Spark Pilates

Checkout this powerhouse duet! 💪🏼 Sound on for how well they respond to the cues. This only comes with practice and repetition. They know the exercises by name, how to transition quickly and with control, how to set up for the next exercise and how to execute. Why is this important? To reach a point where Pilates is a vigorous full body workout students need to focus and flow. Without annoying constant pauses with teacher demos, explanation of set up, we get more done. It’s challenging and rewarding for everyone. Reach out to get started with Spark Pilates today. Private/Duet lessons are an investment to live more optimally. WE will hold you accountable & committed to your goals. #findyourspark #movementforlife #feelgood #optimalliving #endurance #lifestyle #quality #committed #qualitycontrol #contrology #authenticpilates #boutiquefitness #privatelessons #thepilatesmethod #pilatesforlife #privatepilatesreformer #privatepilates #pilateslovers #noquickfix #pilatestoronto #pilateskingwest #virtualreality #virtualfitness

So excited to share that the Spark Shop is now open for business! Visit www.sparkpilates.com “the shop” • available in Canada from coast to coast and made in Toronto, Canada Love love love my new super comfy & quality Spark swag so much and know you will too! Sent to you with love and gratitude ~ Dervola Packaging and Shipping by the premium @dakksolutions #swag #sparkpilates #ecommerce #lifestyle #livebetter #movebetter #wellnessbrand #lifestylebrand #fitnessfashion #workout #workoutgear #madeincanada #hoodies #classiccrew #classicpilates #eboutique #cozysweats #lookoftheday #spark #iwantthemall

Student Feature Friday! Do you remember your second Pilates lesson? Me neither but I’m positive it didn’t have this tough one - the hanging pull-up! So here is Mia on her second Pilates private ever crushing not only the exercise but the smooth entry and exit. We love helping new students find the fun and challenge in their Pilates practice. And for the teachers reading this: aim to teach your students good technique & execution but remember it takes time, so don’t dwell on the tiny details of form that come with time and repetition. Remember: it’s a practice and you treat the body in front of you like clay you mould and sculpt. Pilates: the art of movement, the language of movement. #studentfeaturefriday #sparkpilates #celebratelife #kingwestpilates #kingwestfitness #downtowntoronto #classicalpilatestoronto #classicalpilates #languageofmovement #movementforlife #newstudentswelcome #boutiquefitness #studentfeaturefriday

Chest Expansion two ways. Apparatus: Archival Arm Chair/Baby Chair by Pilates Designs. Prob my fave apparatus to do the Chest Expansion but see me struggle to keep it together on version number two?! 😱 OMG I love the challenge. Pilates is so deceiving. If you’re watching this and thinking “pfft whatever - I lift 🏋🏼‍♀️ and this looks so easy”….well ok…let’s see it. I’m in Toronto - come try. Instagram Pilates: looks effortless and that’s the point but Pilates is one of those things that when it looks easy it means there is more of everything goin on to make it seem “easy”. The devil is in the details for sure. And sometimes it’s the less obvious muscles that show up to perform. As in this case - my hammies were on fire 🔥 More muscular recruitment, more concentration, more coordination of the entire body. If you think of say….the sun poking through the clouds for a split second…. well you’re done! Stay focused my friends and enjoy the journey. #chestexpansion #classicalpilates #chestexpansionpilates #armchairpilates #pilatesbabychair #fullbodyworkout #bemindful #fitnesstoronto #mindfulmovement #pilatestoronto #privatepilates #strengthandflexibility #balance #contrology #pilateskingwest

Be sure to save this to follow along before your next workout! This pre workout mobility video targets tight wrists/forearms that contribute to shoulder and neck issues, followed by a hip mobility inner thigh stretch and finally some spinal rotation powered by deep breaths. Great for the desk jockeys to do before hitting the Pilates mat, studio or gym. Give your joints some love and let me know if you notice a difference in your performance and recovery. #preworkout #jointhealth #hipmobility #carpeltunnel #stretch #move #spinetwist #adductors #pilates #pilatesforgolfers #pilatesmat #pilatestoronto #sparkpilates #shoulderrehab #injuryrecovery #totalbodywellness

Magic Circle Series of 5 “The Ab series”. Video request by a dedicated student that loves the mat more than the Reformer (yes, actually) and asked for me to write out this little series to practice while working from home. So yes, he scored some brownie points with that eagerness to keep practicing. Here’s a video - easier than writing it out. 😛 There are so many ways to use the circle - here are just a few ideas. I hope you add them into your “homework” too and let me know what you think. Look after yourselves and enjoy the burn 🔥 Sign up via the website link to join Spark’s weekly all level mat classes over zoom. Monday 4:30pm Wednesday 11am #magiccircle #matpilates #abs #abseries #thecore #contrology #corecontrol #pilatestoronto #precision #strength #fitnesstoronto #fitnesskingwest #kingwest #pilates #sparkpilates

Looks the same but feels very different. I originally learned this exercise as “airplane” in my original [contemporary] training but it’s called “rolling stomach massage” classically. What’s the diff? The roll back springs on the classical Cadillac are much “heavier/stronger” which does allow for an easier lift (less work on arms) and more support to really find that open hip “the hang time” as I like to call it, but totally unforgiving for the spinal articulation rolling action. I’m going slow and deliberate. Forcing my abdominals to work harder to move my spine against the resistance of the springs. By keeping the lower legs pinned as close to my seat as possible, makes the hamstrings work much harder and the spinal articulation extremely difficult for that bone by bone connection. The speed is in real time. If I went faster I would surely miss a vertebrae touching down especially in that low back area. For all of you with tight immobile low backs - ooh this one is for you! Can’t make it into the studio? In our virtual mat classes we work on our half roll backs/roll ups, rolling like a ball and shoulder bridge for low back mobility and abdominal strength. Sign up in website. #rolling #pilatesexploration #rollingstomachmassage #pilatescadillac #matpilates #stomachmassage #rollingstomachmassage #classicalpilates #shoulderbridge #contemporarypilates #backworkout #spinemobility #contrology #pilatestoronto

Yes it’s “footwork” on the Reformer….but what else do you notice? Hint: its a special feature of our archival reformers by @pilates_designs that makes you work even harder….unless you cheat 😉 Can you take a guess what’s different? Comment below ⬇️ [Footwork order for those learning: Toes, Arches, Heels, Tendon Stretch] #archivalreformer #refomer #classicalpilates #footwork #pilatestoronto #connection #powerhouse #pilatescurious #pilatesteacher #nocheats

Yesterday’s reel was the Reformer Backbend. This is how I prep my backbends. My longtime students will recognize this as the trigger point myofascial techniques I use to quickly release tightness to provide better quality movement. I’m a huge fan of @tp_therapy as a compliment to any fitness program and mobility goals but especially for my virtual clients that don’t have access to all the studio apparatus. Step 1) release the latissimus Dorsi muscles -both sides Step 2) release the thoracic spine aka rib cage Step 3) take arms overhead and press up into arc. First half of video you’ll hear how fast the music is playing. That’s to show how slow the rolling should be. Slow and Deliberate for the best effects. Take a moment to look up from your screen. Go grab a roller and use it often! #notsponsored #triggerpointrelease #certified #pilates #classicalpilates #backbendpractice #notextneck #spinerelease #foamroller #fascialrelease #stickybodies