Lonna Mosow: Center for Mind Body Fitness

09/09/2022

Wishing you all a safe and wonderful fall weekend!

24/03/2021

Even after all of the years I’ve been working in the fitness industry, I’m still surprised at the number of aspects of our lives exercise continues to influence.
If you read the Sunday installment of the Star Tribune’s ‘Science and Health’ section, you may have noticed an article written by Gretchen Reynolds reprinted from the New York Times.
In this article, she wrote, “Exercise can change how crucial portions of our brain communicate as we age, improving aspects of thinking and remembering according to a new study of aging brains and aerobic workouts.”
One of the greatest fears of aging is the loss of mental acuity and memory. Because historically, memory loss and diminished brain function have been common in many people as they age, the conclusion has been that it’s inevitable. However, studies like this tell us that’s not the case.
The study highlighted in this article finds that “unconnected portions of the brain’s memory center start interacting in complex and healthier new ways after regular exercise, sharpening memory function.”
It also continued that “in older people, regular physical activity helps slow the usual loss of brain volume, which may help prevent memory loss.”
Some of my clients have jokingly asked me if there’s anything that regular exercise doesn’t make better and I’m beginning to think there’s not.
And the great news is you don’t have to lift weights or run marathons to improve your physical and mental well-being.
Just do something every day that gets your heart beating a little faster and taxes your arms and legs and you will be on the road to a better brain and ultimately, a better life.

13/11/2020

Ji-Man Choi, a South Korean professional baseball player, is a designated hitter and has played first base and outfield for the Tampa Bay Rays. He previously played for the Los Angeles Angels, New York Yankees, and Milwaukee Brewers.

According to reports, Choi is an unassuming 6-1, 260-pound first baseman who likes to do things differently.

For one thing, he’s always smiling! The South Korean first baseman has turned into a fan favorite with the Rays with a smile that rarely leaves his face on the diamond.

You might remember that his team lost to the Los Angeles Dodgers in the 2020 World Series. But win or lose, it doesn’t seem to matter! Choi smiles after striking out. He smiles after making great plays and he definitely smiles after hitting home runs.

However, he wasn’t smiling as he dealt with a hamstring injury that prevented him from consistently playing from mid-September up until the World Series in October.

But, according to a story on Choi in the Star Tribune, fans could hardly believe it when Choi “did a full split to take a throw from his shortstop, W***y Adames, for the first out in Game 3…” When asked how he recovered fully enough to do the splits, he smiled – of course – and said he had been “doing Pilates for about two years.”

His manager, Kevin Cash, confirmed: “Ji-Man was talking about his Pilates…yeah, he looks like a gymnast.”

Well, I can’t guarantee you’ll look like a gymnast or be able to do the splits, but I can assure you, if you are dedicated to Pilates, you have every chance to be at the top of your game! And that should definitely make you smile!

25/09/2020

Balance! A word we associate with a “balanced diet,” a “balanced workout,” and most certainly a “balanced life.” But in the world of The Pilates Method, balance means to challenge your mind and body while standing on one foot, standing on a stability disc or Bosu or standing on the Reformer doing the Side Leg Splits.
But I like to take balance to the next level. Jeanne, one of our “Ninja Warriors,” is demonstrating balancing on the Juvo ‘wobble” board on one leg while using the Pilates Tye4™ for an additional challenge. The Pilates Tye4™ (an exercise accessory that replicates some of the exercises on the Reformer) both assists and resists movement.
For more information on the Pilates Tye4™ check with us. The Pilates Tye4™ is available for purchase at the studio.

02/09/2020

Joseph Pilates was instrumental in the importance of breath and breathing. An article in the Star Tribune (8/23), ‘A Breathtaking Workout,’ addressed the value of different breathing techniques to not only enhance movement but to reduce tightness and stress in our bodies.

You may have noticed, as have I, that more and more articles on “breathing” are being written in this age of COVID. Wearing face masks has not made breathing easy!

But breathing is still critical! As our clients know, The Pilates Method is based on breathing. We teach “ride the breath; the breath is the exercise, the movement rides on the rhythm of the breath.” Pilates wrote in his book, Return to Life with Controloly: “Breathe in to breathe out, breathe out to breathe in. Exhale to the fullest, like “flushing the toilet.” Colorful! Right? Not one to mince words, he said it the way he said it. But it does hit home, doesn’t it?

With a mask or no mask, whether you’re idle or moving, in the car or on your exercise mat, practice different breathing techniques. “Breathe in to breathe out, breathe out to breathe in.” What good advice!
Thank you, Joseph Pilates!

11/07/2020

On July 5th, I happened to come across a New York Times article reprinted in the Star Tribune with its headline grabbing my attention: ‘What’s the future of exercise classes?’ When I first saw it, I thought, “Oh, no! What if they say the future is bleak?” And for aerobics and other high-intensity workouts, it indeed might be. But hallelujah! The conclusion was that the future is looking bright for low-intensity exercise like Pilates and Yoga. This means our studio’s future is looking good! The article concluded that we will fare best in controlling the spread of the Covid virus, unlike crowded gyms and group workout classes. As those of you who entrust your exercise to us know, we keep a 6-foot distance at all times, wear our masks and sanitize, sanitize, sanitize! At LONNA’S we are dedicated to keeping everyone safe as we carefully resume our health and fitness regimes.

04/07/2020

HAPPY HEALTHY, SAFE AND FIT INDEPENDENCE DAY!

