Category Archives: Current Affairs

My take on current world-wide affairs.

Celebrity Pilates, Current Affairs, Health and fitness

Kimberley Garner and Pilates for sexy curves!

Chris Hunt Pilates Kimberley Garner www.chrishuntwellness.com

Kimberley Garner loves Pilates. The 24 year-old actress said recently “”Pilates and Ballet are amazing for core strength and perfect for girls as they tone without building too much muscle.”

Of course there is much more to Pilates, but Kimberley does have a point. And the another I like about her training is that she uses different methods to achieve the level of health and fitness she wants like dance.

After a week of serious blog posts, I have that Celebrity feeling again, my compromise afte a week of serious blogs. I have explained before (but I will again), I am not obsessed with celebrity. I have never bought Hello Magazine. What I am obsessed with is Pilates. And whilst not every one agrees, it’s my opinion that if someone starts Pilates because their friend, neighbour, sporting hero or favourite celebrity does Pilates, then why not?

I’ve had comments about glamorising Pilates, about how privileged celebrities are, about creating false hope, about living on a different planet… Whilst I respect the opinion of everyone, it is my humble opinion that these people are missing the point of my posts and they are taking everything way to seriously. All I am doing is raising the awareness of Pilates. Plain and simple. If you do not or can not understand that, then I am sorry for wasting your time and please do not read my blog today! 🙂

I am always explaining to my Pilates clients in Barcelona that it is important to not only do Pilates, but to use cross-training techniques. This is why Pilates is only one part of the personal training program. Pilates on the beach in Barcelona is wonderful, but it’s really improtant to add some cardio exercise as well.

I think Kimberley has the balance right. Do you agree?

Chris is an international Pilates presenter and educator based in Barcelona, Spain. He is the creator of Pilates EVO©, bodyFUNC©, and CEO of Pilates Rehab Limited and Sport Core Strength.  He also organises Pilates Carnival and Fitness Carnival, conventions where all profits go to local children’s charities. For more information about Pilates with Chris in Barcelona, please click on Barcelona Bienestar. To learn more about Chris, please read Just who is Chris Hunt anyway? You can also subscribe by completing the form on the this BLOG to receive articles and special offers straight to your inbox.

Chris pays all profits made from this BLOG to his charity partners. More details can be found by clicking on www.chrishuntwellness.com and selecting the “charity partners” tab.

 

 

Current Affairs, Health and fitness, Travel

Пилатес EVO. Эволюция пилатеса

www.vk.com/pilatesevo

Добро пожаловать в мой блог! Я побывал России уже несколько раз и встретил много замечательных людей. Это мой первый пост на русском языке, но непоследний. Вы можете попрактиковать свой английский и прочесть некоторые из  моих старых статей. Мой блог — о здоровье и фитнесе.

Сегодня я хочу написать о пилатес EVO ©. Я родился с дефектом позвоночника и это стало следствием плохой осанки, а также усугубило проблему. Система упражнений Пилатес стала тем, что действительно изменило мою жизнь. Я стал страстным преверженцем убеждения, что Пилатес может помочь многим людям улучшить качество их жизни.

Я работал в лондонском Сити на должности менеджера, в тоже время практиковал и изучал пилатес, однако, всегда в моей голове звучал тихий голос, который говорил мне, что я должен преподавать Пилатес. Тихий голос становился всё громче и громче, пока однажды он не стал оглушающим. Я решил оставить позади свою прежнюю жизнь и посвятить жизнь и карьеру преподаванию Пилатеса.

Я путешествовал по миру преподавая и обучаясь (мы никогда не прекращаеме учиться, и любой, кто скажет иначе, очень глубоко ошибается). Наровне с приверженностью к пилатесу я испытывал большой интерес к кундалини йоге, а также к другим методам функциональных тренировок. Параллельно с этим я развил в себе глубокую любовь  к медитации, которая привела меня к буддистским храмам Таиланда. Там же я открыл для себя знания о меридианах, подробно изучил меридианы и стал квалифицированным специалистом по тайскому массажу. Но меня интересовало не только тело. Я всегда интересовался психологией, изучал буддийскую психологию и другие современные концепции, такие как нейролингвистическое программирование (НЛП).

