From Stacy Sims
It is no secret that I am no stranger to addiction. In
many ways, my struggles with alcoholism and subsequent recovery have
provided me all the gifts I have today. And now, I can even laugh
about my narcissistic, strange behavior; about how hard it was to do the
right thing for my body and my spirit and my future. And I might even try
to joke about my new addictions. But even though it might sound funny when
I talk about my Starbucks problem or my Law and Order problem, I am
really not kidding.
Case in point: I am a total Starbucks junkie. I have totally
bought the program. And I convinced myself that I deserved it, damn it! I was
working so hard, often alone, why shouldn't I have another 'grande, decaf,
skim, vanilla latte,' thank you? See? I wasn't EVEN having any caffeine. So
what's the big deal? Well here's the big deal - sugar, sugar and more sugar.
The vanilla or mocha squirts in my coffee were adding up. At up to
three grande cups a day, I was not only spending a small fortune on
coffee, but I was also adding 4830 calories a week to my diet, and 882 grams of
carbs. I don't even count carbs but I suspect that is a lot. Somehow, I
convinced myself that since it was a liquid, and a hot one at that, it couldn't
really stick to my ribs. The math is easy to figure out. One pound of fat
equals 3500 calories. Pilates and yoga, my exercise of choice, burns between
300 and 450 calories per hour (this is not hard science as most calculators
don't have these figured out yet so I did a pseudo-scientific calculation and
decided to place Pilates somewhere in the spectrum between Jazzercise and
circuit training). And since I'm not doing 10 hours of Pilates and yoga a week,
there would ultimately be a problem, weight wise, with my Starbucks problem.
For me, calories and weight are not even the worst part. Sugar
(and caffeine) get my head spinning in the same way alcohol did. I simply
cannot make good choices when I get too much sugar in me. And frankly, I get
mean. I found myself jonesing for a sugar-fueled latte mid-day. If you know me
well, you know that my favorite meeting place is Starbucks, 3 pm. It is my
little, secret afternoon fix. Where's the 12 step program for that?
I am quite certain that sugar - whether via alcohol, chocolate
cake or vanilla flavoring - exacerbates the problem of just taking reasonably
good care of ourselves. A recent university study found that only 3% of
Americans follow basic health advice: keep weight off, eat five or more
servings of fruit and vegetables, exercise regularly, don't smoke. The
97% of those who couldn't commit to doing all four of these simple things
had the attitude of "Come on! Nobody does that!"
I'm thinking that we can prove them wrong. We can beat these
odds. That's why our summer promotion is "Pilates Plus One." It
is our summer version of our "Stay Centered" promotion where you are
rewarded with free classes if you stick to your goal of one, two or three
classes a week - plus let us know what other good health goal you are
committing to for the summer. You can choose to focus on beating your nicotine
addiction, eating more fruit and veggies, or keeping the weight off. At
the end of the summer, we'll take your word for it. If you keep your
commitment, we'll add even more free classes onto your account. Read more below
about the details.
I am now almost three weeks "flavoring" free. And
funny thing, without the sugar calling my name, Starbucks has lot a little bit
of its charm for me. The next thing I have to tackle is the Law and Order
thing. Truly. The other night I looked like a crack addict, pressing through
the Law and Order channels (come on, you know them too) looking for a re-run of
an episode of "SVU" or "Criminal Intent" with the same intensity that I
used to scrounge for cigarettes in the bottom of my purse, or worse, from an
ashtray. So maybe I'll set my own Pilates Plus One goal this summer - Pilates
three times a week and NO LAW AND ORDER. Not even the new "Trial By Jury." Not
even when Benjamin Bratt is on. One day at a time. One day at a time.
Stacy Sims
Pilates Plus One - Stay Centered for the Summer,
Plus!
Here's a recap of our promo. Starting June
6th, if you maintain an average of three classes a week until the end of the
summer - August 28th - (that's 36 classes total), we'll give you
six (6) free classes with the purchase of your next package in 2005. If
you maintain an average of two classes a week until the end of the summer
(that's 24 total), we'll give you four (4) free sessions with the purchase
of your next package in 2005. If you maintain an average of one class a week
(12 classes), we'll give you two (2) free sessions with your next 2005 package.
