#wearetheswan

we are the swan - Roger


How does Pilates affect your life outside the studio?

Dealing with lower back pain for a number of years, this has been one of the most positive, healing, and educational experiences I've had. I'm so much more cognizant of what and how I am doing certain things (standing, walking, sitting, etc.). Also, I have a much better sense sense of how my body works and reacts to certain movements. 

In addition to this, I have been able to be a lot more active, and more importantly, have had a stronger desire to exercise and be outside more, and do so in a safe, yet rewarding way. 
I have to say, practicing Pilates has been one of the best decisions I have made for myself and I Iook forward to deepening my practice and expanding my knowledge at The Swan. 

What’s your favorite Pilates prop?

I have come to love my foam roller. Any time my legs, hips or back feels tight or tense, I crave a good roll. And sometimes I'll just roll on it to roll on it! That says a lot, especially that was the one thing I used the dread about the start of my classes!

What are you listening to lately?

Kendrick Lamar! He's been on repeat for the past 3 months and I just saw him at Summer Jam (he was awesome!). 

If you had to eat at the same place every night for a month, where would you chose?

TOTALLY obsessed with Sweetgreen! I could probably eat there every night, for the next two months!

Fiction or nonfiction?

Fiction. For me, it's a refreshing route to exit and re-enter reality.
 

We Are the Swan - Laura

Profession: Yoga instructor/movement educator for ages 0-adult, dancer

What is your favorite piece of equipment and why? What about props?

The reformer with the jump board. I love the way it helps me work on my connection from my feet through my head, but in a different relationship to gravity. Also you can just do so many things on it! Like swan on the box, and leg circles with your feet in the springs, and...

Right now, I love the overball -- also because you can use it for so many things -- and it's totally portable! I carry it with me when I travel, or when I'm teaching, and I can use it to find space in my thoracic, release my psoas, challenge my stability in things like knee folds, or squeeze between my knees or feet. I think you could do a whole class using just this one prop!

Where do you go in the city to feel like you aren't in the city?

In the summer, Ft. Tilden.  

In spring and fall, the middle of Prospect Park, on the dirt trails through the woods - I love getting lost in there.

What's your favorite muscle or bone and why?

The psoas. It's so intense and important but so deeply buried. Also someone told me once that the reason we can walk upright is because our psoas lengthened at some point in our evolutionary history. Four-legged creatures have shorter psoas muscles b/c their legs come off the front of their pelvises. And...I think tenderloin meat is the psoas of the animal. Crazy.

Spring or fall?

SPRING!!!!!

We are the swan - Katie

Name: Katie

Profession: I own a graphic design studio in Dumbo, The Office of Katie Osborn, Inc. We focus on wayfinding strategies such as signs, maps, apps and other tools that help people find their way around public spaces like parks, hospitals, and schools. 

How has Pilates affected your life outside the studio?

It's kind of hard to explain, but I feel balanced and tall and and strong in the most subtle way. I feel better in my body!

What is your favorite Pilates exercise to do while traveling or at home?

I like the bent knee lifts for my core and the serratus push ups to keep my shoulders loose. 

What are you listening to lately?

I've been obsessed with Cloud Cult for years... If you don't know them, ask Julia, she's a fan too. 

What is your favorite place to travel to?

Locally, I love Fire Island in the summer, but I'm dreaming of a trip to Argentina in the near future

we are the swan - Tony

Name: Tony

Profession: I'm in public relations, or helping people say what they mean.

Current favorite recipe?

The Zuni Cafe Chicken is my most favorite thing to make.

What is your favorite muscle, or bone, and why?

I love working on my feet! because who knew there were muscles there? and that working them out helps the rest of your body so much?

Do you have a secret hobby or interest?

It's not so secret that I love eating!

 

we are the swan - Shaina

Name: Shaina

Profession: Non-Profit Programs Associate

What is your favorite Pilates cue?