Когда я путешествовал преподавая пилатес, в моем подсознании зародилось семя идеи, чтобы используя все свои знания, создать другой тип пилатеса. Я выходец классической школы Пилапета, и мне больно видеть, некоторые из новых систем, которые претендуют на название Пилатес, но явно не являются ничем подобным. Так что у меня было время подумать о том, как моя новая система может остаться верной основным принципам системы упражнений пилатес , а также обьединить в себе мои знания и опыт.

Для меня было важно создать систему, которая шла бы от моего сердца, систему, в которой всё имело бы смысл и значение. На мой взгляд, существует слишком много систем и учителей, которые преподают не от сердца, а от их банковского счёта. Отсюда взяла своё начало моя система, и было очевидно, что я должен назвать это – Пилатес EVO ©, так как EVO является английской аббревиатурой слова ЭВОлюция.

В системе Пилатес EVO используются приёмы НЛП( Нейро-лингвистического программирования) и медитации для максимального психологического и физического эффекта. Такой подход, делает клиентов эмоционально, ментально и духовно сильнее, расширяет сознание и соединяет ум и тело. Пилатес EVO улучшает моторику движений, ловкость, равновесие, скорость, координацию, время реакции и силу. Пилатес EVO опирается на древние учения о меридианах и Кундалини йоги

Система Пилатес EVO это комбинации плавных движений называемые «ритуал». Ритуалы созданны на основе священных чисел 3, 7 и 21. Каждая комбинация включает в себя 7 движений, взятых из пилатеса, Кундалини йоги, функционального тренинга и включают работу  и стретчинг по меридианам. Для пилатес ЭВО DJShameless в Лондоне специально составил саундтреки, чтобы клиенты могли действительно соединиться с ощущением движения своего тела и понять глубину и пользу занятий. Большинство движений имеют различные уровни сложности с возможностью повышения мышечной нагрузки, диапазона движений, скорости и сопротивления. Система Пилатес ЭВО имеет широкое применение и может отвечать любому спектру целей. По этой системе могут заниматься элитные спортсмены, клиенты фитнес центров и люди, проходящие реабилитацию после травм.

Пилатес EVO увеличивает мышечную силу, выносливость и гибкость. Помогает предотвратить травмы и повысить эффективность физических нагрузок в жизни и спорте.

Прелесть системы Пилатес EVO состоит в том что она может работать на разных уровнях нагрузки. Самый низкий уровень подходит для начинающих, а нагрузка на более высоких уровнях сложности соответствует самым опытным и продвинутым спортсменам, даже с очень сложной системой тренировок.

Для меня всегда очень важно убедиться, что новые преподаватели пилатес EVO ©, которых я обучаю, понимали всю теорию, духовность и значение системы. Практикуя только физическую часть  системы Пилатес EVO ©, но тем самым студенты упускают глубокий духовный потенциал системы. Я не хотел, чтобы обучение Пилатес EVO © проходило бы как еще один уик-энд изучения хореографии и создания роботов. Каждый преподаватель пилатес EVO должен чувствовать систему сердцем, если же этого нет, я не даю им права преподавать  Пилатес EVO ©. Очень важно понимать, суть и глубину системы, как в физическом, так и в духовном плане, в противном случае невозможно  правильно нести данную систему в массы.

Пилатес EVO предлагает обширные технические и углубленные программы подготовки тренеров, которые включают Начальный и Продвинутый уровни квалификации. А также специальные модули, которые позволят стать экспертом во многих областях фитнеса.

Я признаю преподавателей пилатес всех школ пилатеса для участия в моей учебной программе, но каждый, кто приходит учиться должн иметь официально признанную квалификацию по пилатесу. Часть образовательной программы нацеленна на то, чтобы дать учителям навыки и знания, позволяющие им стать лучшими преподавателями, не только в Пилатес EVO ©, но и в любом другом направлении.Знания, которые получают мои студенты, также могут быть использованны в повседневной жизни: в отношениях с друзьями, партнерами и семьей.

Я не вижу пилатес EVO © как собственность или то, над чем я должен иметь абсолютный контроль. Диктатура редко длится долго. Я хотел, чтобы система была гибкой, так как еще одним аспектом пилатес EVO является то, что на продвинутом уровне, учителя имеют право создавать свои собственные комбинации упражнений, лучшие из которых я иногда использую на последующих курсах. Для меня это создает постоянно развивающуюся систему, которую каждый квалифицированный преподаватель может расширить руководствуясь своими знаниями и воображением. Пилатес EVO © это сообщество в котором  все члены  обмениваются идеями и энергией.

