pilates_by_dena

Thank You, Tampa Bay, for 20 Wonderful Years!

Fri, 25 Oct 2024 20:43:48 GMT

Celebrating Two Decades of Pilates and Wellness in Our Community

We’re incredibly grateful to celebrate 20 years with each of you who has been part of our journey. Since we opened, our mission has been to create a welcoming space where everyone can pursue wellness through Pilates. Thank you to our amazing clients, dedicated team, and supportive community for making Pilates by Dena your wellness home.

Milestones Along the Way

As we reflect on the past two decades, we’re proud of many milestones. One of our biggest achievements was launching our Teacher Training Program seven years ago, allowing us to deepen our commitment to Pilates and share our passion by training new instructors. Earning accreditation has been another significant step in our journey toward excellence in Pilates instruction.

A Look Back: Pilates by Dena Through the Years

Your Stories, Our Inspiration

We’re honored to have been part of so many lives, and your stories inspire us every day. Here are just a few words from our wonderful clients:

“

Looking Forward

As we honor the past 20 years, we look forward to the future. Pilates by Dena remains committed to providing a space for strength, balance, and community. Here’s to many more years of health, movement, and connection together!

5 tips for choosing the right Pilates Teacher Training Program for YOU!

Mon, 27 Mar 2023 23:17:15 GMT

How exciting! You are thinking about becoming a Pilates instructor because you are health conscious and want to help people gain health and wellness. But it’s completely overwhelming with the number of training programs that are out there these days, it’s difficult to sort out which ones are going to offer you the skills and training you need to become a skilled (and profitable) Pilates instructor.

Here are a few tips to help you along on your journey.

Find an accredited program.
The Pilates Method Alliance International Accreditation for Pilates (ITTAP)program provides accreditation for Pilates train-the-trainer programs in the areas of Mat, Reformer, and Comprehensive. The PMA is a third-party, self-regulating group of Pilates professionals who are committed to advancing the Pilates industry. The ITTAP was designed to provide standards of excellence for Pilates teacher training programs world-wide. The ITTAP was developed with input from Pilates leaders, PMA board members and other professionals in the industry, who indicated that a simpler, more inclusive process was needed. The accreditation is aligned with the PMA’s goal to further professionalize the industry and support the continued education of Pilates for future generations of students. Pilates teacher training programs that meet the ITTAP criteria are recognized as quality programs committed to upholding the educational principles of Pilates.
Find a Qualified Teacher Trainer.
Learning from an experienced teacher will help you in so many ways. Your teacher should have extensive knowledge of the industry in addition to the curriculum being taught. You want someone who has worked with clients of all ages and backgrounds. Someone who knows how to deal with teaching a client with injuries. Someone who will nurture and support you along your journey.
Become a part of a learning community.
It doesn’t feel great to be out there on your own. You need to connect with a community of people who can help you get clients, consult on complex cases and help with new programming. Look for programs that value becoming a part of a greater community of Pilates professionals.
Nurture 1:1 connection with your teacher
Teachers can help you take overwhelming amounts of information and help you make sense of it. They also offer the essential mentoring you need move from the classroom to the real world as a successful Pilates instructor. Search for a program that values in-depth mentoring and relationships with an experienced teacher.
Make sure it meets your needs in terms of time and cost.

Looking to take the next step? Click here! www.pilatesbydena.com

Top 5 Things to Know About Starting Pilates

Fri, 24 Jun 2022 01:24:30 GMT

Preparing for Your First Pilates Class

No need to be intimidated! Pilates is suitable for all ages and fitness levels. When planning to go to the studio for the first time, knowing the basics may help you feel better prepared.

Pilates is a progressive technique and centers on improving alignment, strength, flexibility, and coordination. If you’re cleared for workout, give it a try to complement what you’re already doing. We don’t think you’ll be disappointed!

Each studio offers a different approach and atmosphere. Pilates by Dena offers a very client-centered practice, and each instructor is sure to make you feel comfortable and safe.

We offer a 30-minute complimentary session to get you started.

What to Bring

You do not need to bring much because we provide all equipment and supporting props for the workout. We have towels and water, but you may want to bring a water bottle with you to refill. Pilates isn’t a high-cardio workout but it’s a good idea to hydrate before, during, and after class.

What to Wear

Pilates is casual but you’ll want to keep it simple. Here are a few tips to help you feel comfortable in the studio –

Choose workout clothing that stretches easily but is not too baggy because the instructor wants to see your alignment and form. Leggings or shorts and a tank top or form-fitting shirt are great options. Avoid zippers, tie-back tops, and belts because they can be uncomfortable to lay on and could potentially get caught in the equipment.
Remove long necklaces, earrings, and bracelets.
Pull hair back or away from your face.
No need for shoes because the work is done barefoot but if you’d prefer socks, grippy socks work best to ensure your feet don’t slip.

What to Expect

For your first session, please arrive 10 minutes early to complete some paperwork. This will help your instructor understand past and present medical conditions and/or any lingering injuries. A friendly and knowledgeable instructor will greet you and show you around and will likely start you with some fundamental mat work. Mat exercises will help you gain strength and confidence in Pilates and will translate to the other apparatuses, including Reformer, Cadillac, Ladder Barrel and Wunda Chair.

