Showing posts with label Venice Beach Studio. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Venice Beach Studio. Show all posts

Tuesday, May 13, 2014

Trainer Tuesday! A Day in the Life of Tara Singer

Today, Pilates Platinum would like a take a few minutes to introduce one of our west side trainers, Tara! Tara has been a Spin Instructor for over 8 1/2 years and recently began teaching Pilates as well. She's a big fan of the intensity and energy of both Pilates and Spinning, and she especially enjoys the sense of accomplishment you get from both types of workouts! Expect to work hard, but don't worry- her positive attitude and smile will keep you motived and help you finish strong. Read on to learn more about Tara and her healthy habits, and catch her during your next trip to Venice Beach!

A Day in the Life of Tara Singer
Pilates and Spin Instructor (Venice Beach Studio)

What are your favorite Pilates moves? 
kneeling inner thighs, tailbone angel... pretty much anything abs

What is one of your favorite non-Pilates workouts? 
Spinning (of course), jogging along the shoreline on the beach or a toning HIT workout

What’s your exercise routine like for a typical week?
At least 45 min of cardio about each day (i.e., elliptical, Spinning, jogging or walking on beach) and at least 30 min of toning 4 times a week (i.e. SPX, HIT, free weights and Pilates ball). 
What are some of your favorite healthy foods?
Kale & quinoa salads, fresh fruit, green superfood drinks

What does your workout and eating schedule for a typical day look like?
Monday through Friday, I'm up around 630a, drink cranberry juice with calcium bentonite clay and exercise.  After exercising, I have a green superfood drink with cayenne pepper and a low-fat protein drink.  Once I'm in my office, I fill up a large glass of water (which is replenished a couple of times) and have some fresh fruit.  About a half hour later breakfast can vary from 0% Fage plain yogurt with honey to a scrambled egg white and a slice of whole wheat toast.  A couple of hours later, lunch is either a frozen Healthy Choice, Amy's or Lean Cuisine entree and a piece of fruit or I eat out.  Usually walk somewhere too just to get outside.  I have some sort of a snack around 3p or 4p, like a banana with Justin's almond butter or a Kind bar.  Depending on the night, I may exercise again. I don't cook - have no patience for it - so dinner can vary from a salad to a bowl of cereal.  At the end of my day, I drink another cranberry juice with
calcium bentonite clay and head to bed around 10p or so.  And then my Saturday and Sunday mornings, as you know, are spent teaching Spinning classes and sweating it out on the megaformer! 
What’s your biggest source of inspiration…what keeps you going everyday?
My miracle mom.  An ideal picture of "if you believe it, you can achieve it".  Her inner-strength and spirit are a true inspiration to anyone. 

What are your trainer tips or words of advice for people interested in Pilates and a healthy lifestyle?
Work for the results you seek and reap the rewards by exercising efficiently, therefore effectively.  You need to enjoy what you do and want to be doing it, so when it's really, really hard, you won't back down and will just keep focusing on your goal, whatever that means to you.  Listen to your body (as its abilities can vary from day to day) and adjust as needed, but just keep going.   Be present and grateful for your ability to be doing what your doing.  No judgements - in or out of the class; of others or yourself.  Enjoy the sense of accomplishment that you made it happen!
Watch Tara in action in her Trainer Bio HERE

Tuesday, April 22, 2014

Trainer Tuesday! A Day in the Life of Hilary Curwen

Welcome Hilary Curwen to Trainer Tuesday! Hilary has been with Pilates Platinum for over a year and is known to give a great workout- both on the proformer AND the bike! Her Pilates and 30/30 Spin/Pilates classes are full of energy and very hands on. You'll especially love her classes if you're into yoga since Hilary tends to incorporate a bit of "yoga flare" into her workouts. Read below to see a day in Hilary's life, then come visit her on the west side and get moving!
A Day in the Life of Hilary Curwen
Pilates and Spin Instructor (Venice Beach and Brentwood Studios)

What are your favorite Pilates moves?
I love core work, Plank Wheel barrel  Catfish..etc (anything on the back)
I also love exercises that are supine on the carriage.. lower abdominals
are my jam! .

What is one of your favorite non-Pilates workouts?
I am a workout machine. I love hot yoga a few times a week; Corepower &
Modo.  Barry's Bootcamp is fabulous once a week to get kicked in the butt,
and of course running.

What’s your exercise routine like for a typical *week
Monday: afternoon yoga & maybe spin class at night
Tuesday: Pilates with jaime, then I teach  30 min spin after..
Wednesday: Classical Pilates in Hollywood or Barry's in Weho.
Thursday: I teach 45 min spin in the a.m, then do Pilates
Friday: Corepower yoga
Saturday: Pilates with Debi & I teach 30 min spin
Sunday: REST


What are some of your favorite healthy foods? 
*I love love love mushrooms. Raw, steamed, **sautéed, love it all.  I eat
veggies with almond cheese a lot lately, and make veggie spring rolls with
rice paper and tofu.  I eat pretty "vegan-like."*

What does your workout and eating schedule for a typical day like?
I wake up around 5:30 or 6 am, and the first thing I do is go to the
kitchen.  I have some coconut water and honestly eat whatever is in the
fridge that day.  Today I had sushi from the night before…   I love
smoothies, so I use coconut meat, protein powder and almond milk for a
creamy drink.  I then work for a few hours then do my workout for the day.
I am definitely a morning person so I like to get everything done early.
I am all over LA, so I find places to workout or bring running shoes and do
that in between appointments.  Always keeping clothes in the car has served
me well.   I eat every few hours and I love anything that has dates or nuts
in it.  Recently I have been making my own 'lara bars' for something sweet
in the afternoon.. I work early afternoons and nights then crash early
around 10pm..