Пилатес EVO является эволюцией Пилатеса. Это больше, чем система упражнений – это образ жизни! Пилатес EVO – способ максимально усилить ваш потенциал ментально, эмоционально и физически.

Я сново вернусь в Москву в октябре, для участия в междунородной фитнесс конвенции MIOFF, а также провести образовательные курсы Пилатес EVO.

Расписание на Октябрь:

Вторник 8 октября: Пилатес EVO © в MIOFF Пожалуйста, скажите мне, если вы будете там, чтобы мы могли договориться о встрече до или после моего мастер-класса.

Четверг 9 / Пятница 10: Пилатес EVO © подготовительный. Введение в пилатес. Этот курс предназначен для тех, кто хочет получить основное понимание что такое пилатес. Такеже этот курс является прекрасным подготовительным модулем, прежде чем посетить Базовый EVO курс. Мы будем говорить об основных принципах пилатеса и основных упражнениях.

Суббота 11-ого / 12 Воскресенье / Понедельник 13: Пилатес EVO © Базовый курс Это первый модуль в вашем пути к пилатес EVO ©, в котором вы узнаете о меридианах, о функциональном тренинге, медитации, НЛП и изучите ваши первые Пилатес EVO © комбинации. Чтобы посетить этот курс, вы должны иметь пилатес квалификацию или принять участие в вводном курсе Пилатес EVO © Подготовительный.

Вторник, 14 / Среда, 15 / четверг 16: Пилатес EVO © Продвинутый курс Это вторая часть вашей подготовки EVO. Вы должны уже иметь сертификат о прохождении Пилатес EVO © Базовый курс. На этом курсе вы узнаете больше о меридианах, а также, как создавать свои собственные Пилатес EVO © комбинации.

Колличество мест на каждом из курсов ограниченно. Не упусти свой шанс узнать больше и стать преподавателем унакальной системы Пилатес EVO !

Помимо этого мы проведём несколько  вечерних мастер-классов, подробную информацию о которых я опубликую на странице PilatesEVO© на facebook (www.facebook.com/pilatesevo)   и VK (http://vk.com/id266597927). Если вы являетесь владельцем или менеджером спортивного клуба мы можем провести  PilatesEVO© мастер-класс в вашем клубе.  Официальный представитель  PilatesEVO© в России Мария Бахвалова тел. 926 469 3333.

Жизнь постоянно движется вперед, постоянно меняется и всегда развивается. Когда мы осознаём тот факт, что мы не можем остановиться или контролировать перемены тогда мы должны принять изменения, тогда мы способны двигаться вперед. С этой философии началось создание PilatesEVO.

Мы никогда не должны забывать о своём прошлом, потому что прошлое закладывает фундамент, от которого зависит наше будущее. Но прошлое не повод для того, чтобы оставаться на месте и не строить планы на новое, другое будущее.

 

 

 

Current Affairs, Health and fitness

Chocolate: Cravings, myths and some facts

Chocolate Chris Hunt Pilates

www.chrishuntwellness.com

Do you spend your year ploughing through pile after pile of chocolate?  Valentine’s Day chocolate (having previously just finished the Christmas chocolate bonanza), then Easter, and birthdays and dark nights and mother’s/father’s day etc etc. The chocoholic’s calendar is usually very busy.

It will come as no surprise at all that chocolate is the most frequently craved food, with 40% of women and 15% of men claiming chocolate yearnings (Yanovski 2003). My dear Mum used to say that chocolate cravings were caused by the body asking for the “goodness” found only in that magical wrapper. But are chocolate cravings based in science or psychology, or both?

It is complicated. Chocolate comprises a complex medley of over 400 distinct components that gives it that unique taste, texture and aroma. It has properties that enhance our urge for sensory gratification, so simply seeing or smelling it can trigger cravings. Even writing about it is making me want to reach for that Malteasers Easter Egg hidden away as a present for my Niece.

Like drug addictions, food cravings alter potent neurotransmitters that regulate our mood. Cocoa butter changes from solid to liquid at mouth temperature (the melt-in-your-mouth quality), which causes the brain to release a flood of endorphins, the body’s natural pain killers, producing temporary feelings of warmth and euphoria. The analgesic effect of chocolate may be a source of sensory addiction for some.

The sugar in chocolate stimulates serotonin, a neurotransmitter that regulates mood and provides a sense of calm and well-being. Chocolate may help chase the blues by raising serotonin levels, though the science behind this is disputed.

