Madrona Studio

01/24/2025

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Every day!

01/06/2025

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12/13/2024

12/11/2024

Love this image!

09/14/2024

109 years ago on 12 September 1915, Joesph Pilates arrived on the Isle of Man where he was taken, along with hundreds of other new arrivals, to the Knockaloe Internment Camp.

The scale model of the camp, pictured below, is part of the exhibition at the Centre for First World War Internment and gives an idea of the size of the camp and would be what Joseph would have seen the morning after his arrival.

This season the Centre for First World War Internment’s featured display focused on exercise, sport and recreation and of course Joseph Pilates was part of this featured display.

Visit knockaloe.im for more information on the history of the camp.

08/24/2024

I just read a very cool study that came out this month. Researchers took human volunteers and had them exercise one leg only—one leg exercised while the other remained sedentary. Then they measured mitophagy in each leg.

Now, mitophagy is a type of autophagy that’s specific to the mitochondria. It’s the process by which the body prunes damaged and malfunctioning mitochondria, leaving behind primarily high-quality mitochondria that work well and function optimally.

Turns out the exercised leg showed elevated markers of mitophagy, while the sedentary leg remained unchanged. This was after a single bout of exercise—just a few sets.

Now imagine a lifetime of this, of training in the gym, playing sports, running and jumping, climbing the stairs, and generally using your body. Then imagine a lifetime of the opposite: of sitting on the couch, watching TV, and slowly trudging to your car to drive to the mall or fast food restaurant. Imagine how each scenario would impact the quality and function of your mitochondria over the short term and the long term.

What you have to realize is that this is the greatest law of the universe: use it or lose it. Particularly in human biology, it is a constant battle to prove to your body that you are indeed using it. If you don’t do anything with it, your body deteriorates.

This battle is playing out on every level of existence. Anything you do is either eliminating harmful parts of your life or tolerating them, and every day we get a chance to make the right or wrong decisions.

Do you get up and move, lift, run, walk, climb, and fight against gravity and entropy? Or do you say “I’ll do it tomorrow” and take the day off?

Every day counts. Every day moves you closer to or farther from where you want to go.

Study here:

Aim The present study aimed to investigate the effects of a single bout of resistance exercise on mitophagy in human skeletal muscle (SkM). Methods Eight healthy men were recruited to complete an ...

08/10/2024

If it’s good enough for the NFL, it should be good enough for all of us.

NFL players love Pilates for several reasons, as it offers unique benefits that complement their demanding training regimens 🏈

1. Core Strength: Pilates focuses heavily on core stability and strength, which is crucial for NFL players to maintain balance and power during games.
2. Flexibility and Range of Motion: Pilates helps increase flexibility and range of motion, reducing the risk of injuries and improving performance on the field.
3. Injury Prevention: By strengthening the core and improving flexibility, Pilates helps prevent common injuries such as muscle strains and joint issues.
4. Rehabilitation: Pilates is often used in rehabilitation programs because it allows athletes to work on strength and flexibility without putting undue stress on their bodies.
5. Body Awareness: Pilates enhances body awareness, which helps players with coordination, balance, and movement efficiency.
6. Stress Relief: The focus on controlled movements and breathing in Pilates can also provide mental relaxation and stress relief, which is beneficial for athletes dealing with the pressures of professional sports.

Overall, Pilates offers a holistic approach to fitness that supports NFL players’ physical and mental well-being, contributing to their success on the field.

Check out the full article in The NY Times 🗞️

The perception that Pilates isn't for big, strong men is being exploded by a steady stream of NFL players making their way to the activity.