Tell us your "Plus One" goal too. At the
end of the summer, if you've kept your commitment to yourself (we'll take your
word for it), we'll add another three classes to your account.
The only catch is that you need to let Shannon know you are working
in our Pilates Plus One summer promotion so she can track your sessions
separately from our standard system. Please notify Shannon no later than
Friday, June 3rd. You can call 513-478-3232 or email
to get started.
NEW- Ball Class!
Starting on Thursday, May 19, we are starting up a ball class
with Missy Wilson on Thursdays at 6 pm at the Downtown Studio. Missy Wilson,
our new graduate, taught a similar class in Louisville before she moved to
Cincinnati. Missy explains, "Pilates on the Ball is
very similar to other Pilates classes in that it incorporates many mat and
equipment-based exercises. Adding the ball increases your mind/body
awareness, core strength, balance and flexibility as you perform the work
on an unstable base of support. Because of this instability, the class IS
challenging, but fun. Each student works on their own ball and throughout
the class variations and modifications are shown as needed. A typical class
could include spine articulation, the rollup, leg circles, rolling like a ball,
hundreds, etc. all using the big ball."
These classes will be by reservation so we can make
sure we have room (and a ball!) for everyone. Limit 12 people.
Please reserve your space by calling Shannon at 478-3232 or emailing
. Price is the same as our mat
class - $10 per session or $80 for a ten-class pass.
Unlimited Pilates and Yoga!
That's right. Now you can budget for unlimited Pilates and yoga
classes at Pendleton Pilates. You now can buy an Unlimited Pilates
and Yoga Package. Here's the way it will work. You can sign up for either a
six-month (24 week) or year-long (48 week) package. If you buy a six month
package, we will deduct $185 per month from your checking account. If you sign
up for a year package, we will deduct $160 a month. And then you can take
as many Pilates Reformer classes, mat classes and yoga classes as you would
like at Pendleton Pilates.
So at the
$185 rate, if you come 12 times a month it is about $15.40 a class.
And if you come 15 times a month it is $12.33 a class. If you come in 10
times a month it works out to about $18.50 a session, which is in
keeping with the current rates for group Reformer classes. If you sign up
for a year, your per session rate becomes even more affordable.
If you are interested in signing up for the Unlimited Program, please let
Shannon know at 513-478-3232 or at
and we will work with you to determine
when you want to start in this new program.
Swimming Naked - Summer Buzz.
From Girlfriendbooks.com to KRON TV in
San Francisco to the Chicago Tribune, the word is out - Swimming Naked is
a great summer read! If you have already read it and would like to join in
on a book club discussion, you can join Stacy at Barnes and Noble in West
Chester on Wednesday, June 8th or at Barnes and Noble at Newport on the Levee
on Thursday, June 9th. Both events are at 7 pm and are open to the public BY
RESERVATION. Please email
if you
would like to attend. Or, invite Stacy to
attend your own book club group!
True Body Project Wants You!
The True Body Project is kicking off its pilot program
this summer with 13 girls who will be hired through the ArtWorks summer job
program to work in an intensive, six-week session focusing on body and voice.
The girls will create a literary journal and be the subjects of a short
documentary film. Read more at
www.truebodyproject.org.
The True Body Project is looking for women and
girls who are willing to share their stories about their relationship with
their bodies. We will be posting these stories on the True Body website.
So women, please click on Raise Your Voice and tell your story. And spread the
word. The stories we are receiving are powerful, troubling and so,
so, so helpful as we begin to deal with the serious issue of body
image for teen girls.
A Warm Pendleton Pilates Welcome
To ...
It has been a busy month! Since our last
newsletter, 14 new clients have started with us. We are happy to welcome
new clients Susan Berry, Julie Stewart, Shaelynn Palmer, John Wallace, Maya
Wadleigh, Kathie Hendy, Nyki Stirnkorb, James Murray, James Burcham, Craig
Richmond, Michelle Johnson, Anita Harris, Lisa Ellis, and Patty Kenter to
Pendleton Pilates.