Chocolate contains psychoactive agents that can change mood. Theobromine, a chemical similar to caffeine, is absorbed quickly, mildly stimulating the nervous system to increase the heart rate and can give a mild energy surge. Chocolate is rich in phenylethylamine (PEA) another stimulant. PEA levels are enhanced in people in love, so eating chocolate may temporarily mimic the love vibe, without the need to pay it compliments or take it out to dinner.

And if that was not enough, recent research suggests that people who eat chocolate regularly tend to be thinner. The findings come from a study of nearly 1,000 US people that looked at diet, calorie intake and body mass index (BMI) – a measure of obesity. It found those who ate chocolate a few times a week were, on average, slimmer than those who ate it occasionally. Even though chocolate is loaded with calories, it contains ingredients that may favour weight loss rather than fat synthesis, scientists believe.

Despite boosting calorie intake, regular chocolate consumption was related to lower BMI in the study. The link remained even when other factors, like how much exercise individuals did, were taken into account. And it appears it is how often you eat chocolate that is important, rather than how much of it you eat. The study found no link with quantity consumed.

According to the researchers, there is only one chance in a hundred that their findings could be explained by chance alone. But the findings only suggest a link – not proof that one factor causes the other. Lead author Dr Beatrice Golomb, from the University of California at San Diego, said: “Our findings appear to add to a body of information suggesting that the composition of calories, not just the number of them, matters for determining their ultimate impact on weight.”

This is not the first time scientists have suggested that chocolate in moderation may be healthy for us. Other studies have claimed chocolate may be good for the heart. Consumption of certain types of chocolate has been linked to some favourable changes in blood pressure, insulin sensitivity and cholesterol level. And chocolate, particularly dark chocolate, does contain antioxidants which can help to mop up harmful free radicals – unstable chemicals that can damage our cells

Dr Golomb and her team believe that antioxidant compounds, called catechins, can improve lean muscle mass and reduce weight – at least studies in rodents would suggest this might be so. Mice fed for 15 days with epicatechin (present in dark chocolate) had improved exercise performance and observable changes to their muscle composition. They say clinical trials are now needed in humans to see if this is the case. There will no doubt be a long queue of willing human guinea pigs willing to risk their health by eating chocolate in the name of science.

But there are still lots of unanswered questions. So while there’s no harm in allowing yourself chocolate now and again, eating too much might be harmful because it often contains a lot of sugar and fat. So if you are looking to change your diet, you are likely to benefit most from eating more fresh fruits and vegetables.

OK, now where did I hide that Easter Egg….

Chris is an international Pilates presenter and educator based in Barcelona, Spain. He is the creator of Pilates EVO©, bodyFUNC©, and CEO of Pilates Rehab Limited and Sport Core Strength.  He also organises Pilates Carnival and Fitness Carnival, conventions where all profits go to local children’s charities. For more information about Pilates with Chris in Barcelona, please click on Barcelona Bienestar. To learn more about Chris, please read Just who is Chris Hunt anyway? You can also subscribe by completing the form on the this BLOG to receive articles and special offers straight to your inbox.

Chris pays 50% of any money made from this BLOG to his charity partners. More details can be found by clicking on www.chrishuntwellness.com and selecting the “charity partners” tab.

Current Affairs, Travel

Barcelona Graffiti: Robin Williams

Barcelona Graffiti Chris Hunt Pilates

www.chrishuntwellness.com

Another amazing example of Barcelona Street Art. There are some very talented people around this city. So please by all the comments on my article from Monday about mental illness. There are some very  compassionate  people in this world.

Chris is an international Pilates presenter and educator based in Barcelona, Spain. He is the creator of Pilates EVO©, bodyFUNC©, and CEO of Pilates Rehab Limited and Sport Core Strength.  He also organises Pilates Carnival and Fitness Carnival, conventions where all profits go to local children’s charities. For more information about Pilates with Chris in Barcelona, please click on Barcelona Bienestar. To learn more about Chris, please read Just who is Chris Hunt anyway? You can also subscribe by completing the form on the this BLOG to receive articles and special offers straight to your inbox.

Chris pays 50% of any money made from this BLOG to his charity partners. More details can be found by clicking on www.chrishuntwellness.com and selecting the “charity partners” tab.

