Ashburn Core Pilates

Hey friends! Who needs a bit of self-care these days? 🙋‍♀️

I have a few classes with openings and I’m looking for some new clients to join in on the fun! Times include:

Mon 10:15 am • Wed 9:15 am/10:15 am • Thurs 10:15 am

Also! I do take prenatal clients! I’d love to set up a prenatal group. If you are interested in this, message me!

www.ashburncorepilates.com

In honor of World Mental Health Day (October 10th), I will be giving away 2 free group classes! Physical fitness is such a vital component to a healthy and balanced mental state for many people. Sometimes we don’t even know how important it can be 💛. What is the best form of exercise? The one that we LOVE to do and look forward to. Maybe for you, this is Pilates 💪

•Entries close on Sunday October 9th at 9 pm
•In order to enter the giveaway, you must enter your name and email address on the giveaway page. By entering your email address, you are agreeing to be emailed by Ashburn Core Pilates.
•TWO separate winners will be announced via email and social media on Monday, October 10th.
•Classes are redeemed in-person at the Ashburn Core Pilates studio, which is located in Broadlands, VA.
•Classes are valid for 30 days from close of giveaway.
•Each class has a $40 value.

This is open to current and new clients (share with friends!) Enter here:

https://mailchi.mp/4241d92a589f/world-mental-health-day-giveaway

Oh hi 👋 how fun is this shirt? It describes my life perfectly 😂

Okay so now that I have your attention, I wanted to share the question that I’ve been asked most frequently lately. Quite a few people tell me about their lower back pain and ask if Pilates can help. My answer? YES (of course 😉) But now I’m going to tell you WHY.

Pilates strengthens your transverse abdominis (TA). What is the TA? This is the deepest layer of abs that sits underneath your 6-pack abs and obliques. The TA wraps from the bottom of your rib cage, down to the pelvis, and also to the sides of your waist.

What does the TA do and how does it help relieve back pain? The TA supports the organs, it is a main stabilizing muscle of the mid-section and lower spine, and is an integral part in a large number of movements the body makes.

Sounds important to a healthy and pain-free body, right? And that is exactly why you should do Pilates. Strengthening the TA is a HUGE focus in Pilates.

Consider trying Pilates, not only if you currently have lower back pain, but also if you want to prevent lower back pain in the first place, and keep your body capable of movement through daily life 💪

Happy Wednesday friends! I realized I haven’t done an intro post, so I thought it was time!

My name is Danielle and I am the owner/instructor of Ashburn Core Pilates. I’ve been teaching Pilates for just about 10 years. I opened my studio because I see the need for small group Pilates classes, where there is attention to detail, I can give focus to my awesome clients who come in for class… where I really get to know you and your goals.

I’m also a wife, and mom of two kids to an almost 7 year old girl and a 3 year old boy. When I’m not teaching Pilates, I stay at home with them, and I will say, they definitely keep my busy 😅

I also have two 🐈 and lots of 🪴(chat me up about plants!- my current favorites are my coffee plant and a couple Hoyas which are trying to bloom)

Favorite Pilates exercise: teaser!

Least favorite Pilates exercise: rolling like a ball (I can’t explain why 😂)

Most likely to find me: walking around Broadlands with at least one child in tow, or at Wegmans, my second home 🤪

What’s better than Pilates? Why, Pilates with a friend of course!

Word of mouth referral is the best compliment to a Pilates studio/instructor! Now offering a client referral program… if you refer a friend who goes on to buy a package (beyond the intro package), you will earn a FREE group class 🙌

If you have already referred a friend (and I know some of you have, thank you!) I will honor that referral as part of this promotion.

Please email me at [email protected] with any questions 😊

Hey friends! Happy Friday! Just checking in to let you know 2 things:

1. There are 2 spots open for class this Sunday at 11 am!! If you haven’t gotten in to try a class yet, this is a perfect opportunity for you 💪

2. Next week both Tues and Thurs classes at 4:30 are FULL 🙌 🎉 Because of this I have added a special class time Wednesday at 4:30 pm… there are now just TWO spots open for that class. DM me to grab one for yourself or head to my website, www.ashburncorepilates.com.

See you in the studio soon! Have a fabulous weekend!

Who’s coming to class this week? 🙋‍♀️

Look at this amazing welcome mat by 😍😍 it is so perfect, right??

“Return to Life” was Joseph Pilates’ publication in which he highlighted his original floor exercises that made up “Contrology”- the name of Pilates before it became Pilates. He considered his method a system of movement, a mind-body connection that would lead to a healthy lifestyle.

This right here 👆 is what Pilates means to me. It is a method that helps you “return to life,” to the life you want, to keep your body free of pain, and strong. Being strong is great, but being strong in a *functional* way that helps you move through life in the way YOU want really is *key*.

Ready to book your first class yet??

https://www.ashburncorepilates.com/schedule

Book here at: www.ashburncorepilates.com

Okay friends, I have some exciting news to share! I’ve expanded my home studio!! I have a new studio name… Ashburn Core Pilates… and I’m now going to be offering small group sessions (of 3), and privates as well!!