At any time, ask questions. Request a modification if something doesn’t feel right on your body. If you have a concern, please raise it.

If you’d like to continue beyond your first session, we advise purchasing an intro package – a set of 3 one-hour sessions. From there, we recommend package of 1, 2 or 3 weekly sessions for a 12-week commitment – solo, duet and trio options are available.

As for results, you will feel more connected and open immediately after your first session! To help you reach your individual goals, consistency and commitment will be key. And if you need to cancel or reschedule a session, no worries! Please try to give us 24-hour notice if possible.

We hope you’ll join us in the studio! To get started, please call or email today.

Our History and What We Can Offer You

Tue, 08 Feb 2022 02:38:35 GMT

The History of Pilates by Dena

Pilates is a method of exercise and physical movement designed to stretch, strengthen, align, and balance the body. It was created in the 1920s by the physical trainer Joseph Pilates (1880-1967) for the purpose of rehabilitation, and focuses on 6 principles: centering, concentration, control, precision, breath, and flow.

Pilates originally trained soldiers returning from war as well as professional dancers to help heal their aches and pain. He used a systematic, disciplined approach, beginning with mat work and later creating equipment such as the reformer, chair, cadillac, and tower, to help his clients master both physical and mental awareness.

Our founder, Dena Curtin, trained in Pilates in 1998 while pursuing a professional career in dance in New York City. After completing a 600-hour apprenticeship with Susan Moran-Sheehy and Phoebe Higgins, she became a certified Pilates instructor working 1:1 with people of all ages and backgrounds.

She relocated back to Florida after getting married to her husband, Dennis. Originally Florida grown, she wanted to get back to her roots and closer to her family before starting the journey of parenthood.

Dena was truly inspired by the transformation Pilates and exercise could have in just one session. The process of making someone “feel better” was a driving force. A client becoming stronger physically allows them to be stronger mentally as well. Dena has also been inspired to pass along the Joseph Pilates legacy to her teacher training students. She feels blessed and grateful for this privilege. Watching her students make people “feel better” is equally thrilling to her.

Pilates by Dena first opened its doors as a full-service, traditional Pilates studio in Tampa, FL in 2002. At the time, there were no other Pilates’ studios offering this classical method. Clients interested in gaining flexibility and mobility via a low-impact exercise format were quick to schedule appointments. Dena has worked with people of all ages and capabilities for almost twenty years and in a few different studio locations around town, most recently opening a brand-new studio on Dale Mabry on October 1, 2021.

The studio and Dena personally have both grown with the community. Today, Dena has serviced hundreds of clients in the region, many of whom have been practicing with her weekly for years.

Pilates by Dena currently has 6 part-time instructors offering solos, duets, and trios Monday through Friday. Dena also offers a 450-hour comprehensive teacher training program for those looking to take their Pilates experience to the next level.

Book your free 30-minute complimentary intro today!

New Year, New You!

Tue, 08 Feb 2022 02:32:51 GMT

Pilates is the Path to Health and Well-Being

The new year is upon us and for many, this means the opportunity for new beginnings. But New Year’s resolutions are tough to keep. We make lists or create vision boards and develop lofty goals, and yet often our activities seem to sizzle out over time.

Dedicated time for exercise, health and wellness are important desires and may be top of mind each January. Rather than signing up for a rigorous, high-intensity workout package or tough to motivate exercise routine, consider Pilates as a low-impact alternative.

It’s a safe and effective exercise method that lengthens and stretches all the major muscle groups through personalized programming, with equipment or without. Pilates improves flexibility, balance, strength and stamina. Results are recognized quickly and last.

Pilates can be the gift that keeps on giving throughout the year and for many years to come. Here’s why.

Pilates works your whole body.

It’s a full body workout and each class or private lesson is different and customized, so there isn’t a possibility of growing bored. Pilates keeps you moving with smooth transitions between slow, controlled movements, helping to improve strength, flexibility, and mobility.

Pilates strengthens your core.

Having a strong core is essential to improving alignment and developing greater body awareness. It’s a key factor in decreasing back and hip pain, improving pelvic floor dysfunction, and stabilizing posture.

Pilates increases energy.

By focusing on the breath, Pilates stimulates oxygen flow and blood circulation. The exercises use repetition to get the heart rate up helping to burn calories long after the workout ends, but rarely leaves you feeling fatigued. Bonus: it’s a mood-booster too!

Pilates decreases stress.

With greater body awareness and an inward focus on the breath, Pilates can lower cortisol, down-regulate the nervous system, and decrease stress over time.

Pilates can help to prevent future injuries.

Pilates is a functional form of exercise and is very gentle on the body; it’s commonly used for rehabilitative purposes to enhance daily activities and livelihood. Pilates can improve quality of life by having a positive impact on depression and pain, and studies have shown it can help boost your immunity and improve cognitive functioning too!

Pilates is a fun change of pace from other, more rigorous workouts. And while it’s important to implement some health and wellness activities into a new year’s routine -- the most beneficial and impactful exercises are those you enjoy doing, so you’ll keep coming back.