 

Current Affairs, Health and fitness, My life

Pilates: Mental Illness, Robin Williams and Ignorance

9 Comments

Robin Williams Chris Hunt Pilates

www.chrishuntwellness.com

If you read my blog regularly, you will know that I feel very passionate about mental illness and its link with physical fitness. If this topic interests you, then you can read Let’s talk about depression: Is it Real?, Depression: Positive Thinking, and Exercise is only one part of Total Fitness.

As I said in a previous blog, “If you know someone who is suffering from depression, don’t judge or offer them advice. They don’t need that and it doesn’t help. They need your understanding and support. Question is, can you give them only that?”

My father died whilst suffering from Alzheimer’s. “Dementia: I lost my father, don’t lose yours” was the hardest post I have ever written. So it’s with interest that I have been watching the media following the tragic death of Robin Williams.

The increasing number of public figures who are having to apologise for comments they made in the past few days clearly shows the absolute and total ignorance some people have when it comes to depression. There is no excuse, no excuse to make such stupid comments, especially when you are in a position where some misguided people may actually listen to you and take your words for the truth.

Rock star Gene Simmons has apologised about his “spur of the moment” remarks about people who suffer from depression. The Kiss singer and bassist sparked outrage after saying he is “the guy who says ‘Jump'” to those who are suicidal. He is quoted as also saying that his advice was that if you are depressed you should “kill yourself”.

Robin Williams’ daughter Zelda has quit Twitter following the abuse she got from followers. People were telling her that her Dad was selfish and a coward to kill himself. Fox News TV anchor Shepard Smith sparked criticism after also suggesting the actor was a “coward” to kill himself. Meanwhile TalkSport in the UK has apologised after its radio presenter Alan Brazil said he had “no sympathy” for suicide.

All of these people have now apologised of course, no doubt worried about their ratings and future job prospects, but I have little doubt that their first words were the true way they feel about depression. And that worries and scares me in equal measures.

Make no mistake, anyone who thinks that Robin Williams is a coward or that he is selfish, or that suicidal people should “jump”, have a serious problem. These people should go educate themselves about depression and think before they make totally ignorant statements. I am serious. If there is even 10% of your mind that when reading this is thinking “they should pull themselves together” then please read my blog articles above and then go educate yourself because you are misinformed.

In my blog today I want to ask you to share your opinions and experience with clients who suffer from depression. Many distinguished Pilates teachers say that Pilates can help people suffering from depression. Pilates without doubt helps to relax the mind and energise the body, gives body awareness, can improve self-image and has meditative qualities if taught in the correct way. I found meditation after my own personal experience with depression, and this is why I travelled to Bangkok to study meditation in a Buddhist monastery. This is also why in my Pilates system Pilates EVO, I integrated mindfulness meditation. When I am travelling the world to train new Pilates EVO teachers, this is one of my favourite parts of the education because most teachers have little or no experience of meditation, and at first some find the whole concept very difficult to grasp.

Meditation is becoming more and more acceptable and proven in Western medicine as a treatment for depression. There are many books on the market, but one of my favourites is The Mindful Way Through Depression. Click on the picture below to read more.

Thank you Robin Williams for all the joy you bought into this world. You will be missed. I hope that your torment will continue to bring the debate about depression to a wider audience, and I hope that more and more people will gain a greater understanding.

In the U.S.: If you are contemplating attempting suicide, there are people who can help. Call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255)

In the U.K.: For confidential support call the Samaritans  on 08457 90 90 90 or visit a local Samaritans branch

Chris is an international Pilates and functional training presenter and educator based in London and Barcelona, Spain. He is the creator of Pilates EVO©, bodyFUNC©, and CEO of Pilates Rehab Limited and Sport Core Strength.  He also created Pilates Carnival and Fitness Carnival, conventions where all profits go to local children’s charities. He organises fitness holidays and sports holidays in Barcelona, as well as retreats. For more information about training with Chris in Barcelona, please click on Barcelona Bienestar. To learn more about Chris, please read Just who is Chris Hunt anyway? You can also subscribe by completing the form on the this BLOG to receive articles and special offers straight to your inbox.

Chris pays all profits made from this BLOG to his charity partners. More details can be found by clicking on www.chrishuntwellness.com and selecting the “charity partners” tab.

