I have been doing Pilates for two years. It helped me a lot after I broke my hip last November, (2005).
The History:
Joseph and Clara Pilates was born in Germany, (1880), and had rheumatic fever, asthma and rickets. There were no cures for these diseases at this time. He developed some exercises and by the time he was 14 years old he was feeling so much better he began working as a model. The exercises are now called Pilates.
Last Year:
My friend and I flew to Genova, (via Milan), to go to Costigliole d’Asti, (about a half hours drive from Turin, Italy.
We went to go to a resort in Piedmont, (in the wine producing area of Italy), to learn how to cook and how to do more Pilates. We were living in the Poppy Farmhouse that is on a hillside.
Once a day we get a cooking lesson from Chef Baldi and an hour of exercises.
They picked us up at the airport and drove us through winding roads where we saw olive trees, rice paddies and truffles sprouting out of the ground.
When we were walking up to the farmhouse I go see the cherry trees, vineyards and the vegetable gardens. The air was so fresh I didn’t want to go inside.
The owner, John Sims us to our bedroom and we saw that it was very modern. There was a flat screen TV, twin beds were comfortable, between them were touch activated lamps, two chairs by the window and then he showed us that the shower heads, (in our private bathroom), were from New Zealand.
Breakfast was served buffet style that had croissants (some of which are filled with apricots), toast, lots of fruit that included Italian kiwis, thick yogurt, blood orange juice and fabulous rich dark coffee.
Pilates:
I was a toe dancer so the most difficult thing for me to learn was not to point my toes but to leave them like I was walking.
This is what I did before coming here:
They combining smooth controlled movements with concentration and breathing. Today the dancing community, people that want a good exercise program and people who are recovering from injuries are using his method.
Here Are Some Easy Pilates:
Don’t by a mat or a ball every exercise can be done on your bed.
Start by lifting one leg and having it straight over your body at ninety degrees. Now lower your leg without it hitting the floor and return to the starting position. You can also throw in a circle effect with your feet and legs.
Start in a ball position with your arms on the ground and your knees into your chest. Now extend your body all the way until your flat on the ground (complete this very slowly). Now return to the starting position while stretching your back.
Start by lying down flat and then lift your legs while keeping them straight. (45 degree angle) Now raise your torso slightly and lift your arms keeping them straight and complete 20-50 repetitions. Relax and do it 2 more times.
Start in a ball and keep your head inside your knees. Balance on your "tush" while working your abdominal. Start this exercise by rolling backward balancing on your spine then roll back up to the starting position, (rolled up and balanced).
Start by lying face up and then bring your legs up to a 45 deg angle (straight legs) now slowly bring them all the way behind your head while stabilizing with your arms. Bring your legs to the middle and extend your lower body all the way to the top, (your legs will end up perfectly straight).
Start by lifting your legs to ninety degrees (as shown). Now with your abs tight bring your legs behind your head with your legs straight. Open your legs and return to the starting position where your legs are directly above you.
Start by raising one leg to 45 degrees (straight leg). Now bring your other leg in tight to your body while holding your knee with your outside arm and your inside arm holding your ankle. Now slowly bring your other leg in tight to your body repeating the holding process.
Start by stretching your body flat on the ground. Raise your arms straight up over your head while coming up slowly to eventually touching your toes. This exercise should be performed very slowly.
Start with your body in a pike position with your legs slightly out to the front. Now bring your one leg behind your body, (straight leg) and then bring it forward all under control.
Start by lying face down with your hands behind your back (as shown). Now with curl your legs behind you and complete 2 fast repetitions then lower your legs. Now lift your torso with your lower back.
Start by lying face down, and slide your hands up at shoulder level. Now press up as if you were doing a pushup except rest your weight on your hips instead of your feet. Extend back until a desired stretch is reached. Now lower your head and rotate it in circles to stretch out your neck.
Now I use a big ball for my upper body strength and to sit on while I am at the computer.
I also take a Pilate class so I don’t have to buy the machines.
Cooking:
We learned that cooking doesn’t start with anything fresh it starts in the ground where things grown and where the meal and foul eat.
We also learned that if you want to cook like an Italian you have to use your hands. Every thing is mixed with the hands.
We went to the market, a few wine stores and learned how to crush grapes with our feet!
We learned how to slow cook meat, lamb and chicken that were left over foods, (he called them not nice before we cooked them).
We also learned that pasta sauce should have some red wine in it. You should make enough sauce to cover all of the pasta.
When you drain the pasta you put it back on the stove, add a bit of olive oil, garlic and the sauce. Then you mix it until the pasta is all covered. You never serve pasta with a blob of sauce in the middle.
The best thing I learned was how to scale and debone a fish.
The Village:
Asti city is the capital of the Asti Province. Asti was founded by the Romans. Some sections of the ancient city walls remain on the North side of the city and in the late 20th century they found a section of Roman wall in the center of the city. Today about 5, 000 people live here.Asti was founded by the Romans. Some sections of the ancient city walls remain on the North side of the city and in the late 20th century they found a section of Roman wall in the center of the city.
We walk down the hill to the market in Asti and then we learned how to pick our food, (I even saw some frozen pitted olives in one stall), to the choose some wine, (there were more than 500 bottles to choose from), then .
We had lunch at Café Roma one day and the Trattoria. We walked by the Castle of Grinzane Cavour it’s a shame that we didn’t have time because there is a museum inside.
They have a lot of wine shops, a few cafes, 4 clothing stores, 2 places to rent or buy videos, CD’s & music, some pastry shops, a sports equipment, a hardware and a Beauty Parlor that also pierces your body & will tattoo you! I bought some nougat candy to take home.
When we got back we learned how to make wine by stomping on the grapes that were in a barrel.
Thanks for reading my review.
©LL2006