The sun’s warm rays are finally seeping into my San Franciscan bones. Waking up at 6am to blue sky is all I need to spring out of bed with a smile. The summer solstice, the longest day of the year (and my birthday!) is next Monday! I don’t know about you, but when the sun is out so am I. Bikini and sunscreen in hand, you’ll find me scouring the city for windless green patches or carpooling south for beach time.
Summer is pure energy! Nothing makes me want to move and get outside more than the lure of Vitamin D. Happiness prevails until we realize that it’s bikini season! Are you ready to bare all? The little ego voice can’t help but nag, “damn, you should have taken a few more ab blast classes!” You’re not alone my friend. Even the most toned celebs have this voice. Luckily, there are a few secret posture and breath techniques I teach in the pilates world that will chisel the waist, and create a slim profile while building body awareness.
What’s more, these techniques can be done anywhere! Whether you are stuck in traffic, cutting veggies, or taking a sandy stroll, you can cinch the waist, breath easier and feel more confident. The more you practice the more aware of your belly you’ll become. No longer letting your tummy hang over your pants in a slouched posture.
Follow along…I promise it’s quick and painless 
These core honing, breath exercises are a taste of what’s to come in my first Perfect Posture webinar program and focus group. Next week I will post a more specific article on the details, but I am creating a webinar program that will run for two months. I’ll be looking for 5-10 people to form a focus group. We’ll work together virtually over a two month period, twice per week, to condition your entire body, build perfect posture, awareness, energy, and zero in on nutrition.
Sound fun?! It will be! Comment here if you’d like to participate. I’m looking forward to hearing from you.
Want to learn more about the power of pilates? Watch me teach Andi Norris of Instigationology.com on the equipment in studio.
{ 17 comments… read them below or add one }
Hey Amber! Great post. I always love the locations that you scout out for your photographs. I’ve never been to California, but your images are making me crave it.
Thanks for the excellent advice and for the inspiration to get the bikini bodies ready!
Have a great weekend!
xo,
Dena
Dena- ahhh yes…the beach photo shoots. I’m such a ocean and outdoor lover. The Bay Area is absolutely stunning year round. We are so spoiled. Where are you located? Hopefully somewhere toasty.
I would love to learn more and participate in your group. Please email me with details.
Lyn- great! I will post an article next week outlining the program and send you the link. Did you subscribe to my newsletter Be Epic? I will be sending out an invite to all my subscribers. I’ll be in touch shortly
Amber, your website is awesome. I just found you from a tweet, of all things. I’m scanning through and there’s loads of useful stuff for me. Can’t wait to explore further but just wanted to shoot you a big hello and way to go.
Katie- thanks so much for your sweet comments and welcome! Explore away and let me know if you have any questions or feedback. Twitter rules doesn’t it?
Thanks for this great video! I love being able to see just what is being described/what I’m supposed to be doing. I’ve mentioned Pilates breathing and posture in my blog, talking about how to use it all the time, like when you’re walking, etc. But I’ve never actually explained just how to do that because I hadn’t found the perfect tutorial. Well, now I have, so I’ll be directing readers to this post!
Sarita- I know! I think videos are the only way to go. When it comes to movement, people need to first see the movement and then feel it in their bodies. Reading just doesn’t cut it! I’m so glad you can refer your readers to my how to videos. Great to hear from another passionate fitness blogger!
Nice video. Are you actually breathing into the rib area so that is expanding rather then your stomach/abdomen? It was a little hard to hear sometimes with the background noise but still useful info as always. Plus the webinar focus group sounds awesome so mark me interested!!
Joshua- great question. The idea is to breath into your ribcage instead of diaphramatic breathing from your abdomen. As you inhale you don’t want to pooch your belly out releasing the abdominals. Zipper up the abs by pulling your navel toward your spine…that corset feeling… and breath into the lungs on top of that corset. Does that make more sense? Ya sound quality is an issue in breezy parks
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Yes, that helps immensely though it feels incredibly hard and counter-intuitive for me to breath that way and I have to consciously force myself to do it, fighting against my normal breathing patterns reestablishing themselves. Though with practice I will of course get better. Thanks and have a great weekend!
Would love to be in your focus group. Can you email me the details. Unfort. only available after the 14th July, hope that fits in with what you are doing.
Thanks & love the blog
Al. [Alyson]
Love this post! Very interested in being in your focus group.
I would love to be in your focus group too
What a great intro video. I am sending this site to my daughters and girlfriends !
Alyson, Carol and Barbara- I am so glad you three lovely ladies enjoyed the video. I am putting together the details of the webinar and will send you an email when it’s complete. Thanks for your support and I look forward to working with you.
Amber – so glad I’ve found your website. I think the videos are great and prove a point or answer a question that I had. As a personal trainer and wellness coach I’ve wondered how effective this type of v-log might be – I think what you are doing is great. And coupled with your nomadic lifestyle. I find myself being not just a little bit jealous but at the same time thinking, just do it mark! thankx again amber – mark
Mark- I’ve found through my virtual pilates sessions that it’s ridiculously easy to connect with people all over the world and make a larger impact. I have worked with clients from all over the globe and it’s been very rewarding! Just doing it is my mission. I too sat on this idea for some time, but it’s the future and if you don’t do it someone else will. So glad you found Epicself too and look forward to hearing more from you.
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