 

 

 

 

 

Current Affairs, Health and fitness

Ideal body shape: Rebecca Judd Pilates backlash

4 Comments

Rebecca Judd Chris Hunt Pilates

www.chrishuntwellness.com

In my article today I want to ask you as a Pilates teacher, as someone who practices Pilates, or as someone who works in the fitness industry, a very subjective question: do you have an opinion of what constitutes a “Pilates body” shape, and how do you manage the expectations of your clients who do have such an opinion?

As an example, I’m going to talk about Rebecca Judd. Rebecca is a 31 year-old Australian model, television presenter and the wife of Australian Football League player Chris Judd. She caused controversy last week by posting a picture of herself on Instagram in a bikini (click here to see the picture in question).

She has been criticised before for looking “too thin” but says she has never had an eating disorder. Her weight was a talking point after she has lost her “baby weight” very quickly (she gave birth to her daughter Billie Kate in January and son Oscar three years before). In May, just a few months after giving birth to her daughter, she uploaded a slim bikini shot of herself showing she had already regained her pre-pregnancy figure. Last week she told Daily Mail Australia that morphing into her post-baby shape in record time was all down to hard work. ‘It’s all about Pilates, Pilates, Pilates, Pilates,’ she said. ‘I wish I could run but I just don’t have time. And I just work out on (husband) Chris’ reformer equipment all the time, in his man cave. And there’s a spin bike down there I use… it’s all about being fit and strong and toned.’

Some of the comments posted by her 196,000 Instagram followers criticised her whilst others praised her.

@harriet_rose asked: ‘How is this nice? Way too skinny.’ @wendyrpaton said: ‘I like following you Bec but please reconsider the message you are sending to young impressionable women. You don’t need to flaunt yourself like this. Use your beauty in a positive way and a less self-indulgent. I do think you are inspirational, please consider your message. Eating disorders are real and effect many young girls.’ @minnapurdue said: ‘Eat something. Unfollowed.’ @cina_bina wrote: ‘Omg @kaylahayes5 I would rather look the way I do now than look like this, this is so sad poor girl.’

But other comments supported her. @gabstarflossy added: ‘I think you look beautiful @becjudd don’t listen to the haters. Some of these negative comments are appalling. Some people have no idea when they say stupid things about other people.’ and renata_angarano_makeup said: ‘Well done @becjudd. Your discipline and healthy choices should be taken as inspirational. I can only wish to have as much discipline as you. To all the haters – if you all committed yourselves to exercise as much as you do to bitching, maybe, just maybe, you would be happy with yourselves too.’

So to return to my question for this article, do you have an opinion as to what is the perfect Pilates figure? Of course people will all have different opinions and ideas about what “their” shape should be, and there is not necessarily a right or wrong answer per se, but I am interested as to how as an industry we portray ourselves and our vision of health and fitness to our clients, and how we manage the expectations of our clients.

Chris is an international Pilates and functional training presenter and educator based in London and Barcelona, Spain. He is the creator of Pilates EVO©, bodyFUNC©, and CEO of Pilates Rehab Limited and Sport Core Strength.  He also created Pilates Carnival and Fitness Carnival, conventions where all profits go to local children’s charities. He organises fitness holidays and sports holidays in Barcelona, as well as retreats. For more information about training with Chris in Barcelona, please click on Barcelona Bienestar. To learn more about Chris, please read Just who is Chris Hunt anyway? You can also subscribe by completing the form on the this BLOG to receive articles and special offers straight to your inbox.

Chris pays all profits made from this BLOG to his charity partners. More details can be found by clicking on www.chrishuntwellness.com and selecting the “charity partners” tab.

 

Current Affairs, Health and fitness

Rebecca Judd: Skinny on Pilates

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Rebecca Judd Chris Hunt Pilates

www.chrishuntwellness.com

So this is the picture of Rebecca Judd that caused controversy last week among her Instagram fans.

Do you think she looks attractive?

Chris is an international Pilates presenter and educator based in Barcelona, Spain. He is the creator of Pilates EVO©, bodyFUNC©, and CEO of Pilates Rehab Limited and Sport Core Strength.  He also organises Pilates Carnival and Fitness Carnival, conventions where all profits go to local children’s charities. For more information about Pilates with Chris in Barcelona, please click on Barcelona Bienestar. To learn more about Chris, please read Just who is Chris Hunt anyway?

Chris pays 50% of any money made from this BLOG to his charity partners. More details can be found by clicking on www.chrishuntwellness and selecting the “charity partners” tab.