See more of Hilary HERE in her Trainer Bio video!

Tuesday, April 1, 2014

Trainer Tuesday! A Day in the Life of Kiana Greir

This Tuesday, Pilates Platinum would like to welcome a new trainer for Sundays at our Venice Beach Studio, Kiana! Kiana has always been passionate about health, wellness, fitness and nutrition, as a dancer, surfer, and competitive volleyball player. We’re excited to have her on the PP team! Read below to learn more about Kiana, and hop into one of her classes starting Sunday’s in Venice Beach.

A Day in the Life of Kiana Grier
Pilates Instructor (Venice Beach Studio)
What are your favorite Pilates moves? 
I love the deep stretch in Long Jump Lunge and I love the immediate effects of French Twist!

What is one of your favorite non-Pilates workouts? 
I love anything that might be different or challenges my body in a completely different way, like a kickboxing or dance class or pilates! Yoga, running, and hiking are my favorite go-tos on days I'm not taking a pilates class! I'm so lucky to live in California where there are so many beaches and hiking trails to explore :)

What’s your exercise routine like for a typical week?
Monday: yoga and run
Tuesday: hiking
Wednesday: dance/kickboxing
Thursday: spin/surfing :)
Friday: pilates and a beach run
Saturday: anything outdoors! or a new class with a friend :)
Sunday: Pilates  

What are some of your favorite healthy foods?
I love learning about new possibilities for salads and I love exploring farmers markets throughout the week. Eating and preparing seasonal fruits and veggies has really changed how my body feels and especially how my body stays strong and fit working out and staying active:)

What does your workout and eating schedule for a typical day like?
When do you wake up?
Besides early classes I usually wake up at 7am. I am also in graduate school so a consistent wake up time really helps keep a good exercise and study routine to keep my energy up!

What do you eat for breakfast?
I love a good cup of coffee and eggs with veggies and avocado. Most days during the week I'm on the run, so I it's usually a coffee plus a protein shake- Vega protein, almond milk, flax, dates and piece of fruit.  

What do you do in the first half of a typical day?
The first half of a typical day I am either teaching classes in the morning then I am doing research and reading for graduate school! I love learning and apply that to everything I do- in the studio, in the classroom, in life!

What do you eat for lunch?
I usually eat as colorful of a salad as I can! -with a protein like tuna, chicken, or turkey and good fat source like avocado. If I'm being a little naughty I love a good   old fashioned turkey sandwich with cheese on gluten free bread :) 

What do you do during a typical afternoon?
Because of my school schedule I'm usually on my way to school during the week! Any time I'm not driving to class, I love to spend my time reading or doing something active or outside with my friends and family.

What do you eat for dinner?
Dinner is usually a lean meat and veggies, salad or a quinoa salad. 
What do you do for a workout on a typical day?
During the week my workouts need to be efficient and effective. I love a good run at the Santa Monica stairs or on Ocean Ave, surfing, a dance class, a yoga class to get my heart rate up and sweat, AND of course Pilates! I'm a busy girl, and I love inspiring people who think that they don't have time- you have to take time for you… workouts are fun and important to make time for!

What do you do on a typical night? 
My friends and I are really good about trying new places for a cocktail and live music. But I'll admit most nights I'm catching up on some of my Netflix shows and studying for school! 

What time do you go to sleep?
I need to be in bed no later than 11pm! Even though I'm a student I told myself for grad school I vow to never pull an all nighter again! I believe that sleep is just as important as the workouts you do and the food you put in your body. 

What’s your favorite part of your day?
My favorite part of my day is helping people push past a barrier or edge in Pilates classes. There is nothing like the smiles after a good workout, and there is nothing like the thank yous. I'm a client too so I know what a good boost of endorphins can do to your day :) I love seeing that in my clients when they leave class.  

What’s your biggest source of inspiration…what keeps you going everyday?
I'm inspired by people and their ability to change, work through something challenging, to endure. The studio and pilates workout is microcosmic to the work that you do in your life, at your jobs. I believe that mental strength is something that we learn and can continue to learn. I try to take this into everything that I do and bring that inspiration to my classes :) 

What are your trainer tips or words of advice for people interested in Pilates and a healthy lifestyle?
"Good habits are as addictive as bad habits, but much more rewarding." YOU have the power to choose what you bring into your life, make it healthy, make it fun, make it sweaty, make it rewarding!