muscles, pelvic floor, muscles around the hips and the glutes. Not only are you focusing on these core muscles, you are also balancing the right and left side of the body, while simultaneously balancing dominant and weaker muscle groups.
"You will develop muscular power with corresponding endurance, ability to perform arduous duties, to play strenuous games, to walk, run or travel for long distances without undue body fatigue or mental strain." -Joseph Pilates
CONCENTRATION - If you bring full attention to the exercise and do it with full commitment, you will obtain maximum value from each movement. Pilates creates an active meditation or mindfulness that helps you achieve a mentally clear and emotionally calm and balanced state. Every exercise starts with the conscious thought of moving followed by engagement, then the movement. Making the decision to think about the motion and what muscles to activate, versus just moving through it, provides increased performance and better results that transcend into your everyday life.
“Concentrate on the correct movement each time you exercise, lest you do them improperly and thus lose all vital benefits.”-Joseph Pilates
CONTROL - Every Pilates exercise must be done with complete muscular control. No body part is left to its own devices. It is all a conscious, deliberate movement that the mind is controlling.
PRECISION - In Pilates, it is important to sustain awareness throughout each movement. There is an appropriate placement, alignment relative to other body parts and trajectory for each part of the body. Each Pilates movement has a purpose, placement and technique that needs to be followed in order to be successful. Long term this will also help to have the same deliberate precision in every day life.
“A few well-designed movements, properly performed in a balanced sequence, are worth hours of sloppy calisthenics or forced contortion.” -Joseph Pilates
BREATHING - Pilates breathing involves focused breathing—intentional, full breaths—designed to accompany each movement. This attentive breathing paired with movement offers the body awareness necessary to build stability, strength and coordination. Breathing properly not only makes each workout more effective, but mindful breathing also offers additional benefits: improving focus, decreasing stress, relieving tension, lowering blood pressure and strengthening muscles used for breathing.
“Breathing is the first act of life and the last. Our very life depends on it.” -Joseph Pilates
FLOW - Fluidity, grace and ease are goals applied to all Pilates exercises. The energy of an exercise connects all body parts and flows through the body in an even way.
“Correctly executed and mastered to the point of subconscious reaction, these exercises will reflect grace and balance in your routine activities." -Joseph Pilates