Erika Yoga and Pilates

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Erika Yoga and Pilates

Erika is an International Yoga and Pilates Coach based in the Philippines.

20/09/2025

From chaos to peace 🕊️
From blending in to making a difference ✨
From fearing judgment to staying true to myself 💕
Choose YOU everyday 🦋

19/09/2025

📸 Headstand Front Exercise with One Leg Up Variation. Captured by

Benefits of Inversion
✅ Spinal decompression
✅ Improved circulation
✅ Lymphatic drainage
✅ Stress relief and relaxation
✅ Core and balance training

📍 | Apparatus by

18/09/2025

📸 Monkey on the Cadillac

This classical Pilates exercise focuses on spinal articulation, hamstring lengthening, and core control while also encouraging mobility through the hips and stability through the shoulders.

Teaching Tips:
• Maintain a neutral shoulder girdle—avoid elevating the shoulders.
• Initiate movement from the powerhouse for control, not momentum.
• Emphasize smooth spinal articulation with each roll-up and roll-down.
• Keep the breath fluid: inhale to prepare, exhale to deepen articulation.

👉 Ideal for clients working on flexibility, mobility, and body awareness.

17/09/2025

📸 Press Up Back On A High Chair. Captured by

This is a classical Pilates exercise that strengthens the arms, shoulders, and back while engaging the core.

Key Points:
• Think of lifting up and out of the shoulders instead of sinking into them.
• Core stays engaged to support the spine.
• Movement is vertical, not forward.
• Great for building shoulder girdle strength, triceps, upper back, and postural muscles.

Apparatus by

16/09/2025

Yoga stretches your soul ✨
Pilates strengthens your foundation💪🏽

Which one moves you today?

📸 Yoga and Pilates in one frame: 🌳🌳🌳 as my best yoga prop and high chair my favorite pilates equipment to improve my split.

15/09/2025

📸 Mermaid Exercise on the Reformer

Set up
1 spring but can add tension depending on purpose

Positioning:
• Sit sideways on the reformer, facing the side, with the shin against the shoulder blocks (hips anchored).
• The outside leg is bent with the foot tucked in front of the reformer.
• One hand holds the footbar, the other arm rests down by your side.

Ex*****on
1. Side stretch (main movement):
• Inhale, press the carriage out by straightening the arm on the bar.
• Simultaneously side-bend the torso toward the bar.
• Keep the opposite hip anchored to the carriage.
• The free arm can either rest along the leg or extend overhead for greater length.
2. Return:
• Exhale, bend the elbow, and bring the torso upright to center.
• Repeat 3–5 times each side.

Apparatus by

14/09/2025

Why Russian Split is a Must-Try?

✅ Deep stretch and strength combo
✅ Pelvic and core control
✅ Hamstring strengthening
✅ Balance and alignment
✅ Confidence and grace in splits

Captured by | Apparatus by

13/09/2025

Here are some of the main benefits of the Fish exercise on the Wunda Chair:

Core & Spine
• Strengthens the obliques and deep abdominals (especially in the return phase).
• Improves spinal mobility and extension, counteracting forward postures.
• Builds spinal stability while moving through a challenging range of motion.

Upper Body & Shoulders
• Strengthens the shoulder girdle as you support with one arm.
• Improves scapular stability and coordination.

Hips & Legs
• Works the hip flexors and extensors as you hold the legs lifted.
• Enhances lower body length and alignment since the legs extend on a long diagonal.

Balance & Control
• Challenges proprioception and balance — especially since one hand supports while the rest of the body arcs.
• Builds grace and flow, often considered one of the “performative” Pilates movements.

Postural Benefits
• Opens the chest and front body, great for counteracting slouching or desk posture.
• Encourages a sense of lift and elongation throughout the whole body.

📸 Counter-stretch after the fish exercise. Captured by

Apparatus by

12/09/2025

Life rewards the brave—the ones willing to stumble, learn and keep going until they bloom to greatness!

📸 Pull-ups Twist on a

Common Mistakes to Watch Out For:
• Using momentum (kicking legs up or swinging).
• Hanging passively from shoulders → risk of strain.
• Over-rotating hips and losing trunk alignment.
• Collapsing in lower back when lowering down.

Apparatus by

11/09/2025

My experience with Smart Movement Pilates Teacher Training has been nothing short of remarkable. As someone who has always been in love with movement and learning, I wanted to deepen my Pilates practice and decided to sign up for the program. The Pre-Training and Foundation Programs, which combined both knowledge-based and practical examinations, truly equipped me with the tools and confidence I needed to step into teaching.

At the time I began my training, I was under a high dosage of medication for Bipolar Disorder, which often brought on brain fog and made it difficult for me to focus and concentrate. Despite these challenges, I was able to keep up with the discussions and exercises because of the patience, understanding, and dedication of our mentors. Their support created a safe space where I could learn at my own pace and feel genuinely encouraged.

Sir Ole Eugenio, in particular, has been a huge source of inspiration for me. His enthusiasm and passion for teaching motivated me to push through my own struggles and finish my training. To this day, he continues to guide me in my journey as a teacher, conducting mentoring sessions every Friday with such commitment to ensuring that all instructors are equipped to deliver safe, effective, and high-quality Pilates sessions. His guidance goes beyond teaching technique—it has instilled in me resilience, confidence, and a deeper love for the practice.

I am truly grateful to Smart Movement International for creating such an inclusive and supportive training environment. For someone like me who has faced mental health challenges, it means so much to be welcomed and encouraged every step of the way. Your kindness, professionalism, and genuine care have made my training experience truly exceptional.

I highly recommend Smart Movement International—not only for its outstanding teacher training, but also for its heart. This is a place where you are not just taught, but also nurtured, understood, and inspired.

10/09/2025

✨ On ne sait jamais tout ✨
One never knows everything 🤍🤍🤍

A little reminder to stay humble: No matter how much we learn, life and Pilates always have something new to teach us.

Keep exploring, keep growing — don’t limit yourself to just one perspective. Learn from different teachers, approaches, and experiences to truly appreciate the depth of Pilates.

📸 Spread Eagle Hanging — because honestly, even as an experienced teacher, there are still moments when my brain just hangs and words escape me 😅

Equipment by

09/09/2025

Every pose is a conversation between body and mind. How does yoga help you hear yours?

Comment to share your thoughts 🧘‍♀️

Mat by | White Magic in regular size

Address

Antipolo

Website

https://margriterika.wixsite.com/home

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