 

Current Affairs, Health and fitness

Madonna’s Crotch: That Instagram picture

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Madonna's Crotch Chris Hunt Pilates

www.chrishuntwellness.com

So what is all the fuss about? It’s nothing new for Madonna to create some controversy with pictures, but she shows this week that she can still do!

Chris is an international Pilates presenter and educator based in Barcelona, Spain. He is the creator of Pilates EVO©, bodyFUNC©, and CEO of Pilates Rehab Limited and Sport Core Strength.  He also organises Pilates Carnival and Fitness Carnival, conventions where all profits go to local children’s charities. For more information about Pilates with Chris in Barcelona, please click on Barcelona Bienestar. To learn more about Chris, please read Just who is Chris Hunt anyway?

Chris pays 50% of all money made from this BLOG to his charity partners, the other 50% covers the costs. More details can be found by clicking on www.chrishuntwellness and selecting his “charity partners” tab.

Current Affairs, Health and fitness

Bare Foot Running, minimalist shoes and Pilates

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Barefoot Running Chris Hunt Pilates

www.chrishuntwellness.com

Wednesday is sport day, and today I want to  talk about running, and more specifically barefoot running.

Barefoot running is gaining in popularity, as is new designs in minimalist footwear. But what are the benefits? And can Pilates help?

Over the years I have been asked many times to devise Pilates programs for different sportsmen and women. I have worked with many runners who have seen big improvements in their performance.

As we all know, running is a great aerobic exercise and an ideal weighty-bearing exercise as it helps to increase bone density in the skeleton, thus helping to avoid osteoporosis. As we also know, Pilates can help to improve overall physical condition and performance by strengthening the core and stabilising the pelvis, giving more range of motion and flexibility. Pilates can also;

  • Stretch hip flexors and strengthen buttocks.
  • Improve posture and alignment. Develop a balanced body which removes dysfunctional movement patterns and helps prevent injury.
  • Good posture means a stable pelvis, with feet and legs in alignment, which is a very important part of the gait cycle.
  • Allow training during injuries, and help rehabilitate after injury.

I am sure we are all familiar with the scientific evidence that supports the fact barefoot running has many benefits, not least the fact that because we land on the middle or front of the foot, barefoot runners remove almost all the impact collision that shod runners suffer from as they are far more inclined to land with an initial heel strike.

If you want to learn more about barefoot running, I recommend Barefoot Running Step by Step as a great place to start.

Whilst barefoot running can reduce the risk of ankle sprains, plantar fascitis, and other running related injuries, Pilates can reduce the risk of injury still further by emphasising balance, posture, focused breathing and attention to the correct form.

By restoring muscle balance, a Pilates program will protect your joints, and reduce strain on joint capsules and ligaments.Studies have shown that barefoot running reduces energy use and oxygen consumption, however poor posture caused by weak abdominal muscles may not allow you to support your spine properly, and can cause back pain and have a negative effect on breathing.

Because Pilates exercises encourage a long spine, the tall upright stance gives your lungs space to function with efficiency. An important factor for runners is the synchronisation of breathing with movement. This is a vital part of Pilates, as when you breathe properly, you gain more stamina. Muscles that stabilise the back are found in the core, and awareness and recruitment of these muscles will allow increased range of motion in extremity joints as well as prevention of trauma around the spine.

Pilates includes stretching exercises for the hips, legs and back, and will increase the range of motion with fluid movement. But most importantly for runners, Pilates will improve your flexibility without compromising your strength.

Good runners are conscious of their body. Instead of seeing a run as an excuse to zone out with their iPod, they see it as a chance to develop their kinesthetic awareness. This is all the more relevant in barefoot running, for example, you can explore the feel of your feet on the ground, how balanced your head is on the neck and spine, whether your ankles and knees are working in sequence, how your breathing pattern changes as the workload becomes more demanding. This approach makes running as much a mental activity as a physical one – very much like Pilates.

One word of warning, Researchers at Brigham Young University in the U.S found that runners who make the switch from normal trainers to barefoot shoes too quickly suffered an increased risk of injury to bones in the foot, including possible stress fractures. This was especially true for women.

I am interested as always to hear you experiences with barefoot running and minimalist shoes. Have you seen a personal change or changes in your clients?

