Fitness on the Moves

Like many, you may be looking to shed a few pounds for the bevy of holiday parties this year. Or perhaps you’re looking to get an early start on an optimistic New Year’s resolution. If you fall in either of these groups and are looking to spice up your fitness schedule with something that you actually might stick to this year, Pilates may be your answer. Known as a mixture of yoga and power cardio, Pilates strengthens, lengthens and tones while uniting both body and mind. I myself go to a fitness club that offers this program but as I’ve been sadly uncoordinated since my very first tap lesson, I tend to avoid embarrassing myself amongst a bunch of strangers and attractive men. Like many others, I prefer a private approach where I can concentrate on training my body without all eyes on my wobbly areas that need oh so much work. In my endless search for a safe environment, I found Moves Pilates, a private studio that offers a forum in which I can workout – celebrity style – with my own personal trainer. Amanda Hood, owner of Moves, is a former San Francisco Ballet dancer who has been studying the art of Pilates for several years. Since she began ballet, she’s been using Pilates as a strength training method to enhance her dance skills and performance. Amanda loved Pilates so much she decided to progress in her training and focus on this alone.

I walked into the studio not knowing what to expect. I have been studying yoga for several years and combined that with my usual 30 minutes of virtual skiing on my favorite elliptical machine as my daily workout. I have to admit this tops them all! My lesson was tailor fit to my personal needs and areas of much needed improvement. I left the studio feeling relaxed and charged at the same time. I felt that literally every muscle in my body had been worked, something I can’t get from my gym. Feeling the intense need to go back for more…..this is one resolution I look forward to keeping!

Moves Pilates is located at 8350 Melrose Avenue, Suite #4, in Los Angeles. To make an appointment, call 323-252-1793 or email pilatesla@hotmail.com.