I appreciate any cue that reminds me to take a moment and really put my focus on the part of my body that I should be using. Basically, when Julia reminds me I should be using my body and my head, I like it!

What are you reading right now?

I am re-reading Black Swan Green by David Mitchell and first time reading the last of an old series that I love, The Dark is Rising by Susan Cooper. The last book is called Silver On the Tree and somehow I just never got to the end even though I have read the first two books four or five times! 

Go out or stay in?

Stay in!

How does Pilates affect your life outside the studio?

Pilates makes me feel more comfortable and grounded in my body. It also encourages me to think about my body in a mindful and intelligent way in a way.  It makes me feel connected and centered and has had a tremendous affect on my shoulder girdle and upper back tension/pain. More than anything, Pilates affects sneak up on me in everyday life, like when I adjust how I am holding on to the railing on a crowded subway, or when I position myself for sleep.  

Do you have a secret hobby or interest (other than Pilates obvi)?

I would calling reading my not so secret interest. My two lesser know hobbies include collage/card making and plant tending. 

we are the swan - Jeni

Name: Jeni

Profession: personal training strength coach/ yoga and Pilates mat instructor

How/why did you start Pilates?

I started Pilates one on ones with Julia a few years ago to help relieve some hip pain and strengthen my weak abdominals. She opened the door into Pilates in a fun and yet intense way and taught me things that I continue to use daily. I love The Swan and have now gone through Pilates Mat Training through their recommendation.

What is your favorite muscle and why?

The Gluteal Muscles, because of their great capacity for strength, stability and power (can look really nice too!).

What is one of your favorite recipes?

I'm torn between Baked Sweet Potatoes with Coconut Oil or my grain and sugar free Banana Nut Muffins that I've adapted over the past few years.

Most loved/Most loathed Pilates exercises?

I have a love/hate relationship with Pilates, so the exercises that are most difficult move from most loathed into most loved. Swan used to be one of those poses. I even screamed, "I Hate You" to Julia while performing Swan one time.

 

 

we are the swan - Henry

Name: Henry

Profession: architectural student

What is your favorite city to travel to?

Los Angeles, California

How does Pilates affect your life outside the studio?

Despite his fraud and criminal activity, I think Kevin Trudeau said it best: "Most people have no idea how good their body is designed to feel."

What are you reading right now?

Ned Rorem's (the composer) The New York Diary

we are the swan - Kelly

Name: Kelly

Profession: massage therapist / spa manager

What is your favorite muscle or bone and why?

Favorite muscle is the gastrocnemius because it's heads fit perfectly between my thumb and index finger.

What's your favorite exercises? Least favorite?

Most favorite is the Clean. Least favorite is Mountain Climber

Stay in or go out?

Go out!

What is your favorite city to travel to?

Currently is it Portland, Maine.

Keep your eyes peeled for out-of-the-city and into-the-woods adventure ideas, inspired by Kelly and perfect for your Fall escapades! 

we are the swan - Sunny

Name: Sunny

Profession: professional photographer

What's your favorite exercise? Least Favorite?

favorite - Whatever the one where you hang on the bars and do the swan by pulling your body up to the ceiling is called.

least - Honestly I love all pilates exercises, even the hard ones that I don't like in that moment where i'm cursing your names.

What is your favorite city to travel to?

Impossible question!

What’s your favorite Pilates cue?

(I had to google "pilates cue") Usually the most simple, when you guys remind me to breath, because I always forget how important that can be.

What are you listening to lately?

Most recent spotify listens - habibi, ty segall, miriam makeba

we are the swan - Evvie

Name: Evvie

Profession: professional dancer

What’s your favorite Pilates cue?

sneaky tuck!

Do you have a secret hobby or interest (other than Pilates obvi)?

My secret hobby is arranging flowers. Sprout Home (the floral studio in Wburg) is one of the things that makes New York OK for me.

How does Pilates affect your life outside the studio?

It has really supported my dancing, obviously. But also, I can suddenly fit into all my old vintage skirts from high school again. Sure can.