23/05/2020

Hi Everyone -
I'm sorry! Not everyone got my message about signing a petition for studios like mine - appointment only, one-on-one training, only a couple people in the studio at one time, etc. - to be able to open up now. Here is the address to sign the petition (I hope).
https://www.ipetitions.com/petition/boutique-fitness-coalition

For every week a typical boutique fitness studio or micro-gym is closed, it forgoes $5,000-$20,000 in revenue. The significant financial impact of this crisis expands not only to owners, but also to the millions of Independent Contractors and Employees in our industry that are unable to work from ho...

02/05/2020

Hello Everyone -
I hope you're keeping safe and fit during this difficult time. If you haven't done so already, visit my YouTube channel for great ideas on how to "Step Up Your Walk!" Looking forward to seeing you soon! Lonna

30/03/2020

Hi Everyone -
I hope you are safe and well as we do our best to get through this global health crisis!
I have just posted our 3rd YouTube video workout and am encouraging you to stick with your program by participating every day!! The one posted today is especially good for people who have a hard time getting up and down from the floor! Remember - we will get through this one day and when life returns, be sure you're in shape to participate with passion!
PS: Keep watching as we post new videos!

30/03/2020

In case you're wondering what I've been doing, I've been working out in the kitchen!

16/03/2020

Dominique Astorino said in an article, “A Lot of People are Ditching Boot Camps for Pilates – and There’s a Science to Why!”
The reason for this is that boot camps are causing people’s bodies to break down and they are in desperate need of repair. Their choice for that repair is Pilates.
So, whether you’ve graduated from boot camp or gone AWOL and need to rebuild, recover and recharge, let us help! Visit www.lonnamosow.com to get started.

16/03/2020

Rachel and the Gyrotonic Wingmaster. She makes it look easy! Far from it! Good job, Rachel!

16/03/2020

Pilates is known for its efficiency while addressing spinal issues. In keeping with this philosophy, why not take one ball and two clients to perform the basic essential spinal movements: Spine Extension (Arch) and Flexion (Curl).
Thank you Sharla and Rachel for taking care of your spines!!

04/02/2020

One of the greatest fears people have about growing old is that they will lose their cognitive skills or experience memory loss. There are a lot of seniors who spend time working crossword puzzles or watching game shows on TV to help keep their mental acuity keen. I’m not an expert on crossword puzzles or game shows so I’m not sure how much those activities help. But I do know one thing: nothing g will help your memory or other brain functions more consistently than exercise! In fact, if you’ve been paying attention, you’ve probably noticed that exercise has become the elixir for just about everything that ails us!

I read an article in the December 1st edition of the 'Star Tribune' written by Gretchen Reynolds from the 'New York Times' that reminded me of the great concern aging and brain health are for many seniors. Dementia and Alzheimer’s are words that bring terror to older citizens as they begin noticing signs as they enter their 70’s and 80’s.

I hear this when I’m working with my more mature clients. As they share a story or talk about a movie, they sometimes struggle to remember the name of a film they just saw, who starred in it or even where they saw it! I can hear the fear in their voice and frustration as they internally search for that information.

But in Reynolds article, she referenced research that finds exercising at least 150 minutes a week - no matter at what age you start – will help keep your brain healthy and memory loss at bay. The only caveat was that the exercises needed to be somewhat vigorous and increase your heart rate at least through some segments of the exercise.

My motto has always been that the body was designed to move! It makes sense that life itself is dependent on that same message. When you move – walk, bike, hike, dance, golf, whatever appeals to you – you are giving your entire being – body, spirit and mind - a chance to thrive and to live a long, memorable and healthy life!

18/04/2019

Palm oil is the leading cause of orangutan extinction. It’s in 50% of all household and food products sold in the West. It’s an ingredient...

10/04/2019

I had to laugh when I read the March 23, 2019 New York Times article, ‘Forget Self-Driving Cars. Bring Back the Stick Shift.’ It expressed my feelings exactly. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve wondered if all of the technological advancements we’re being bombarded with are working in our favor or not. Not just in cars, but in so many other areas of life. For instance, I have always prided myself to be pretty good at spelling. But now, I find myself questioning the spelling of words I’ve known forever. Thanks spellcheck! Nice going autocorrect!
In the New York Times’ article, author Vatsal G. Thakkar laments automobile technology that requires less and less of our attention to our driving and may be the cause of increased accidents and mortalities.
I’m worried that it could also contribute to the demise of our body’s ability to move! No more turning your head to back up; no need to use your legs to shift or even your arms to hold and turn the steering wheel.
Driving has become “mindless” and will only become more so as self-driving cars mobilize on our roads. Technology is encouraging us to just sit by as it manages all types of functions and operations around us.
Look back further in time to notice how our bodies have slowly lost movement with the introduction of the remote control. We no longer need to get up to turn off the TV, change the channel or control the volume. In the past, there were countless times in one evening we would need to get up and move. Multiply this by 7 evenings a week, 52 weeks a year and 40 years of television watching and our immobilized bodies may begin to shut down.
To add to our potential physical atrophying, it’s no longer necessary to get out of the car to do your banking, pick up your prescription, get lunch or drop off dry cleaning.
So, why am I bringing this to your attention? Because our world is unconsciously encouraging us to become more and more sedentary. And with ever-increasing technological changes ahead of us, our physical well-being is at stake.
To combat this, we have to consciously look for new opportunities to move our bodies every day. There are endless ways to do this. Of course, one way is to purchase a car with manual transmission – you better do it fast as fewer are being manufactured each year – or you can add mindful exercise, like Pilates, to your daily routine. Whichever you choose, keep moving!