Embracing Mindful Movement (and Remembering to Read the Instructions!)
Pilates Joan Breibart Pilates Joan Breibart

Embracing Mindful Movement (and Remembering to Read the Instructions!)

Meet the TYE4X—a deceptively simple, wearable Pilates gadget that's as much a fashion statement as it is a fitness tool. Consisting of two bungees designed for gentle resistance—one for the legs and one for the arms—it promises mindful movement but often confounds users who, in their quest for quick fixes and instant abs, crank up the tension and misuse it. In an era obsessed with shortcuts like weight-loss meds and extreme workouts, the TYE4X serves as a reminder that patience, proper instruction, and mindfulness are key to truly effective wellness practices.

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Bye Bye Diet & Exercise
Joan Breibart Joan Breibart

Bye Bye Diet & Exercise

Are you going to a health club or boutique exercise studio several times a week? If so, you are an exception. The business of fitness is in decline, especially after COVID.

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Peloton & the Power of Branding
Joan Breibart Joan Breibart

Peloton & the Power of Branding

Analysts say Peloton is a great exercise option hindered by poor management, but in reality, it is the opposite - Peloton is terrible exercise with good marketing.

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How did TYE4X end up in the pool?
Pool Joan Breibart Pool Joan Breibart

How did TYE4X end up in the pool?

I asked Jill Johnson to test this prop in the water. Jill is a certified ACSM Personal Trainer; a Pilates expert; a former dancer, and, more importantly, she’s a competitive swimmer who was ranked 12th in the U.S. in Butterfly. In other words, the perfect person to test this product in the water which she did and her report confirmed that the X is a big body asset.

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Classical Pilates is an Insult to Joe's Genius
Pilates History Joan Breibart Pilates History Joan Breibart

Classical Pilates is an Insult to Joe's Genius

The recent demise of TV personality Suzanne Somers made me reflect on the success of the Thigh Master. In the 90s, Somers sold millions of these gadgets saying "You just put it between your knees and squeeze." I remember the TV infomercial and exclaiming, “It’s just a copy of Joe’s Magic Circle!”

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Pilates and Golf
Sports Joan Breibart Sports Joan Breibart

Pilates and Golf

Pilates teachers understand the remarkable benefits golfers can gain from engaging in twice-weekly private Pilates sessions. In 1998, the first Golf & Pilates Workshop was initiated with the expertise of Mike Wright and Alex Garcia, distinguished Pilates instructors and proficient golfers.

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Posture Products
Health & Fitness Joan Breibart Health & Fitness Joan Breibart

Posture Products

Google this term and instantly there are 61 million hits! Why is this category so popular today? It certainly dwarfs other fitness goals. Remember the six pack? Remember thin thighs? Well, everyone's given up on that, of course. But Posture was always in our vocabulary.

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Pilates Then and Now
Pilates History Joan Breibart Pilates History Joan Breibart

Pilates Then and Now

Having practiced Pilates for almost 60 years, I was there when Joe, the founder, was still alive. It was the year 1991 when this practice, which was nearly fading into oblivion, experienced a revival. After Joe's death in 1967, his wife struggled to keep the studio running. It was barely profitable and those who Joe trained, such as Ron Fletcher, Walter, and Corolla Trier who each started their own studios, weren't available to help. Not even Eve Gentry, who had developed her own method in New Mexico, could lend a hand. The exception was Romana Kryzanowska, who had nothing and was delighted to take over.

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