I’ve got some classes on the schedule already starting next week… come and have a look! I’ll be adding some morning classes sometime after Labor Day (when both my kids are actually going to be in school 🙌).

Check out my new website, www.ashburncorepilates.com, and come follow me at

Who can spot what’s new?? 🙋‍♀️

I’m so excited about my new addition! And there may be duet sessions coming in the future 😬 Who doesn’t like to work out with a friend??

Was going to walk with a friend tonight… well, the rain squashed that idea 😩 instead I’m spending some time down here… I actually love coming down to my studio after the kids go to bed and I can “play” around without a time constraint. Also I skipped my workout earlier today, better late than never right? 😬

Is it bad if the first thought that runs through your head after your kid breaks your toe is how it will affect your workouts??... just wondering... 😂

Anyway, yes, my 2 year old ran over my pinky toe a few days ago and broke it 😭 since I'm out for a while from doing cardio exercise, this is the perfect time for me to add in MORE Pilates to my routine 🙌😬

One of the amazing things about Pilates is how easy it is to modify for injuries. There is a lot I can do without putting pressure on that pinky toe! Like feet in straps, which is always a crowd pleaser 😍

Oh hiii 👋 Whew, well that was an unexpected break from posting! Summer is winding down and I wanted to pop back in to say I'm still here! Still Pilates-ing! Still busy with my kids, and clients, and all things fun in the sun ☀️

How have you been? Are you sad summer is closing in, or are you going head first into Fall? I have to say, I had never been much of a lover of summer until the last couple years with kids. And I still wouldn't say I LOVE it, but it's definitely growing on me 😎 I'm still a Fall girl through and through.

I'm planning to pop in more frequently now as I get back into a regular routine again (my oldest starts kindergarten next week 😱). I am also still taking new clients if you are looking to add some Pilates into your life (who isn't??).

Reach out if you have questions! Or want to say hi, or tell me how your summer has been! 😊⛱☀️

Magic Circle... Pilates Ring... Ring of Fire 🔥 ...

What have you heard this prop called? Whatever you choose to call it, this ring is one of our favorite props in Pilates class. The ring adds a fun and challenging layer to many exercises. Keeep reading to check out 3 that I love 😍

1. Bridge: bridging with the ring between your knees is SO great to target those inner thighs! Keep a good squeeze on the ring so your knees pull toward each other and avoid splaying.
➡️ added fun: hold up in bridge and squeeze the ring in and out

2. The Hundred: this adds an extra element to your Hundred! Keeping a light squeeze on the ring really activates your whole body and brings focus to your legs as well as core!
➡️ added fun: add tiny pulses on the ring while you inhale, and while you exhale hold a "super" squeeze on the ring.

3. Side lift: the ring adds more instability to the side lift, which makes it more challenging. The bottom leg's inner thigh works, while the top leg's outer thigh works, which creates a "fun" dynamic.
➡️ added fun: lift legs up, then go back and forth between bending knees forward and straightening legs out.

Want a Magic Circle at home? There are a lot of choices at various price ranges. Check out Target, Walmart or Amazon. There is definitely no need to spend a lot of money on one... I think mine is about $20 from Amazon!

Do you have a Ring at home? What exercise do you love to do with it? Tell me ⬇️

Are you always waiting for the perfect moment in the day to do a workout? Do you feel like you have to be wearing workout clothes, no interruptions, dedicated space in order to get some movement into your day?...
... and then not actually do anything because you waited too long?? ☹

Stop doing this!!! Seriously, stop ✋

It's okay that you're wearing pajamas. It's okay that you only have 5 minutes. It's okay that your kids are rolling around next to you or that you have to shove toys out of the way to find a spot to do floor work.

Fit it in, make it happen. It doesn't have to be pretty, I promise!!

Try these 👇

•Squats while reading a book to your kids

•Calf raises while folding laundry

•Wall sit with your work computer on your lap

•Pilates ab series while your kids are playing Legos

•Standing push ups at the counter while waiting for water to boil

•Planks during the commercial break watching evening TV

Which of these 👆 are you going to try first? Have another idea? Leave it below!

"How many times per week should I do Pilates?"

This is definitely a top question I get asked by clients! My answer is... it depends! It depends on a lot actually!

Ask yourself these questions:

👉How quickly do you want to see results?

👉Is Pilates going to be your main source of fitness or is it a complement to something else (like running, etc)?

👉What is your top goal with starting a Pilates program?

👉What is your budget and schedule?
..........................................................................

Clearly, as with most other forms of fitness, the more frequently you do it, the faster you will see results. If you are not incorporating any other forms of movement or fitness into your life, it will take longer to see results.

Many people recommend practicing Pilates 3 times a week. I think that's a great goal but not ALWAY practical! Life gets in the way! We're all busy, right? Look at that last question above- we ALL have a different budget and schedule restrictions to work with! And there is nothing wrong with that!

What IS important is consistency! Be proud of the dedication you put in, and the consistency of your practice will provide results 👏 💪

Do this resonate with you? Leave me a 🙌 below!