A Little Background: In 2006, I was introduced to Pilates by Cynthia Shipely, Romana Certified Level IV Instructor, at Harlem School of the Arts. I had heard a lot about Pilates but never really "tried" it. A good friend of mine who I just happened to be assisting at the school, encouraged me to go with him on Monday nights. I did.....and it totally changed my life and body. Quickly I realized that with all the many years of dance training, weightlifting, cardio etc.....I did not have a strong "powerhouse" or core as most call it. I went EVERY Monday and was sometimes there by myself (yay). I spoke with Cynthia about certification. She strongly recommended True Pilates however, I ended up getting certified through Core Pilates NYC, a Classical Pilates studio in Union Square. The owners were Power Pilates certified. One of the owners/teacher trainers had begun initially with Romana so I guess you could say I am a mixed breed of Power Pilates and Romana's Pilates. So in 2007 I received my mat certification and the following year (2008) my full certification to teach Pilates. I have not looked back since. I have had the pleasure of teaching some wonderful students over the years and still continue to teach them. A lot of them have become friends and mentors. My ultimate goal is to help change someone's life through Pilates. As one of VERY few women of color in the Pilates world, introducing this wonderful method to communities of color is even more important. Regardless, everyone needs to at least experience it. In the words of Joseph Pilates "Contrology (Pilates) develops the body uniformly, corrects wrong postures, restores physical vitality, invigorates the mind, and elevates the spirit."
Do you think my bffs would wear this lovely piece of jewelry from @badbadjewelry ? Hey I'll be their best fucking friend "foeva" #bestFuckingfriendsfoeva #mondayfeels #howdotheyputupwithme
My traps are way too big I need to cut it .... nah I'm playing....I like big traps and I cannot lie ;) #trapqueen #hestillsaysimflyanyway #fivethreeandme (at Pilates Challenge)
A little forward rowing in black and white for you (From the chest, From the hip, Shaving and The Hug)......its not perfect but that's why you practice right? 😉.....but I'm just here to show you the amazing shit I do and can teach you 👊 This looks easy as hell.......but honey hush its not! Nothing but challenge to the stabilization/strength in your shoulders and core body with a stretch component. Pilates will tell you ALL about your motherfucking life honey. EVEN the BEST athlete will be humbled. I count myself as one of those to be humbled lol. That's why I get in my own training sessions with a badass Pilates Instructor like Ernesto Reynoso who shuts my shit down with the quickness lol. Come see me Monday -Thursday at one of THE best Pilates studios in NYC❤😀 (at Pilates Challenge)
I posted this a while ago but feel like it deserves a repost given what I've experienced in the last few weeks. The f-word is my own addition but I'm almost sure @iamerinbrown would mostly say it like this ;) Feel free to repost ya'll :) Happy Friday! #happierthanamf #wordstothefuckingwise #idgaf
When you didn't think you would eat the whole thing (aww hell it wasn't that bad....as I fall to the ground and drag myself to Fresh & Co) BUT you got your ass handed to you on a plate at TRX class so you ate the whole motherfucking thing .... Ladies and Gentlemen I present to you @revfitnyc lol #ineeddeepconditioning #shawnisamaniac #canicrawlhome #mayhavetogetmymantopickmeup #icantfeelmybody
Soooo this guy heads back to school today...his junior year!!! Omg they grow so fast....now we are thinking more seriously about colleges etc. He is on his way to be an Olympic sprinter ya'll!
So here is the reverse folks.....actually I can do this from a dead hang...not sure what happened here but I'll figure it out lol. I'm that motherfucking strong....it takes a lot of core/upper body stability and strength. The position itself is tough to maintain without sinking into the low back. Will these pilates style pull ups help me with straight bar pull ups? Hell yeah :) You can learn all this and more with Moi @pilateschallenge .... come holla :) (at Pilates Challenge)
Cleaning the lil dude up for school at my favorite barbers. We were fortunate to get Mr. B himself....owner and barber extraordinare. But real talk ALL his barbers are badass. I mean they helped me get my infamous mohawk and my newest mohawk design as well. Go holla at them....best in NYC if you ask me....cause I know :) Thanks Mr. B :) (at Frank's Chop Shop)
Hanging pull ups....YES in Pilates....YES I can do them.....why yes da fuck I can :) If this doesn't make you wanna come holla at me here child I don't know then ;) #likebutta #dopegangstashit (at Pilates Challenge)
Arms springs......ummm contrary to popular belief.....this exercise is NOT for the arms or to "build dem cuts" ....you just USE them with your ARMS. These are great to strengthen the shoulders, open the chest and challenge your core stability. Here I am doing presses, triceps extensions, circles and what I call "iron cross" :) You know me :) You can make this more difficult by moving down or easier by moving closer, bending your knees or extending your legs. You can also use smaller springs or bigger springs. There is a standing version as well. I KNOW my ass can "muscle" my way through this so I stick to the regular springs at least for now....I be cheatin' ..... nah girl. Oh cute outfit too ;) Come holla! #youneededme (at Pilates Challenge)
Rowing series but forward.....Yassss girl yassss...lets talk about these damn shoulders honey child.....what exercises are these you say? From the chest, from the hip, shaving and the hug....all work the upper back and shoulders, stretches and lifts my spine and boyeeeee gets into those deep core stabilizers bruh....looks easy huh? Ummm hell to the naw....think about how gangsta I am under the bar yo! Healthy shoulders and a strong back make for good pulls, pushes and presses. Y'all need to come see me😀👊 🔷Again don't try these exercises without the mean eye of a badass Pilates Coach such as myself or unless you know the work or apprenticing somewhere. #lookmomimfamous #rowrowrowrow #reformyaself (at Pilates Challenge)
From my first album in kindergarten called " I'm so fucking cute.....the Remix" ;) #lookatmenow #ihadhair #lightbrownsugar #howcanyouresistthatdumplingface #lilcommando
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