Meet our New Teachers and Welcome to our New
Trainees!
We'd like to congratulate our newly certified teachers Missy
Wilson, Patricia McGregor, Sarah Ammann, and Sonya McDonnell! Expect to
see them in class and on the schedule. We'd also like to welcome our new
class of Teacher Trainees Beth Arcuino, Alexis Weaver, John Goettle, Kay Kaple,
Jenna Lewis, and Jodi Cabanas. If you're interested in participating in
a future Teacher Training and Certification session or would like
information, please visit our website
www.pendletonpilates.com or call Shannon at (513)478-3232.
Refer A Client Or Share
Your Pilates Experience and Get A Class
So many of our
clients are coming to us because of your recommendation. Please make sure to
tell us if you have referred someone to our studio and we will give you a free
class or a Pendleton Pilates t-shirt!
Also, we want you to share your
testimonials with us. You could inspire others by sharing how Pilates
has changed your body and your life. Our new client Meg Duncan
writes:
"The reason I initially enrolled
in classes at PP is not the reason I
continue to come to the classes. My sister Joan King recently moved back to
the area from Hawaii. During this long winter season her husband is making a
commute to and from San Antonio, Texas on a weekly basis until June. She
asked if I would join her at PP and I initially did so with the intent of
helping her get through this dreary winter especially considering she had
just moved to Mt. Adams from paradise. I also thought that maybe she would
treat me to dinner on our Tuesdays together (just kidding!) I had no idea
what to expect. As it turns out I love the workout on the reformer and all
of the instructors, especially Sheila. I have noticed "good" redefinition of
my legs and especially my abdomen. I am a runner and my endurance while
training for the Heart had increased tremendously due to the body
conditioning I receive in my Pilates class. Most importantly I thrive on the
therapeutic value the class offers to me. My job is wonderful but can be very
stressful. My class at PP peels away the levels of stress and makes me feel
sooo good in the head....my hubby thanks you for that too! Oh and I get to
be with my sissy as well so how much better can it get? Anyway, glad to
have the opportunity to share my story with all."
We look forward you
hearing your story too! For your free session, email your experience to
Shannon at
info@pendletonpilates.com .
And
Don't Forget ...
We've got more Reformer and Mat classes than ever, plus Yoga
with Donna Covrett and Nancy Wilman, Thai Yoga Massage, Pilates for
Golfers, our world-famous Triple XXX class, Teacher Training, workshops and
more.
If you haven't visited us in awhile, make sure to stop by and
find out what keeps us the busiest Pilates studio in the region.
We Are Getting Busy!
Please make sure to let us know 24
hours in advance if you need to cancel a session with us. Our classes are
filling up and those Reformer spots are becoming an increasingly valuable
commodity. And we know that you certainly don't enjoy paying for a class that
you were unable to attend.
Pendleton Pilates - It Takes A Village.
We have so many cool clients with fab jobs and intriguing civic
interests. Yes, you. You know who you are! That's why we are starting a
networking system. It won't be fancy to start but we bet it will be effective.
Please email Shannon your vital stats - name, contact information and job info.
Give us a sentence or two about what you do. If you also support a cause or two
or have an interesting avocation you want people to know about, tell us that as
well. We will put together a list and post updates in the studios once a month.
We will also email a copy of the updated list with each newsletter. If you have
an event coming up you would like us to support, let us know that as well. We
will have a special section for events/announcements.
Once again, email Shannon at
. She is, truly, the center of the universe.
And on that note (it is getting to be very busy in her center of the universe),
if you would like to take over the job of creating our networking newsletter
for us, please let us know. We can trade you Pilates!
Pendleton Pilates
www.pendletonpilates.com
513-478-3232
Business
office/downtown studio:
500
Reading Road at Pendleton.
Oakley
studio:
4404
Brazee at Madison.