Author Archives: TeamMona

About TeamMona

UW certificate in Sports Med. & Human Performance, ACE-certified personal trainer, apparatus-certified Pilates instructor, with experience in formats from Zumba to Kettlebells... I believe there is a move for every body, and size and age is not a barrier to joyful movement or better health. We just have to find it, the best movement for your body... I get the struggle of loving oneself enough to find way toward better health, even if it doesn't look like what media shoves down our throats... and I believe health is multi-faceted, caring for our body, mind, and spirit, and for each other.

Longevity, Dementia, and… Grip Strength?

If you are one of my regular class members, you will often hear me mention physical markers of longevity and reduced dementia risk so that you might increase your likelihood of having a better healthspan, meaning, good health for a … Continue reading

Posted in Exercise How-To, Explainers | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

A Stable Spine is Mighty Fine!

Learn about “The McGill Big Three” exercises to help stabilize your spine with a strong, 360º core, the Pilates way! #healthyspine #coreworkout #coreexercise

Posted in Exercise How-To | Tagged , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Are You Doing Hip Bridges, or a Low Back Lift?

Hip bridges are one of those exercises whose variations go across most fitness genres. You’ll see them in the weight room, in a yoga class, in a Pilates studio, and in group exercise. But using them to target the foot … Continue reading

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , | 2 Comments

More Booty, Less Back Ache! :-)

Here’s a short little movement sequence that can be especially helpful if you’ve been sitting too long, or in a deep squat too long (like weeding, or cleaning out low cupboards). It helps lengthen out the front of your hip … Continue reading

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

A One-minute Mental Toughness Exercise with Four Great Benefits

I first met Dr. Haley Perlus years ago at the World Spinning & Sport Conference in Miami, Florida. She’s a sport psychologist, and was speaking on motivation strategies in goal achievement for athletes as well as regular, active folks. I … Continue reading

Posted in Uncategorized | 1 Comment

TeamMona Movement Minute

Squats and rainbows for your Movement Minute! 🙂

Posted in TeamMona Movement Minutes | Leave a comment

Conquer the C.R.A.P., Feel the Love

Today during my step bench workout I had an epiphany: pain in movement doesn’t mean I need to necessarily fear movement. It more likely means that I’ve stopped  paying attention  to myself. I’ve set down my  self-care, my  self-love, and let … Continue reading

Posted in Body Mind Spirit, motivation | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Buddy Up!

Let’s be honest… we’ve all been there, me included: the alarm goes off, it’s dark outside, and though you told yourself you’d get up and go out to exercise, you roll over and hit snooze instead. Or maybe you’ve finished … Continue reading

Posted in motivation, Strategies | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Client spotlight: the one and only LT!

If you come to Pilates Northwest, you’ve probably seen my client LT.  He’s the guy who, when he’s not in the middle of his session, instantly puts everyone at ease with his friendly smile and self-deprecating quips. He’s also the … Continue reading

Posted in motivation | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Some Days Need You To Play Offense

There are days when you have a big to-do list, or just a normal list but you didn’t get enough sleep… days when you are doubting that what you want to achieve isn’t worth the effort, or that what you … Continue reading

Posted in motivation, Strategies | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment