Area Yoga Brooklyn

Candice describes yogalates as, “a fusion of the ancient discipline of yoga and modern Pilates techniques. The exercises mix both disciplines to develop core strength, help tone muscles, increase flexibility, and reduce stress.” I’ve never done Pilates before, so I had a few questions and was curious to hear more from Candice about this new practice.

AY: How does yogalates differ from yoga? How does it differ from Pilates?
CH: Yogalates is different from yoga in that it incorporates a total focus on two of the most neglected, but fundamental parts of our being: the core and pelvic floor. It is different from Pilates in that yoga poses are blended in, along with breath awareness and mental focus, for a total physical, mental, and spiritual experience.

 

AY: How did you get started and interested in teaching yogalates?

CH: I was certified in Pilates mat at the Kane School of Core Integration in 2006. It was to supplement the knowledge I had from my yoga training, which I felt lacked enough focus on this area. There are backbends, twists, forward bends, inversions, etc, all of which absolutely use the core for full expression. But I wanted to take a very close, detailed, anatomical look at this region of the body and how it affected health. Yogalates is taught in a few places around NYC, so after taking some classes, I knew that I had the tools to create my own dynamic blend of these techniques.

 

AY: We’re thrilled to have you teaching yogalates at AREA. Are there particular students that you recommend try yogalates? Say, students with certain injuries or beginners, advanced students?

CH: Yogalates is open to all students–beginner, advanced, young, old–it is especially great for post-partum women looking to move back into their yoga and core practices.

 

AY: How has yogalates affected your yoga practice? Or, how has yogalates helped your yoga teaching?

CH: Yogalates has made me more aware of the smaller, more intricate parts of my body that tend to be neglected.

 

AY: So, what’s one simple yogalates exercises that people can do a day to cultivate that same awareness?
CH: The pelvic tilt. Just lying on your back with your feet flat on the floor (like you are coming into bridge pose) and pulling the navel to the spine and flattening the lumbar spine to the floor, then releasing. Just this gentle awareness and movement brings awareness and strength in so many ways!

 

AY: OK, just one last question: What’s your favorite music to play while you practice yogalates?

CH: I like all kinds of music! Anything with a rockin’ beat and a lot of soul that fits my mood that day, I’ll play it!