Gretchen McCarthy

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United States
New Milford, CT
Gretchen McCarthy

Happy heart. Healthy body. Inspired life. Make the decision to move forward and you will get better each and every day.

It's all about baby steps and I'm here to help keep you on track body, mind, and spirit!

07/29/2023

I swear, we are the same people! It’s when two teachers are on summer vacation - the Summer 🧔‍♂️🤠☀️🕶️ personas come out to play. 🤣

🌞

07/20/2023

There are so many myths about pilates out there, and I’d like to take the time to debunk a few…

1️⃣ You don't need to be flexible to start Pilates. In fact, one of the benefits of Pilates is that it helps to increase your flexibility! The movements are designed to help lengthen and stretch muscles, improving flexibility over time.

2️⃣ While Pilates does place a significant emphasis on core strength (which includes your abs), it's a full-body workout. Pilates exercises also target your hips, back, shoulders, arms, and legs. In fact, one of the key principles of Pilates is balanced muscular development.

3️⃣ While some forms of Pilates do use equipment like the Reformer or Cadillac, you can also do Pilates with just a mat. Many of the exercises are based on body weight, making them easy to do at home or anywhere you have space to lay down a mat. I love using small props to help mimic the apparatus you’d find at a full pilates studio!

4️⃣Pilates is for all bodies, end of story.

5️⃣ While both Pilates and yoga can help to improve strength, flexibility, and mind-body connection, they are different practices. Pilates tends to be more focused on strengthening the body, particularly the core, and is often used as a rehabilitation tool. Yoga, on the other hand, also includes a spiritual component and often involves more static poses.

6️⃣ Pilates can be as challenging as you make it. It's true that Pilates movements are low impact and often performed slowly, but they require a great deal of control, precision, and concentration. Pilates can be an intense workout that leaves your muscles feeling challenged. The key is to find a class or program that suits your fitness level and goals.

7️⃣ the pilates instructor industry is unregulated. It’s possible for anyone to get “Mat certified” in just one weekend. it took me 2 years to get fully certified on all apparatus with hundreds of training hours. Be careful who you learn from, do your research.

8️⃣ not at Balanced to the Core. My goal is to make quality Pilates classes more accessible. Come join my 5 Day free series, Mind Body Mat to find out more. Link in bio!

07/15/2023

23 years. Half my life dedicated to teaching fitness.⁣
Always trying to fit a mold.⁣
Never fitting.⁣
What I realized: there is no fitness mold.⁣
⁣
I loved the idea of teaching fitness, but the thought of being in front of a group of people terrified me. I imagined them negatively thinking, “Why would I want to take a class from HER when she looks like that?”⁣
⁣
However, My desire to teach and help people was WAY bigger than my fears.⁣
⁣
23 years ago fitness was very different. At the time, I yearned for a community of like minded people coming together to support each other, not judge and criticize. I yearned for acceptance, compassion, and most importantly - FUN! I craved a place where we could drown out the noise of life and focus inward. Without really knowing it, I was molding a vision. And that was a mold I could get my heart around..⁣
⁣
BTC is a place:⁣
💪where modifying exercises means standing up for yourself in a confident way.⁣
💪where working out is about working in - actually listening to your body’s needs and moving in a way that is empowering and energizing.⁣
⁣
I never wanted to be the teacher that commanded my clients. I wanted to be their guide, to help them understand their body more. ⁣
⁣
At BTC we explore the body to learn more about its needs. I love thinking of my workouts as practices. Each time we explore a new idea. Such as...⁣
💥what if I pushed a little deeper - even one inch - what would it feel like?⁣
💥What if I pulled my shoulders down my back a bit more and lifted taller from my waist - how would my back feel?⁣
💥What if I modified to my knees so I feel less in the wrists? How does the feeling change in the body - can feel my core more?⁣
💥What if I stopped to rest instead of pushing through pain? Will I come back stronger?⁣
When you focus like this it helps propel you forward in your everyday life. You’ll feel more present and focused.⁣
⁣
Yes, I’m a Pilates instructor. But, life is not compartmentalized. It ALL works together. ⁣
When you "workout" with me, you work on all aspects of you (body, mind, being) so you can be the best version of you - every single day. ⁣
⁣
💥Come join Mind Body Mat! https://www.balancedtothecore.com/5day-challenge.💥⁣

07/01/2023

Sad to go. Happy for the memories.

⛺️ ❤️ 💕

06/12/2023

If you’re interested, what activities would you like me to include? Reaching for the platter on the top shelf? Carrying loaded laundry basket up the flight of stairs to your bedroom? Bending down to pull the 30lb casserole out of the oven?(are casseroles even that heavy?🥴) Standing in line at the post office (are you sitting in your hips?)

Comment below or DM me!!!

06/01/2023

And so these things happened…

Doug’s super psyched that his cast is red and is enjoying being assistant coach for his lax team. 🥍

Hank received the citizenship award at his end of year award ceremony at his middle school.🎖️🏆

Can’t wait for summer!

03/22/2023

Sunshine. Shades. Adirondack. Book. 47 ain’t feelin’ so bad. Happy Day to me. ☀️😎❤️🥳

🎂 💕

02/04/2023

Check out Warren, he’s got style. (Resistance band scarf and all!)😎😉.

When you take my class, the only rule - well maybe 2 rules- is:

1. come as you are
and
2. have fun - good humor is required (just ask Warren)😄

Pilates makes life better.😊

Checkout my bio to learn how to work with me online . Or if you live in - by 5:30pm Fridays!

❤️❤️❤️

01/28/2023

It’s the pre-class connection that I love the most.

The air of anticipation.

Friends being made.

Me-time being honored.

A common love bringing all together.

Community.

My favorite time of day.

- The life of a Pilates instructor.

12/22/2022

It’s filming day! 🎥🎬

5 Days of pilates, and it’s all about finding your center . It’s time to take your body back. Come join me January 2nd. Link in bio or head to balancedtothecore.com❤️😘

11/23/2022

Seriously, those that know me, my hair has NEVER been this shiny and healthy! I need to shout from the rooftops - get this shampoo! Dm me for info.

Address

65 Bank St.
New Milford, CT
06776-2701

Website

http://www.balancedtothecore.com/

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