Chris is an international Pilates and functional training presenter and educator based in London and Barcelona, Spain. He is the creator of Pilates EVO©, bodyFUNC©, and CEO of Pilates Rehab Limited and Sport Core Strength.  He also created Pilates Carnival and Fitness Carnival, conventions where all profits go to local children’s charities. He organises fitness holidays and sports holidays in Barcelona, as well as retreats. For more information about training with Chris in Barcelona, please click on Barcelona Bienestar. To learn more about Chris, please read Just who is Chris Hunt anyway? You can also subscribe by completing the form on the this BLOG to receive articles and special offers straight to your inbox.

Chris pays all profits made from this BLOG to his charity partners. More details can be found by clicking on www.chrishuntwellness.com and selecting the “charity partners” tab.

 

Celebrity Pilates, Current Affairs, Health and fitness

Pilates and Weight Loss: Maria Menounos

Chris Hunt Pilates Maria Menounos

www.chrishuntwellness.com

Another Monday morning. I always remember the quote “It’s not Mondays that are rubbish, it’s your life that sucks” and that makes me smile as another week begins.

In my article today, I want us (us being the operative word) to talk about Pilates (of course) and also those emotive words diet and weight-loss. Today I would like to know your interest in and experiences about your client’s eating habits and how in your opinion this affects their Pilates practice and the progress that they make.

Diet is of course only one aspect of wellness, but of course it is a very important one. I talked about the outrageous and often false claims that some people make in my previous articles “Vanessa Hudgens: Does Pilates create a flat stomach?” and “Bikini-body using Pilates: Jennifer Hawkins knows better”. I also talked about diet in my article “Demi Moore: Pilates and you are what you eat” so please if you have time read those articles in conjunction with this one.

One of the things that prompted my article today is that I was reading over the weekend about Maria Menounos, so I want us to use her example as a reason to debate exercise and diet. If you have never heard of Maria, she is something of a star now in the diet and weight loss arena. She credits the Mediterranean diet and a combination of Pilates and fitness workouts for her quite stunning 40-pound weight loss. She wrote the inevitable book about her achievements.

The Everygirl Diet: The Cheaper, Smarter, Simpler Way to Better Health

I am very sceptical about “quick-fixes” and miracle diets, and Maria did lose a lot of weight in a relatively short period of time, but it seems that she did it in the right way and in a sustainable way. She is Greek and followed the Mediterranean diet, which emphasizes healthy fats such as olive oil, salmon and avocados, high-quality animal proteins, vegetables, fruits, beans, nuts, and seeds. She says that she was raised in a strict low-sugar diet as a child because her dad had type 1 diabetes, so when she went to college, she went overboard indulging all her junk-food cravings.

Tired of being overweight, Maria completely overhauled her diet and began exercising during her early 20s. Within a year, she lost 40 pounds and slimmed down to a size 4. The 5-foot-8 Maria now weighs about 125 pounds. She has maintained an active, health-conscious lifestyle ever since. For exercise, Maria tries to walk 10,000 steps (about five miles) every day and she also runs on the treadmill, takes spinning classes, jumps role, plays basketball, and does Pilates and Krav Maga workouts.

It is my opinion that simple logic dictates that our clients will not make as much progress if they take Pilates in isolation, but how much responsibility do you feel about other aspects of your client’s health and wellness? I talked about what I call “total fitness” is my article “Exercise is only one part of Total Fitness” so today I welcome your thoughts and comments about how you approach other aspects of health and wellness, or if you see you role as purely a Pilates teacher. I appreciate that most of us are not qualified in nutrition so for those who are not, how do you try to approach this topic, if at all? For those of you who are qualified, how open do you find your clients to advice about what they eat?

Monday’s aren’t rubbish. And I am sure that this debate today will make this particular Monday an interesting one.

Chris is an international Pilates and functional training presenter and educator based in London and Barcelona, Spain. He is the creator of Pilates EVO©, bodyFUNC©, and CEO of Pilates Rehab Limited and Sport Core Strength.  He also created Pilates Carnival and Fitness Carnival, conventions where all profits go to local children’s charities. He organises fitness holidays and sports holidays in Barcelona, as well as retreats. For more information about training with Chris in Barcelona, please click on Barcelona Bienestar. To learn more about Chris, please read Just who is Chris Hunt anyway? You can also subscribe by completing the form on the this BLOG to receive articles and special offers straight to your inbox.

Chris pays all profits made from this BLOG to his charity partners. More details can be found by clicking on www.chrishuntwellness.com and selecting the “charity partners” tab.